Northern Development Upcoming Funding Opportunity

From the NDIT Website:

Community Funding Application Intake Deadline

Subject: Community Funding Application Intake Deadlines
Event Date: November 08 2013 @ 5:00:00pm 
Complete funding applications to the following programs must be received prior to this application intake deadline in order to be considered for review by the Northern Development Board of Directors at the next scheduled board meeting:

• Economic Diversification Infrastructure
• Community Halls and Recreation Facilities
• Feasibility Studies
• Marketing Initiatives
• Community Foundations Matching Grants

For more information on the application process for the above programs, or for information on Northern Development’s business incentives and additional community funding programs, see the program specific application guides.

NC Multicentre Info Sessions...

Joint Release - City of Quesnel/Cariboo Regional District:

The North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee (JPC) has scheduled several public information sessions regarding the upcoming referendum for an extension of the Loan Authorization Bylaw approved in the 2008 Referendum for the construction of a new arena, theatre and multi-purpose event space. The referendum is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013.

Elected Officials and staff representatives from the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Quesnel will be on hand for the presentation and to answer any questions from the public. Residents who live within the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks boundary are encouraged to attend any or all of the following meetings:

Wednesday, Oct. 9 Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 94, 262 Kinchant Street
Thursday, Oct. 10 Bouchie Lake Community Hall, 1975 Centennial Road
Tuesday, Oct. 15 Red Bluff Elementary School, 1533 Maple Drive
Thursday, Oct. 17 City Hall Council Chambers, 4th Floor, 410 Kinchant Street

All of the public information sessions will begin at 7 p.m.

The referendum question on Nov. 9 will be presented as follows:

“Are you in favour of the Cariboo Regional District extending its authorization to borrow up to $15,000,000 to provide for the construction of a new arena, theatre and multi-purpose event space for a further two year period to allow fundraising efforts to continue?”

Concerned Citizens Group for NC Multicentre have FB Page

This past Thursday - the Coalition of Concerned Citizens for the North Cariboo Multi-Centre launched its' Facebook page which you can view here.  No word yet if they'll be launching a website or Twitter account prior to the Nov 9th referendum on this subject

Meanwhile - Cariboo RD resident Heide Krause wrote a lengthy post in regards to her concerns of the Sept 3rd meeting at Quesnel City Hall on this subject.  Read Ms. Krause's posting here

I have to agree with Ms. Krause on one point -- elected officials should not be openly flaunting their preference in advance of the Nov 9th vote. Once a decision to go to referendum is made -- the job of the local government(s) and their elected officials is to get the information out there and answer questions, not to openly campaign for one side or another...

Methinks this move by certain CRD Directors/Quesnel Council members to openly campaign in favour of the Nov 9th question to extend the $15 million borrowing bylaw for the Multicentre for two more years could come home to haunt those Directors/Quesnel Mayor and Councillors come Nov 9th, should the request be rejected by voters in Quesnel and portions of CRD Areas A, B, C and I who pay into North Cariboo Recreation and Parks...

-- SBF

Area J SAR Function barely passes...

Editor's Note -- tonight's prelim result of approval for the West Chilcotin Search and Rescue (SAR) Function by a vote of 34-33 surprised even me, given a SAR Service supported by taxpayers is generally a no-brainer .  When the Board considered the matter, I hesitated to proceed to referendum on this Function at the time the Regional Board deliberated on this item, but only agreed to do so after it was determined that there was no secure way to have a vote done by counter-petition for only those who would pay into this Function

This result tells me (subject to confirmation this upcoming week) that the Regional Board will have to proceed very carefully with further initiatives that imposes on taxpayers....

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Below are the preliminary results for the West Chilcotin Search and Rescue Referendum held today.

Yes – 34

No – 33

Official results will be released early next week.

Cariboo Local Gov'ts at UBCM

Next week will see all local governments in the Cariboo-Chilcotin attending the Union of BC Municipalities Annual Convention in Vancouver which includes debating resolutions, meeting with provincial cabinet ministers and hearing from both provincial Leader of the Opposition Adrian Dix and BC Premier Christy Clark

Meanwhile - in today's Vancouver Province, Williams Lake received some negative press after the Province called their UBCM Resolution to consider a prolific offenders' past history when prosecuting as 'Wacky'.  But Williams Lake was in good company as UBCM Resolutions from Sidney, Osoyoos, Chilliwack and the Sunshine Coast Regional District were equally declared as 'wacky'

Read more here

Cariboo RD Board Highlights - Sept 13th mtg

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Medical Marihuana Draft Bylaws Reviewed

The Regional District Board reviewed three draft bylaws and rural land use bylaws to allow Medical Marihuana as a permitted use within the General Industrial (M 2) zone. This text amendment to the M 2 zone would carry forward as an allowed use in the Heavy Industrial zone. These bylaws will be back on the agenda next month for further consideration.  The CRD will also request that a Minister’s Bylaw Standard be developed for medical marihuana operations in the ALR. The Health Canada’s Marihuana Medical Access Program (MMSP) which was introduced in 2001, allowed authorized persons to grow Marihuana for their own medical purposes in their home. There are currently over 30,000 authorized persons under this program. This program and the authorizations are to expire on March 31, 2014.

Community Works Funding Approved

Community Works Funding was approved by the Board for three projects including digital control (DDC) energy management systems for the ice plant at the Cariboo Memorial Complex (CMC) in Williams Lake, and the ice plant and other equipment at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre (SCRC) in 100 Mile House, as well as a lighting upgrade at the Cariboo Regional District Hangar at the South Cariboo Regional Airport at 108 Mile Ranch. The cost for each project is estimated at $32,000 for each DDC energy management system upgrade and $8,000 for the lighting upgrade. Both DDC projects will also have added safety benefits for the facilities by increasing automated monitoring capabilities, which will activate alarms in case of a system failure.

Board on the Road

The Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors and staff travelled to Electoral Area D Sept. 12-13 for the second of two Board on the Road events for 2013. On Thursday evening, approximately 100 residents, elected officials and Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department members enjoyed a BBQ at the fire hall, courtesy of the CRD. The Board reconvened on Friday morning for its regularly scheduled meeting at the Wildwood Fire Hall. Thank you to the Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department for their hospitality.

McLeese Lake Revitalization

Howie Chamberlin from the McLeese Lake Community Association presented the Board with an update about the McLeese Lake downtown core and Community Hall enhancement project.

Support for Soda Creek Funding Application

The CRD will provide a letter of support for the Soda Creek Indian Band who submitted a funding application to the Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition (CCBAC) to perform upgrades to the Whispering Willows Campsite in Deep Creek. The project includes upgrades to the current facilities to develop six new fully serviced sites. The funding application for $70,000 will contribute to installation of a septic system, upgrading of the water system and electrical system, and performance of gravel work and layout. The Band has agreed to make a 10 percent financial contribution in the form of cash and is planning on making an additional 10 percent in the form of donations through machinery usage and staff time.

Referendum slated for North Cariboo

The CRD Board endorsed a resolution from the North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee to proceed to referendum to seek electorate approval on extending the borrowing authority for the proposed Multi-Centre for an additional two years.  The referendum is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2013, and will be preceded by a series of public information meetings to give residents an opportunity to ask questions about the referendum. Dates of the public information meetings are as follows:

      Wednesday, Oct. 9 - Royal Canadian Legion

      Thursday, Oct. 10 - Bouchie Lake Hall

      Tuesday, Oct. 15 - Red Bluff School

      Thursday, Oct. 17 – Quesnel Council Chambers

*All meetings start at 7 p.m.

MMBC Update

The CRD Board of Directors reviewed Multi-Materials BC's (MMBC) financial incentives for Packaging and Printed

Paper (PPP) Recycling Depots. MMBC's financial incentives for PPP collection by depots must be accepted or rejected by Sept. 16, 2013.  The CRD will be identifying and announcing confirmed locations which will be region-wide.  Watch the CRD website at cariboord.bc.ca and local media for the announcement of locations.

Next Meeting

Committee of the Whole – Oct. 3, 2013

Board – Oct. 4, 2013

South Lakeside Drive Update #11

Courtesy of the City of Wiliams Lake:

Road sub-excavation (removal and replacement of the road base material) continued over the past week. In addition, curb and gutters were installed between Hub City Auctions to near Pioneer Drive.

Next week the existing road will be cut out and used to fill the multi-use lane across from Pioneer Drive. New base gravels suitable for a busy road like South Lakeside Drive are being brought it, placed, and compacted where the old material was taken out. Work is expected to be performed east of Pioneer Drive for the most part of next week.

The public is reminded that the portion of South Lakeside Driveway between the Cariboo Adventist Academy and Hodgson Road is a construction area, and rough patches of road are to be expected. The contractor is regularly working on grading and repairing rough areas, but patience is requested because the high volume of traffic causes road condition to deteriorate quickly. Motorists are also reminded to obey the posted 30 km/h speed limit. Traffic flow will be single-lane alternating.

South Lakeside Drive will be repaved from Hodgson Road to the Cariboo Adventist Academy, the merge lane from Hodgson Road will be extended to Pioneer Drive, and a pedestrian/bike lane will be added from Hodgson Road to the Cariboo Adventist Academy. Work on the project is expected to continue through September.

Hooker talks WL Community Forest with WL Tribune

Editor's Note -- Mayor Cook's logic perplexes me.  She (like myself) was told of the Sept 8th WL Community Forest mtg at Miocene on August 23rd by Cariboo RD Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley at the Cariboo RD Board meeting on the same date.  From there to Sept 8th is 16 days to arrange for one person to attend.  That person wouldn't had to speak, just take notes.... but yet says she (and WL Indian Band) didn't get the notice until Sept 2nd and still was unable to send a person out.... Sorry, I don't buy it.  Sounds like excuse-making to get something you want...

From WL Tribune:

Putting pen to paper is not generally Bee Hooker’s style.

Normally the Big Lake logger is busy working at a new Imperial Metals mine site near Dease Lake.

But these days when he is home, however, he’s part of a working group that’s been keeping tabs on a proposed community forest by the city of Williams Lake and the Williams Lake Indian Band that would involve land near the communities of Big Lake, Horsefly, Miocene and Pine Valley.

“They submitted their final application to the Ministry of Forests on Aug. 22 so we had a meeting last Sunday and I was really choked no representatives were there from the city or the band,” Hooker said Monday.

After the meeting, Hooker wrote a 1,000 word letter to the editor he submitted to the Tribune/Weekend Advisor on Monday and e-mailed copies to several parties.

His letter opens with: “Clearcut Boitanio Park,” suggests people boycott business in Williams Lake and warns he’ll blockade the community forest if he has to.

These aren’t things he really wants to do, but said he wants people to get active and write letters.

“I want to grab people’s attention,” Hooker said. “This is taxation without representation basically.”

Mayor Kerry Cook wasn’t sent a copy of Hooker’s letter, however, confirmed at Tuesday’s city council meeting the city and the band received an invitation Monday, Sept. 2 to attend the meeting in Miocene.

“Our partner was unable to attend on short notice so I wanted to clarify that we did respond that we would welcome the opportunity to come and discuss the contents of the final application, but we were unable to attend,” Cook told council.

She added they have asked community forest manager Ken Day to arrange a “mutually agreed to date” for a meeting later in the fall with the affected rural communities.

Dan Brooks as BC Conservative Leader?

Yesterday -- Dan Brooks who ran as the BC Conservative Party candidate in Nechako Lakes announced in Kamloops that he wants to be Leader of the BC Conservative Party.  You can read a blog post that my Uncle Alan Forseth did on Mr. Brooks' announcement here

However, provincial politics blogger Bernard von Schulmann on his blog BC Iconoclast takes a counterpoint view at Mr. Brooks' campaign and what his realistic chances at winning are.  View that blog post here

My own view is that we need to see who Mr. Brooks' opponents for the BC Conservative Party Leadership are before we write off Dan Brooks... after all, Dan Brooks may end up being the only candidate... and no, I don't plan to join the BC Conservative Party anytime soon...

-- SBF

Rec Restrictions at Yanks Peak

Courtesy of the BC Government:

Users of off-road vehicles, including ATV riders, are reminded to obey recreational use restrictions currently in effect in the Yanks Peak and Eureka Peak sub-alpine areas east of Williams Lake.

These motorized vehicle restrictions and closures are in place to help protect ecologically sensitive sub-alpine areas that are easily damaged by uncontrolled motorized vehicle use.

* The Yanks Peak restriction (under Section 58 of the Forest and Range Practices Act) is in effect every year from June 1 to Oct. 15. It only allows motorized access via a single designated trail: the Yanks Peak Trail. Users are reminded that all motorized vehicles must remain on this trail at all times. In addition, the Yanks Peak Snowmobile Cabin and Roundtop Mountain are not accessible by motorized vehicles during this period. For further details, search for "Yanks Peak" at: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC16103&type=Site

* The Eureka Peak closure (under the Wildlife Act) applies to the operation of any motor vehicle for any purpose above an elevation of 1,500 metres in this area. This is a year-round closure, but there is a partial exemption that allows snowmobile use on portions of Eureka Peak from Dec. 1 to March 31. For details and a map of the area, visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/snowmobile-closures/

Riders are reminded to ride carefully and responsibly when using these recreational areas to ensure that they remain pristine for future generations of British Columbians. ATV users should not drive in environmentally sensitive areas, including wetlands, grasslands and alpine areas.

Anyone who damages an ecosystem on Crown land may be subject to a penalty of up to $100,000, one year in jail, or both.

Sept 12th Budget Mtg - City of WL

Last night from 6-8pm, the City of Williams Lake held its' 1st Budget Consultation Meeting (the next one is on September 30th) where members of the public were outranked by City Staff and members of WL Council (Coun. Geoff Bourdon was absent)

After a brief PowerPoint Presentation by local City Manager (CAO) Darrell Garceau and the City Director of Finance Pat Higgins, the rest of the meeting turned into a 'coffee chat' about various City-wide concerns

It was unfortunate that so few members of the public were there however I believe the sunny weather was a factor as well as two BBQ's being hosted on the same night - one hosted by the local Catholic school as well as one hosted by the Cariboo RD in Wildwood

This morning - I took the opportunity to express my own take of last night's meeting to Mr. Garceau and he has agreed to review my comments on last night's meeting into consideration as future plans for budget meetings' are made

-- SBF

Cariboo RD Area 'D' BBQ

Last night - I had the pleasure to attend a community BBQ at the Wildwood VFD Hall in my role as the Area 'D' Alternate Director.  I also had the opportunity to catch up with some residents' in Wildwood to discuss some local things coming up as well as chit-chatting with some of the CRD Directors' in attendance including Area 'L' Director Bruce Rattray, Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley and Area I Director Jim Glassford

Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley took a moment to remind those in attendance about the upcoming Sept 30th 'Orange Shirt Day'.  An event I personally plan to attend in Boitanio Park (10:30am on Sept 30th)

From what I observed - those in attendance had a very enjoyable BBQ in their home community :)

-- SBF

Quesnel Council Highlights - Sept 9th mtg

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

Financial Plan amendment

Council approved the first two readings of the City of Quesnel 2013 to 2017 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 1725. In accordance with Section 165 of the Community Charter, the City of Quesnel is required to adopt by bylaw a Five Year Financial Plan. The Financial Plan must outline the proposed expenditures, revenues and transfers between funds for the next five years. If there are projects proposed during the year that were not in the original financial plan, an amendment bylaw must be approved.

Airport apron expansion

The first project is to expand the airport apron. The current apron is 52,500 square feet, one of the smallest certified airport aprons in B.C., and cannot accommodate multiple aircraft effectively. The City plans to expand the apron by an additional 22,500 square feet. The expansion is designed to provide access to a proposed multi-use hanger facility. A grant has been received from Northern Development Initiative Trust in the amount of $244,815 under the Economic Diversification Infrastructure Program. The City has committed to provide $105,000 toward the total estimated project cost of $349,815.

New home for Public Works

The second project is for a new public works facility which requires funds from the Public Works Relocation Reserve to proceed. Council has approved the purchase of land for this facility from funds in the Public Works Reserve. The current facility is beyond its lifespan and located within the 200 year flood level. This poses a significant issue; when the City’s services are needed most they may be partially or fully compromised. Renovating or redeveloping the aging infrastructure would require investment that may not be a prudent use of funding due to the location in the flood plain. In the amended bylaw, $480,000 is proposed to be used towards purchasing and preparing land for the new facility and to start the design and cost estimates.

Council welcomes Staff Sergeant

Council extended their congratulations to new Staff Sergeant Detachment Commander Steve Vrolyk. Staff Sergeant Vrolyk has been working in Quesnel for the past four years as a Constable and recently received a promotion to Staff Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Vrolyk thanked Council for the opportunity to serve in his new capacity.

Other news

• Council supported in principle, the Quesnel Naturalists application for funding. The funding would be used for conservation education including the establishment of two educational signs in West Fraser Timber Park.

• Council gave final adoption to the bylaw naming Hendry Road which extends west at 700 meters on Racing Road.

• Council gave third reading to the bylaw to exempt lands and improvements from payment of taxes for the assessment and collection years of 2014 and 2015 for lands owned by the Quesnel Lions Housing Society.

Proclamations

September - Big Brothers Big Sisters Month
October 21 to 26 - Child Development Week
October 21 to 27 - Waste Reduction Week in Canada

Important dates

September 30 - Orange Shirt Day 

South Cariboo Referendum Results Final

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District’s Chief Election Officer has declared the result of the South Cariboo Recreation and the South Cariboo Search and Rescue Referendums as official. The results are as follows by polling station.

South Cariboo Recreation:            Yes: 571               No: 318

Polling Station                                  Yes         No          Total Votes

Forest Grove                                     26           25           51

Lone Butte                                        42           82           124

108 Mile Community Hall              137        64           201

District of 100 Mile House             225        70           295

Advance Poll Aug. 28                      56           42           98

Advance Poll Sept. 3                       83           33           116

Mail Ballots                                       2             2             4

Results                                               571        318        889

South Cariboo Search and Rescue:             Yes: 943               No: 121

Polling Station                                  Yes         No          Total Votes

Forest Grove                                     63           14           77

Lone Butte                                        100        45           145

108 Mile Community Hall              200        14           214

District of 100 Mile House             301        18           319

Interlakes (Roe Lake) Hall              46           9             55

Advance Poll Aug. 28                      93           13           106

Advance Poll Sept. 3                       136        7             143

Mail Ballots                                       4             1             5

Results                                               943        121        1064

For further information about the referendums contact the CRD Chief Election Officer, Alice Johnston or Deputy Chief Election Officer, Darron Campbell at (250) 392-3351 or 1-800-665-1636. Further information is also available on the CRD website at cariboord.bc.ca.

WL Council Mtg - Sept 10th highlights

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

WL City Council Highlights for Sept.10/2013

Citizen Coalition for NC Multicentre

Earlier today - Cariboo RD Area 'B' Director Heloise Dixon-Warren let me know of a new group called:

Coalition of Concerned Citizens for the North Cariboo Multi-Centre Project

The purpose of this group is four-fold:

1. Gather accurate and true information and have questions asked answered (e.g. actual tax base population, what is the use of our existing facilities, status of existing facilities in terms of aging infrastructure, effect on rural facilities and “backyard” recreation, are Feasibility Reports still applicable; other community recreation plans).

2. Disseminate accurate information to the public on the following: Performing Arts, Arena, Parking Study, Business Plan, Public Surveys, Fundraising Terms and Update (pledges, grants, cash, pre-tax, tax deductions vs. refundable donations).

3. Understand the economic picture associated with the proposed North Cariboo Multi-Centre vs. a “Plan B” approach in terms of the following: anticipated shortfall in timber, aging demographics, actual operating costs (labour, administration, management, etc.), school population decline, mill closures.

4. Understand the “Design Build” concept and what safeguards are in place to ensure that the facility is completed in full within budget and timeline.

I wonder how City of Quesnel Mayor Mary Sjostrom will respond to Point #3 as per above, given she was opposed as far back as 2011 to discussing "Plan B" for the North Cariboo Multi centre.  Remember, it was former Quesnel Councillor Ron Paull who discussed publicly the idea of a 'Plan B' for the Multi centre

The group has emailed the Cariboo RD Directors for Areas A, B, C and I & all members of Quesnel Council asking them to share the group's information with their constituents...

To email the group - click here

WL Council kills $$$ support for Orange Shirt Day

By a vote of 4-2, WL Council declined to reconsider its' August 27th decision to not financially support Orange Shirt Day on Sept 30th

Those in favour of reconsideration -- Mayor Kerry Cook & Councillor Sue Zacharias (2)
Those opposed - Councillors Ivan Bonnell, Geoff Bourdon, Danica Hughes and Surinderpal Rathor (4)

I'm told Councillor Laurie Walters arrived at tonight's WL Council meeting after the above decision was made

With this decision, unless Mayor Cook uses her power under Section 131 of the Community Charter to have Council re-vote on this item, the City will not contribute funds to Orange Shirt Day 2013.  CRD Area F Director Joan Sorley informs me that the Committee for Orange Shirt Day have adjusted their budget based on WL Council's decision.  Councillor Rathor also tells me that he personally intends to make a financial contribution to this event

While I personally regret this decision (I committed $300 from CRD Area D Special Project Funds for Orange Shirt Day), I appreciate why Council needed to make the decision they did (i.e.: support one group, do you support all groups or where do you 'draw the line')

-- SBF

BC Balanced Budget 2013 Update

Courtesy of the BC Government:

B.C. remains on target to balance the 2013-14 budget, and government has launched public consultations on the development of Balanced Budget 2014, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today.

The year-end surplus for 2013-14 is now projected to be $136 million, which is down slightly by $17 million from the June Budget Update. Revenues have improved by $69 million, partly offsetting higher expenses of $86 million, primarily for statutory spending on fighting fires and flood-related emergency programs.

The forecast for taxpayer-supported debt-to-GDP has improved by $29 million, mainly due to reduced capital funding requirements as a result of project scheduling changes. As well, the taxpayer-supported debt-to-GDP ratio is now 18.3 per cent, which is one-tenth of a percentage point lower than the June Budget Update.

B.C. real GDP is forecast to grow by 1.4 per cent in 2013 and 2.2 per cent in 2014, unchanged from the June Budget Update.

Government also has released the 2014 Budget Consultation Paper, which asks British Columbians about their priorities for Balanced Budget 2014. Ongoing challenges in the global and domestic economies mean government must continue the discipline that balanced the budget, while also looking for ways to reduce taxes and costs for families, invest in programs and services, and reduce provincial debt.

The consultation paper asks British Columbians to rank their preferences for the choices that need to be made in maintaining a balanced budget, and seeks feedback on what programs and services government should continue; what it could do differently to help reduce costs; and what could be reduced or eliminated to help save money, or to free up funding for higher-priority services.

The paper is available online, or by contacting the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, which is holding public consultations around the province in September and October. For more information about the 2014 Budget Consultation Paper and how to participate in the consultation process, please visit: www.fin.gov.bc.ca/budgetconsultation

BC's Finance Minister Mike DeJong says:

British Columbia has tabled a balanced budget, which is the first step toward a stronger economy and a debt-free future for B.C. This first Quarterly Report shows that we are making the tough choices needed to keep the budget balanced, controlling our spending and delivering on our promise to taxpayers."

"Ongoing challenges in the global and domestic economies means we must continue to exercise the discipline that helped produce the balanced budget, and sustain our commitment that we will not spend more money than taxpayers send to government."

"I hope British Columbians will take the time to tell us about their priorities for government and what they want to see in Balanced Budget 2014."

Find out more on the 1st Quarter Report (2013-14) at www.gov.bc.ca/fin

Local Gov't Election Law Update - White Paper

Editor's Note - While I have no concerns with the local gov't election law reform "white paper", I am still disappointed that the Province acceded to the request from UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities) that defers elections in October rather than November until 2017.  There was no reason not to have a local gov't election next October.  This was already supported by UBCM.  Government should be acting on local government law reform, independent of any lobby group which includes UBCM

Courtesy of the BC Government:

British Columbians now have six weeks to review proposed significant changes to local elections legislation - including campaign finance rules - through a white paper released today by Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes.

The white paper provides an overview of the proposed Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA) describing each part of the act and a draft of the legislation proposed for introduction in spring 2014. Highlights include:

• Disclosure and registration by third-party advertisers.
• Sponsorship information requirements for all election advertising.
• A campaign finance disclosure statements to be filed 90 days, rather than 120, following an election.
• Banning anonymous contributions.
• Enabling a key role for Elections BC in the compliance and enforcement of campaign finance rules in municipal elections.

Specific examples of the changes include:

• All sponsorship contributions and value of third-party advertising must be disclosed and significant contributors providing $100 or more to an election must be identified.
• Candidates and elector organizations election advertising must have sponsorship identification, authorization statement and contact details.
• Candidates and elector organizations must record campaign period expenses.
• Third-party advertising sponsors must register with Elections BC before sponsoring any election advertising.

Interested parties have until Oct. 23, 2013, to submit their comments. In November 2013, a separate stakeholder engagement process on expense limits begins that will inform further legislative changes slated for 2017 local elections. The white paper is available on the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development's website at: www.localgovelectionreform.gov.bc.ca

The proposed new LECFA incorporates the majority of the recommendations proposed by the joint provincial-UBCM Local Government Elections Task Force and it is the first time local election campaign rules will be in a separate, standalone act which, if passed, takes effect November 2014.

Changes to the campaign finance rules are the most extensive in nearly two decades and this Act will assist in providing clarity as well as establish Elections BC's new role in compliance and enforcement.

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes says:

"We want the transition to the new rules to be as smooth as possible for local elections participants and those considering running for local government, so they understand their campaign finance responsibilities and obligations - that's why we're releasing the White Paper now. Many of the changes elaborate on existing rules making them easier to understand, while others address gaps. Ultimately they're designed to enhance voter confidence in the system."

West Chilcotin SAR Referendum this weekend

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

The Cariboo Regional District reminds all West Chilcotin residents of the general voting day for the referendum on the West Chilcotin Search and Rescue contribution bylaw. General Voting Day takes place this Saturday, Sept. 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voting Date:              Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013

Time:                          Polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Polling Locations:      Anahim Lake School - 2493 Hudson Road, Anahim Lake, BC

Tatla Lake School - 16776 Chilcotin Highway 20, Tatla Lake, BC

Naghtaneqed School - 8350 Nemaiah Valley Road, Nemaiah Valley, BC

CRD Board Room, 180 D North Third Avenue, Williams Lake, BC

                                     

Who Should Vote:     All residents within Electoral Area J of the Cariboo Regional District.

Residents are reminded to bring at least two pieces of ID. One of them must have a signature and should prove your address however, if you do not have something with your current address you are allowed to make a formal declaration of residency. Picture identification is not necessary. Typical examples of ID that people use are driver’s license, BCID, firearms license, carecard, credit card, SIN, status card, bank card, etc. A utility bill will also work as a secondary piece of ID.

For further information about the referendum, contact the CRD Chief Election Officer, Alice Johnston or Deputy Chief Election Officer Darron Campbell at (250) 392-3351 or 1-800-665-1636. Further information is also available on the CRD website at cariboord.bc.ca.