Capital Report~October 17
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Small Business and Revenue Minister Kevin Krueger tours WetCleaner, Victoria's non-toxic dry cleaning alternative, as part of Small Business Month. WetCleaner owner Dave Hatt demonstrates the cleaning process, which will be featured on the LiveSmart BC website for small businesses going green.

LiveSmart BC Helps Small Business Go Green

LiveSmart BC is encouraging small business to take action against climate change and is also partnering with BC Hydro to offer free energy assessments to small businesses.

  • To help small businesses take the next steps toward improving energy efficiency, LiveSmart BC and BC Hydro are offering a Small Business Walkthrough program.
  • October is Small Business Month in British Columbia and recognizes the valuable contribution small businesses in all regions make to British Columbia’s growing economy.

Click for more information.

October Oil and Gas Rights Sale Generates $151 Million

The October sale of oil and gas rights resulted in a total of over $151 million in bonus bids. Yesterday’s sale brings the fiscal year-to-date total to $2.17 billion.

  • The Oct. 15 sale offered 118 parcels in northeast B.C. covering 75,237 hectares, and sold 99 parcels covering 68,429 hectares. The average price per hectare was $2,214.

Click for more information.

B.C. Auto Thefts Drop by Nearly Half Since 2003

B.C.’s car-theft rate continues to plummet, falling 45 per cent across the province and 54 per cent in the Lower Mainland from the levels in 2003.

  • Innovative programs like bait cars, immobilizer technology, integrated road safety units, the Air One helicopter and other crime prevention activities are being credited with reducing the number of car thefts across B.C.
  • In Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, thefts dropped to 4,650 from 10,110.

Click for more information.

Sunday, October 19

Attorney General Wally Oppal will be a guest on The Roy Green Show at 12:45pm to discuss David Sherring parole hearing.

Sunday, October 19

Minister of Small Business and Revenue Kevin Krueger will be a guest on CKNW’s Sean Leslie Show from 4:00pm to 4:30pm to discuss Small Business Month.

Monday, October 20

Minister of Small Business and Revenue Kevin Krueger will be a guest on Global's Morning News from 7:20am to 7:30am to discuss Small Business Month.

Monday, October 20

Attorney General Wally Oppal will be a guest on CKNW's Bill Good Show from 9:05am to 9:30am to discuss gang violence.

Tuesday, October 21

Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Richard Neufeld will be a guest on CBC's Early Edition at 7:50am to discuss wind energy in B.C. 

Wednesday, October 22

Minister of Small Business and Revenue Kevin Krueger will be a guest on A News' Breakfast Show from 7:50am to 8:00am to discuss Small Business Month.

Thursday, October 23

Finance Minister Colin Hansen will be a guest on Shaw's Voice of BC from 8:00pm to 9:00pm.


Quotes This Week

“I know he's taken some heat for his aggressive position against climate change. I'll just tell you my take on this; I believe it'll be the greatest economic generator you could embrace.”
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton. CKNW, October 17, 2008 (Commenting on Premier Campbell and the Carbon Tax).

"There were a lot of factors to consider and I'm pleased that Minister Bell took the time to work with us and ensure that our contractors will receive the monies owed to them. The contribution to the Community Forest, maintaining road access and the properties acquired by the province are all very important decisions for our communities."
Karen Hamling, Mayor of Nakusp. Castlegar News, October 14, 2008 (Commenting on TFL 23).

“The statistics show clearly that car thieves are getting the message: steal a bait car, go to jail. With the flexibility and growth of the bait-car program and other approaches, car thieves should know that it’s not a matter of if, but when we’re going to catch them.”
Sgt. Gord Elias of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT). Opinion 250, October 16, 2008.



Did You Know?

  • The LiveSmart BC booth at this weekend's Vancouver Home and Interior Design Show will provide British Columbians with information about choices that can save them hundreds and even thousands of dollars by taking advantage of the $60 million available in government rebates and incentives.

  • The Province is investing $12.5 million in forestry research to improve timber growth practices, respond to the impacts of climate change, and maximize the benefits from British Columbia’s forest resources. The Forest Science Program is funding 216 new and ongoing projects.

  • Students across the province will have the opportunity to experience first-hand what life was like 150 years ago in B.C.’s one-room schoolhouses, through the new BC150 Resources website. To view the website visit: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/bc150/.
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