#1. INDO-CANADIAN AMONG 10 TOP B.C. STUDENTS AWARDED GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
Ten graduate fellowships have been awarded to top Master’s and PhD students who will spend up to two years researching key issues affecting the province, and then join the B.C. Public Service after they earn their degrees, Premier Gordon Campbell announced this week.
One of the 10 is Indo-Canadian RICHA ANAND of Vancouver who is in her fifth year of a PhD studying soil science at the University of British Columbia. Her research on nitrogen balance in lodgepole pine forests will contribute to the understanding of forest health.
Campbell said: “We are committed to continuing to improve support for graduate students through scholarships that will help our four research-intensive universities attract and retain the best and most accomplished students. As we celebrate Public Service Week in B.C., the Pacific Leaders Graduate Student Fellowships program will support tomorrow’s research stars while ensuring talented B.C. academics have a place in the public service when they graduate.”
The fellowships are part of the Pacific Leaders program announced by the Premier last spring to give the BC Public Service a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining top employees. This year, graduate students from B.C.’s four research-intensive universities – Simon Fraser University, the University of B.C., the University of Northern B.C. and the University of Victoria – were eligible for the fellowships, worth $20,000 a year.
Fellowship winners include specialists in resource and environmental management, forestry, Aboriginal history, social work, communications, health care, political sociology and statistics.
Research funding through the fellowships includes mapping the effect of residential wood smoke in small mountain-valley communities to ultimately improve air quality, best practices guidelines for mine site regulation, increasing public participation in the democratic processes of the British Columbia government and cost effective concurrent addiction and mental health treatment models.
“Graduate students are a tremendous resource,” said Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell. “The research expertise being developed at the province’s universities and colleges will ensure British Columbia’s future success when they enter the public service.”
To be eligible for a Pacific Leaders Graduate Student Fellowship, students must have at least an A-average over the past two years of full-time study and demonstrate potential to become excellent researchers. They must be enrolled in a program consisting of at least 75 per cent research that will help government address public service or public policy issues in areas where the government is experiencing skill shortages. They must also agree to work for the BC Public Service for the same length of time they were in receipt of the fellowship.
Other components of Pacific Leaders include a program to forgive all B.C. student loans for employees who work in the public service for three years, scholarships of up to $7,500 for employees who are pursuing further education, and up to 60 scholarships each year of $2,500 for children of public service members.
The BC Public Service is the largest employer in the province, with over 30,000 employees in more than 280 B.C. communities, providing such services as public health, management of the province’s natural resources, policing and correction, licensing, transportation infrastructure and vital statistics.
#2. NDP DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RESTORATION OF PROTECTION FOR FARMWORKERS
The Campbell government must immediately restore the protections it has stripped away from farmworkers, New Democrat MLAs said this week after a new report confirmed that farmworkers experience systemic exploitation and human rights violations.
“We’re calling on the Campbell government to immediately restore protection for farmworkers,” said NDP labour critic Chuck Puchmayr.
“The report released (this week) clearly shows that the Campbell Liberals have not done enough. Gordon Campbell must get serious about protecting farmworkers and implement all of the recommendations in this report immediately.”
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report is just the latest, and perhaps most damning, evidence of the Campbell government’s disregard for and failure to protect the labour rights, economic and social well-being of farm workers in B.C.
“The New Democrats have repeatedly called for legislation that would restore safety standards and basic rights for farm workers. We would be happy to work with the government to pass this legislation at the earliest opportunity,” said Puchmayr.
Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds and founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers Union, added that since taking office, the Campbell government has seriously undermined the rights of workers in the farming sector. They have also completely ignored recommendations for changes in employment standards for farm workers, and the restoration of rights and protections lost in 2002. Farmworkers remain excluded from basic rights such as entitlement to minimum wage, rest periods, vacation pay, statutory holiday pay and overtime pay.
“B.C.’s farmworkers work hard for very little and often at their own peril. This report shows Gordon Campbell was wrong to erode their rights. Fix this and do it now,” said Chouhan.
The report, Cultivating Farmworker Rights: Ending the Exploitation of Immigrant and Migrant Farmworkers in BC, shows violations of employments standards, health and safety regulations, poor and often dangerous working conditions, and dismal enforcement by government agencies.
#3. SIKH SCHOLAR DR. SWAROOP SINGH ALAG IN LOWER MAINLAND
By Gian Singh Kotli
Highly respected and eminent Sikh scholar and prolific writer Dr. Saroop Singh Alag had to extend his stay in Vancouver for about a month due to the pressure from well-wishers. Dr. Alag, author of a raft of books on Sikhism is on a missionary tour of spreading the message of love, equality and service to mankind as contained in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He will leave for Toronto on June 23.
Addressing a gathering at Gurdwara Canadian Singh Sabha on the occasion of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji on June 17, Dr. Alag appreciated the progress and the contribution made by the Sikhs in Canada. Talking about Guru Arjan’s unique martyrdom and his extraordinary achievements, he urged the Sikhs to make more concerted efforts to spread the universal message of love, goodwill and service to mankind as contained in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji compiled by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji about four centuries ago. It is with this aim that “Alag Shabad Yug Trust Ludhiana” is publishing books on Sikhism and distributing them free with the cooperation and donations of the sangat (congregation) all over the world.
Dr. Alag heartily appreciated the cooperation and honor given to him by all the gurdwaras, and the Indo-Canadian community and media. He thanked his well-wishers who made generous donations for publishing his books and distributing them free of cost as usual.
#4. INDIA`S RESERVATION POLICY HAS HELPED MANY TO PROGRESS
In response to the reservation debate in India, Chetna Association of Canada hosted a seminar on June 7 and facilitated a discussion from the Canadian South Asian perspective. Various guest speakers provided their perspectives on the merit of a reservation policy and the progress made for the betterment of Dalits in India.
Contributors to this debate included Gurpreet Singh of Radio India, Surinder Ranga, President of Chetna Association, Gurmit Sathi, General Secretary of Chetna Association, Ajmer Rode, writer, activist and board member, Om Parkash of Dr. Ambedkar Society, Nawan Shahr, Punjab, and Swami Ram Bharti. The program was facilitated by Paramjit Kainth , Assistant Secretary, and Jai Birdi, Vice President of Chetna Association.
The following is summary of the discussion and the resolutions passed at the seminar:
1. It was acknowledged that the reservation policy in India has benefited a lot of people to move ahead and make a contribution to the development of India.
2. The proportion of scheduled castes in class III and IV is well above the quota of 16 per cent, and in class I and II the proportion is around 8–12 per cent. So the middle and the lower middle class that we see today from the Dalit community is because of reservation. With no reservation, the entry of these people into government services would have been doubtful.
3. There is a need to focus on education and skill-building capacity of the Dalits across India. It is estimated that only 10 per cent of the Indian labour force is skilled.
4. While the practice of untouchability is legally banned in India, episodes of caste-based discrimination continue to occur in India.
5. The Indian government’s decision of 2006 and the ruling of the Indian Supreme Court in April, 2008, restores faith in Indian democracy. The Supreme Cort's decision to add 27% reservation for the Other Backward Castes (OBC) is commendable.
6. Living in a global village is now a reality and the flow of multi-national corporations is occurring across the globe at a very rapid pace. However, there is a growing concern that the Multi-National Corporations (MNC’s) often do not carry out their social responsibilities as effectively as they may do in their native country. Therefore, it is important to exert influence among these MNC’s to accept their social responsibilities and increase opportunities for all citizens of India to access education and advanced training so they can participate in the business environment and contribute more effectively to the development of the economy.
7. As pointed out last year by Narendra Jadhav, Vice Chancellor of Pune University, India, there has been “no national policy on education since 1986 and government spending was only 3.66 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), when it should be 6 per cent.” Access to quality education in India is becoming increasing limited especially for the Dalits. Therefore the Indian government and the MNC’s need to allocate further resources and ensure student economically and socially disadvantaged students have the same access to educational opportunities as the privileged students.
(Contributed by Jai Birdi)
#5. HARPER SELLING CANADA’S OVERSEAS VISA SYSTEM: NDP
The Conservatives are putting the safety and confidentiality of thousands of visa applicants at risk of abuse by quietly privatizing Canada’s overseas visa offices.
NDP Citizenship and Immigration Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina) used her spot during Question Period on Tuesday to demand the Harper Conservatives stop this “irreversible damage” to Canada’s overseas visa offices.
“First the Harper Conservatives say they want to cut the immigration backlog by shredding applications and now they want to outsource the processing of the few remaining applications to foreign corporations,” said Chow. “This is a dangerous path that Harper is traveling. It puts applicants at risk in their countries of origin and leaves the entire system open to abuse and poor quality.”
Details are scarce on the Conservative sell-off of visa processing facilities, but Chow is pressing Immigration Minister Diane Finley for answers.
“I’ll be asking the Citizenship and Immigration Committee to sit this summer to investigate this dangerous move,” she said. “What assurances were sought and received by the Harper Conservatives that the personal information of applicants using these private immigration centres will not be shared with foreign governments or other third party actors? How do we know this is safe?”
The questions left unanswered at this time include: Which countries are the processing centres operating in? Do the Harper Conservatives have assurances of the safety of documents in foreign countries? And what safety and security mechanisms are in place to ensure accuracy and security for applicants?
#6. SENATOR JAFFER: REPATRIATION OF OMAR KHADR NOT “PREMATURE”
“The Canadian government must move immediately to bring Canadian Omar Khadr home, despite the Conservative government’s assertion earlier this year that his repatriation is premature,’ said B.C. Senator Mobina Jaffer while responding to a motion this week that passed the Canadian Senate.
The motion originates with Senator Roméo Dallaire and calls for the Canadian government to negotiate with the United States for the immediate repatriation of Omar Khadr.
Jaffer said: “The Conservative government must revaluate its position in the face of court decisions and mounting evidence that the regime providing for the detention and trial of Mr. Khadr constitutes a clear violation of fundamental human rights protected by international law. … He’s been in Guantanamo Bay for six years and quite simply it’s time to act.”
She noted: “No juvenile should endure the agony of violent interrogations that is allegedly occurring in Guantanamo Bay. That is a rule of law that cannot be superseded.”
Jaffer contends the Canadian government’s goal in the negotiation with the U.S. should be twofold: (1) immediate repatriation of Khadr in exchange for a promise of a full trial that is in line with the applicable international law and the U.S. law; and (2) assurance of monitoring and rehabilitation of Khadr as necessary after the trial in exchange that he remains in Canada after the trial.
Jaffer said: “There are ways the government could move forward on this issue. It simply does not want to act.”
Khadr has been detained in Guantanamo Bay as an “enemy combatant” since he was 15 years old. He is now 21. His military trial is scheduled for later this year. However, with the recent sudden retirement of the military judge who was overseeing the case, it is highly uncertain whether his trial will take place as scheduled, Jaffer pointed out.
#7. REMAINS FOUND NEAR CAMPBELL RIVER NOT HUMAN
The BC Coroners Service (BCCS) confirmed on Thursday that the remains found on June 18 in a shoe near Campbell River are not human.
BCCS, a forensic pathologist and an anthropologist examined the shoe and remains, and determined a skeletonized animal paw was inserted into the shoe with a sock and packed with dried seaweed.
The BCCS said that this type of hoax was “reprehensible and very disrespectful to the families of missing persons. It fuels inappropriate speculation and creates undue anxiety for families and communities while wasting valuable investigative time and resources that could be spent on the main investigations.”
Meanwhile, investigations into the other five cases are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the RCMP announced that its investigators are looking to begin a new investigation after what was reported to be a sixth human foot was found to be a hoax.
Inspector Brendan FitzPatrick, Operations Officer for the E Division Major Crime Section, said: “Time was taken to ensure that the remains were set up to closely resemble human remains. Because of this information RCMP “E” Division Major Crime Section is recommending Campbell River Detachment pursue public mischief charges against the person or persons involved, and if warranted cruelty to animals.
“While it is a relief that there was a not a human victim involved, the fact somebody would perpetrate a hoax such as this is disturbing. Due to the nature of these incidents over the past year, many families with missing loved ones are closely watching and wondering if it is their loved one who has been found. The insensitivity shown to the families and the victims involved is unbelievable.”
RCMP investigators said they want to remind people that perpetrating hoaxes that require a police response is a criminal act and not harmless entertainment.
FitzPatrick said: “When investigators are forced to attend a scene, or examine evidence that turns out to be intentionally false, it draws valuable police and forensic resources away from other areas they may be needed. While we always encourage people to err on the side of caution and call the police if they find something suspicious, we won’t tolerate people who are simply doing something for a laugh or for attention.”
Anyone with information regarding the Campbell River Shoe Hoax is asked to call Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 or Campbell River Detachment at 1-250-286-6221. Further, anyone with information with respect to the previous legitimate discoveries of the five shoes containing human remains are also asked to contact CrimeStoppers.
#8. TASER: RCMP SAY THEY WILL ACT ON COMMISSIONER KENNEDY’S RECOMMENDATIONS
The RCMP have announced that they will act on the recommendations of Paul Kennedy, commissioner for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, who released his final report on the use of Tasers to Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day on Wednesday.
The RCMP said it was pleased to note that Kennedy supported the continued appropriate use of the Taser (Conducted Energy Weapon or CEW).
(Kennedy said the federal government must immediately re-classify Tasers as an "impact" weapon, restrict their use to experienced officers and demand medical attention be summoned once a person is hit by the 50,000-volt stun gun.
His recommendations would limit the use of Tasers to corporals or members of higher rank in urban centers, and to constables with five years' experience in rural detachments.
Twenty people in Canada have died after they were tasered.)
In a press statement, the RCMP said: “We will act on the recommendations as quickly as possible to provide clearer direction to our members, to further restrict situations in which the CEW can be deployed, and to develop and implement measures to enhance accountability and to promote officer and public safety.
“We agree with Mr. Kennedy that the RCMP must properly instruct our members to appropriately deploy the CEW in an operational setting and account for our use of the weapon.
“We have already implemented or begun implementation of much of what Mr. Kennedy has recommended. In fact, as he noted, in some areas we have gone further than he has recommended. The specific steps to be taken to adjust our policies and practices in response to the recommendations will need to appropriately consider the diverse and geographically dispersed communities we serve and the RCMP’s operational imperatives.
“We have already committed to continue to work with the CPC as our work progresses and to provide the Minister of Public Safety and the CPC with updates as amendments are drafted and implemented to our policies and training standards.
“We will continue to examine our use of force regime as further information becomes available. We look forward to the results of further processes and research underway to examine CEW related issues. We will also pursue discussions with the provinces and territories for which we provide police services under contract and with the broader policing community, including through the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. “Our objective is to achieve agreement on a National Use of Force framework that may be endorsed by police forces across the country.”
#9. BCAA SUPPORTS ALCOHOL-FREE GRAD CELEBRATIONS WITH FREE MEMBERSHIPS
"Free" is the British Columbia Automobile Association's (BCAA) theme for grad season: one free BCAA membership donated to 100 high schools holding alcohol-free grad celebrations for a fatality-free class of 2008.
For the 17th year, BCAA is supporting B.C. and Yukon high schools celebrating Dry Grads attended by at least 50 per cent of the school's graduating students. The membership can be used as a gift, door prize or auction item.
"It's encouraging to know many young people are choosing to celebrate their graduation without alcohol or drugs," says Allan Lamb, director of the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation. "Today's teens are leading the way when it comes to alcohol-free and responsible Dry-Grad celebrations. We encourage students to continue their vigilance and leadership in celebrating responsibly not only during graduation time, but long into their adult lives."
The "dry grad" concept has become increasingly popular in B.C. and the rest of Canada since the early 1990s. However, the problem of impaired driving continues to be a concern. According to 2005 B.C. Traffic Collision Statistics (the latest data available), drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 years account for the second-highest number of alcohol-related crashes, behind 21- to 25-year-old drivers. Young drivers aged 16 to 20 represented less than seven per cent of the total driving population in 2005. Yet, they were responsible for 16 per cent of all alcohol-related collisions that year.
"In B.C., impaired drivers kill an average of two people each week and injure 60 people each month," notes Lamb. "The numbers speak volumes about the ongoing problem of impaired driving and should serve as a reminder to all British Columbians to continue promoting and practicing safe and responsible driving."
BCAA encourages high schools to apply each year to its Dry Grad Challenge. Since the program began in 1991, all 100 memberships have been taken up each year by participating schools.
BCAA's Dry Grad Challenge begins in October each year. To receive a BCAA membership in 2009, schools can apply to BCAA Corporate Communications, 4567 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., V5G 4T1 no later than April 30, 2009. Application forms are available by faxing (604) 268-5560, or calling (604) 268-5341.
#10. VANCOUVER POLICE CHIEF CHU SAYS JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS FAILING US
Vancouver Chief Constable Jim Chu this week vented his frustration at the judicial system and demanded significant prison time for chronic offenders.
He said: “We say “30 strikes and you’re out,” which means that we are asking our judges to protect the public by giving these criminals significant prison time. Every day these chronic offenders are off the street many grateful victims are saved from having their homes broken into and their lives disrupted.”
Releasing a report on the sentencing of chronic offenders, Chu said: “We have told you about how our society and agencies are failing to deal adequately with the mentally ill in our community and how our judicial system is failing to prevent criminals from fleeing prosecution by simply moving outside the jurisdiction where they committed the crime.
“Today, I want to tell you about another failing of our legal system. This failure may well make the previous two pale in comparison.
“I’m going to tell you about a failure that would never be allowed to stand at any time in our history in any other place in the world other than Vancouver.
“I’m talking about the plague of career criminals who infect our city, commit hundreds of crimes literally every day and despite the fact that many have more than 100 criminal convictions, the average length of their jail sentences is actually going down, not up.
“These criminals primarily commit property crimes to feed their drug addictions. We have literally thousands of these criminals who in any other city would be classified as chronic offenders after they have had five criminal convictions. But in Vancouver, the situation has reached ludicrous proportions.
“While the causes of this public menace are many and often complex, the VPD is advocating a simple solution that surely every reasonable thinking member of our community will endorse.”
Highlights of the report
• The VPD currently monitors 379 offenders, which includes 27 “super chronics”
• Primary criteria for a VPD chronic offender:
- Property criminal with 12 or more charges in the past 12 months.
• This group of 379 has 71 police contacts (average) each, with 26,755 total contacts
• This group of 379 has 33 charges (average) each, with 12,418 total charges
• The most prolific offender has 305 police contacts and 154 charges since 2001
• This group of 379 has an average of 39 convictions per offender
• The top 25% have over 54 convictions each
• The top 10% have over 77 convictions each
• Six offenders have over 100 convictions each
Chronic Offenders’ Sentencing Quick Facts
• 80% of convictions resulted in custodial sentence
• 25% of convictions were for Theft Under (as Most Serious Offence)
• 12% of convictions were for B&E (as Most Serious Offence)
• For all convictions (after their 10th conviction):
- 25% of convictions resulted in custodial sentences of 1 day
- 27% of convictions were for 2 to 30 days
- 35% of convictions were for 1 to 6 months
- Only 7% of convictions received a custodial term for 1 year or longer
- Only 4% of convictions resulted in a federal prison term
• 63% of the offenders had at least one conviction for a violent offence
• “30 strikes” threshold would capture 205 of the current chronic offenders (54%)
Recommendations Quick Facts
1. Sentences for chronic offenders should be of sufficient length to:
• Protect the public
• Encourage change on the part of the offender (create motivations to successfully complete addiction treatment programs)
2. Programs such as COP should be used to monitor and track chronic offenders in
Vancouver in order to:
• Monitor compliance with court-imposed orders and restrictions
• Advocate for remand when charged and appropriate sentencing when convicted
• Increase information on those offenders for the use of the courts
3. Utilize strategies to support recommendations:
• Encourage complete information transfer between police and Crown on these offenders in order to assist in building cases for bail hearings and trials
• Support requests for more prosecutors for bail hearings
• Support Crown in proceeding by way of indictment for hybrid offences
• Encourage use of the appeal process for sentences when appropriate
• Encourage the use of sentencing guidelines that emphasize protection of the public; amending legislation to do so if need be
• Support increases in capacity to deliver mandatory programs and treatment for offenders
#11. NDP LEADER JAMES LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO AXE THE GAS TAX
New Democrat leader Carole James this week launched a campaign to “Axe the Gas Tax” and called on Gordon Campbell to recall the legislature to implement real climate change solutions.
“At a time when average families are struggling with record high gas prices Gordon Campbell is hitting consumers with a gas tax that is unfair and won’t work,” said James. “New Democrats are joining British Columbians to fight back, visiting communities across B.C, to call on the Campbell government to axe the tax.”
An online petition is posted at http://AxeTheGasTax.ca.
“Campbell’s gas tax hits ordinary consumers but lets big polluters off the hook,” said James. “If Campbell was serious about climate change he would implement a cap-and-trade system that reduces emissions at source, roll back transit fares, and provide families with more options to reduce their emissions.
“Instead, Campbell is increasing gas prices at a time when families’ budgets are stretched and oil companies are making record profits. Even Campbell’s own advisors admit that the gas tax might not work, and if it does, the impact will be minimal.”
James said that high gas prices are already hurting important public services. In Victoria, Meals on Wheels has announced that it will be ending its service because of high gas costs. And municipalities, school boards and health authorities will be forced to pass through the extra costs with cuts to services and programs.
“Gordon Campbell pushed through his gas tax without listening to British Columbians,” said James. “And now with gas prices hitting record highs he is refusing to recognize the added pressure it will put on the family budget.”
“It’s time for Gordon Campbell to get serious about climate change with a real plan that goes after big polluters. It’s time for Gordon Campbell to listen to the concerns of ordinary people. It’s time for Gordon Campbell to axe the tax.”
#12. BCAA TRAFFIC SAFETY FOUNDATION ESTABLISHES CHILD CAR SEAT FUND
With new child passenger safety laws taking effect on July 1st, not all families will have access to proper child car seats and booster seats for their children. The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation has established the Child Car Seat Fund in order to help those families and their children.
In B.C. there are 360,000 children between birth and nine years old that will require proper child passenger safety restraints. For some families, the cost of purchasing a child car seat is a financial obstacle. More than 20% of BC children are living in poverty, which means there is little left in the family budget for anything after paying for food, shelter and clothing. It's also important that all kids have the benefit of a proper child car seat.
The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation is working to bridge the gap by providing child car seats and booster seats to low-income families across BC - and they need your help.
Make a donation to the Child Car Seat Fund and the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation will match your donation, dollar for dollar.
"We've set aside $100,000 to match gifts from donors to purchase child car seats and distribute them primarily through Family Resource Programs in every region of the province," stated Allan Lamb, executive director of the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation.
Each year in British Columbia over 1,300 children under 9 years of age are injured or killed in motor vehicle collisions (roughly equivalent of five elementary schools).
The Foundation's goal is to build a fund that will protect those most vulnerable from needless injury or death on BC roads.
To make a donation or get more information, contact the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation at 1-877-247-5551 or visit www.ChildSeatInfo.ca.
#13. CANADIAN CRICKET ASSOCIATION NOW ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL FUNDING
The G federal government this week announced that the Canadian Cricket Association now meets the international criteria of the Sport Funding and Accountability Framework (SFAF). As a result, the Association's eligibility for future funding is confirmed.
Secretary of State for Sport Helena Guergis made the announcement at the Canadian Cricket Association's office in Toronto's Sport Alliance Centre. The Association Canadian cricket team uniform was unveiled, and the appointment of a team captain was announced.
"The government of Canada welcomes Cricket Canada to the list of sports that are eligible to receive Government of Canada funding," said Guergis. "We are proud of the association's achievements and we look forward to supporting future initiatives."
The Sport Funding and Accountability Framework (SFAF) is the process used by Canadian Heritage to identify which organizations are eligible for Sport Canada contributions under the Sport Support Program.
The Department of Canadian Heritage will analyze the Canadian Cricket Association's (CCA) funding request for 2008-2009. During Victoria Day weekend, the CCA hosted the Under-20 National Cricket Tournament in King City. The department intends to support the development of this sport in the country - a sport with widespread international participation.
The federal government is the single largest contributor to sport in the country and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. When the commitments in Budget 2008 are fully implemented, the government's investment in the Canadian sport system will reach an all-time high of more than $164 million annually.
#14. RICHMOND: LOCAL EXPERT KICK STARTS URBAN EAGLE SUMMER SERIES
The bald eagles are nesting, and Richmond has noticed. In June, as part of the Raptors in Richmond series, the City of Richmond will host two events designed to introduce residents to the world of the bald eagle.
David Hancock, biologist and renowned bald eagle expert will kick-start the events with an informative and personal presentation, The Urban Bald Eagle, on June 21 at the Steveston Community Centre.
Hancock’s talk will be followed a week later with the family friendly Eagle Watch in Steveston – which will allow attendees to view eagles nesting in the wild through high-powered telescopes and binoculars. Naturalists will be on hand to answer questions.
“Most bald eagles nest high in the dense tree canopy, making their nests difficult to see during the summer months. The nest on Steveston Island however is on the top of a dead tree, giving a rare opportunity to see local eagles nesting in the wild,” explains Hancock.
The Urban Bald Eagle: A Talk with David Hancock will be held on June 21, 7:30-9 p.m. at the Steveston Community Centre, 4111 Moncton Street. Pre-registration is requested by calling 604-276-4300. Admission is $4.
Eagle Watch in Steveston is a free event and will be held on June 28 and 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard, 5180 Westwater Drive in Steveston.
Originally trained as a pilot, Hancock left that career to pursue his love of nature. Since then, he has gained over 50 years of experience observing bald eagles. He recently authored the book, The Bald Eagle of Alaska, BC, and Washington, and he was the driving force behind the Hornby Island Eagle Cam, the online phenomenon that received over 10 million hits in 2006.
Raptors in Richmond is hosted by the City of Richmond Nature Park. It is a series of events aimed at educating participants and enabling them to get up close and personal with some of the fabulous birds of prey that make Richmond their home.
For more information on these events or other upcoming Raptors in Richmond events, contact the Richmond Nature Park at 604-718-6188 or visit www.richmond.ca/begreen.
#15. MANY WINNERS IN MAKE A CASE AGAINST RACISM
Sixteen youth artists from across B.C. are winners in the Make A Case Against Racism contest, Attorney General and Minister responsible for Multiculturalism Wally Oppal, Education Minister Shirley Bond and Music BC Industry Association (Music BC) executive director Bob D’Eith announced this week.
“I am thrilled to see the level of participation this contest generated,” Oppal said. “This new initiative is an empowering way for youth to discover how great our province can be when we celebrate our diversity and unite to stop racism.”
Students in grades 4 to 7 participated in the project, which involved selecting favourite songs by B.C. music artists and creating original artwork for a Make A Case Against Racism compilation CD. Over 400 students submitted artwork. To view the winning entries, go to: www.mediaroom.gov.bc.ca/DisplayEventDetails.aspx?eventId=415
Songs representing diverse genres, with multicultural and anti-racism themes, were submitted by music artists to Music BC for listing on their website at: www.musicbc.org/mar. Participating students were able to listen to the submissions and vote online for their 15 favourite songs.
Brandon Perrett, 12, of Vancouver Learning Network Elementary School, was selected as the overall winner by a panel of youth judges organized by the B.C. Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association. Along with having his artwork featured on the front cover insert and CD, Perrett also takes home an iPod Nano. Besides Perrett, 15 other winners will have their artwork featured in the CD booklet. All student participants will receive a copy of the CD.
“Music BC is honoured to have participated in the Make A Case Against Racism project,” said D'Eith. “Addressing this very difficult topic with such creativity is a wonderful way to bring attention to the issue. The students involved created some very provocative and powerful artwork to illustrate the challenge of racism in our communities.”
Local musicians and industries contributed significantly to the project, providing music for the contest and CD. Surrey-based CDman donated 1,000 manufactured CDs as part of its commitment to the project.
The concept for Make A Case Against Racism was inspired by a project led by Abbotsford Community Services and funded by the Ministry of Attorney General.
Make A Case Against Racism is a joint initiative of the ministries of Attorney General, Education, and Public Safety and Solicitor General. It is designed to complement the provincial school curriculum.
“Through this artistic process, students expressed their views about a world free of racism, where people celebrate and accept their differences,” Bond said. “It’s inspiring to see so many students across the province use their creativity to help make British Columbia an even better place to live.”
The project is supported under WelcomeBC, a provincial initiative announced by Premier Gordon Campbell on June 13, 2007. Funding for this initiative is provided in large part by the Government of Canada. WelcomeBC helps immigrants moving to B.C. access existing and expanded services under one umbrella, to assist them in better adapting to life in their new communities.
Information about Make A Case Against Racism is available at: www.WelcomeBC.ca.
#16. EMPLOYERS GET NEW TOOLS TO ATTRACT, RETAIN WORKERS
The WorkBC Employer’s Tool Kit and two online tools will engage B.C. employers, providing them with a suite of materials on how and where they can find, attract and retain the workers they need, Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen announced today at the Looking Forward: Workforce of the Future Forum.
“The labour and skills shortage in this province is possibly the greatest current threat to B.C.’s booming economy,” said Hansen. “By giving employers the tools and the information they need to bolster, strengthen and improve their workforce, we are working to address these challenges and ensure continued economic growth in the province.”
Partially funded by the Ministry of Small Business and Revenue and developed in consultation with both Venture Kamloops and the Small Business Roundtable, the Employer’s Tool Kit is divided into four booklets:
* How to Attract, Retain and Engage Employees;
* Under the Labour Radar – Aboriginal People, Women, Youth and People with Disabilities;
* It’s About Ability – The Mature Worker; and
* Diversity at Work – Recruiting and Retaining Immigrants.
“We continue to work in partnership with the small business community to find solutions to the challenges around labour shortages,” said Small Business and Revenue Minister Rick Thorpe. “We must always remember a few years ago people were chasing jobs, now jobs are chasing for employees. This tool kit is just one more tool for businesses to have at their disposal.”
The Building Small Business Resource Guide and HR Quiz are also available to help employers build and improve their employee recruitment, retention and leadership practices. The resource guide provides a searchable database of courses, training opportunities and other resources. The HR quiz is a diagnostic tool that helps identify where small business owners might need assistance and, by referencing specific pages and sections of the tool kit, gives employers immediate access to resources, solutions and tips.
“The tool kit provides businesses with timely information on attracting new employees and retaining their current workforce,” Linda Larson, vice-chair of the Small Business Roundtable. “The Province continues to support initiatives to help business in B.C. overcome the challenges of success.”
For more information on WorkBC, to view or download the Employer’s Tool Kit, and to use the HR Quiz or Resource Guide, visit www.WorkBC.ca.
#17. FEDERAL LIBERALS CLAIM THEIR GREEN SHIFT WILL BENEFIT ALL CANADIANS
The Liberal Party of Canada's plan for the environment and the economy is a Green Shift that will cut income taxes, put a price on pollution, fight poverty and position Canada to be a leader in the 21st century global economy, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion announced this week.
"Canadians know that we need to be bold, not blind, to the challenges we are facing today, especially climate change," said Dion at the unveiling.
Calling his plan "as powerful as it is simple," Dion said: "The Liberal Green Shift will cut taxes on those things we all want more of - such as income, investment and innovation - and shift those taxes to what we all want less of: pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and waste.
"Our plan makes important changes to the tax system that are broad-based and progressive. We need to make polluters pay and put every single penny back into the hands of Canadians.”
Upon forming a government, Liberals will put a price on fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas, starting at $10 per tonne of carbon dioxide and rising to $40 per tonne over four years.
No new taxes will be levied on gasoline at the pump, since there is already an excise tax in place which equates to $42 per tonne of carbon dioxide.
Using the revenue generated through carbon pricing, a new Liberal government will implement measures like:
* Significant cuts to the first three marginal rates of income tax;
* A new, universal child tax benefit worth $350 per child, per year, on top of all existing child benefits;
* An $850 increase to the employment tax credit, which will also be made refundable and targeted at lower-income Canadians;
* A more generous Working Income Tax Benefit to help Canadians over the welfare wall;
* Additional tax credits and incentives for business to encourage innovation and green investment;
* An increase to the Northern Residents Deduction, and indexation going forward; and
* An immediate Green Rural Credit worth $150 for every rural tax-filer.
In addition to the Green Shift, Liberals will offer targeted benefits financed from the existing fiscal framework to help lift low-income Canadians out of poverty, including a $600 increase to the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors, and benefits for low-income Canadian families.
The Green Shift will be part of a broader environmental plan to help Canadians reduce their environmental footprint, become more energy efficient and save on energy costs. It will include complementary regulations and incentives such as home retrofits, energy efficient appliances and vehicles, and low carbon farm and forestry practices.
As a result of these measures, by the fourth year of the plan a two-earning family with two children and a combined income of only $20,000 will receive a benefit of almost $2,400. A family with two children earning $40,000 a year will save nearly $1,900, and a family with two children earning $60,000 will save over $1,300, as will a family earning $80,000.
"Our plan is designed to benefit all Canadians, not select groups, so that everyone can participate in the new economy while contributing to the fight against climate change," said Dion.
Businesses will also have their tax rates cut so they can invest more money in their own practices, reduce their own polluting and increase their energy efficiency. In year four of the Liberal plan, the general corporate rate will be reduced by one point, as will the small business income tax rate.
It will also set aside $600 million to allow accelerated capital cost allowance rates for investment in industrial technologies that reduce green house gas pollution and significantly improve energy efficiency. And to further help private sector investments in research and development, the Science, Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit will be more broadly available.
To assure Canadians that this plan is not a tax grab by government - that it will be revenue neutral - Dion said the Green Shift plan will be enacted into law and the Auditor General will be mandated to review it annually.
Dion said: "The Liberal Green Shift plan will accomplish multiple goals: it will make real progress in the fight against the climate change crisis, while encouraging energy efficiency in the face of skyrocketing energy costs; and it will make our economy more competitive, while helping to decrease poverty.”
#18. $9.8 MILLION TO ENSURE KIDS GET TIMELY ACCESS TO SURGERY
Health Minister Tony Clement this week announced further action to reduce wait times, with an investment of up to $9.8 million in a Canada-wide project aimed at ensuring more children requiring surgery will receive timely access to care.
BC Children’s Hospital will be participating in this project. “I am very pleased that this project is being expanded at BC Children’s hospital,” said David Emerson, MP for Vancouver-Kingsway. “I know that this program will make great steps to improve the health of Canadian children.”
The Canadian Paediatric Surgical Wait Times Project - Stage II, will build on the progress and partnerships established under the National Paediatric Surgical Wait Times pilot project announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in January 2007 and scheduled for completion later this month.
“The new project will broaden the strategy for managing paediatric wait times across a range of surgical areas, and expand the number of sites participating from the original 16 paediatric hospitals to include up to 16 community hospitals across the country,” said Clement. “Ultimately work on this new Stage II project will go a long way to accelerating access to treatment for more children.”
Stage II will enhance and expand the collection, analysis and application of key wait times data, covering ten surgical areas, including cancer, cardiac, dental treatment, neurosurgery, scoliosis, strabismus, urology, gynaecological surgery, plastic surgery and otolaryngology.
It will implement a guideline, developed during the pilot phase, to ensure children who wait too long for cancer treatment have access to alternative care and will apply this approach to one additional clinical area.
Through these initiatives, the project aims to generate the kinds of knowledge and information that patients, their families, health care providers and governments need to make informed decisions. As a result, it can lead to improved access and reduced paediatric surgical wait times.
The coordination of the project will be led by the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, with the support of the Paediatric Surgical Chiefs of Canada, and in partnership with the 16 Paediatric Academic Health Science Centres who participated in the original pilot
“The project has brought an unprecedented level of cooperation among the paediatric surgical chiefs of Canada." Said Dr. Jim Wright, Surgeon in Chief, Department of Surgery, at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. "The standardization of data collection methodologies and definitions has helped us to share best practices and identify efficiencies, all aimed at improving access to surgery for children across Canada."
#19. NDP MLA SAYS A DISTURBING PATTERN OF CONFLICT EMERGING
NDP MLA Guy Gentner this week stepped up his assertion that Premier Gordon Campbell was in a conflict of interest by providing the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Paul Fraser, with an addendum to the original documents regarding Order in Council 787 filed May 27.
The addendum, sent to the Commissioner June 12, contends that in 2006 the Premier had signed another Order in Council (OIC 96) which changes the natural gas extraction industry to be a “manufacturer” and exempt from provincial sales tax. “This change is only applied to natural gas industries. Other extraction industries such as forestry and farming need not apply,” said Gentner, who says he is very concerned about the inequity of benefits provided to BC’s primary resource industries.
“There is a disturbing pattern emerging here,” said Gentner, who represents Delta North. “First we find out that Campbell held shares in an energy company (Terra Energy) that were not held in a blind trust. Then we find out he signed an OIC that potentially benefits that company with royalty credits. Next he and his government ignore ongoing resident complaints regarding health concerns from that company’s extraction of soar gas. And now we find another OIC that gives tax exemptions to one specific primary industry – natural gas extraction – which coincidentally benefits that same company. All this while he still owned shares in that company.”
Gentner went on to say that making a profit is not a bad thing, but making a profit where there is a clear bias is a major problem and needs to be investigated thoroughly. “Without doubt, the OIC that the Premier signed was very specific to the natural gas industry. So if Campbell wasn’t demonstrating a clear bias then why would other primary extraction industries, such as logging, be excluded from a tax benefit? What are the criteria here?”
Gentner said: “Campbell, by signing these OIC’s, has willingly compromised the integrity of BC’s highest public office for an industry in which he had a pecuniary stake.”
#20. FEDERAL LIBERALS SPEARHEAD RECOMMENDATIONS ON EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Liberal members of the House of Commons Human Resources Committee spearheaded a set of recommendations to address concerns about the Conservative government’s plan for a Crown Corporation for Employment Insurance.
The all-party committee held hearings last month as the result of a Liberal motion shortly after the government’s February budget, which resulted in six recommendations to the government. The creation of the EI Corporation was one of the more controversial measures in the Conservative budget.
“There was widespread concern among workers, union leaders and Liberal MPs about the new Crown corporation, including concerns over the mandate, the membership of the new board, and what, if any, control the new board would have over decisions related to benefits,” said Mike Savage, Opposition Critic for Human Resources Skills Canada and committee vice chair.
“Opposition members heard testimony from business, labour and individuals and those testimonies are reflected in the six recommendations. We expect (Human Resources and Social Development Canada) Minister Monte Solberg will pay heed to the concerns and recommendations made at Committee,” said Rodger Cuzner, MP for Cape Breton-Canso.
“There are many remaining questions about the accountability and financial prudence of the new EI Corporation. The Minister cannot tell us what its budget will be. We need to ensure that it is efficiently administered,” said Judy Sgro, MP for York West, Toronto, a member of the standing committee and Labour Critic.
The committee recommended:
* that the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board Act be amended to explicitly state that the Board is not permitted to undertake analysis for or make recommendations to the federal government regarding Employment Insurance program parameters and program delivery;
* that the federal government amend the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board Act to ensure that the board of directors of the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board include at least one director representing employees and one director representing employers and that these representatives always be equal in number;
* that the federal government amend the Employment Insurance Act to provide the Board with more flexibility in terms of the information that it may use to determine the premium rate. At the very least, the Board should have the same degree of flexibility regarding the information to be used as that afforded to the Chief Actuary under the current rate-setting process;
* that, if necessary, the federal government amend the Canada Employment Insurance Financing Board Act to ensure that the operating costs of the proposed Crown corporation and its governance structure are commensurate with its focused mandate;
* that the federal government enhance premium rate stability under its rate-setting proposal by increasing the size of the proposed reserve and amending the Employment Insurance Act to establish a forward-looking, rate-setting reference period of five years; and
* that the federal government amend the Employment Insurance Act by substituting the word “shall” for the word “may” in subsection 80 (1) of the Act.
#21. NEW MOTOR VEHICLE SALES DOWN FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE MONTH
Sales of new motor vehicles declined for the third consecutive month in April, mainly as a result of lower sales in the western provinces.
According to seasonally adjusted data from the New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey, consumers purchased 143,300 new vehicles in April, down 2.6% from March. Sales have levelled off in recent months after an upswing that began in October 2007.
Looking ahead, preliminary industry data for May suggests that the number of new motor vehicles sold will remain relatively unchanged.
Sales of passenger cars fell 5% to 75,020 units. Nearly three-quarters of this decline was due to the first drop in sales of overseas-built passenger cars since November, 2007. Even with this decline, overseas-built passenger cars are still following an upward trend. Meanwhile, sales of North American-built passenger cars fell for a third consecutive month, after registering the largest monthly increase in sales in January since 1991.
The number of new trucks (which includes minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses) sold in April edged up 0.2% to 68,280 units. This was the third consecutive month that truck sales have remained around the same level.
Sales were down in seven provinces in April, with significant declines in Nova Scotia and the four western provinces. The national decline was most influenced by an 8.7% drop in sales in Alberta, where dealers sold the fewest new motor vehicles since December 2005.
Sales increased in New Brunswick, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. The significant gain in New Brunswick brought the number of new motor vehicles sold to its highest level since December 2002.
#22. FRASER HEALTH WARNING: ALWAYS EAT INSPECTED MEATS
There are significant health risks associated with eating meat that has been slaughtered or processed in a facility that is not inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), says Fraser Health Authority.
All meat from CFIA-inspected plants can be identified by inspection stamps. Meat that is not inspected may be contaminated and unfit for human consumption. It may contain high bacteria levels, parasites, antimicrobial residues, hormones and heavy metals. The meat inspection regulations apply throughout the province of British Columbia, therefore, meat sold anywhere must be inspected.
At the meat plants, qualified inspectors and veterinarians monitor the safety and quality of meat through rigorous inspection and laboratory testing. The inspectors ensure the animals are fit for slaughter, handled humanely, and processed under sanitary conditions. Every animal and carcass is inspected to ensure it is free of abscesses or disease before it enters the food supply chain. Microbiological and chemical analyses are conducted to confirm the meat is free from contamination, including specified risk materials (SRMs). SRMs are the tissues that typically contain the prions associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease).
Unfortunately, un-inspected meat does not undergo the same rigorous inspection and testing processes as inspected meat, making the chances of potential health risks associated with eating this meat real and potentially serious.
Always ensure the meat you and your family use comes from a reputable food retailer who is associated with reputable meat suppliers. Retail food stores and markets will always be happy to provide meat inspection information to customers if requested to do so.
#23. NEW STAMP: CANADIAN NURSES ASSOCATION CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
Canada Post this week issued a domestic rate (52¢) stamp celebrating the centennial of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). The CNA is a federation of 11 provincial and territorial nurses' associations and colleges representing more than 133,700 registered nurses and nurse practitioners. They are the national professional voice of registered nurses, supporting them in their practice and advocating for healthy public policy and a quality, publicly funded, not-for-profit health system.
"We stand today upon attainments of our predecessors, and our gathering here is proof that we realize how much yet remains to be accomplished. We are living not for the present only." - Mary Agnes Snively, first president of the CNA (1895).
The nursing history in Canada is vast. Official records date back to 1737 with The Sisters of Charity of the Hôpital Général de Montréal (Grey Nuns). In 1897, Lady Aberdeen, wife of Governor General Lord Aberdeen, set up the national, non-profit organization called The Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) wanting to close the gap between the nursing care of the rich and poor. Nursing programs were established in the early twentieth century with disease prevention and public health education as their focus. But it was in 1908 that representatives from all the organized nursing bodies in Canada were invited to meet in Ottawa to discuss uniting as a national association. Several associations attended and formed the provisional society of the Canadian National Association of Trained Nurses, now called the CNA.
The war years showed the world what it meant to be a nurse. By serving in a professional capacity in a typically male environment, nurses demonstrated their ability to solve complex problems under pressure. Over 3,000 nurses served in World War I.
“Nurses are often the first person to see to a patient and, at the end of the day, the last one to check in on them”, says Liz Wong, Stamp Design and Production at Canada Post, “and portraying that warmth and caring characteristic was our inspiration.”
#24. OMBUDSMAN RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENTS TO DRINKING WATER SAFETY
In a report released this week titled “Fit to Drink: Challenges in Providing Safe Drinking Water in British Columbia,” Ombudsman Kim Carter issued 39 recommendations on how the provincial government and regional health authorities can improve the processes that ensure the safety of drinking water.
Carter said: "This report identifies deficiencies that need to be addressed in a timely way so that water in all parts of the province is fit to drink.”
The report is the product of an investigation into drinking water safety that the Ombudsman launched in November, 2007, after receiving complaints about drinking water from across the province. With a particular emphasis on small water systems, the investigation focused on drinking water complaints processes, how the public is notified of drinking water safety issues, and how information about drinking water is collected and used. It involved eight public authorities: the Ministries of Health and Environment, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and the five regional health authorities.
Key recommendations in the report include:
* that the regional health authorities develop better systems for receiving and responding to complaints about drinking water
* that the Ministry of Health and the regional health authorities work together to reduce the number of boil water advisories in effect by 10 per cent per year
* that the regional health authorities provide more publicly available information about drinking water systems on their websites
* that the Ministry of Health consider expanding the number of mandatory drinking water standards
* that the health authorities increase their efforts to identify and regulate small water systems
Carter said: "I am pleased that each of the authorities has committed to implementing the recommendations we directed to them, and to working together to improve drinking water safety in B.C.”
Special Report No. 32 is available at www.ombudsman.bc.ca.
#25. TAX FREEDOM EARLIER, MORE TAX RELIEF NEEDED
By Niels Veldhuis and Milagros Palacios
The Fraser Institute
Six weeks after the deadline for filing income tax, Canadians can finally pop the champagne and celebrate Tax Freedom Day. This year, Tax Freedom Day fell on June 14. That is the day when the total tax bill for the average family is finally paid off - four days earlier than last year. From here on in, taxpayers are working for themselves and their families.
The harsh reality is that income taxes are only about one-third of the total taxes Canadians pay. To get an accurate picture of their total tax bill Canadians must include property taxes, sales taxes, profit taxes, health taxes, social security taxes, alcohol and tobacco taxes, fuel taxes, etc.
In 2008, the average Canadian family consisting of two or more people earned approximately $90,700 in income and paid $14,000 in income taxes. When all of the other taxes are added, their total tax bill jumps to $40,667. In other words, the average Canadian family paid 44.8 per cent of its income in taxes.
While many Canadians happily pay their taxes to support the numerous government programs they believe are effective, many others are outraged at the level of taxation and the quality of government services they finance.
Therein lies the value of Tax Freedom Day: it gives Canadians the information they need to determine whether they are getting value for the money they send to governments.
While it is ultimately up to individual Canadians to determine if their taxes are too high and whether or not they are getting value for their tax dollars, some perspective might help.
Consider the findings of a 2007 study Public Sector Efficiency: An International Comparison led by internationally renowned economist Vito Tanzi. The study measured the efficiency of the public sectors in 23 countries, including Canada and found that Canada's public sector was relatively inefficient. Specifically, the authors found that Canada should be able to achieve the same outcomes from government programs while using only 75 per cent of current resources. In other words, there is approximately 25 per cent waste in Canada's public sector. And it's not hard to see why.
Our health care system, for example, consumes 22 per cent of total federal, provincial and local tax revenues. Only Iceland and Switzerland spend more than Canada to deliver universal-access health care to their population. Despite that high level of spending, Canadians experience comparatively poor access to technology and doctors, and comparatively long waiting times for surgery. It is quite clear that we are not getting value for money in government health care compared to other countries offering universal access health care.
Similar patterns hold for education, social services and a host of other government programs. In most cases, money is not the problem. Through genuine reform, Canada could reduce the amount spent on many of these programs without reducing the benefits to Canadians.
In addition, our tax dollars are often simply wasted. Canada's Auditor General consistently finds case after case of government cost overruns, unnecessary spending, improperly managed programs and other examples of government failure. In fact, a recent study of reports from the Auditor General found that the federal government waster upwards of $125 billion between 1992 and 2006.
Clearly, Canadian governments should be able to enact significant tax relief while achieving the same level of performance from their programs. If federal, provincial, and local taxes were reduced by 25 per cent (the suggested amount of government waste), Tax Freedom Day would arrive more than a month earlier this year. In other words, Canadians would be celebrating Tax Freedom Day in early-May rather than mid-June.
Of course, individual Canadians must decide for themselves whether they, as taxpayers, are receiving value for their tax dollars. Tax Freedom Day provides Canadians with a comprehensive, graphic measure of an average family's total tax bill and the cost of their bundle of government services. Our hope is that understanding how much families truly pay for government services will lead to more pressure for real and meaningful tax relief for Canadians in the future.
#26. 4 MILLION CANADIANS DO NOT HAVE A REGULAR MEDICAL DOCTOR
For the first time, the CCHS sheds light on where Canadians without a regular medical doctor go when they are sick or need advice about their health.
(Statistics Canada this week released extensive new data on more than 20 health indicators from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), a comprehensive survey of more than 65,000 Canadians conducted between January 2007 and December 2007.)
In 2007, 15% of Canadians aged 12 or older, about 4.1 million people, reported that they did not have a regular medical doctor, either because they were unable to find one, or because they had not looked. This proportion was up 3 percentage points since the 1996/1997 National Population Health Survey (NPHS).
Of these individuals, 78%, or 3.3 million people, reported that they in fact had some place to go. Of these estimated 3.3 million people, 64% sought treatment in a walk-in or appointment clinic. Another 12% went to a hospital emergency room, while about 10% went to a community health centre. The remaining 14% chose to use other types of health care facilities or services such as hospital outpatient clinics, telephone health lines or doctor's offices.
The type of facility varied across the country. In Ontario and most of the western provinces, the choice was a clinic. In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, nearly one-quarter of residents without a regular doctor sought help in a hospital emergency room.
The use of community health centres by those who did not have a regular medical doctor was significantly higher in Quebec and in Newfoundland and Labrador than in the rest of Canada. In the case of Quebec, this reflects the availability of such centres, known as CLSCs (Centre local de services communautaires).
The health service individuals used in the absence of a regular medical doctor varied by the size of their community. Nearly half of rural residents reported that they usually went to a clinic when they needed advice or treatment, compared with 7 in 10 urban residents.
Almost one-quarter of rural residents reported going to an emergency room, compared with 8% of urban residents.
Generally, men and women who needed medical treatment but did not have a regular doctor sought care in similar types of facilities. However, males aged 12 to 44 were more likely than females of the same age to go to an emergency room.
More men than women did not have a regular doctor:
Almost one-fifth (19%) of men aged 12 or older did not have a regular doctor in 2007, nearly twice the proportion of 10% among women. As well, males were twice as likely as females to report that they had not looked for a regular doctor.
Respondents were considered not to have looked for a regular medical doctor if they reported "Have not tried to contact one" or "Other reasons." All other respondents without a regular medical doctor were considered to have been unable to find one. Their responses included various combinations of the following: "No medical doctors available in the area," "Medical doctors in the area are not taking new patients," and "Had a medical doctor who left or retired."
People rating their health as excellent or very good were the most likely not to have a regular doctor and not to have looked for one. This was especially true for individuals of both sexes aged 20 to 34.
Among adults, the likelihood of not having a regular medical doctor decreased with age. Only 5% of seniors aged 65 or older did not have a doctor, the lowest proportion of all age groups. Only 2% had not looked for one.
A small minority of Canadians (6%) who had heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or arthritis reported not having a doctor. This compared with 18% of those without any of these chronic conditions. This information is important because the involvement of appropriate primary health care in the management of these chronic conditions is important in reducing further progression of disease, as well as in reducing the overall burden on the health care system.
Having a doctor also appears to be linked to socio-economic status. Individuals living in the households with the lowest incomes were less likely than those in higher-income households to have a regular doctor. Individuals in low-income households were also more likely not to have looked for a doctor.
Immigrants, that is, those who have been in Canada for no more than five years, were considerably less likely to have a regular medical doctor than were Canadian-born persons or immigrants who arrived more than five years ago. Also, aboriginal people were less likely than non-Aboriginal people to have a regular doctor.
Just under 1.7 million Canadians (6% of the population aged 12 or older) reported that they could not find a regular doctor in 2007.
Among people under the age of 65, males in every age group were more likely than females to have difficulty finding a doctor. Among seniors 65 and older, just 3% of both sexes had been unsuccessful in finding a doctor.
Provincially, 10% of the population in Prince Edward Island and Quebec said they could not find a doctor, significantly higher than the national average of 6%.
Smoking rate in B.C. below national average:
Nationally, over one-fifth (22%) of the population aged 12 or older smoked either daily or occasionally in 2007, the same rate as in 2005.
After several years of declines, rates of smoking among youth aged 12 to 19 did not change during the two-year period. About 400,000 Canadians in this age group, 12% of the total, reported that they smoked daily or occasionally.
Rates remained highest among adults aged 20 to 44, 28% of whom smoked either daily or occasionally. One-third of men in this age group smoked, as did one-quarter of women.
Smoking rates were similar for both sexes under the age of 20. However, in each successive age group, a higher percentage of men than women smoked.
About one-quarter of adults smoked in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Saskatchewan, all significantly above the national average. Smoking rates were below the national average in Ontario (21%) and British Columbia (18%).
B.C. at 11 % has lowest rate of obesity:
According to the 2007 CCHS, 4 million people aged 18 or older, 16% of the total, reported data on weight and height that put them in the obese category. Another 8 million, or 32%, were overweight.
The percentage of Canadians who are overweight or obese rose dramatically between 1985 and 1994/1995 but appears to have stabilized more recently.
Between 2005 and 2007, rates of both overweight and obesity generally changed little. During that period, there was a slight increase in the proportion of women aged 18 to 24 who were obese, and a decrease in the proportion of senior men who were overweight.
Self-reported obesity rates were generally highest among individuals aged 45 to 64. One-fifth (20%) of men in this age group were obese, as were 18% of women. The proportion who were overweight also tended to peak in middle-age.
Rates of overweight and obesity were lowest among those aged 18 to 24 both for men and women. However, men aged 25 to 44 were considerably more likely than their female counterparts to be obese.
Among the provinces, rates of obesity were highest in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Atlantic Canada, ranging from 18% in Alberta to a high of 22% in Newfoundland and Labrador. The lowest rates were in British Columbia where only 11% of adults were obese.
Being overweight is a risk factor for chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Not surprisingly, individuals who were overweight or obese were more likely to have these conditions than were individuals whose Body Mass Index was in the normal range. Similarly, overweight and obese adults were less likely to rate their health as excellent or very good than were adults not carrying excess weight.
#27. TILTING AT WINDMILLS
By Maureen Bader
B.C. Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
Creating electricity from wind that just happens to be blowing might seem like a cheap source of power, but it's not. As we've already seen in Denmark, its high cost requires taxpayer handouts to develop and survive.
Subsidies in Denmark created a lot of wind power, but when the flow from the taxpayer subsidy tap ebbed, so did the industry. In B.C., wind power will also be subsidized. Creating a welfare-dependent industry in the province may benefit the backers of these projects, but the potential cost to taxpayers is huge and the outlook for an unsubsidized industry is grim.
The Danish government decided to become a leader in wind power production and manufacturing after the first oil crisis in 1973. It guaranteed long-term financing for large wind projects that used Danish-made turbines and obliged electricity utilities to purchase renewable energy from private wind power producers at a fixed price higher than the wholesale price of privately-generated fossil- fuel electricity. By 2000, Denmark had more than 6,000 working windmills and 55 per cent of all wind turbines in the world had been manufactured in Denmark.
After European Union electricity market deregulation in 1999, the guarantees and direct price supports were replaced by a system of tradable green certificates. By 2004, the industry had come to a virtual standstill. Only five windmills were installed in Denmark that year, the lowest in 20 years.
The wind turbine industry in Denmark has rationalized since subsidies were cut back. Between 2002 and 2007, the number of Danish turbine manufacturers shrank from eight to three. Vestas, Denmark's largest wind turbine manufacturer and the biggest in the world, took over its domestic rival NEG-Micon. Others were bought by foreign electrical giants, such as Germany's Seimens.
Meanwhile, compared with other countries in Europe, the Danes remain above-average emitters of carbon dioxide. When it's not windy, Denmark's power is generated mostly from coal burning plants. Carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal grew by 43 per cent between 2005 and 2006.
The stage is set for a similar boondoggle in B.C. The wind power industry in Canada gets a federal government subsidy of $10 per megawatt hour. But B.C. consumers can expect to dig deeper. The cost of electricity from wind power is about $71 per megawatt hour. That compares to about $48 for natural gas and $25 for electricity produced from B.C.'s heritage hydro assets.
BC Hydro is expected to purchase high-cost electricity from wind plants. Denmark's electricity utilities were also forced to buy high-cost power giving Denmark one of the highest household electricity costs Europe, at almost 30 cents per kilowatt hour in 2005. In B.C., we pay about 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour now. B.C. families could be looking at a hefty increase in electricity costs to subsidize these feel-good projects.
Some very big companies back wind power so why should B.C. taxpayers be on the hook to subsidize them? The biggest U.S. wind turbine manufacturer, Zond Energy Systems, was owned by Enron and later sold to General Electric. BP and Royal Dutch/Shell, two oil giants, have wind power investments all over the world. Companies like these hardly need our help, but will gladly take it if offered.
Subsidies to wind power projects in B.C. is a wealth transfer from the middle class to the wealthy and will create a welfare-dependent industry in the province, just as they did in Denmark. Taxpayers shouldn't be subsidizing industry, no matter how momentarily worthy the cause seems to be.
#28. METRO VANCOUVER SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK ARTICULATES VISION
Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors has taken the next step in its commitment to a sustainable future by articulating a vision for the region, a series of sustainability principles that guide decision making, and an action plan that, collectively, make up the region’s Sustainability Framework.
“Metro Vancouver has adopted sustainability as the foundation for its approach to regional governance,” said Board Chair Lois Jackson. “We have learned much as we work towards our goal of becoming a collaborative and truly sustainable member of the global community, and the framework illustrates how sustainability is reflected in all of our endeavours.”
The Sustainability Framework provides insight to Metro Vancouver’s operational and planning philosophy in its three primary roles – service delivery (primarily the water, sewage and solid waste utilities); plans, policies and regulations (regional growth, air quality, liquid and solid waste, drinking water, parks and greenways management plans, for example), and; political leadership (through outreach, advocacy and educational activities).
In addition to a broad vision and set of principles, the framework also describes the organization, how decisions are made, and a set of evolving strategies, priorities and actions towards a sustainable Metro Vancouver.
“We launched our commitment to sustainability with introduction of the Sustainable Region Initiative (SRI) in 2002,” said Chief Administrative Officer Johnny Carline. “The Sustainability Framework weaves together all the strands of the SRI as a means of communicating where Metro Vancouver is now, and where it intends to go”.
The framework is available on Metro Vancouver’s website www.metrovancouver.org
#29. JUNE OIL AND GAS RIGHTS SALE MAINTAINS RECORD PACE
The June 18 sale of oil and gas rights remains robust with $213 million in bonus bids. This sale brings the fiscal year-to-date total to $693.9 million, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Richard Neufeld announced this week.
“B.C. remains competitive. Just last month we set several new records and this month’s sale continues to be strong,” said Neufeld. “B.C.’s resource potential is proven, and these remarkable results are continuing.”
The June 18, 2008 sale offered 99 parcels in northeast B.C. covering 61,482 hectares, and sold 89 parcels covering 58,835 hectares. The average price per hectare was $3,623.
“Much of our continued success can be attributed to our investment, infrastructure and royalty programs,” Neufeld added. “This continuing productivity and value of the oil and gas sector shows a strong future for British Columbia.”
Key parcels in the sale included 22 within the Horn River Basin – 16 drilling licenses and six leases – covering 33,209 hectares. The total tender bonus received for the 22 parcels was $162.2 million. The overall average price paid within the Horn River Basin was $4,883.31 per hectare.
The 16 drilling licenses covered 31,627 hectares and were disposed at an average price of $5,082.73 per hectare for a tender bonus of $160.7 million.
The six leases covered 1,582 hectares and earned $1.4 million in tender bonus at an average price of $896.51 per hectare.
In total these 22 parcels, plus one parcel within the Montney trend, account for $198.8 million, or approx 93 per cent of the total tender bonus of over $213 million.
The next sale is scheduled for July 16, 2008 and will offer 149 parcels covering 134,197 hectares.
Complete results of the sale and additional statistics are posted on the Ministry of Energy,
Mines and Petroleum Resources website: www.em.gov.bc.ca/Subwebs/Landsale/results/default.htm
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