Cariboo Politics
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| Politics - Provincial |
Hi all,
For a couple of weeks now I have been mentioning the good news in Mackenzie but with the focus on other big issues I really have not been able to get into a great amount of detail on all of the different pieces of the equation. After having gone through some of the toughest times any community could possibly endure the time has come for recovery and the recovery is fast. This week’s Top 10 will focus on a number of the key things happening in Mackenzie that gives us all a real sense of optimism!
I was very happy this past week to table a new piece of legislation, the “ Forestry Service Providers Protection Act”. This act allows logging contractors to place a lien on logs and lumber in the event that they are not paid or, in the event of an insolvency, apply into an insurance fund. This has long been a goal of the logging community and I was really happy to be able to deliver it!
Have a great week!
Pat
1. Of course the most recent and exciting news is the Paper Excellence (Sinar Mas) purchase of the pulp mill. This will put about 220 people back to work in the pulp mill as well as up to 350 in the bush logging, planting and contracting. Typically for every direct job you can expect 2 indirect jobs bringing the total employment from this announcement to a potential 1,800 jobs in the region!
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| Politics - Provincial |
Hi all,
Sorry I'm really late this week with my Top 10. I had a very busy weekend in Mackenzie with the annual Chamber of Commerce Spring Exposition. This year’s Exposition was very well attended and the mood was positive with everyone looking forward to the re-opening of the Paper Excellence pulp mill and the Conifix sawmills. In addition, I was able to announce a new funding model for the payment of Physicians in Mackenzie. This new salaried model is based on a pilot that has worked very well in Fraser Lake. The stability that has been seen in Fraser Lake will really help support Mackenzie’s long term health care goals.
A message from Pat Bell - March 9, 2010
| Politics - Provincial |
Hi all,
Another beautiful weather week in Prince George and Mackenzie with a temperature of +10’ as I type this. What happened to winter is anyone’s guess and I sure hope we don’t pay for this in the summer.
This past week was the budget and while many called it boring and predictable there were some interesting pieces in it. While there was not extensive new funding the funding provided to the Ministry of Education and then on the School Districts should be helpful to SD57. There are a number of assumptions made by the School Board as a “worst case scenario” that did not play out. The Annual Facilities grant was $600,000 better than they had predicted and should be back to the historical level of about $3.2 million, Teacher wage and benefit increases are fully funded as is all day Kindergarten. All in all it will allow the School Board to make their decisions based on the needs of the students that they serve.
A message from Pat Bell - February 23, 2010
| Politics - Provincial |
Hi all,
Last week was spent touring forestry operations, mills and Forest Service Office in the Kootenays. It was a very buy week starting out with delayed flights out of Prince George due to fog and a decision that if I was going to get to Kamloops I had better drive. From there it was on to Revelstoke, Golden, Invermere, Canal Flats, Cranbrook, Creston, Salmo, Thrums, Castlegar, Fruitvale, Rossland, Grand Forks and then back to Kamloops. This is a very interesting part of the forest industry that represents high value manufacturing with only 3 of the mills I visited (out of 10) being dimensional lumber. Great trip and learned lots.
A message from Pat Bell - February 12, 2010
| Politics - Provincial |
Hi all,
What an exciting day today with the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Brenda and I are looking forward to watching the ceremonies at home with a big group of friends and family and let’s hope we see our first Gold Medal in the first couple of days. Also don’t forget it’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday!
This past week was the “Speech from the Throne” which sets the direction of Government in the coming year. While it is always filled with exciting news I like to focus on the components that will help drive Rural BC. The economy was the key theme of the Throne Speech with new energy opportunities being the cornerstone of economic development. Following are 10 direct quotes from the speech.
