Labour Day 2022

Today is Labour Day in Canada - a day whose origins go back to April 15th, 1872 but ultimately declared a National Statutory Holiday on July 23rd, 1894 under former Canadian Prime Minister Sir. John A MacDonald (Conservative).  The full background on this day can be viewed here

While it was a crime to be part of a trade union back in the 1870's -- now today, trade unions have fought long for many workplace benefits like 40 hr work week, health/dental benefits and parental leave when a child is born and the minimum wage.  And although these are hard fought for benefits and should be celebrated, there is much more to do.  Thank you to all of the trade unions and their supporters/allies for fighting for basic workplace rights in Canada....

~SF

BC/Ottawa contributes to 14 Water/Sewer Utility Projects...

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

Editor's Note -- District of 100 Mile House is receiving $750,760.00 of joint provincial-federal financial support for their Wastewater Upgrade Project with the District contributing $273,051.00 of their own money towards the project.  No other local government in the Cariboo-Chilcotin received funding support of the Provincial/Federal Governments' for their own water/sewer utility services.  

The governments of Canada and British Columbia continue to invest in local infrastructure during this unprecedented time to meet the needs of communities across the province, enhance peoples’ quality of life, and support economic recovery from COVID-19. 

Today, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced funding for 14 water , wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects in the province. Supporting communities to build modern and reliable water infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments.

Among the projects approved today, the District of Ucluelet will upgrade its local water treatment system to increase storage capacity for drinking water and improve access to clean drinking water in the community. The upgrades include adding a water treatment plant at the Mercantile Creek water source, adding filtration of the well field that pulls from Lost Shoe Creek, and adding a third reservoir to the Ucluelet drinking water system.

Port Clements will improve how it treats wastewater by replacing the existing lagoon with a new aerated wastewater treatment lagoon system. This new system will increase overall retention time, provide separate cells for aeration, and limit the risk of a system failure. Its increased efficiency will help reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of this critical wastewater infrastructure.

The Cowichan Valley Regional District will increase the capacity of the Saltair Water System to treat drinking water. Two new treatment units will be installed to improve water quality at the existing treatment plant site, along with a micro-hydro turbine to generate green power and reduce the plant’s overall energy consumption.

The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia are investing $110.3 million in the 14 projects announced today through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s Green Infrastructure Stream. Canada is contributing more than $60.2 million, conditional on requirements related to consultations with Indigenous groups being met. British Columbia is contributing more than $50.1 million. Project recipients are investing over $40.1 million in total.

Federal Infrastructure Minister, the Hon. Catherine McKenna said:

"“Today’s announcement of more than $60.2 million in federal funding will help 14 communities in British Columbia upgrade their water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and provide reliable services to local residents. In partnership with the Province, we continue to invest in critical infrastructure, building greener, healthier, and more resilient communities, and supporting local economies at a time when it is needed most. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”

While BC's Municipal Affairs Minister - the Hon. Josie Osborne said:

"Investing in infrastructure is investing in people, and these projects we’re announcing today with our federal partners will benefit people for generations to come – not only by supporting cleaner, healthier communities, but also by creating important infrastructure jobs that contribute to local economic growth. In the coming months and years, I hope to be able to tour in-person the many upgraded and new water and wastewater facilities being made possible across B.C. with this funding"

Quick facts

• Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• Across B.C., the Government of Canada has invested more than $4.4 billion in over 580 infrastructure projects since 2015 under the Investing in Canada plan.
• The Province is investing $3.6 billion over a 10-year period under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for British Columbia’s infrastructure initiatives.

List of projects receiving funding can be viewed here

BC seeks input from Indigenous peoples to shape future of reconciliation

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The provincial government is asking Indigenous peoples for additional feedback on the draft action plan required under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

“British Columbia made history when we became the first jurisdiction in Canada to adopt the United Nations (UN) Declaration, but passing this legislation was only one step on our journey to advance reconciliation and undo 150 years of colonial harms that continue to be felt to this day,” said BC Premier John Horgan. “While we still have much to do, we believe the proposed actions in this draft plan demonstrate our government’s commitment to pursuing true and meaningful reconciliation together with Indigenous peoples. Part of our changing relationship is a commitment to the idea of ‘nothing about us without us.’ That is why we are asking for further feedback on this draft action plan from all First Nations and Indigenous peoples and organizations in B.C.”

The consultation draft of the action plan identifies 79 specific actions developed in partnership by the Province, First Nations and Indigenous peoples to help advance the human rights of Indigenous peoples.

"We are very grateful for the leadership, expertise and commitment of the Indigenous partners who have engaged with us on the important work of developing this consultation draft," said the Hon. Murray Rankin, BC's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. "We are now looking for further input from all Indigenous peoples in B.C., so we can make sure the finalized action plan appropriately represents their priorities."

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act requires the provincial government to develop and implement an action plan in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous peoples. Ministries across government have been engaging with First Nations and Indigenous partners over the past year to develop the draft action plan. Feedback collected between now and July 31, 2021, will be used to finalize the action plan later this year.

The draft action plan outlines key actions the Province proposes to take over the next five years across government to achieve the objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It includes actions in the areas of self-determination and self-government, rights and title, ending anti-Indigenous racism and social, cultural and economic well-being.

The draft action plan does not include all of the Province’s work on reconciliation. Much work is currently planned or underway. That will continue in parallel with the work under the action plan, including separate work to align laws to the UN Declaration.

There are a number of ways to provide feedback. First Nations and Indigenous peoples and organizations are invited to visit the website to provide comments directly online, fill out a feedback form online or in hard copy, or make a submission in writing. In addition, provincial government staff will be reaching out directly to engage with a wide range of Indigenous organizations, leadership tables and First Nations communities. More information can be found at: engage.gov.bc.ca/declaration

The Province will be collecting feedback on the draft action plan until July 31, 2021.

Quick Facts:

• B.C. was the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement the UN Declaration through legislation. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act passed unanimously in the B.C. legislature on Nov. 26, 2019.
• Since July 2020, provincial ministries held more than 80 separate meetings with more than 75 First Nations and Indigenous partners to identify potential actions to include in the draft action plan.
• The First Nations Leadership Council (representing the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and Union of BC Indian Chiefs) conducted similar engagement with 11 First Nation organizations.

Learn More:

Draft action plan:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/government/ministries-organizations/ministries/indigenous-relations-reconciliation/declaration_act_action_plan_for_consultation.pdf

Engagement opportunity: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/declaration

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act: https://declaration.gov.bc.ca

Funding provides long-term certainty for BC Northern Transportation Services

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

People in northern British Columbia will continue to enjoy safe, reliable transportation options with help from new multi-year funding from the provincial and federal governments.

B.C. and Canada are providing $7.9 million in Safe Restart funding to respond to the longer-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued need for public transportation in rural and remote communities in northern B.C. through to March 2025.

“People all across British Columbia rely on safe and reliable public transportation options. The funding announced through the Safe Restart Agreement with the federal government and the provinces will ensure the continued operation of these critical services,” said the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Investing in public transportation is an important part of our government’s plan to make our communities cleaner and healthier as we begin to recover from the pandemic.”

The funds will be administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust, which will engage with Indigenous communities, regional districts, local governments and stakeholders to develop and implement a grant program to address the region’s diverse transportation needs.

“Due to the unique nature of the region and the long distances between communities, affordable and reliable transportation is essential for people who live and work in the region,” said the Hon. Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Our government is committed to providing sustainable, longer-term funding to ensure people in the North can travel easily and safely.”

The new funding will enable northern bus services, including the areas served by BC Bus North, to be sustained and enhanced. As part of a provincial contribution agreement, Northern Development Initiative Trust will analyze existing transportation services with its partners and stakeholders to establish eligibility criteria for the grant program.   

“Northern B.C. is a vast region with many unique communities, several of which are isolated. Safe, consistent and affordable transportation is a necessity for many residents of the North, especially now as the province is reopening and travel will increase,” said Joel McKay, CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust. “We applaud the Province of B.C. and its recognition of the importance of northern transit service, now and into the future.”

In 2018, when Greyhound Lines, Inc. eliminated its bus services throughout Western Canada, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, working in partnership with BC Transit, launched BC Bus North, a long-haul bus service serving communities such as Prince Rupert, Prince George, Valemount, Fort Nelson and points in between.

This $7.9-million contribution was made available through the $1.08-billion federal/provincial SafeRestart program to help ensure essential public transportation services continue during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

The trust will focus its allocation of these new funds on transportation options that connect people to regional centres and provide longer-distance connections to worksites, health services, education and training opportunities, as well as maintaining connections between family and friends.

Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent, non-profit corporation that focuses on stimulating economic growth through investments in grassroots, community-led projects.

Created in 2004 by the provincial government, the trust has approved and administered more than $405 million to more than 4,500 projects in central and northern B.C. communities since 2005.