WL Council Highlights - May 13th mtg

Editor's Note - Councillor Rathor informs me that the 2014 Tax Rates Bylaw Final Adoption Vote was one of:

Affirmative - Mayor Cook and Councillors Bourdon, Walters and Zacharias
Negative - Councillors Bonnell, Hughes and Rathor

With that - Williams Lake Council's 2014 Budget process is now complete and the 2015 Budget process can begin with Staff starting to develop the 2015 Business Plans for the various City Departments. Council itself will begin 2015 Budget discussions starting sometime in September.

In the meantime - residents'/businesses of Williams Lake will pay 3% more in property tax than last year

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Council Highlights May 13 (1)

SKP Referendum Q of Week - Cost Overruns

Courtesy of SKP Referendum Facebook Page:

Q: How will cost overruns on the project be avoided?

A:Undertaking a major renovation and upgrade project such as the recommended option for the pool requires several strategies to keep the work within the planned budget. There are appropriate contingencies for unforeseen circumstances and inflationary factors built into the $11.3 million construction estimate provided by the architects, which created the concept design. The architects involved have extensive experience in developing budgets for projects of this nature; and detailed designs would be completed prior to construction to confirm the estimated costs. The exact final construction cost will not be known until tender bids from construction companies are received. Of course, it is hoped that the bids will come in lower than the estimated budget. The expected cost for local taxpayers of $40 per $100,000 of assessed value may also be significantly offset by grants from the provincial and federal governments and support from corporate sponsors.

2014 FCC AgriSpirit Fund Program

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD Grant Writer:

The FCC AgriSpirit Fund is about enhancing rural communities. If your organization is raising money for a capital project, it may qualify for a donation between $5,000 and $25,000 to supplement your other fundraising efforts.

Successful projects have included hospitals and medical centres, childcare facilities, fire and rescue equipment, playgrounds, food banks, libraries, recreation centres and community gardens.

Local governments, registered charities, and non-profit organizations partnered with local government are eligible to apply.

The application deadline is June 12, 2014. To apply, visit https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/in-your-community/giving-back/fcc-agrispirit-fund.html

MLA Barnett on 'Supports for Women'

Yesterday morning during Private Members' Statements' - the NDP MLA for Esquimalt-Royal Roads, Maurine Karagianis, brought forward the topic of 'Supports for Women'. In response - the MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin, Donna Barnett, stated what the BC Liberals' were doing to support women's safety in BC. Like MLA Barnett says -- it is a sensitive and complex issue but one that crosses all party lines but at the same time, we can and must do more to ensure that all women in British Columbia are safe in our communities

Read her response to MLA Karagianis below:

Thank you, hon. Speaker, for the opportunity to respond to the member opposite on such an important topic. There is no doubt that this is a complex and sensitive issue. I acknowledge that it is of deep importance to both sides of this House.

Our government takes the safety of women very seriously, as I do. It is personal with each and every citizen, I believe, in this province and especially in this House. We have done much, and we all know we can always do more.

Our government is committed to introduce a long-term comprehensive strategy to move towards a violence-free B.C. The strategy for a violence-free B.C. will be a path to create a province where all women have the supports they need to help prevent violence, to escape from violent situations and recover if they have been victims of violent crime. It takes everyone to accomplish this, not just government.

Highway 16, the Highway of Tears. It is incredibly tragic to hear the stories of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

That is why our government has taken a number of actions to make all B.C. highways safer and to support communities and vulnerable women. The work conducted by Steven Point, the former chair of the advisory committee on the safety and security of vulnerable women, pointed to the need for safer transportation options on our northern highways.

Fundamentally this means two things: (1) that there need to be adequate public transportation options and (2) that we need to ensure that those who are travelling are safe.

Specifically, government is committing $4.5 million per year in public transportation options, including $1.5 million per year to B.C. Transit to partner with local communities, including services operating along northern highways between Smithers and Telkwa, between Hazelton and Smithers and Kispiox, Terrace and Kitimat, and between Prince Rupert and Port Edward. If other local governments or First Nations along the northern highways would like to partner and cost-share for similar services, B.C. Transit is always open to such discussions.

Investing in cell coverage along the highway is also a key priority, especially if people need to call for emergency services and support if they are in danger. Hon. Speaker, 70 percent of the highway already has cell coverage, but we are taking steps to add a significant amount of new cell coverage to Highway 16. It is my understanding that in partnership with Telus, there has been $7 million spent for cell services in the northern part of British Columbia, ongoing.

Our government is also investing in support services. In March this year our government provided Carrier-Sekani Family Services with $100,000 to expand safety training workshops for communities near Highway 16, which will include further discussions on safe transportation options.

In Prince George, for example, our government purchased and renovated the Astoria Hotel to provide a safe place of healing for women facing a range of challenges. We have also supported the Prince George New Hope Society drop-in centre with a $100,000 civil forfeiture grant to help women and youth, because we want to keep women in all parts of this province safe from violence.

This is all being accomplished through partnerships with local communities and First Nations. I want to publicly thank them and acknowledge them for their support. There is no simple solution. This is an incredibly complex issue requiring a thoughtful and long-term solution. Solving this will not be easy.

It will require hard work on the part of our government, members opposite and community and First Nation leaders to continue to work together to ensure all women in B.C. are safe and to prevent the tragedies of the past from ever happening again.

Leaders to continue to work together to ensure that all women in B.C. are safe and preventing the tragedies of the past from ever happening again.

Lack of MLA's/Ministers' at 2014 NCLGA

This afternoon - CJDC-TV (local Dawson Creek TV Station) reported on the lack of attendance by MLA's/BC Cabinet Ministers at this year's NCLGA AGM which was held last week in Fort St John.

Read the story here while you can read the 2014 NCLGA Annual Report here

Meanwhile - this story was discussed on Facebook and generated the following comments:

Dawson Creek Councillor Shaely Wilbur - Considering the Premier is out of Country as are some Ministers and the House is in Session...those that could attend did. Timing of events can be an issue when scheduling around Provincial guests. Just happened that way this time....was not done to not have representation..just conflicting schedules.

Quesnel Councillor L-A Roodenburg -  yes..... but we also had representation from our Ministry (Community, Sport and Cultural Development) in the form of MLA (and Parliamentary Secretary Linda) Reimer......wish the whole story was told

I have to agree both with Councillors Wilbur and Roodenburg - MLA's, Cabinet Ministers and even the Premier are people - they simply can't be everywhere at once.  Even on a local level, both Director Bischoff and I can't always cover the amount of local events where we believe that we should be in attendance… but I know all politicians (regardless of level or political stripe) do try their very best to attend events as they receive invites…

~SF

SKP Pool Referendum website

Looking for information about November's referendum to borrow up to $10 million to renovate the Sam Ketcham Pool?

A website has been established to answer your questions.  View that website here

You can still view the "online" debate about the upcoming referendum on Facebook.  View that 'conversation' here.  The Facebook page has received 211 'Likes' so far…

~SF

Moody's confirms AAA Credit Rating for BC

Editor's Note - More Great News for BC's Finances!!!

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

British Columbia’s credit rating has been affirmed at AAA by Moody’s Investors Service, with the agency saying it reflects the strong fiscal flexibility of the province and its track record of prudent fiscal management, Minister of Finance Michael de Jong announced today.

The agency highlights B.C.’s debt management and asserts, “Strong fiscal management and performance in recent years enabled British Columbia to reduce its debt burden to a level that is below the median of Canadian provinces, supporting an even higher degree of fiscal flexibility than most provinces.” Furthermore, the report says Moody’s expects the Province’s debt burden to remain affordable.

Moody’s points out that B.C.’s export markets are more diversified than other provinces, and Canada as a whole, saying, “This wider diversification of markets reduces the vulnerability of the provincial economy from shocks in its export markets.”

Strengths Moody’s lists for the B.C. outlook are a track record of prudent fiscal planning, considerable fiscal policy flexibility to adjust revenues and expenses to meet fiscal challenges, and a large and diversified economy supporting a productive tax base. Moody’s notes the Province uses economic growth forecasts that are below private sector estimates, saying, “British Columbia incorporates several prudent measures in its annual budget to minimize the impacts of potential downward pressures.”

Since November 2004, the Province has received seven credit rating upgrades. British Columbia continues to maintain the highest credit rating possible with Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s and Fitch. Standard & Poor's most recently affirmed its AAA rating in April 2013 following Budget 2013. The Dominion Bond Rating Service affirmed B.C.’s AA (high) credit rating in April 2014 and Fitch affirmed the Province’s AAA rating in April 2014.

BC Finance Minister, the Hon. Mike De Jong said:

“Moody’s recognizes the strengths of B.C.’s economy and the steps we’ve taken to ensure our economy and exports are diversified. It's essential we continue our prudent fiscal management to control spending and maintain a balanced budget to support our triple-A credit rating and help keep our debt affordable for taxpayers.”

Area Based Forest Tenure: Cariboo-Chilcotin Input

Former Chief Forester of BC Jim Snetsinger has been leading a process of looking at switching forest tenure from volume based to area based.

Mr. Snetsinger has visited the communities, to date, of Smithers, Burns Lake, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Dawson Creek and Prince George

Here in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, the following organizations have provided input to Mr. Snetsinger:

April 30th in Quesnel:

City of Quesnel - Mayor Sjostrom and Quesnel City Manager Byron Johnson.  Read their briefing paper here

Nazko Economic Development Corporation - Paul Galliazzo and Stuart Alec.  Read their briefing paper here

North Cariboo Trappers - Ken/Debra Phillips.  No briefing paper available
Dunkley Lumber - Jason Fisher/Doug Perdue. No briefing paper available

West Fraser Mills - Dave Lehane, D’Arcy Henderson, Allan Bennett and Graeme Armstrong (Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce). Read their briefing paper here

Former Cariboo-North MLA Bob Simpson
Micheal Pelchat, retired RPF - read his briefing paper here
Cariboo RD Area 'C' Director John Massier

May 1st in Williams Lake:

Ulkatcho First Nation - Chief Zach Parker and Cameron Beck

Cariboo Regional District - Chair Al Richmond/CAO Janis Bell. Read their briefing papers here and here

City of Williams Lake - Mayor Kerry Cook and CAO Darrell Garceau (Brian McNaughton by phone).  Read their briefing paper here 

Cariboo Small Scale Harvesters Association - Leonard Teppema, President. Read their briefing paper here

Annjac Corporation - Deep Sandhu/Avtar Sandhu
Forestry Committee - WL Chapter Council of Canadians - Hugh Thomas, Jim Hilton, John Dressler and Keith Monroe

CRD 2013 SOFI Report

As per the Financial Information Act - the Cariboo RD Board will receive its' 2013 SOFI or Statement of Financial Information Report at its' regular meeting on Friday.  The report includes the previously adopted 2013 Audited Financial Statements, total remuneration/expenses approved in 2013 for Directors and their Alternates and payments to suppliers in 2013 over $25,000 as well as the current long-term debt of the 4 municipal governments' (Wells, Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House) and the Cariboo Regional District

The top 3 Directors in 2013 for Remuneration/Expenses were:

Director	Office held	Remuneration 2013	Remuneration 2012	Expenses 2013	Expenses 2012
Al Richmond	CRD Chair/Area ‘G’ Director	$35,711.56	$32,010.76	$17,679.75	$16,432.76
Ted Armstrong	CRD Vice-Chair, Area ‘A’ Director & Treaty Advisory Committee Chair	$33,156.12	$24,831.02	$8,483.43	$6,965.22
John Massier	CCRHD Chair and Area ‘C’ Director	$29,895.12	$26,319.64	$19,349.10	$19,025.12

I should point out that with the above information, there is a process that all Directors/Alternate Directors' follow to have claimed expenses/remuneration approved as per the Cariboo Regional District  Directors' Remuneration Bylaw - a copy of the most recent version of this Bylaw may be viewed here

Meanwhile the top 3 Alternate Directors' in 2013 for Remuneration/Expenses were:

1) Quesnel Alternate Director (and Quesnel City Councillor) L-A Roodenburg who claimed $1,432.40 in remuneration and $890.94 in expenses for a total payout in 2013 of $2,323.34

2) Area 'I'' Alternate Director Mary Glassford who claimed $510.00 in remuneration and $756.64 in expenses for a total payout in 2013 of $1,266.64

3) Area 'D' Alternate Director Steve Forseth who claimed $1,042.00 in remuneration and $136.00 in expenses for a total payout in 2013 of $1,178.00

Editor's Note - Alternate Directors attend meetings at the request of their Area/Municipal Director and when that is the case, they are entitled to put in for remuneration/expenses as per the Directors' Remuneration Bylaw but they are not entitled to the monthly stipend as that goes to the elected Rural Director or appointed Municipal Director.  As for my remuneration/expenses, these were the meetings I attended on behalf of Area 'D' Director Deb Bischoff and chose to claim remuneration/expenses for during 2013:

Feb 28th special CCRHD Board, 
March 1st regular CRD Board, 
June 6th Committee of the Whole and June 7th CRD Board in Lac La Hache, 
June 26th Special CCRHD Board meeting, 
June 27th regular CRD Board, 
August 23rd CRD Board (half day meeting), 
Nov 6th Special CCRHD and Nov 6th Strategic Planning CRD Board meeting, 
Nov 13th Special CC Joint Committee meeting

It is not the norm for an Alternate Director to attend so many meetings (see above) for a elected Rural Director or appointed Municipal Director however when asked by Director Bischoff, I chose to attend the meetings she asked me to attend - both because it's important that Area D has political representation at CRD Board, CCRHD Board and Joint Committee meetings and because it is, in my view, good experience for me if I choose to run for office later this year

See below for the 2013 Remuneration/Expense report for Cariboo RD Directors/Alternate Directors' plus status of Long Term Debt for all local governments in the Cariboo-Chilcotin below while you can view the same reports for 2012 here

2013 CRD SOFI Report (Remuneration, Expenses and Long Term Debt)

City of WL at NCLGA 2014

City of WL Mayor Kerry Cook, Councillors S. Rathor/D. Hughes
and City Gen Mgr of Planning/Ops Geoff Goodall

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Both of the resolutions put forward by the City of Williams Lake to the annual North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) Convention this week in Fort St John from May 7-9, 2014 had strong support from delegates.

The resolutions were as follows:
• A Junior Council resolution that NCLGA and UBCM establish a youth caucus that would provide an opportunity for youth to participate in sessions to engage youth in civic affairs; and that UBCM member municipalities be encouraged to establish youth councils in their communities.
• A City Council resolution that the NCLGA and UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) advocate the Province of BC for the implementation of the Community Plan for a Public System of Integrated Early Care and Learning and call for action to begin steps towards implementing a $10/Day Child Care Program for BC.

The resolutions will now be forwarded on to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for consideration.

While in Fort St. John for the annual convention May 7th-9th, members of Council had a positive meeting with Auditor General for Local Government Basia Ruta. The discussion included a performance audit of the City of Rossland's spending on capital projects, and a resulting booklet resource to provide useful tools and advice to a wide range of local governments. The City welcomed the discussion and additional resources from the Auditor General.

The City of Williams Lake is one of six municipalities that will undergo a Performance in Managing Policing Agreements and Police Budget Oversight audit. The audit report will be issued by March 15, 2015. No audit reports will be issued between September and December 2014.

Council members took part in a number of engaging presentations, including a session on mobile workforces and camp structures, and a session on council procedures codes of conduct for elected officials. Cariboo Regional District Area F Director Joan Sorley and Phyllis Webstad gave a presentation on Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation work in Williams Lake.

Keynote speakers included Auditor General for Local Government Basia Ruta, UBCM President Rhona Martin, Secretary of State to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Development Linda Reimer. The convention also included discussion on energy leadership, regulatory reform, and a Q&A panel discussion with major industry representatives. Canadian Olympic speed skater Denny Morrison, who is from Fort St. John, gave an inspiring keynote address to delegates at a dinner Thursday.

Council also took a tour of the Pomeroy Sport Centre, which features two NHL sized ice rinks, one of
only four indoor Olympic-sized long track speed skating ovals in North America, and a 340-metre heated walking track.

Mayor Kerry Cook attended the Annual General Meeting of the Northern Medical Programs Trust, which was established to connect students with communities, growing the success of the Northern Medical Program at the University of Northern British Columbia.

“We’ve enjoyed the practical sessions at the Convention, and the friendly, welcoming people of Fort St. John,” says Mayor Cook. “The inspiring words from Denny Morrison were a real highlight.”

Established in 1955, The North Central Local Government Association (the elected voice of Central and Northern BC) works to connect communities, identify common challenges and facilitate positive change.

Local Gov't Mtgs - Wk of May 12-16

A number of local governments are meeting next week as follows:

Wells - Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 13th at 7pm in Wells Council Chambers - 4243 Sanders Avenue.  As of this writing, no Agenda is available, but it can be viewed on the District of Wells Facebook page which you can view here

Quesnel - Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, May 12th at 7pm in Quesnel Council Chambers - 2nd Floor, 410 Kinchant St.  On the Agenda:

* Road Rehabilitation/Overlay Paving
* Snow Removal Improvements
* Record Retention/Management Policy and Bylaw
* Delegation - Miss Quesnel Self Development Program

View the full Agenda here

School District #28 (Quesnel) - Regular Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm in the SD28 Boardroom (401 North Star Rd).  As of this writing, no Agenda is available but when available can be viewed here

Williams Lake - Regular Council meeting on Tuesday, May 13th at 6pm in WL Council Chambers - 450 Mart St.  On the Agenda:

Delegations:

* Jane Wellburn from the Williams Lake Air Quality Roundtable & Shawn Lewis from the Williams Lake Cycling Club re: Bike to Work Week

* Roger Solly (PMT Accountants) re: 2013 Audited Financial Statements
* Phyllis Webstad from the Orange Shirt Day Committee re: Update on September Orange Shirt Day Plans

Business:

* Presentation of new Williams Lake website
* 1 Application for Mobile Food Vending License - Blue Spoon Catering
* Several CC Joint Committee recommendations for approval
* Adopt 2014 Tax Rates Bylaw - Councillors Bonnell, Hughes and Rathor will vote no to this as they did at the Special Council meeting of May 6th when this Bylaw was given 1st, 2nd and 3rd reading

View the full Agenda here

May 15th at 7pm in WL Council Chambers - Public Open House on 'Good Neighbour' Bylaw

100 Mile House - Regular Council meeting on Tuesday, May 13th at 7pm in 100 Mile Council Chambers (385 Birch Ave).  As of this writing, no Agenda is available, but when available, may be viewed here

Cariboo Regional District:

Mon. May 12th - South Cariboo Joint Committee -- Regular Meeting at 5pm in 100 Mile Council Chambers. View the Agenda here

Tues. May 13th - North Cariboo Rural Directors Caucus - Regular Meeting at 3pm in the Quesnel CRD Office (1st Floor - 410 Kinchant St, Quesnel).  View the Agenda here

Tues. May 13th - North Cariboo Joint Committee.  Regular Meeting at 5:30pm in Quesnel Council Chambers.  On the Agenda:

* Sports Hall of Fame Presentations
* EI Architecture; Mark Hentze and David Mick re: NC Arena 1 Upgrade Project
* RCMP First Quarter Report; Sergeant Andrew Burton to Report
* Quesnel Lacrosse 2008 Outstanding Debt
* Quesnel River Archers Capital Budget Adjustment Request
* Space Allocation Policy Amendments
* Arena Replacement Project Design Consulting Services
* Letters from Min of Enviro. re: Recycling Regulation & Letter from Minister Coralee Oakes re: extension of Community Recreation Program Grant

View the full Agenda here

Friday, May 16th - CCRHD/CRD Board Meetings, starting at 9:30am in the CRD Boardroom (180D North 3rd Avenue, Williams Lake).  On the Agenda:

CCRHD - Seniors' Wellness Report from Northern Health, Request for Sprinkler Replacement at Dunrovin Lodge and Additional Capital Funding Requests from Interior Health

View the full Agenda here

Cariboo RD Board:

* Delegation: ABC Communications before the Board to discuss wireless internet in the Cariboo-Chilcotin

* Various Planning Matters including 3rd Reading of various Planning Bylaws to permit Medicinal Marijuana in rural areas

* McLeese Lake VFD - recommendation to defer consideration of a taxpayer supported McLeese Lake VFD until at least 2016

* 2013 SOFI Report
* Recommendations from North Rural Caucus, Central Cariboo Joint Committee Minutes of April 23rd and South Cariboo Joint Committee recommendations

There will be an In-Camera session of the CRD Board under the provisions of Sections 90(1)(a and c - appointments/employee relations) and 90(2)(b) -- information received around negotiations between a local government and Provincial/Federal Gov'ts or a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party -- of the Community Charter

View the full Agenda here

Author Fair at Quesnel Library - May 24th

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

 The Cariboo Regional District’s Quesnel Branch Library will be hosting a Multi-Author Book Signing Fair on Saturday, May 24 from 1 – 3 p.m. This event is being presented by the CRD Quesnel Branch Library, the Quesnel Wordspinners and the Quesnel and District Community Arts Council.

Participating authors include:

Judy Alsager                        

Sage Birchwater                 

Samuel Blondahl

Jeff Bloom                            

Cindy Brandner                  

Lorne Dufour

Margaret-Anne Enders

Beverly Fox                              

Neil Godbout

Joyce Helweg                       

                        

Authors will have their own display with copies of their most recent published works available for sale and signing. There will also be door prizes draws for books by the participating authors.

For further information about this event, and other upcoming events at the CRD’s Quesnel Branch Library, call 250-992-7912 or email qnlib@cariboord.bc.ca.

Government of BC helps Cariboo with Invasive Plants

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

Two organizations in Williams Lake are receiving $179,000 from the BC Government to help control the spread of invasive plants. The Cariboo Regional District is receiving $149,000 and the Cariboo-Chilcotin-Coast Invasive Plant Committee is receiving $30,000.

These funds are in addition to $180,000 received by the Invasive Species Council of B.C. headquartered in Williams Lake for province-wide initiatives to control invasive species.

“We know that invasive species degrade the quality of our land for agriculture and ranching,” said Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett. “Getting rid of invasive plants can be costly once they take root, so it’s important we work together to stop the spread of invasive plants.”

“Considering the negative economic and environmental impacts invasive plant species can have, I’m pleased our government is delivering funds that will help maintain our natural landscapes and reduce threats to agriculture,” said Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes.

The funding will be used to raise public awareness of invasive plants, survey invasive plant populations, and control their spread in high-priority sites.

Invasive plants are species that have been introduced into B.C. from other areas. They displace native vegetation and can cause considerable economic and environmental damage, with some posing a health risk. Invasive plants may disrupt natural ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, increase soil erosion, alter soil chemistry and adversely affect commercial crops.

A total of $1.6 million is being distributed by the B.C. government to help local governments, regional invasive species committees and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. implement the provincial Invasive Plant Program.

This latest funding is in addition to $809,000 already earmarked by the provincial government forinvasive plant control and management in the fiscal 2014-15 year.

Learn More:

• Invasive Alien Plant Program: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/index.htm
• Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group:  http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/invasive-species/index.htm

·         Invasive Species Council of British Columbia: http://www.bcinvasives.ca 

Engaged Learners at Horsefly Elementary

In a thoughtful piece - my former 150 Mile Elementary school teacher, Brian Davidson, writes on engaged student learners at Horsefly Elementary

Read more here

~SF

Clarification: Apr 28th Quesnel Council Clippings

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel:

The City of Quesnel would like to clarify that the 4.4% increase in regional taxes reported in the Council Clippings of April 28, 2014 under “2014 Financial bylaw” section is comprised of the following three components and respective increases:

North Cariboo Recreation                                            -1.5%     ( -$3.14)

Cariboo Regional District                                                0.4%     (   $0.29)

Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District           20.6%    ($19.80)

We apologize for the oversight in clarifying what the 4.4% included.

Electric Fencing Workshops - Quesnel/WL

On Friday May 9th in Quesnel and Saturday, May 10th in Williams Lake - Electric Fence Workshops will be put on to educate people how to protect fruit trees, urban chickens, and livestock from bears

Details below:

Friday May 9th - City of Quesnel:

Quesnel Electric Fencing Workshop

Saturday, May 10th - City of Williams Lake:

WL Counci adopts 2014 Budget

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

Budget 2014 Release1

MLA Barnett on Bill 24

Update (May 8th at 1:05pm) - Watch MLA Barnett's comments here

Yesterday evening in the BC Legislature - Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett spoke on Bill 24 - Agriculture Land Commission Amendment Act, 2014.

Like MLA Barnett (and I suspect MLA Oakes too) - I feel strongly that these changes which includes establishing regional panels to bring ALR decision making closer to home and gives flexibility to use low class ALR Land (Class 6/7) for other purposes connected to farming/ranching is good overall for British Columbia, in my opinion

We know that young people, generally speaking, are not getting into ranching/farming so we need to find ways to assist those in these fields so they can remain successful

Yesterday, I wrote to MLA Barnett, via email, thanking her for her support of Bill 24 and I look forward to when Bill 24, with the proposed amendments, is adopted and given Royal Assent

~SF

Comments from MLA Donna Barnett on Bill 24:

Today I am pleased and honoured to be standing in this House to support Bill 24. Bill 24 will see the establishment of two zones — zone 1 for the Island, Okanagan and Lower Mainland and zone 2 for the Kootenay, Cariboo, the Interior and the north.

The existing ALR legislation is 40 years old. Changes have been asked for by local governments and landowners in my riding for years.

As a young child, I was raised in Richmond when it was true agricultural land and farms. I understand agricultural land. I understand the need for land to be in the ALR, but it must be land that is productive.
During my many years in local government I saw many applications from people to remove land from the ALR for purposes that would improve their quality of life, that would help the ranchers stay on the farm and help young people move forward. I saw these types of applications go to local governments, be approved by local governments and be rejected by the Agricultural Land Commission.
Soil, Nos. 6 and 7; no water; rock. You couldn't grow a weed on it. This is the type of land that we are talking about.

We are not talking about removing good agricultural land. The Agricultural Land Commission will continue to operate independently, whether the opposition believes it or not. Fertile lands will remain protected, and regional panels will play a key role.

We hear from time to time that "too often government sits in Victoria and makes decisions for all our ridings." This is an opportunity for people with agriculture experience, for people that care and understand the land in their regions to help make decisions — local people, local boards, with knowledge.

The opposition says no, but local people say yes. I am amazed at how consumers will say: "No change to ALR resource….

Consumers will say, "No change to the ALR" — those people that live on a quarter acre or less who don't understand the differences in land in this province, the differences in topography, the differences in geography. You try and grow
something at 3,500 feet above elevation on a piece of rock that you may have two months a year with no frost.

The members opposite do not understand that people are tired of doing things the same and expecting different results. And you know, fearmongering is not the answer for this bill. This is a good bill.

I am going to read you a letter from one of my constituents, and please listen carefully.

"We are writing this letter in support of Bill 24. We believe that restructuring the ALR into two provincial zones is an excellent idea, and we also agree with using local boards to assess applications. It makes far more sense to have people familiar with an area be part of the decision-making process.

"We are third-generation ranchers in the South Cariboo and remember very well when the agriculture minister, Dave Stupich, announced the agricultural land freeze in 1973. We were at the Kamloops Bull Sale banquet, and he was the guest speaker that night. Everyone there felt they had woke up that morning in a free enterprise system and by supper it had all changed to a socialist system. We were all furious. There was absolutely no consultation.

"We have said for years that our part of the province cannot be compared to the Fraser Valley, Okanagan or Vancouver Island. The land in the Cariboo-Chilcotin grows grass. We have a short growing season with limited frost-free days because of high elevations. Our land is best suited for grazing livestock and growing a crop of hay.

"Over the years much of the good croplands down in the Lower Mainland and in the Okanagan have been taken out of the reserve for developments, golf courses and such. But the ALC is always quick to point out that the agricultural land inventory of the province has been maintained. That is because marginal land located in high-elevation parts of province is being put into the ALR, while land located in the lower-elevation areas with the best soils and climates is to be taken out. It is just a smokescreen.

"The past several years have been tedious ones for beef producers. Many have given up and sold their herds. We have hung on, but it has not been easy. By being given the opportunity to subdivide off unusable or non-arable acres from holdings and perhaps build a business or sell some land, a producer could then stay on his place longer and make improvements to the land that has good agricultural potential. This could also help aging producers give their children a better chance to afford taking these ranches over.

"There is considerable investment on these ranches, and it really irritates us that there are people out there who keep insisting the agricultural land of B.C. belongs to the people of the province. It doesn't. It belongs to the producers and farmers who have paid the mortgage and have put their blood, sweat and tears into these places all their lives.

"We are sick to death that every person out there tells us what we can and cannot do on our property. Cattle seem to bring out the worst in people. If anything, we need some teeth put back into the Livestock Act and some loosening of other cumbersome rules and regulations to help us be able to continue.
"The areas of the province that the government has proposed as zone 2 have far different climates than the designated milder zone 1 areas. We are lucky in our area of the Cariboo if we get two consecutive months of frost-free days. By November it is dark shortly after 4 p.m.
"Those who think it makes sense that farming in the future may move to the northern part of the province because the land base in the Lower Mainland will continue to be under development pressure are living in a dream.

"Who is going to be able to afford heating and lighting greenhouses to grow tomatoes and other warm-weather vegetables in areas of high elevation where there are feet of snow and temperatures in the minus 20 to minus 40 range for months on end. Further, who will be able to buy that tomato? Everyone seems to have some elevation where there are feet of snow and temperatures in the minus 20 to minus 40 range for months on end. Further, who will be able to buy that tomato?

"Everyone seems to have some opinion on what those on the land should or shouldn't do. Most of those people have no expertise. They are caught up in the romanticism of the ALR and the idea of homegrown products. They want us to be held in a land freeze but don't want us to be able to make a decent living of it. They want to watch the grass grow, but they don't want anything to eat it. We have to be able to utilize our assets to make a living.

"We applaud the government for having the courage to recognize that some changes need to be made in parts of the province in order for those of us that are left on the land to survive. Thank you for consideration of our comments.
"Yours very truly,
"Norman and Diane Wood of Lac la Hache."

I have another one here that I'm going to read too. This is to the Minister of Agriculture.

"This is a letter of support for the recent changes to the ALR zones in B.C. My family ranch is located in 100 Mile House and is, in fact, the land the town was built on as my grandfather, the Marquess of Exeter, purchased the ranch, Bridge Creek Estate, in 1912. My father, Lord Martin Cecil, ran the ranch until his death in 1988. My brother and I took over the ranch and subsequently divided it into two in 1995.
"Currently I run my family ranch, 100 Mile Ranch Ltd., and find it is not always an easy task to make ends meet in the ranching haying business, let alone actually make some money. Over the years, 102 of them, we have tried to diversify and tried new business areas within the ALR restrictions and have found we could not pursue many of them.
"Believe me when I say a ranch, farm, must diversify if they are to make it in this day and age in the interior of B.C. Working with the ALC over various issues over the years has sometimes been a lesson in frustration.
"If anyone was to make a go of it on some parcels of land agriculturally, it would have been my family. But the fact is that some parcels are simply not productive agriculturally in any way. My family has many ideas of things we can do to keep my ranch in our family —maybe for another 100 years.
"So I support this bill and congratulate the minister for bringing it forward."

I would now like to read you a press release from the B.C. Agriculture Council:

"Reaction to controversial Bill 24 amendments" — and that's what it says — May 6.
"Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick revealed the results of his intensive….

"…although brief, provincewide agricultural land reserve consultation by announcing formal amendments to Bill 24 this afternoon.
"The British Columbia Ag Council chair reacted to the proposed amendments today, calling them a step forward, reflective of the new minister's recent efforts on behalf of agriculture. BCAC directors and membership played a key role in the consultation process that led up to today's announcement.
"'The BCAC-ALR steering committee was directly involved in the amendments made to Bill 24,' the chair said. 'Unfortunately, we didn't get everything we asked for.' BCAC remains firmly opposed to the ALR two zones. BCAC….

"BCAC supports a one-zone system that provides reasonable opportunities for regional representatives to consider community need. We put forth this request, but government is moving forward with the proposed two-zone system.
"In addition to securing amendments to Bill 24, the council representing approximately 14,000 B.C. farmers and ranchers negotiated two significant commitments from government. The Minister has committed to directly the council, representing approximately 14,000 B.C. farmers and ranchers, negotiated two significant commitments from government.

"'The Minister has committed to directly engage BCAC in the development of regulations and practices for Bill 24. He has also committed to formally engage a working group of B.C. farmers and ranchers to explore the feasibility and implications of adopting an overall net benefit to agriculture ALR policy,' the chair said.
"'BCAC has always been committed to preserving agricultural land, but we are also committed to preserving farmers. If enjoying locally grown and raised goods is truly important to British Columbians, we need to find ways to support economically sustainable farming and attract youth into agriculture,' concluded the chair."

Yes. Read the letter. You didn't read my lips when I was reading.

This is not something that we should be laughing about. This is something that is very serious to this side of the House and is very serious to myself and the people of the Cariboo-Chilcotin. We have been consulting for the last 40 years that I know of, trying to move forwardYou know, I find it very, very interesting that a member of the opposition, a few minutes ago, said we had to look to the future. This is exactly what this bill is about. It's looking to the future. It's protecting agricultural lands, and it's helping those on land that is not agricultural to survive and move forward — maybe a five-acre parcel for a young person off the corner of a ranch, so he can get a mortgage and help his mom and dad live on that ranch for the rest of their working days. There are opportunities that we've been asking for, for years.

I'll give you an example of a rejection that just happened from the Agricultural Land Commission in my riding. I have a rancher with 300 or 400 acres on this side of the road. There's the road, and he has ten acres on the other side with a house. He applied to take that out so that he could improve his ranching land on the other side of the road, build his wife a new house, sell back and stay there and have a good working ranch and make some money so that he could live there. Rejected.

This story goes on and on. People with gullies who would like to do something with it, but we can't do it because it is in the agricultural land reserve.

This is about moving forward, not moving backward. This is about protecting good agricultural land. This is about having local people on boards and panels making good, solid decisions for the betterment of the land and the people that own the land. Let's move forward. Let's get this job done and help both agriculture and the citizens of British Columbia.

MLA Barnett on the City of WL's 85th Birthday

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett speaks on last Saturday's City of Williams Lake's 85th birthday celebration, held at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. MLA Barnett mentions names like Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook, Williams Lake City Councillors Danica Hughes and Surinderpal Rathor, Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Ann Louie and her colleague, Cariboo-North MLA Coralee Oakes

MLA Oakes writes on the Birthday celebration last Saturday in today's Williams Lake Tribune here

View the two minute statement delivered by MLA Barnett earlier today in the BC Legislature below:

Capital Grant for Childcare Providers Available

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD Grant Writer:

Major Capital Funding for the Creation of New Licensed Child Care Spaces

The BC Ministry of Children and Family Development is encouraging child-care providers throughout the province to apply for a total of $14.8 million in major capital funding to create new licensed child-care spaces for BC kids. Non-profit child-care providers can apply for up to $500,000, while private child-care organizations can apply for up to $250,000. Funding can be used to:

·       Build a new child care facility, including the cost of buying land or a building.

·       Assemble a modular building and develop a site.

·       Renovate an existing building.

·       Buy eligible equipment (including playground equipment) and furnishings to support new child-care spaces in an existing facility.

The current intake period is May 2 - June 30, 2014. To apply, visit: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/major_capital.htm