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

CRD Board Highlights October 8, 2009

Interior Health Update

Allison Ruault, Health Service Administrator for Interior Health (Cariboo), provided a quarterly update to the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board. Some of the key items touched on included the difficulty of attracting and maintaining health care professionals to the Williams Lake area, and the new cultural awareness initiatives. Further information about Interior Health is available online at www.interiorhealth.ca.       

Spectra Energy

Steve Henderson, Manager, Community & Aboriginal Relations and Joanne Metz, Community Coordinator, with Spectra Energy Transmission West, presented information to the Board regarding their operations, facilities and activities. They also gave an update on the current projects in the Cariboo Chilcotin including their involvement in integrated vegetation management, integrity digs and collaborative land use planning. Spectra Energy pipelines are participating in a voluntary program to facilitate the development of compressor heat recovery for power generation. In the Cariboo, this project has been implemented at its 150 Mile House facility. Information about Spectra Energy’s community volunteer and education initiatives were also discussed. For further information about Spectra Energy or to learn more about its community involvement throughout the region, visit their website at www.spectraenergy.com   

JEPP Funding Applications

The Cariboo Regional District’s Protective Services department will be applying for Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) funding for approximately $43,568. JEPP grants provide 50 percent funding for projects related to emergency management and planning. There are four key projects to be addressed with this funding including;

• Equipment and furniture for the secondary Emergency   

• Operations Centre (EOC) site at 150 Mile House

• Upgrades to equipment in primary CRD EOC

• CRD Regional Hazmat Initial Response Team Training

• Community Evacuation Preparedness Plan Meetings

Further information about the CRD’s Protective Services department is available online at www.cariboord.bc.ca

Restorative Justice Week

The Cariboo Regional District declared November 15 to 22 as Restorative Justice Week 2009. This annual event will be held throughout Canada and the world. This year’s theme is Communities Responding to Human Needs. Further information is available through the Correctional Service of Canada website at www.csc-scc.gc.ca            

Cattle Industry Sustainability

Dr. John Church, the BC Regional Innovation Chair and Assistant Professor from Thompson Rivers University presented information to the Board about cattle industry sustainability. His focus has been on moving the industry from grain fed to grass fed practices or a more organic approach. In his opinion, not only does the grain fed method contribute largely to the carbon footprint, and is not cost-efficient, but rather, the grass fed options show improved health benefits and nutritional values.

Forest Capital of Canada

Ottawa based Dave Lemkay, General Manager of the Forestry Association of Canada visited the Cariboo Chilcotin October 8 and 9, 2009. The goal of the trip was to meet with the Cariboo Regional District to discuss the Forest Capital of Canada designation with the Board and staff. Over the two days, Mr. Lemkay toured some of the region’s woodlots, and the completed community interface fire mitigation pilot project on White Road. He was also introduced to some of the local forest industry leaders. During the Board meeting today,   the Board resolved to commit to a two year designation as the Forest Capital of Canada. Information on the Forest Capital of Canada program is available online at www.canadianforestry.com

Youth Parliament

The Cariboo Regional District will be sending information to Secondary Schools throughout the region regarding the 2009 Youth Parliament. The British Columbia Youth Parliament’s 81st Parliament will be held in Victoria at the Provincial Legislative Chambers from December 27 to 31, 2009. This project is non-partisan and applicants should have a keen interest in learning about parliamentary proceedings and in serving their community. The Youth Parliament is a province–wide organization for young people ages 16 – 21 and teaches citizenship skills through participation in session and in community service activities throughout the year. Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2009. Further information about the program is available at www.bcyp.org

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