New 43rd Parliament of BC gets underway today with Speech from the Throne

Later today — the BC Legislature convenes the 1st Session of the new 43rd Parliament (Legislature) of British Columbia 

At 10:30am — the BC Legislature, as its’ first order of business, will elect its’ Speaker to cover the entirety of the 43rd Parliament of British Columbia.  It is currently expected that current Speaker (and current Burnaby-New Westminster MLA) Raj Chouhan will be re-elected. 

Then in the afternoon at 1:30pm — BC Lt-Gov Wendy Cocchia will deliver the Speech from the Throne, as written by the Provincial Cabinet.  

I will be watching for any provincial government initiatives in this Session that may impact upon BC Local Governments’ (Municipal Councils/Regional District Boards/Boards of Education) 

From BC Premier David Eby: 

“Lt. Gov. Wendy Cocchia will deliver the speech from the throne today, laying out our government’s plan to defend British Columbians in these uncertain times and secure a brighter future for everyone who calls this place home. 

“We will continue reducing costs for families by expanding affordable child care and helping people buy their first family home. We will further strengthen health care by helping more families get a family doctor. We will make our communities safer by working with law enforcement and social agencies to crack down on organized crime and keep repeat offenders off our streets. And we will accelerate our work to build a sustainable, clean economy with good, family-supporting jobs so generations to come can keep the family tree firmly planted here in British Columbia” 

Gordon Campbell returns home...

Since resigning as Leader of the BC Liberals in November of 2010 - former BC Premier Gordon Campbell, and now High Commissioner in London, returns to BC and will be making a speech at the Vancouver Board of Trade on Friday...

See more details here

Teaching kids how to deal with adversity

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

QUESNEL -- Research has shown that anxiety has the highest prevalence rate of all childhood mental disorders, affecting approximately 65,000 children and youth in B.C.

But thanks to a newly expanded program in the Quesnel school district, more than 500 elementary school students are now being taught the skills they need to cope with their fears and manage difficult situations, now and later in life.

The FRIENDS for Life program is a school-based early intervention and prevention program, proven to be effective in reducing the risk of anxiety disorders and building resilience in children. Children and youth participate in 10 or more classroom-based sessions that are reinforced by take-home activities.

The Quesnel school district is considered one of the provincial leaders in participation and support of the FRIENDS program. Seventy-one teachers have been trained to deliver the program in 13 of its 14 elementary schools. Half of district’s schools jumped on board when the program launched in 2004 for grades 4 and 5 students.

Participation grew when the Ministry of Children and Family Development expanded the program to serve grades 6 and 7 students. In the 2009-10 school year, the school district was one of seven districts chosen to pilot the early years version of the program called Fun FRIENDS.

The success of those pilots led the ministry to expand the program further in 2011 to offer FRIENDS to kindergarten and Grade 1 students provincewide.

Minister of Children and Family Development Mary McNeil had a chance to see a Fun FRIENDS session in action this morning at École Baker Elementary School.

FRIENDS is:

F – Feelings
R – Remember to relax
I – I can try! I can do my best!
E – Explore coping plans and solutions
N – Now reward yourself
D – Don’t forget to practise
S – Smile and stay calm for life

Mary McNeil, Minister of Children and Family Development said –

“We recognize the importance of prevention and early intervention in achieving better outcomes later in life. Most children will feel pressure at some point in their life and that’s why it’s important to teach them, early on, the skills needed to bounce back in these situations.”

Caroline Mitchell, chair of the Quesnel board of education commented –

“Our number-one priority is to help our students achieve their best. The FRIENDS program provides the early support some children need to make their school years healthier and more successful.”

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Clode, Quesnel school district counsellor and school psychologist said –

“As a certified trainer for the FRIENDS program, I’ve been continually impressed by my colleague’s commitment to the mental health literacy and well being of their students. Since FRIENDS was first offered in 2004, teachers have been leaping at the opportunity to get training to deliver the program in their classes.”

Finally, Cathy Braun, École Baker Elementary school teacher stated –

"The Fun FRIENDS program is easy to use in my classroom. There are so many suggested activities that it's easy to plan fun and interesting lessons. It’s helping students develop stronger social and emotional skills and take responsibility for their actions."

Quick facts of the FRIENDS program:

· Developed in Australia, the FRIENDS For Life program was first introduced in B.C. in 2004 as part of the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s (MCFD) five-year Child and Youth Mental Health Plan.

· Delivered in public schools throughout the province, FRIENDS is co-ordinated and funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The program is receiving close to $600,000 in 2011-12.

· MCFD provides certified FRIENDS trainers to instruct one-day certification training to teachers so they can deliver it in the classroom.

· To date, all school districts in B.C. have participated in the program, including many independent and First Nations schools. Approximately 4,000 educators have been trained to deliver FRIENDS.

· A parent component is included in the program, whereby parents can learn about anxiety and the FRIENDS skills taught in the classroom so they can are equipped to reinforce these skills at home. More than 1,000 parents have attended workshops since 2005. Recently, online parent resources became available, including a workshop and many other online FRIENDS resources for parents and family members.

· FRIENDS is the only childhood anxiety prevention and treatment program acknowledged by the World Health Organization.

· Research shows that up to 80 per cent of children showing signs of an anxiety disorder no longer display that disorder after completing the program.

A Conversation with the Premier

BC Premier Christy Clark sat down with the Globe and The Province summarized her time as BC Premier in 2011. Read those articles -- here (Globe) and here (Province)

You can also watch a YouTube video where Premier Clark goes over what the BC Government will be doing in 2012

See below:

Province of BC moves to strengthen ALC

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Farmers and ranchers on Agricultural Reserve Land will have more tools to protect their way of life as a result of proposed legislation, increased funding and other measures to improve the operations of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), Minister of Agriculture Don McRae and ALC chair Richard Bullock said today.

“By improving the structure and sustainability of the ALC, we’re improving the lives of 20,000 farming families in British Columbia and the $9.6-billion agri-food sector our province supports,” said McRae. “The changes and support the Province is providing the ALC is a commitment to ensure the ALC will be a proactive organization dedicated to preserving farms, and expanding opportunities for producers.”

“These initiatives will enhance the commission’s ability to preserve B.C.’s agricultural land and encourage farming,” said Bullock.

“A stronger ALC means stronger operations for current and future B.C. farmers and ranchers, and a stronger agricultural industry for the tens of thousands of British Columbians working in it,” said Reg Ens, executive director of the British Columbia Agriculture Council. “We are encouraged to see the B.C. government taking steps that should help strengthen farming, and moving forward we anticipate working with the Province to implement the changes.”

Improvements to the ALC will be made in several areas:

· Preserving farmland by placing a five-year moratorium on repeat applications for items such as excluding land from the ALR.
· Sustainable operations through additional funding and provisions for increased revenue generation by the ALC.
· Increased enforcement capacity through shared resources.
· Strategic governance provisions give the chair additional oversight over regional panels and more time to focus on commission matters by hiring a CEO (Chief Executive Officer) to look after administrative issues.
· Upgraded online application tracking system to provide enhanced web services to clients.
· Encouraging farming by working more proactively with local governments rather than simply reacting to applications.
· A new minister’s bylaw standard regarding residential uses in the ALR.

Today’s comprehensive reform package responds to recommendations contained in two independent reviews of the ALC. One was prepared by the auditor general of British Columbia and the other by commission’s chair.

The chair’s report is available at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/alcreview.html

The proposed legislation is posted as part of Bill 19 at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/39th4th/1st_read/index.htm

BACKGROUNDER:

Details on the improvements to the ALC include:

· Preserving Farmland: Legislation introduced today supports the ALC focusing its resources on its core functions. The legislation would place a five-year moratorium on repeat applications to the ALC.

· Sustainable Operations: An additional $1.6 million provides the ALC with resources to transition to a more self-supporting operating model by 2013. The proposed legislation would also allow the ALC to charge service fees to augment provincial funding. The fee structure will be set by provincial regulation following consultation with producers, local governments and other stakeholders.

· Increased Enforcement: The Province has already increased the number of provincial government officials authorized to investigate and respond to ALR violations to approximately 30 through coordinated multi-ministry enforcement. The proposed legislation would further expand enforcement by allowing qualified officials from other government agencies and levels of government to conduct enforcement activities.

· Strategic Governance: The recruitment of a chief executive officer (CEO) for the ALC is underway. The CEO will lead the ALC’s evolution into a sustainably structured organization. The proposed legislation would also enable the chair of the ALC to have greater oversight of regional panels to ensure fairness, transparency and consistency in the decision-making process.

· Upgraded Information Services: Government ministries and agencies are already working to improve the ALC’s business processes and information management capacity through its online application tracking system. Upon completion, this effort will provide enhanced web services to clients through full integration with the Province’s online mapping database and interactive tools.

· Encouraging Farming: These changes will free up resources to allow the Province and the ALC to be more proactive in their work with local governments to encourage agriculture in their land use plans, bylaws and policies, and to promote agriculture, farm diversification and value-added processing in their communities.

· A new minister’s bylaw standard: The bylaw standard provides local governments with a ready-to-use model that restricts building large residential homes in the centre of ALR lots and ensures the majority of the land is preserved for agricultural use. The resulting standard follows extensive consultation with local governments, agriculture producers, stakeholders and the general public. The standard is posted at:
www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/sf/residential_uses_in_ALR_consultation/residential_uses_index.htm

Home Owner Grant changes for low-income vets

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The Province is proposing to enhance the home owner grant to assist more Canadian veterans with low incomes.

“This act of gratitude is a small token of thanks on Remembrance Day to all our veterans for their service and sacrifice,” said Premier Christy Clark.

To pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of younger veterans who have served here at home as well as in foreign conflicts, British Columbia intends to provide an additional grant to help reduce property taxes for lower-income former members of the Canadian Forces by up to $275.

The home owner grant currently provides a maximum reduction in residential property taxes of $570 in the Capital Regional District, the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Fraser Valley Regional District and $770 in other regions of the Province.

Homeowners age 65 or over, some homeowners with permanent disabilities, and older veterans and their spouses may already be eligible for an additional grant of up to $275.

But under existing rules, only some veterans of the Second World War or the Korean War and their spouses are eligible for the additional home owner grant.

“To recognize those who have served their country and who now face income challenges, the Province is proposing to expand the home-owner grant so that low-income Canadian Forces veterans may be eligible for the additional grant amount, regardless of the conflict they served in,” said Finance Minister Kevin Falcon.

The proposed changes would create a further grant of up to $275 for low-income Canadian Forces veterans with more recent service in the event they do not already qualify as seniors or persons with disabilities.

Details of the intended change will be announced in Budget 2012 and, subject to approval of the legislature, would take effect for the 2012 property tax year.

For a video of Premier Clark reflecting on veterans and Remembrance Day, visit:
http://youtu.be/pCkPo-RiPF4

BREAKING NEWS - 2nd Prosperity Mine proposal goes to another Review Panel

Courtesy of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency:

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) announced today that the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project in British Columbia will undergo an environmental assessment by a federal review panel.

The Minister of Environment has referred the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine to a review panel pursuant to his authority under subparagraph 29(1)(a)(ii) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

The Minister of the Environment instructed the Agency to design a process that will thoroughly assess whether the proposal addresses the environmental effects identified in the environmental assessment of the original Prosperity project. He also directed the Agency to ensure that information obtained during the previous environmental assessment is used to the extent possible in order to ensure a timely decision.

The Minister indicated that the time for the Agency to complete these activities and for the panel to conduct its review, including holding public hearings and preparing its report, is to be no more than 12 months, in total. This timeline is consistent with the prescribed timeline for a comprehensive study.

The Agency will prepare the environmental impact statement guidelines that will identify the potential environmental effects to be addressed and the information that needs to be included in the proponent’s environmental impact statement to assess the project as currently proposed. The Agency will also prepare the terms of reference for the review panel.

Both of those documents will be made available for public comment prior to being finalized. The Agency will also make available funding to assist First Nations and the public to participate in the environmental assessment process.

To obtain more information on this project, including the project description, please visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca , reference number 11-05-63928.

Taseko Mines Ltd. proposes the construction and operation of a large open pit gold-copper mine development, approximately 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake in British Columbia.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

Friday News Wrap - Nov 4th edition

In Quesnel:

* Former Quesnel City Councillor/CRD Area 'I' Director Mary Glassford gives her opinion on municipal politics in the North Cariboo - see here

* Letter writer Pat Pethick of Quesnel says: "Quit finger pointing, Candidates!" - see here

In Williams Lake:

* Roll back your clocks this Sunday at 2am - see here

In the Vancouver Province:

* Province columnist Jon Ferry argues today when local School Boards should disappear permanently - see here

Linda Reid on Parliamentary Reform

Long time MLA Linda Reid (Richmond East) argues today in the Canadian Parliamentary Review magazine as to why Parliamentary reform is required in BC - see here

Ms. Reid's ideas are in line with mine, as far as how I'd like to see the BC Legislature operate.  I'd also like to see more Opposition bills (proposed laws) debated and voted on - like they are in the House of Commons.  All ideas, whether from government backbenchers or opposition MLA's, should all be considered and voted on.  You never know - MLA's, regardless of their status, may agree with their colleagues and vote accordingly.  We've certainly seen this in the House of Commons...

Pat Bell's Top Ten - Oct 29th

1. With over 50 types of tourism products found in six distinct regions and countless communities province wide, tourism epitomizes how small and medium-sized businesses contribute to the economy:
o B.C. has nearly 18,000 tourism-related businesses province wide.
o 77 per cent of all tourism businesses have fewer than 20 employees.
o 56 per cent have fewer than 10 employees.
o 43 per cent of all tourism businesses are outside the Greater Vancouver area.

2. The tourism division budget is approximately $52 million for 2011-12, up from $24 million in 2001. This budget includes resources for marketing, partnerships, and policy and research.

3. In 2010, the tourism sector employed 127,000 British Columbians, generated over $13.4 billion in revenue for tourism-related businesses and contributed over $1.2 billion to provincial government revenues.

4. The ski industry generates annual revenues of about $500 million dollars.

5. With the tagline ‘Get Above it All in British Columbia’, the 2011-12 North America winter ski campaign has for the first time been developed in collaboration with members of the Canada’s West Ski Areas Association, which includes representatives from B.C.’s 13 export-ready ski resorts. The $1.1-million campaign, which runs from November to March, will focus primarily on the Ontario market (largely Greater Toronto). For four weeks starting Monday, Nov. 14, the city will be inundated with transit shelter ads, subway and underground walkway posters, and elevator wraps in key buildings that provide a link to a B.C. ski microsite and contest.

6. A key priority over the next five years will be attracting more tourists from countries with large emerging middle classes, such as China and India, while maintaining strength in traditional markets such as the Ontario, California/Washington, the U.K., Germany, Australia and Japan. In 2010, China was B.C.’s fifth-largest international market for direct customs entries with 118,481 visitors to the province, an increase of 18.9 per cent over 2009.

7. As I said earlier “Gaining The Edge”: A Five-Year Strategy for Tourism in British Columbia’ also calls for a bigger push to provide marketing products in areas that most motivate people to choose BC. These areas include: touring vacations, city experiences, skiing-snowboarding, Aboriginal tourism, outdoor adventure/ecotourism, and meetings and conventions.

8. The strategy will target a five per cent annual growth in revenue in the tourism sector, expected to reach $18 billion annually by 2016.

9. We will also be implementing stable and predictable funding and working with the Tourism Industry Association of BC towards a new multi-faceted tourism marketing partnership including provincial, regional and community marketing organizations, with clear roles and accountabilities.

10. In addition we will be removing barriers to industry growth by working with the federal government to address challenges to international air access with key existing and emerging tourism markets, and to promote timely air, marine and land border access. The Province will work with the tourism sector to ensure labour market strategies are in place that identify and address the sector’s unique labour market pressures.

The Week of BC Politics... Oct 24th - Oct 28th

1) Preston Manning: "Stick with BC Liberals" - see here
2) George Abbott introduces changes to BC College of Teachers - see here
3) BC Liberal TV "Rewind" video for week of Oct 24-28th - see here

Note - BC Liberal MLA Ron Cantelon has been in the hospital after a heart attack - see here for the details, but Twitter reports that Mr. Cantelon is getting better and I, for one, am glad to see that and I wish him a speedy recovery so we can see him at work, once again, in the BC Legislature...

SBF

Harry Bains: Post Pine Beetle Strategy Needed

From the Rush:

Surrey NDP MLA Harry Bains says a post pine beetle strategy is needed in BC.

Here Bains explains: “A post beetle strategy is not there. Steelworkers and forestry workers, they’re telling me that in the next three to four years when the pine beetle wood is gone, they’re annual cut will go down anywhere from 25 to 40%, that means that many jobs and sawmills will be shutting down.”

Bains says the NDP has a plan in place which includes making forestry a number one industry again in BC.

He says they’d achieve that by working with industry, communities and forestry workers to ensure raw logs stop leaving the province and by encouraging locals to process logs here.

Bains was in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House this past weekend.

Question:

1) Like Bruce Ralston over the HST Debate - doesn't Harry Bains have enough work to do in Surrey-Newton and being the NDP Transporation Critic, rather than coming up here and telling us what we already know.  The Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, for years now, has been working on a Post Beetle Strategy which has received some money (not the amount this region needs I'll grant you) but work progresses in this regard and no thanks to Mr. Bains and his party but thanks to great work from our local MLA, Donna Barnett and BC Cabinet Ministers like Pat Bell and Steve Thomson

"Can't Afford Adrian Dix" website

Courtesy of the BC Liberal Party:

A new website has been launched to inform British Columbians about Adrian Dix, the chief architect of the disastrous ‘90s and BC NDP leader.

The new website, www.CantAffordDix.ca details Adrian Dix’s reckless funding promises to increase government spending in British Columbia by over $15 billion and his devastating track record from the '90s.

As the chief architect of the BC NDP government in the ‘90s, Dix is responsible for the financial chaos left behind by his party’s fiscal mismanagement of the province’s economy.

If elected Dix’s uncontrolled tax and spend promises will bankrupt the province, leave future generations in debt, and drive investment and jobs away from B.C.

The website reminds the public of the remarkable change in British Columbia's fortunes since the BC Liberals formed government in 2001.

We Can’t Afford Adrian Dix and the BC NDP, below are some examples why:

• Adrian Dix fabricated a memo from the premier’s office meant to protect his boss and close friend, Premier Glen Clark, from a police investigation.
• Adrian Dix and the NDP introduced the job killing corporate capital tax in 1992 as a temporary measure, but it remained in place until the BC Liberals phased it out in 2002 – a decade later.
• Adrian Dix and the NDP introduced a surtax of up to 3 per cent on what they deemed “luxury” vehicles – anything selling for $30,000 or more – which particularly punished drivers in rural B.C., where a pickup is not a luxury.
• Adrian Dix’s reckless funding promises to increase government spending in British Columbia by over $15 billion and his devastating track record from the '90s.

These facts and much more can be found on www.CantAffordDix.ca.

We have worked very hard to make British Columbia the best place to live, work and play, we can’t afford to go back.

Pat Bell's Top Ten - Oct 22nd

Courtesy of the Hon. Pat Bell (BC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation)

1. The Federal Government has chosen Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards as the prime contractor to build the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) program’s non-combat vessels.
2. The total value of the program is $8 billion.
3. It will create an average of 4000 jobs over the next 8-years.
4. In addition, the Federal Government has plans for a further 17 vessels which should fall under the non-combat package.
5. Although planning will begin immediately, construction on the new vessels will not likely start until late 2012.
6. In the meantime, over $150 million worth of infrastructure will be built at Seaspan’s shipyards in North Vancouver and Victoria, while vessel design work is being finalized.
7. One of the first projects Seaspan will build what will be for the Canadian Coast Guard, the $720-million John G. Diefenbaker polar ice breaker. The ship at 140 metres in length, will play a key role in the Canada’s effort to establish a stronger presence in the Canadian Arctic.
8. Included in the contract are two joint support ships for the navy, three fisheries vessels and an oceanographic ship. Up to 8 Arctic offshore patrol vessels, including 4 oceanographic science ships and 3 fisheries science vessels, are planned.
9. It’s estimated that direct taxes from the contract will amount to $500 million over the life of the contract.
10. The Province supported the bid by providing up to $40 million in training tax credits and BC Ferries provided up to $20 million towards technology and training for a total contribution of up to $60 million.

The Week that was - in BC Politics...

Lots going on in BC Politics...

1) My uncle - Alan Forseth (BC Conservative Regional Director for Kamloops/Cariboo) did an excellent blog post on all media stories involving BC Politics this past week which you can read here

2) BCLTV came out yesterday.  View below.  Topics reviewed include new $8 Billion shipbuilding contract, BC Shakeup held this past Thursday and a new cancer care facility in Victoria

Land Act Changes + Sled Dogs...

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is now requiring any sled dog company receiving a Crown land tenure to obtain an annual inspection of its sled dogs.

This is a key recommendation of the Sled Dog Task Force report.

The requirement of an annual inspection will be added to tenures issued under the provincial Land Act for future sled dog owners and operators. Current operators must include the commitment to have an annual inspection of their sled dogs in their business management plans. The new provision requiring an annual inspection will be included in their tenures when they come up for renewal. A licensed veterinarian or constable from the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is required to conduct these annual inspections.

Sled dog operators may operate on Crown land through tenures issued under the provincial Land Act. The updated policy is available online at:

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/clad/Documents/LPSB/Policies/adventure_tourism.pdf

On April 5th, 2011, Premier Christy Clark announced the Province is acting on all 10 of the Sled Dog Task Force report’s recommendations. Earlier this year, B.C. amended legislation to give this province the toughest animal cruelty laws in Canada with higher penalties and greater accountability.

BC sets new export record to China

From the Government of BC:

British Columbia has broken another record in lumber exports to China this year – with shipments already surpassing 2010’s final year-end record total, announced Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.

According to the latest international merchandise trade data released this week by Statistics Canada, lumber exports over the first eight months of the year from B.C. to China, including Hong Kong, total $746 million. For all of 2010, B.C’s lumber exports to the country were worth $687 million.

Forestry is one of the key sectors highlighted in Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan. B.C.’s success with lumber exports to China is a direct result of a trilateral provincial-federal-industry effort to focus on the China market that started in 2003, and included the establishment of a Chinese subsidiary of Forestry Innovation Investment, the Province’s market development agency for forest products. The agency has offices in Shanghai and Beijing.

The record lumber export numbers have resulted in thousands of jobs in B.C. and the re-opening of mills in towns like Ladysmith and Mackenzie.

B.C. is also breaking records with respect to overall merchandise exports to China and Hong Kong. Over the first eight months of 2011, overall exports are worth almost $3.4 billion, an increase of more than $1 billion or 42 per cent compared with the pace set over the same period in 2010.

To further boost trade and investment with Asia, Premier Christy Clark will be leading a trade mission to China and India from Nov. 4 to 16.

As pledged in Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan, the Province will double B.C.’s international presence in key and expanding markets and will implement a promotional campaign to highlight British Columbia as a safe harbour to attract new international investment.

To learn more about the BC Jobs Plan, visit www.BCJobsPlan.ca.

Quote:

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell:

“The latest information from Statistics Canada confirms that our plan to expand lumber exports to China is working. We will continue to work to further expand lumber exports, and as we move forward in implementing the BC Jobs Plan, we are going to use the lessons learned selling B.C. lumber in China and apply them to other sectors of our provincial economy.”

Quick Facts:

· In August 2011 the value of lumber exports to China was worth $81 million, an increase of $17 million or 27 per cent compared with the same month in 2010.

· Volume of lumber exports for the month totalled 596,000 cubic metres, an increase of 187,000 cubic metres or 46 per cent compared with volume in August 2010.

· Final year-end merchandise exports to China in 2010 totalled $4.3 billion.

BCLTV - Oct 14th edition

In this week's BC Liberal TV Rewind:

1) Health care announcements
2) Cycling path announcement
3) BC Jobs Plan

Latest Provincial Political Poll from Ipsos-Reid

Recently - Ipsos-Reid did a poll on support for provincial political parties.  You can review the particulars of that poll here

Overall - the NDP hold a 36-45% support lead over the reigning BC Liberals who have between 30-38% and voter support for the BC Conservatives' between 9-12% and 16% who are undecided.

But - on support for provincial political leaders:

Christy Clark - 45% support with 46% non-support and 9% saying "Don't Know"
Adrian Dix - 43% support with 36% non-support and 21% saying "Don't Know"
John Cummins - 23% support with 33% non-support and 45% saying "Don't Know"

Finally - by sub-region:

Metro Vancouver:

NDP - 45% support
BC Liberals - 35% support
BC Conservatives - 14% support

Vancouver Island:

NDP - 54% support
BC Liberals - 31% support
BC Conservatives - 8% support

Interior/North:

NDP - 39% support
BC Liberals - 46% support
BC Conservatives - 9% support

Final Comments:

While the NDP have support in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, the reigning BC Liberals have comfortable support in the Interior and Northern BC.  Meanwhile - the BC Conservatives have just enough support to play "spoiler" in Interior/North and Vancouver Island to the BC Liberals' but could have enough support (if developed over time) to elect a few MLA's in Metro Vancouver.  Also - if John Cummins converts his 45% "don't know" into "support", things could get really ugly for the BC Liberals as we approach 2013

Overall - the BC Liberals have a ton of work to do in Metro Vancouver/Vancouver Island to get rid of the NDP's lead in these sub-regions while watching the BC Conservatives behind them, with little time remaining to do so (with just under 2 years before the next election)

Finally - while not part of this poll - if the NDP/Liberals and BC Conservatives run candidates in Cariboo-North - I wonder if a 4 way race for this riding could spell doom for Independent MLA Bob Simpson come April of 2013...given when he ran in 2009, it was a two way race with only the NDP/BC Liberals...but on the other hand - BC Conservatives could, in a 4 way race, play "spoiler" to the BC Liberal candidate.  But it would come down to how many "NDP" supporters back Mr. Simpson as an independent and not back the local NDP Candidate.  This riding may end up being one to watch - given the only other independent MLA in BC is in Delta South (Vicki Huntingdon)

SBF

Pat Bell's Top Ten for October 1st

1. FORESTRY

B.C.’s forestry industry is on the rebound. Since 2003, when we focused on opening new markets in China and Hong Kong, exports have grown from $69 million to 687 million a year. We know our market, have an international reputation as a stable supplier of high-quality wood products, and offer timber supply security.

2. MINING

B.C.’s mining industry is booming: we have abundant mineral deposits, and are well positioned to meet growing global demand. More than half of Canada’s exploration companies are based here, and we employ the world’s highest concentration of mining professionals, geologists, engineers, prospectors, metallurgists, assayers, lawyers, accountants and financiers.

3. NATURAL GAS

More than half of the remaining natural gas in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin is in British Columbia. If natural gas prices stay where they are, this sector is on line to double production by 2020, bringing both jobs and investment opportunities.

4. AGRIFOODS

With fertile land and abundant water, British Columbia leads Canada in sales of blueberries, cranberries, sweet cherries and raspberries. Growers produce food with strong health benefits, a low environmental footprint and an ethical approach. Emerging markets, particularly on the Pacific Rim, will drive demand for trusted and high-quality foods.

5. TECHNOLOGY

BC is home to world-class high tech companies. The demand for digital, wireless and screen based entertainment is on the rise – in 2010, India and China alone added more than 300 million wireless subscribers. China’s market for green technology is forecast to grow to $1 trillion by 2013.

6. TOURISM

British Columbia is a choice tourism destination. Global international arrivals will grow to 1.6 billion by 2020, an average of 4.5 per cent per year. Almost 18,000 tourism companies in B.C. create most of the 128,600 jobs in the industry. By 2019, we expect that to grow to 196,000 jobs.

7. INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

British Columbia has a reputation for educational excellence. In 2010, 94,000 international students came to British Columbia to study in our Kindergarten – Grade 12, post secondary and Language Canada schools. It’s a growth industry: by 2025, global demand for international education is predicted to more than double to 7.2 million.

8. TRANSPORTATION

Companies in B.C., the U.S, and Asia look to the Pacific Gateway for quick connections across the Pacific. Vancouver, Kitimat and Prince Rupert are Asia’s closest ports of entry on the West Coast, closer than Los Angeles and Long Beach. Steady improvement to ports, rail, roads and airports is key.