Pioneer Haven opens in 100 Mile House

Joint Release - Province of BC / Gov't of Canada:

The governments of Canada and British Columbia gathered today to celebrate the official opening of Pioneer Haven, a new $1.5-million affordable seniors housing development providing eight apartments of modular housing for seniors and persons with disabilities.

“Our Government is investing in affordable housing here in 100 Mile House, to help create jobs and improve the quality of life for those who need it most,” said Cathy McLeod, MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “These initiatives will help seniors living on low income and persons with disabilities in our community access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs.”

“Seniors made our communities what they are today, and continue to be active, engaged members,” said Donna Barnett, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin. “That’s why providing safe, affordable housing for seniors to remain in their community, close to friends and family, is an important initiative for our government.”

Through an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal government contributed over $590,000 to support the construction of Pioneer Haven. The Province of British Columbia provided over $867,000 to this project through the Seniors Rental Housing Initiative (SRH) and provided the land valued at over $29,000.

The Seniors’ Rental Housing (SRH) initiative is a result of a $365-million joint investment under an amendment to the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, which includes funding through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and by the Government of British Columbia. This initiative, first announced by the two levels of government on April 8, 2009, includes the provision of $123.5 million, which is comprised of $104 million for seniors and $19.5 million for persons with disabilities, to develop approximately 1,300 new affordable rental housing units, which will help to stimulate local economies in smaller communities across B.C. Under terms of the agreement, the provincial and federal governments are providing matching contributions of $61.79 million each.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan built on the Government of Canada’s commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. It provides $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan included $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

A new agreement signed recently by both orders of government implements B.C.’s allocation of the remaining three years of the $1.9 billion, which amounts to a further $90 million in federal funding to match with $90 million in provincial funding for a total of $180 million for British Columbians in housing need.

The Province of British Columbia’s $14-billion capital infrastructure program is creating up to 88,000 jobs, building vital public infrastructure and stimulating local economies across the province.

Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 93,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1 800 668-2642 or visit: www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan

To learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness, visit: www.bchousing.org

Background:

Pioneer Haven, located at 350 Aspen Road in 100 Mile House, is an affordable seniors’ housing development providing eight apartments of modular housing to seniors and people with disabilities.

The apartments are directly managed by BC Housing.

The development consists of two buildings with four apartments each and will be directly managed by BC Housing. This development is co-located on the grounds of the existing 16-unit Pioneer Haven seniors housing building, which is also directly managed by BC Housing.

Modular housing has been used extensively for the Seniors’ Rental Housing developments as it allows construction take place in a factory with less dependence on weather conditions. The modular units meet EnerGuide 80 standards, and are designed to be easily accessible for seniors and people with disabilities. This includes room sizes that allow for wheelchair access and manoeuvring, shelves and light switches at an accessible height and bathroom grab bars or step-in showers.

The total capital cost of this development is approximately $1.5 million:

· The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), contributed $594,000 through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
· The Province of British Columbia contributed $867,730 toward this project through the Seniors Rental Initiative.
· The Province also provided the land, valued at $29,580.

Community Grant Process to be reviewed

Premier Christy Clark today appointed Skip Triplett to lead the Community Gaming Grant Review, with the final report to be delivered by Oct. 31, 2011.

“People across British Columbia rely on this funding to provide important services to their communities,” said Premier Clark. “This review can help families and communities across the province by listening to their needs, looking at the system from top to bottom, and coming up with options that create certainty and sustainability for non-profit groups and charities.”

The former president of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Skip Triplett is now a partner in the governance consulting firm Triplett & Triplett. During his long career, he has held executive, board and management positions with the B.C. Telephone Company (now Telus), Xerox of Canada, Ltd., Steel Company of Canada, the Canadian Forces Liaison Council and the Credit Counselling Society. Triplett holds a BA from Concordia University, an MBA from Simon Fraser University, and an honorary LLD from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

“It’s an honour to be selected to serve British Columbians in this capacity,” said Triplett. “I understand the broad-reaching impact of gaming grant decisions and I am committed to ensuring this review process is open, transparent, and reflective of the needs of B.C. taxpayers and the groups who rely on gaming grants to provide excellent services across the province.”

The Community Gaming Grant Review will examine the role of government in allocating gaming revenue with input from charities, community members, industry representatives and local government. The Terms of Reference include reviewing and providing options for:

· Existing legislation governing community gaming grant funding.

· Funding formula.
· Criteria/eligibility for community gaming grants.
· Processes involved with applying for and receiving community gaming grants.
· A multi-year funding model.
· The future role of government in community gaming grants.

“This review is not just about how much money we can share – it’s about the process we use to decide together who should have access to this funding, what we can do with it, and how we are accountable for it,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. “I urge community members and stakeholders to tell us what works and how we can improve the Community Gaming Grant program.”

Stakeholders and members of the community who would like to present their views are invited to visit www.communitygaminggrantreview.gov.bc.ca to submit a written presentation. Details related to upcoming community forums will be announced in the near future.

Background Information:

Gaming generates more than $1 billion in revenue per year for the B.C. government. In 2010-11:

· $687.5 million went to the province’s general revenues.

· $147.3 million went to health special account.
· $82.3 million went to host local governments with a casino or community gaming centres.
· $120 million went to charities and non-profit organizations through Community Gaming Grants, which was increased by a further $15 million announced by the Premier in March 2011.

For a detailed list of grants to community organizations in 2009-10, visit www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/reports/docs/fin-rpt-core-grants-2009-10.pdf

Community Gaming Grants help support the delivery of programs and services in the following sectors:

· Human and social services.

· Public safety.
· Youth arts and culture.
· Fairs, festivals and museums.
· Parent advisory councils.
· Sports for youth and people with disabilities.

The worldwide economic downturn saw a provincial government deficit of $495 million in the 2009 budget. As a result, government reviewed all programs and made difficult decisions about where to allocate limited resources.

In 2009-10, Community Gaming Grants were reduced from $156 million to $120 million. Many groups that had been funded were no longer eligible, including adult arts and culture organizations, sport organizations and the environment sector.

On March 24, 2011, Premier Christy Clark announced an additional $15 million for Community Gaming Grants, bringing the total to $135 million, a 12.5-per-cent increase over the previous year. This funding was distributed to approximately 6,000 community groups in British Columbia.

In April 2011, Premier Clark announced a comprehensive review into the allocation of Community Gaming Grants, and moved responsibility for allocating gaming grants from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Learn More:

· Community Gaming Grant Review: www.communitygaminggrantreview.gov.bc.ca
· Public Safety Solicitor General website: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/grants/index.htm
· Grants to community organizations:
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/reports/docs/fin-rpt-grants-year-to-date-payments-2010-11.pdf

Pat Bell's Top Ten - June 24th

1. Gross Domestic Product - Updated May 12, 2011

British Columbia’s economy bounced back in 2010, expanding 4.0% after posting a 1.8% decline in real GDP (chained 2002 dollars, measured at basic prices) in the previous year. The recovery was broadly based, with both the goods and service sectors making significant gains. The rebound in goods-producing industries was partly driven by a turnaround in resource-based industries. A long downturn in the forest sector finally came to an end in 2010, while the mining, oil and gas extraction industry posted its first increase in real GDP since 2005. The construction industry also picked up speed after losing ground in 2009. In the service sector, most industries made gains in 2010. The Olympics provided a boost to several tourist-related industries, including accommodation and food services, which expanded 3.5%.
(Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Statistics Canada)

2. Employment and Unemployment - Updated May 6, 2011

British Columbia’s unemployment rate was down to 7.9% in April 2011. This was 0.2 percentage points less than the rate recorded in the previous month. The improvement was largely due to continued employment growth, as the number of British Columbians with jobs increased (+0.4%) for a third straight month. The labour force expanded a marginal 0.1%.
Goods-producing industries, which had experienced significant job losses during the recent recession, continued to rebound (+2.2%) but job growth in the service sector stalled (-0.1%) for a third straight month. There were more private sector jobs (+0.4%) but employment in the public sector shrank 0.7%.
(Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey)

3. Wages in B.C. - Updated May 6, 2011

Workers in the province earned an average wage of $23.06 per hour in April, which was exactly the same as the national wage rate. However, weekly wages in BC ($828.11) were below the Canadian average ($837.75), reflecting a slightly shorter work week in this province.
Young workers in BC typically earn more than those in other parts of the country. Hourly wages for British Columbians aged 15 to 24 averaged $13.57 in April, compared to $13.23 for all young Canadians.
(Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey)

4. Retail Sales - Updated May 20, 2011

Sales at British Columbia’s retailers inched up 0.2% (seasonally adjusted) in March, continuing its recovery of the previous month. Quebec (+0.5%) and Atlantic Canada also saw moderate increases in sales. Nationally retail sales remained flat (0.0%) as gains were offset by weaker sales in the provinces of Ontario (−0.8%), Manitoba (−0.3%) and Alberta (−0.1%).
During the first quarter of 2011, BC’s retail sales fell 1.3% (seasonally adjusted), offsetting gains from the last quarter of 2010 (+1.7%) almost entirely. Quebec (−0.6%) and Ontario (−0.1%) bucked this trend in a similar fashion, while retail sales in Manitoba (+1.8%), Saskatchewan (+2.3%) and Alberta (+0.3%) enjoyed gains in the same quarter. Nationally, retails sales for the first quarter remained flat (0.0%).
(Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Statistics Canada)

5. International Trade (Exports) - Updated May 12, 2011

The value of BC exports rebounded (+3.7%, seasonally adjusted) in March, mirroring the decline
recorded in February (-3.7%). Double-digit increases in shipments of forestry (+10.7%) and industrial & consumer (+11.2%) products were the major contributors to the boost in provincial exports. Agriculture & fishing (+1.5%) exports were also up, but international shipments of energy (–6.4%) and automobile, machinery & equipment (–3.9%) products fell. US-bound goods were off (-1.9%) for the second straight month, while shipments to other destinations advanced (+8.0%). The slump in south-bound goods was mostly the result of declining energy (–19.4%) shipments.
(Prepared by BC Stats, Source: BC Stats)

6. Housing Starts - Updated May 9, 2011

Housing starts in the province increased for the first time since December, rising 23.0% (seasonally adjusted) in April. BC bucked the national trend, which saw the number of new housing starts drop 3.1% as new construction activity slowed in both Ontario (-9.0%) and Quebec (-10.9%), while Alberta posted a modest 1.4% increase.
(Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

7. Tourist visits - Updated June 17, 2011

Visitor entries to Canada through BC were up (+0.7%, seasonally adjusted) in April. Same-day visits from the US (-0.1%) were off for the third consecutive month, while overnight trips also experienced a small decline (-0.3%). Overall, total US entries dipped 0.3%. However, there were more travelers from overseas countries (+3.8%), driven primarily by a double-digit increase (+11.5%) in the number of visitors from Asia. Meanwhile, European entries (-2.1%) were down.
There were nearly 1.2 million Canadians returning home via BC in April, up 3.3% from the previous month. Total trips from the US increased 2.8%, while the number of Canadians returning from overseas jumped (+8.1%).
(Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Statistics Canada)

8. Population – Updated March 24, 2011

The population in British Columbia reached 4,554,085 as of January 1st, 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2010, population growth was at its lowest since 2006, up 1.2% compared to the same quarter in 2009. Saskatchewan continued to lead growth (+1.5%). BC shared fifth place with Ontario above the average growth across Canada (+1.1%).
(Prepared by BC Stats, Source: Statistics Canada)

9. Independent Economic Forecast Council on economic growth

B.C.’s economy is expected grow moderately over the next year according to B.C.’s independent Economic Forecast Council. On average, the council forecasts B.C.’s GDP growth at 2.7 per cent for this year. This is down from Budget 2010, when economic growth was projected at 3.1 per cent. For 2012, the council’s forecast is unchanged at 3.0 per cent. The council’s average annual forecast for 2013-2015 is 2.8 per cent.

10. B.C.’s top credit rating reconfirmed

The Dominion Bond Rating Service, Standard & Poor, and Moody's Investment Service have all reconfirmed B.C.'s strong credit rating. The most recent report from Moody's notes the Province's debt reduction efforts of the past few years have put British Columbia in a stronger position to face the economic downturn. DBRS rates B.C. AA (High); Standard & Poor, AAA; and Moody's, AAA.