Capital Report~June 19, 2009
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Premier Campbell discussed ways to strengthen the economy while meeting with Premier Floyd Roland of Northwest Territories, Premier Brad Wall of Saskatchewan, Premier Gary Doer of Manitoba, Premier Dennis Fentie of the Yukon and Premier Ed Stelmach of Alberta at the Western Premiers’ Conference in Dawson City.

Western Premiers Agree on a Plan for EI Reform

At the 2009 Western Premiers’ Conference, premiers agreed to work in partnership with the federal government to make employment insurance fair for all Canadians.

  • Premiers agreed on a new framework that will shape EI for the benefit of all Canadian workers.
  • The group also discussed how they can work together on issues such as gang violence, partnering with Aboriginal communities and a western purchasing plan for pharmaceuticals.

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B.C.’S Land Rights Sales Reflect Investor Confidence

The June 2009 land rights sale resulted in $178.4 million in bonus bids, bringing the calendar year to date total to $246.4 million, a positive signal of investor confidence.

  • The June 17 sale offered 31 parcels covering 75,281 hectares, and sold 21 parcels covering 63,611 hectares. The average price per hectare was $2,804.
  • B.C. has held six sales thus far in 2009 and sold 163,144 hectares, which is 111,719 fewer hectares compared to the same period in 2008. The year-to-date average price remains very strong at $1,510 per hectare.

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Sunday, June 21

Health Minister Kevin Falcon will be a guest on CKNW’s Sean Leslie Show from 4:05pm to 4:20pm.

Quotes This Week

”He’s very knowledgeable on the regulatory side too, of what the challenges are there for the industry. It is a world of regulations and certainly Steve knows which ones are detrimental to producers.”
Joe Sardinha, president of B.C. Fruit Growers Association. CIGV, June 12, 2009. (Commenting on the appointment of Steve Thomson as the Minister of Agriculture and Lands)

”Bill is well versed in the issues that rural communities face throughout the province and is very familiar with the rural issues that we all face in this part of this province. He’s been a very, very strong advocate for rural issues and he’s going to be very, very helpful since he’s in that ministry and I’m very happy and look really forward to working with him.”
Norm Walter, board chair of Regional District of East Kootenay. CHDR, June 12, 2009. (Commenting on the appointment of Bill Bennett as the Minister of Community & Rural Development)


Did You Know?

  • This weekend the B.C. government will offer the public free fishing in the province’s lakes and non-tidal streams.
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  • June 21, 2009 is National Aboriginal Day. Canadians from all walks of life are invited to participate in the many National Aboriginal Day events that will be taking place from coast to coast to coast.
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