News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

The Province has completed a comprehensive review of options for provincially operated meat inspection services at Class A and B licensed abattoirs.

This ensures that BC continues to provide the most effective, safe meat inspection system possible when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) steps back from this role. The Report on the BC Abattoir System Inspection Review can be found online at: www.health.gov.bc.ca/protect/meat-regulation

Since the 1980s, British Columbia has contracted with the CFIA to provide meat inspection services at provincially licensed plants. However, at the end of 2013 the CFIA will be transitioning out of this role in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As a result, BC will be responsible for the provincial meat inspection system. In all other areas of the country, provincial meat inspection is already delivered by the provinces.

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As a result of federal and provincial investments in affordable housing, a new program is available to help low-income seniors and people with disabilities finance home modifications for accessible, safe and independent living. 

Through a $15-million combined investment over the next three years, the Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program will provide eligible homeowners and landlords with financial assistance of up to $20,000 per home, in the form of a forgivable loan. Funding for the program is shared equally by the federal and provincial governments. 

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British Columbia's Information and Privacy Commissioner has launched a public education initiative about video surveillance in the private sector.

"January 28 is Data Privacy Day, an international celebration to show that privacy matters in today's digital world," said Commissioner Elizabeth Denham. "To mark the occasion, we are educating British Columbians about a simple and widely used technology with significant implications for privacy."

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Private investors are being offered a chance to create forestry jobs, fight global warming and reduce their carbon footprint under an innovative silviculture partnership sponsored by the B.C. government, Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The ministry has issued a request for proposals from parties interested in replanting Crown land damaged by wildfires, pine beetle and other factors not related to commercial timber harvesting. The request for proposals is available at: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca Interested parties have until Thursday, March 8, 2012 to submit their proposals.

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Extreme avalanche conditions in the Coquihalla Pass prompted an avalanche control mission today by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s avalanche technicians.

Highway 5 was closed between Merritt and Hope between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm for avalanche control. Two helicopters deployed explosive charges to trigger avalanches on multiple avalanche paths above Highway 5.

“BC highways traverse some of the most challenging terrain in Canada, including mountain passes like the Coquihalla, where our teams prepare for avalanches, whiteouts and severe winter weather," said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom. "Moving people safely on our highways is our number one priority, and we do a good job keeping our highways open, despite the curveballs Mother Nature throws at us.” Add a comment

The 2011 recipients of the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC)’s annual awards include the Britannia Mine and renowned geoscientist Dave Lefebure, former chief geologist with the B.C. Geological Survey, who retired last fall.

The awards were presented at a ceremony and dinner Wednesday evening as part of Mineral Exploration Roundup 2012.

The Britannia Mine Museum is the 2011 recipient of the Robert R. Hedley Award for excellence in Social and Environmental Responsibility. The museum exemplifies these values as the site of a former mine with a challenging operating legacy transformed by a $14.7-million renovation and environmental mitigation program. In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, the museum is a venue for educating the public about the contributions of mining and minerals to society.

"The mineral exploration industry is celebrating a dramatic revival in British Columbia due in part to the hard work of this year’s award winners," said Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for housing Rich Coleman. "Congratulations and thank you to all recipients.”

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Study shows Northwest B.C. to experience economic boom due to construction of a new transmission line andother projects.

Human resources strategy released to address skilled labour shortage

Labour market research released today shows BC Hydro's Northwest Transmission Line will be an economic catalyst for the region - electrifying an area of the province currently not part of the grid and enabling the development of mines, power projects and other resource projects that will help fuel B.C.'s economy.

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A new agreement with First Nations in the North that provides certainty around resource development along with a reduced backlog of mining permits will help create jobs in the mining sector, Premier Christy Clark announced today in her speech to Round Up 2012.

"These are clear examples of government helping to lay the groundwork for job creation," said Premier Clark. "The land use agreement with the Kaska Dena First Nations will provide certainty and stability as we work together to build stable, family-supporting jobs in B.C.'s northwest for years to come."

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The Harper Government today announced that eight First Nations from British Columbia will soon begin a process to opt out of the 34 land-related sections of the Indian Act and assume greater control over their reserve land and resources, announced the Honourable James Moore, Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam and Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

"I would like to congratulate these eight First Nations from British Columbia on being selected to join the First Nations Land Management Regime," said Minister Moore. "Assuming greater control over the management of their reserve lands, environment and resources will enable each of these First Nations to seize new economic development opportunities."

The First Nations include: Aitchelitz, Haisla Nation, Shuswap, Skowkale, St. Mary's, Stz'uminus, Williams Lake Indian Band, and Yakweakwioose.

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Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman today announced BC experienced its second consecutive year of rising mineral exploration expenditures in 2011, as the mineral exploration and mining industry continued a dramatic upward trend.

The preliminary regional estimates for exploration expenditures are $463 million in 2011, up 35 per cent from $341 million in 2010. It also represents a 1,500 per cent increase over the 2001 figure of $29 million.

"The mineral exploration and mining industry brings in millions of dollars in revenue and provides well-paying, secure jobs in communities across the province," said Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman. "This government is working to ensure these jobs continue and expand and mineral exploration continues to fuel investment.  2011 was a strong year for investment in the province and we're confident these numbers will continue in 2012."

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