Jason and Pharis Romero

From Shara Gustafson:

We just received word from Pharis that she is suffering from a very bad flu and cannot even speak let alone travel and sing!  We are so sorry to inform you that the Dunster Schoolhouse Concert for tomorrow, Saturday Feb 4th has to be cancelled.  Please help spread the word to all your friends as we were expecting a large crowd!
We have more concerts planned and will keep you well informed.  Thanks for all the support so far!

UNBC Director of Human Resources Sheila Page

For the first time, the University of Northern British Columbia has been named one of BC’s top 100 employers. In fact, UNBC is only one of three organizations on the list outside of the lower mainland. BC’s Top Employers is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, recognizing those employers in BC that are industry leaders in offering exceptional places to work.
“We have known for a long time that UNBC is a desirable place to work,” says UNBC president George Iwama. “I’m so pleased that our faculty and staff are receiving this recognition because it is largely their efforts and dedication that make it so. UNBC is a passionate, hard-working community and we are honoured by this affirmation.”

The editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers list several UNBC highlights:

• UNBC helps employees balance their personal and working lives with a variety of alternative working options, including flexible hours, telecommuting, compressed and shortened work weeks, reduced summer hours and an earned days-off program.
• UNBC encourages employees to continue their education with tuition subsidies for courses both related and unrelated to their line of work.
• New employees receive three weeks of paid vacation, moving to a maximum of five weeks over the course of their careers.
• UNBC supports new mothers with maternity and parental leave top-up payments (to 100% for 52 weeks) as well as new fathers and adoptive parents (to 100% for 37 weeks).
• New parents can also take advantage of an onsite daycare centre (with 57 spaces) when they are ready to return to work.

“Working at UNBC provides a wide range of comprehensive benefits for all employees, as our inclusion on this prestigious list attests,” says Sheila Page, UNBC Director of Human Resources. “Apart from the opportunity to work at a world-class institution on nature’s doorstep, UNBC provides employees access to a variety of career goals while enjoying an extremely high standard of living. Employees regularly comment on UNBC’s modern architecture and bright, airy work space, the community atmosphere, our development programs, the extensive benefits packages we offer, and our ongoing commitment to being Canada’s Green University,” says Page.

BC’s employers are evaluated using eight criteria: physical workplace; work and social atmosphere; health, financial, and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community Involvement. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which workplaces offer the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

The Ktunaxa Nation is deeply concerned about provincial government’s plan to kill wolves if they prey on caribou translocated to supplement the threatened southern Purcell mountain population. The aerial cull of wolves would be conducted by provincial government staff, and would be triggered by the loss of a caribou via wolf kill, which would be signalled by the satellite collars on the translocated caribou.
“We feel that wolves are a natural part of the ecosystem,” said Ray Warden, Director of the Ktunaxa Lands & Resources. “A cull could have negative long term consequences, not only for the wolves, but ultimately also the caribou.”
“As others, the Ktunaxa Nation is deeply concerned about the dwindling caribou populations throughout our territory. We have had discussions with the BC government, and we fully support supplementing the population through translocation or other means, as an essential part of recovery efforts.”
“However, if the effort requires harmful interventions such as a wolf cull, then perhaps the entire translocation program needs to be reassessed. In our view, wolves preying upon caribou is part of the ecosystem. If you artificially reduce the wolf population, you also run the risk of other species that wolf prey on becoming too abundant, and then other effects cascade through the ecosystem.”
“We support monitoring predation impacts and reviewing the translocation program after the first year to determine if the wolf predation impact is such that too many wolf packs would have to be killed over too many years to make the translocation effort a success.  “We are deeply opposed to killing wolf packs on an annual basis for years to come.”
The Ktunaxa Nation recognizes the initial efforts that have been made by government, the forest industry and others to address the impacts as part of an overall recovery effort.  The KNC supports many of these initiatives including the translocation of caribou from the Level-Kawdy territory.
“We are in communication with the Tahltan First Nation,” continued Warden. “We are very appreciative of their support to augment our population from caribou from their territory.”
“However, we believe that it is misrepresentation to say that they don’t want to let their caribou be brought down here without aerial wolf control. The Tahltan also understand the need for a balanced ecosystem, and in this case, they are more concerned about the wolves in their own territory, than ours.”

Solicitor General - Shirley Bond

By Shirley Bond  – Minister of Public Safety, Solicitor General and Attorney General

As new provincial policing standards came into effect on Monday,  Jan. 30, I want to explain how these standards will strengthen policing and our communities’ safety.

The Province is committed to enhancing the justice system and discussing our progress with British Columbians. This year marks the completion of all of Justice Thomas Braidwood’s recommendations from his two reports, including the creation of the civilian-led independent investigations office (IIO) and the introduction of new standards that apply to all police officers in B.C. These are mandatory, provincewide changes to how police are trained, how they use force and how they interact with individuals in crisis.

Policing is a demanding job, where critical judgments must often be made in a matter of seconds. And when a police incident results in serious harm or death, naturally it raises questions about the standards for those judgments. How police use conducted-energy weapons (CEWs) – commonly known as Tasers – has been an ongoing concern for British Columbians, so I want to be clear about how tragic incidents of the past have changed policing in this province.

As soon as we received Justice Braidwood’s report on CEW use in 2009, we directed all police, sheriffs and correctional officers to limit their use of CEWs to circumstances where there is imminent risk of bodily harm to the officer, the individual or other members of the public. Police agencies by and large began acting on many of the recommendations immediately while the Province developed the new standards. And we know that police have dramatically reduced their use of CEWs. In fact, police are reporting an 87 per cent reduction in CEW use since 2007.

We agreed with Justice Braidwood’s conclusion that overall society is better served by police who have access to CEWs, as long as that use can be restricted. He has reviewed the new standards to confirm they suitably address his recommendations.

Under the new standards, all police officers in B.C. will be taking our new crisis-intervention and de-escalation training, and refresher training will be required every three years. The course will help police respond effectively to cases involving intervention in a mental health crisis.

In addition, any officer who is issued a CEW must have taken CEW operator training. We have also developed an in-house use of force database so we can monitor compliance with the standards and maintain a clear picture of how force is being used throughout the province by our police. As well, a number of new standards go beyond Braidwood’s recommendations to address recommendations from the inquest into the death of Ian Bush.

Police officers face split-second life and death decisions all the time, but with the introduction of these standards, British Columbians can have confidence that the Province is doing everything it can to ensure that all police officers in B.C. – whether municipal or RCMP – have the training and direction they need to make those decisions.

By Cpl. Craig Douglass, Communications NCO / Media Liaison Officer – Prince George RCMP

On January 30th, 2012 at approximately 5:00 PM, the North District RCMP Operational Communications Centre (OCC) received a 9-1-1 call advising that a logging truck collided with a power pole near Mackenzie, BC.

On arrival to the area, Mackenzie RCMP members found hydro, telephone and fiber optic cable had been severed, but the logging truck was not there.  It is not believed there were any injuries.

The hydro line does not affect the general population of Mackenzie, but the telephone lines are affecting long distance and 9-1-1 service for the Mackenzie and surround community.  The residents of Mackenzie are still able to make telephone calls within the community.  The expected time that this will be resolved is tomorrow afternoon.

Residents of Mackenzie are encouraged to call the local RCMP Detachment at (250)997-3288 should they require Police, Fire or Ambulance services.

Anyone outside of Mackenzie trying to contact friends or family will only hear a busy signal.  If they contact the Mackenzie RCMP Detachment it will ring through the North District OCC in Prince George.

This media release was put out on behalf of the Mackenzie RCMP and North District OCC.  All media enquiries (January 31st) should be directed to the BC RCMP’s Strategic Communications Unit at (604)264-2929.

Aboriginal learners have new opportunities for skills training, thanks to the Aboriginal Training for Employment Program (ATEP).

This program is helping participants pursue further studies and employment opportunities as health-care assistants, chefs, construction workers,entrepreneurs, tourism operators and in many other occupations.

Aboriginal organizations, friendship centres and First Nations offer ATEP projects in urban and rural settings.

With a $4-million investment from the Province through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement, participants will receive in-class instruction in conjunction with hands-on learning in laboratories or workshops, and work or volunteer experience relevant to their training. In addition, job coaches are available to assist students in resume preparation, interview skills, job search strategies and career planning. All programs have Aboriginal cultural components.

Examples:

* The Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS) in Vancouver is offering a boilermaker foundation program in partnership with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). The program was developed in response to an existing shortage of workers in this trade and expected demand for boilermakers resulting from the recent shipbuilding contract with Seaspan Marine Corporation that will bring over 4,000 jobs to the West Coast.

* The Native Friendship Centre in Prince George connects the Aboriginal labour force to employment opportunities in the sales and service industry through pre-employment training, job placements and support services.

* Learners in the Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s EAGLE program – exploring and acknowledging guidance and leadership though employment – receive life skills and industry specific training for job placement in the retail, hospitality and tourism sectors.

Since launching in 2010, over 500 Aboriginal learners throughout the province have benefited from the program.

Contracts have been renewed with 11 Aboriginal organizations to deliver programs, and new programs will be announced based on a Request for Proposals that was posted on BC Bid seeking new service providers to bring training and employment opportunities to more Aboriginal individuals throughout the province.

Under the BC Jobs Plan, the Province is committed to providing funding for community based delivery of programs that meet Aboriginal needs. The Province is also seeking public input on Aboriginal education. To join the conversation visit: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/aboriginal/welcome.htm

“Hydro line upgrades are essential” McBride Mayor Mike Frazier addresses forum participants about the importance of power to valley residents on Monday, January 16 at the Best Western Plus in Valemount. Photo by Andrea Scholz

By Birgit Stutz

Representatives of the Village of McBride who attended the one-day economic development forum in Valemount last Monday, January 16, are very pleased with the event.

The forum was part of a regional/community economic investment pilot and was organized and hosted by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation as part of “Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan”, which aims to create long-term jobs and investment across the province by building on key competitive advantages.

As one component of community engagement under the BC Jobs Plan, four communities/regions have been selected to pilot an approach aimed at identifying opportunities, attracting investment, increasing economic diversification, and fostering job creation. The McBride to Barriere Corridor (small rural communities) is one of the selected regions, largely based on its strong local leadership and focus on investment attraction. The corridor includes the traditional territory of the Simpcw First Nation, which has several ongoing business relationships with companies in forestry, mining and hydro power production.

Representatives from local government, business, industry, First Nations and academia attended the forum which was hosted by Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, and explored investment opportunities and shared solutions in overcoming barriers.

“I appreciate that the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation arranged this forum and helped us bring forward and vette opportunities for this region,” said McBride Mayor Mike Frazier.

“In the end, it was evident that there are a great number of projects and endeavours which could provide opportunity for this region to create jobs and help with economic stability. We – all the areas inside this very large region – have been presenting and promoting our own plans and business cases to government for years, but this is the first time we have all gathered to discuss and share our goals, opportunities and plans as one large economic zone.”

Frazier said as pointed out by Ministers Pat Bell, Shirley Bond and Terry Lake and almost all attendees at the forum there still remains three big issues which need to be rectified for this region.

“First, the need to enhance, expand, and extend the BC Hydro power system. Second, the need for fixing the timber and fiber supply problems in the region. And third, addressing tourism needs in a better way. There are other things to address including internet access, cell services, etc. as well but the power, fiber and tourism are the big ones. Ministers Bell, Bond and Lake as well as MP Cathy McLeod all say ‘they get it’. They say they recognize what the problems and hold-ups are. My hope is that they all go back to their colleagues in government and help them ‘get it’ too, and help us plan the fixes this area needs. Then we can move forward with our economic development plans, facilitate business and tourism and get this region back on its feet. I look forward to working together and advancing the interests of this region.”

McBride Economic Development Officer Margaret Graine was also pleased with the forum.

“I can’t wait to hear from the Ministry what the next steps are,” she said.

“At the forum we were able to prioritize the projects. We now need to know how to remove the obstacles so the projects can move forward. This direction will come from the Ministers office.”

ecoTECH Energy Group (Canada) Inc. out of Langley, B.C., sent five delegates to the forum, each responsible for sections of the company’s development in McBride and Lamming Mills. The company proposes a Green Technology Industrial Park, including an aquaponic production facility, aquaculture as well as a biomass fuelled combined heat and power generating plant, on two separate sites in the McBride area.

“We wanted to ensure that all aspects of our plans are in accord of the McBride to Barriere Corridor JTI initiative, which we fully support,” said Colin Hall, CEO and chairman for ecoTECH Energy Group.

“We were excited by the number of attendees and that everyone entered into the spirit of the program. With support and endorsement from the Honourable Ministers Shirley Bond and Terry Lake, Minister Pat Bell did an outstanding job of galvanizing the accord. We were encouraged by the promise to cut red tape and get the program going and Mayor Mike Frazier conveyed every business’ concern with his eloquence on the ‘elephant in the room’ – the long overdue power grid expansions and upgrades for both valleys to achieve provincial job creation and stabilizing targets. We want IPP Hydro contracts for the IPPs in the Robson Valley to begin the development to accommodate the expected high uplift in power requirements to support those jobs and we came away very encouraged at that possibility. As a result of the news that there is support for the region, ecoTECH issued a contract last Thursday (January 19) to begin clearing our Lamming Mills site. The news must be very encouraging to our shareholders and to the pension funds that have pledged to finance our program. We have many non-local BC persons and families in that pool too, all supportive and all voters. This program from the government will bring confidence back to all of them.”

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identities of the two individuals found deceased in the debris of the Babine Forest Products sawmill, levelled by an explosion and fire on the evening of Jan. 20.

Dental records were used to confirm the identification of the two as Robert Luggi, aged 45, and Carl Charlie, aged 42.

A specialized team of investigators from the Coroners Service Identification and Disaster Response Unit travelled to the scene on Jan. 22 to work alongside RCMP investigators to locate and identify the two millworkers who had been missing since the explosion and fire.

Although much of the scene remained unsafe to enter, the two individuals were discovered near the edge of the debris field where entry and recovery were possible.

The Coroners Service has informed the families of Mr. Charlie and Mr. Luggi of the confirmed identifications. It is requested that the media respect the families’ privacy at this time.

The scene has now been turned over to WorkSafe BC, who will continue their investigation into the explosion and fire.

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation for the Province of British Columbia, addressing the BC Jobs Plan, Pilot Project Forum on January 16, 2012 in Valemount B.C. Photo by Andrea Scholz

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, will be leading the Province’s efforts to help the community of Burns Lake recover economically from the devastating fire that destroyed the Babine Forest Products mill.

As an initial step, Bell will be in Burns Lake on Friday with Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad to meet with local community leaders and organizations.

The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation will work closely with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources and other ministries on short- and long-term economic development planning.

A rapid response team from the Province has been formed to work on economic recovery efforts, and the ministry will announce shortly who will lead it. The team will work with the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Village of Burns Lake, the Burns Lake Native Development Corp. and others to provide economic development and community transition expertise as part of the local response effort.

On Friday, Jan. 20, an explosion and fire at Babine Forest Products levelled the mill, killing two Burns Lake residents and injuring 18 others. The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is co-ordinating emergency services for the community. WorkSafeBC is at the site – providing critical incident support for those affected – and investigating the incident.

Babine Forest Products is a joint venture between the Burns Lake Native Development Corp. and Oregon-based Hampton Lumber Mills. The mill employed about 250 people, making it the community’s largest employer.

“We need to work quickly and collaboratively with the community to develop a plan to support Burns Lake, its families and workers when the immediate crisis has eased. My ministry is leading government’s efforts to stabilize the community and see the community’s economic development objectives achieved,” said  Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.

A $700,000 investment to help forest companies create jobs by turning their waste wood into high-value bio-products will address many of the recommendations from government’s Bio-Economy Committee, Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, said today.

The Bio-Economy Committee, chaired by John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Clean Technology, was formed in July to identify ways to expand B.C.’s bio-economy. Its report highlights the need for government to take a leading role in developing the bio-economy: www.gov.bc.ca/jti/down/bio_economy_report.pdf

As part of that role, the Province has provided $700,000 to FPInnovations, the world’s largest private, non-profit forest research institute, to gauge the extent of B.C.’s bio-economy today, and help industry identify cost-effective fibre available for new projects, including areas affected by the mountain pine beetle. This will help international investors identify opportunities in B.C., as well as give government the data it needs to develop programs and policies to help the province’s bio-economy expand.

FPInnovations will also assess mills in the B.C. Interior for opportunities to add innovative bio-product streams to their current operations. These products could be a combination of energy, green chemicals and other bio-materials, which can reduce waste, create jobs and improve the mills’ bottom lines.

Products being made from wood fibre today include renewable fuels, textiles, light-weight plastics, food additives, pharmaceuticals and oil. On the drawing board are things like bio-active paper products, including facial masks that deactivate viruses; composites for airplane structures; jet fuel additives; and a substitute for petroleum products used to manufacture rubber for tires.

FPInnovations will also examine how trucks used in the forest industry can reduce emissions and save energy, which may include using bio-fuels produced in B.C.

MLAs Yap (Richmond-Steveston), Bob Simpson (Cariboo North), Eric Foster (Vernon-Monashee), John Rustad (Nechako Lakes) and Ron Cantelon (Parksville-Qualicum) sat on the Bio-Economy Committee, which made five key recommendations in its report:

* Establish a clear, long-term bio-economy vision.

* Improve access to fibre and feedstock.

* Establish a technology development strategy.

* Develop markets for B.C. bioproducts and aggressively market

B.C.’s advantages.

* Integrate the bio-economy’s infrastructure needs into provincial initiatives.

The Province’s investment, funded within its existing fiscal plan, adds to the $600,000 FPInnovations has received from the federal government under the Transformative Technologies Research Program of Natural Resources Canada. With that funding, FPInnovations has been undertaking a series of research projects aimed at developing emerging and breakthrough technologies.

“This investment will help create jobs for families in rural communities all around B.C. by letting us get the most value from every tree we harvest, while helping the forestry industry protect the environment. It will also help us tap into new markets that we’re targeting through ‘Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan’,” said Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.