Capital Report~October 10, 2008
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Premier Gordon Campbell is joined at the CIBC Run for the Cure by (L to R) Richard Lee, MLA for Burnaby North; Mary Polak, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport and MLA for Langley; Joan McIntyre, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations and MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi; and Colin Hansen, Minister of Finance and MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena. At the run he announced the The BC150 Volunteer Incentive Program.

Better Communities with Infrastructure Planning

Fifty-eight local governments across B.C. will share $819,400 from the second round of the Province’s annual Infrastructure Planning Grant program, helping them to study the feasibility of infrastructure projects in their communities.

  • The Infrastructure Planning Grant Program offers grants up to $10,000 to help local governments plan, design and manage infrastructure.
  • Earlier this year, nearly $890,000 in additional infrastructure planning grants were announced for B.C. communities.

Click for more information.

Volunteers Recognized with Charitable Contributions

A new program will make charitable donations on behalf of B.C. volunteers to honour their contribution and mark the province’s 150th anniversary year.

  • The BC150 Volunteer Incentive Program (BC150 VIP) will honour 30,000 eligible British Columbian volunteers who donate their time to a charitable event with a $50 donation in their name.
  • Funding for the recognition effort is provided through the Community Gaming Grants program.

Click for more information.

Students Go Green with Walking School Bus

Education Minister Shirley Bond marked International Walk to School Day at Frank Hobbs Elementary school and challenged B.C. schools across the province to go “green” by setting up a walking school bus or bicycle train to reduce their carbon footprint.

  • Walking school buses and bicycle trains function like a conventional school bus by making predetermined stops to pick up and drop off students on the way to and from school.
  • In order to support schools across B.C. in setting up their own walking school buses and bicycle trains, the Province is investing close to $200,000 for online tools and an incentive program.

Click for more information.

Saturday, October 11

Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Randy Hawes will be a guest on CKNW’s Sean Leslie Show from 3:15pm to 3:30pm to discuss the Select Standing Committee on Finance tour and what they are hearing.

Sunday, October 12

Minister of Energy and Mines Richard Neufeld will be a guest on CKNW’s Sean Leslie Show from 3:05pm to 3:15pm to discuss Oil and Gas Week.

Tuesday, October 14

Minister of Small Business and Revenue Kevin Krueger will be a guest on CHNL's The Jim Harrison Show from 9:05am to 9:30am to discuss Small Business Month.

Wednesday, October 15

Minister of Small Business and Revenue Kevin Krueger will be a guest on CKNW’s Christy Clark Show from 2:00pm to 2:30pm to discuss Small Business Month.


Quotes This Week

"[The government] has shown outstanding leadership in engaging the community members in these planning processes. As a result we've seen more informed decisions and we've seen strong community support for the actions that have been taken."
Elaine Golds, Vice-president, Burke Mountain Naturalists. Vancouver Sun, October 4, 2008. (Referring to the new Coquitlam River Dam)

"Its a wonderful idea. It's something we are encouraging, there are some really good opportunities out there for kids to walk together."
Colleen Lepik, Community Saftey Coordinator. The Kamloops Daily News, October 9, 2008 (Referring to the Walking School Bus Program).

"They operate more slowly, they do fewer animals, therefore the inspector sees things more directly and if there is any kind of problem it can be isolated much more readily then if it's part of a very large, very fast moving national system."
Kathleen Gibson, Manager of Meat Stratagies, BC Food Processors Association. CHNL, October 10, 2008 (Referring to the BC meat inspection system).


Did You Know?

  • British Columbia employers will be participating in the Province’s first ever job fair in the Philippines, providing Filipinos with the opportunity to explore employment opportunities in B.C.’s hospitality/tourism and transportation sectors.
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  • Honouring individuals who make a difference in their communities is the goal of the 6th Annual BC Community Achievement Awards. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 15, 2008. Information on the nomination process can be found on the foundation’s website at www.bcachievement.com or by calling toll free at 1-866 882-6088 or visiting a government agent office or library.
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