Capital Report~April 3, 2009
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Premier Gordon Campbell and His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco discuss the importance of environmental sustainability at the 8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment in Vancouver. The conference, hosted by the International Olympic Committee, brings together notable speakers to promote a healthy environment, as part of sustainable environmental legacies.

Innovation and Inspiration

Premier Campbell joined His Serene Royal Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco for a Dialogue on Climate Leadership at the 8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment in Vancouver on March 30.

  • The WCSE brings together representatives of the sporting community, governments and more to share insights on how sport can be harnessed to bring about social, economic, and environmental benefits.li>
  • The theme of this year's conference is 'Innovation and Inspiration'.

First Urban Treaty in B.C. History Takes Effect Today

The first urban treaty in the history of British Columbia and the first modern treaty negotiated under the British Columbia Treaty Commission process – the Tsawwassen First Nation treaty – took effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday April 3, 2009.

  • The treaty provides Tsawwassen First Nation with payments, settlements and other funds to help build Tsawwassen’s future.
  • The land component of the treaty includes approximately 724 hectares, of which 434 hectares are provincial Crown land and 290 hectares are former Indian reserve.

Click for more information.

Province Gives $52-Million Boost to Community Living BC

To improve services for adults with developmental disabilities and their families, the Province has increased Community Living BC’s 2009/10 budget by $52 million.

  • The $52-million increase in government contributions is the largest increase since Community Living BC’s (CLBC) first full year of operations.
  • Almost $40 million of this increase will provide new and expanded adult services for people meeting existing eligibility criteria.

Click for more information.

Clean Energy Projects to Create 1,200 Jobs in B.C.

The provincial government will invest over $32.6 million to help commercialize British Columbia’s clean, alternative energy technologies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create about 1,200 jobs in over 30 B.C. communities./span>

  • New clean energy investments will come from two sources: over $22.6 million from the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund and $10 million to support the production of liquid biofuels with demonstrated low greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The ICE Fund is supporting 19 projects situated in rural and off-grid communities across British Columbia, covering a range of technological applications, including: ocean tidal and wave, solar, geothermal, wind, biomass, wastewater, energy conservation and management, and variable street light technology.

Click for more information.

Saturday April 4

Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations Joan McIntyre will be a guest on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 Lower Mainland at 12:00pm and 5:00pm.

Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon will be a guest on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 Lower Mainland at 12:30pm and 5:30pm.

Sunday April 5

Minister of Mining Gordon Hogg will be a guest on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 Lower Mainland at 12:30pm and 5:30pm.

Saturday April 11

Minister of Housing Rich Coleman will be a guest on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 Lower Mainland at 12:00pm and 5:00pm.

Sunday April 12

Minister of Finance Colin Hansen will be a guest on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 Lower Mainland at 12:00pm and 5:00pm.

Quotes This Week

”It's remarkable because it’s where the Sprit Bears of the coast are. It’s remarkable for the salmon, the grizzly, the goshawks, the marbled murrelets and it’s a spectacularly rich ecosystem.”
Valerie Lander, Rainforest Solutions Project. A-News Victo, March 31, 09. (Commenting on the provincial governments agreement to protect one-third of the Great Bear Rainforest)

“A vision born from environmental and economic necessity is becoming a reality on Canada’s west coast. It’s a conservation model that other parts of the world can look to, a model that shows how protection of ecological values and human well-being can be advanced without undermining each other.”
Stephanie Goodwin, Greenpeace, ForestEthics Press Release, March 31, 2009.


Did You Know?

  • The Province has sold land worth $306,000 to the Habitat for Humanity Victoria at a cost of $10 and will provide additional funding for affordable housing units at two locations.
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  • Police will now be able to watch and listen to auto thieves in real time with the introduction of the Bait Car Live program. Previous bait car technology did not allow for live monitoring; police could only view the tape after the vehicle was stopped.
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  • The Province is investing $1 million in Junior Achievement British Columbia (JABC) to expand entrepreneurship and business skills training in schools throughout B.C.
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