Capital Reoprt~December 19, 2008
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Premier Gordon Campbell high-fives a young Richmond hockey player during the grand opening of the Richmond Olympic Oval - one of the feature venues of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Richmond Olympic Oval Officially Opened

Premier Gordon Campbell was on hand to officially open the Richmond Olympic Oval, home of speed skating for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

  • The $178-million Richmond Olympic Oval was completed on time and on budget.
  • Olympic gold medalists Cindy Klassen and Kyle Hamilton also participated in the opening ceremonies.
  • During the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Oval will be host to 14 days of competition and 12 medal events.

Click for more information.

Thousands of Drinking Drivers Put on Notice

Up to 4,000 more British Columbians whose driving records show evidence of drinking and driving will now be forced to provide breath samples every time they operate their vehicles, under an expanded ignition interlock program.

  • Starting Feb. 1, 2009, anyone who acquires a single drinking-driving conviction will be allowed to operate only an interlock-equipped vehicle.
  • The dashboard-mounted devices require drivers to provide breath samples to start and continue operating their vehicles.

Click for more information.

Partnership to Shelter Homeless in Vancouver

An unprecedented partnership between the Province, the City of Vancouver and the private sector will provide $1.5 million to create up to 200 temporary shelter beds in three locations for people who are homeless in Vancouver.

  • Each partner will provide $500,000 to fund temporary overnight shelter beds for the next 90 days.
  • This short-term response complements other provincial housing strategies already underway in Vancouver, including the purchase and renovation of 17 single-room occupancy (SRO) hotels, the development of over 1,400 new affordable housing units on 14 city sites, 687 beds funded through the Emergency Shelter Program, and 498 beds provided through the Extreme Weather Response program.

Click for more information.

2008: A GROUNDBREAKING YEAR FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA

Opinion Editorial, By Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia.

Click to read the Op-Ed.

Monday, December 22
Premier Gordon Campbell will be a guest on Fairchild TV - Vancouver from 10:00pm to 10:30pm to discuss the end of the year.

Thursday, December 25
Premier Gordon Campbell will be a guest on Fairchild Radio AM 1470 from 5:00 to 5:30pm to discuss the end of the year.

Quotes This Week

"The good news is that British Columbia arguably is relatively well-positioned to withstand the looming economic downturn. Thanks to excellent fiscal management and a string of annual budget surpluses, the provincial government is in a strong financial position and has room to accelerate capital spending as part of a broader effort to support the economy.

"The substantial tax cuts implemented since the start of the decade have enhanced BC’s competitiveness and increased after-tax incomes/profits for many businesses and households."
Jock Finlayson, Editor of B.C. Outlook. Business Council of BC, December 18, 2008.

"The union representing B.C. teachers is simply wrong. Foundation Skills Assessment tests are useful tools in improving public education."
Editorial. Victoria Times Colonist, December 16, 2008.


Did You Know?

  • The Province intends to change the Film Incentive BC tax credit to further support the industry and encourage investment in B.C. The change to the Film Incentive BC tax credit will expand eligibility to allow all Canadian-controlled corporations to qualify. This means companies that are Canadian-controlled rather than B.C.-controlled will qualify.
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  • A new federal report on motor vehicle theft in Canada that shows an overall decline in B.C. auto theft, with a reduction of eight per cent from 2006 to 2007.
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