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Updated at 7:02pm

Amber alert cancelled - Daniel Sturm located

Amber alert issued - Daniel Sturm taken by father

Chilliwack BC: At approximately 12:55pm the Chilliwack RCMP were advised of a child abduction that had just occurred in the 46200 block of second Avenue in Chilliwack BC.

(Photo: Daniel Strum, BC RCMP handout)

The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) applauded the signing of historic mine revenue sharing agreements between the Province of British Columbia and First Nations over the past two days. 

The province signed an economic and community development agreement with the Stk’emlupsemc of the Secwepemc Nation (SSN) in Kamloops on August 24 and one with the McLeod Lake Indian Band in Victoria on August 25. 

A historic mining revenue-sharing agreement between the Province of British Columbia and the McLeod Lake Indian Band was signed today by the Chief and Council and the B.C. government announced Randy Hawes, Minister of State for Mining. 

“B.C. continues to lead the way in Canada with our Economic and Community Development Agreements that ensure First Nations Communities benefit directly from resource development,” said Hawes. “Following on the footsteps of yesterday’s announcement, the Province is pleased to join with the McLeod Lake Indian Band as a partner in environmentally responsible mineral development. B.C. wants to work with other First Nations to develop mining projects that meet some of the highest environmental standards in the world for the benefit of all British Columbians.” 

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, issued the following statement yesterday:

2010 is turning out to be a banner year for Fraser River sockeye salmon, with this year's return currently set at just over 25 million fish, one of the highest returns in the last hundred years. Several fishery openings for Fraser River sockeye have already occurred in 2010 and more are planned.

A historic mining revenue-sharing agreement between the Province of British Columbia and the Stk’emlupsemc of the Secwepemc Nation (SSN) was signed today by the SSN Chiefs and the B.C. government announced Randy Hawes, Minister of State for Mining. 

“I would like to commend Chief Shane Gottfriedson of the Tk’emlups First Nation and Chief Rick Deneault of the Skeetchestn First Nation and their councils for their diligence and foresight in the successful negotiation of a revenue-sharing agreement on the mineral tax royalties from the New Afton Mine with the Province,” said Hawes. “This historic agreement will provide direct benefit to the Stk’emlupsemc of the Secwepemc Nation and all citizens of British Columbia and sends a signal to the mining industry that B.C. is a stable and progressive place to invest.” 

The Legal Services Society (LSS) and the BC Government Employees’ Union have reached a tentative agreement under the government’s 2010 mandate, announced Finance Minister Colin Hansen. 

“I’m pleased to hear that negotiators have reached a tentative agreement under the government’s negotiating framework,” said Hansen. “Negotiators worked hard to come up with an agreement that respects the Province’s ability to fund vital public services while offering job security to BCGEU members.” 

Fight HST Leader and former BC premier, Bill Vander Zalm, has sent a letter urging Premier Gordon Campbell to agree to accept the Initiative petition to end the HST for a vote in the legislature this fall.

Vander Zalm says the court ruling on Friday paves the way for the legislature to vote on the draft Bill now, and the time for delays is over. “We have asked the premier to indicate to the Standing Committee that he is willing to receive the draft Bill to extinguish the HST in a fall sitting of the legislature. We have told the premier that a costly and undemocratic, non-binding “Initiative Vote” is a waste of time and money, since even if it passes, the Bill will only come right back to the legislature for a vote anyway.”

Friday's ruling by BC Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman that the anti-HST initiative petition and accompanying legislation are legal clears the way for Premier Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberal government to respect the wishes of British Columbians and recall the Legislature for a free vote on the HST, CUPE BC President Barry O’Neill said on Friday.

Canadian breeding cattle are back in Colombia after almost 10 years of trade restrictions, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced today.

"This success story for the cattle industry demonstrates how this Government is delivering concrete results for Canadian livestock producers," said Minister Ritz. "This first shipment of high quality, Canadian cattle shows how important our partnership is with Colombia - a market full of new agricultural trade opportunities that will make a difference to the bottom line of Canadian farmers."

The Government of Canada is investing in British Columbia wine and grape innovation to strengthen crops and improve growers' economic viability and sustainability. Today, Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced that the B.C. Wine Grape Council will receive up to $2.1 million to address challenges facing grape producers in B.C. by improving pest and disease measures and enhancing grape quality.