They are:

Windsor Secondary – Fiscal 2013/2014

Handsworth Secondary – Fiscal 2015/16

First launched in 2004, the School Seismic Mitigation Program is backed by leading B.C. engineers and geoscientists who designed new guidelines for seismic safety in schools based on the latest research from major earthquakes around the world. In 2010, these experts used these guidelines and new assessment tools to conduct a comprehensive reassessment, leading to a more accurate picture of seismic safety risks in B.C. schools.

The announcement of these 45 projects means a total of 213 schools – or two-thirds of the high-risk schools in the province – have either been completed, are under construction, are proceeding to construction, or have been supported through the seismic program to date.

Quote:

“It is reassuring to know that on the North Shore, Handsworth is next in line for seismic upgrades after Windsor.”

-          West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, 16 capital and seismic projects worth more than $87.8 million have been completed in the North Vancouver School District.
• Including today’s announcement, since 2001 government has spent or committed more than $2.2 billion to seismically upgrade or replace 213 high-risk schools. It is anticipated it will cost a further $600 million to address the remaining 102 high-risk schools in the province.
• There are 37 school districts located in high seismic zones across the province.
• The $584 million will be distributed over a three-year spending envelope; individual projects within this envelope will receive final approval to proceed to design and construction after the school district confirms the scope, schedule, budget and risks for the project.
• The estimated funding over the three years is:

• 2013/14 – 10 new seismic projects at $111.8 million
• 2014/15 – 14 new seismic projects at $177 million
• 2015/16 – 21 new seismic projects at $295.4 million
• The seismic retrofit guidelines developed by B.C.-based experts have been reviewed by international experts in California and at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), earning the Canadian Society of Engineers Excellence in Innovation in Civil Engineering Award in 2010. The guidelines have helped shape FEMA’s own regional guidelines and policies.
• Including the School Seismic Mitigation Program, since 2001 government has committed more than $4 billion to school capital and maintenance projects throughout B.C.
• During this time, the government has spent more than $2.4 billion to complete 96 new and replacement schools, 131 seismic projects, 151 additions, 27 renovations and 25 site acquisitions across B.C.
• All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards.

“Today, on National Dietitians Day, I would like to recognize the important role that Registered Dietitians play in British Columbia. As a former dietitian for 22 years, I know that dietitians promote healthy families by raising awareness about nutrition and helping families make better choices at the dinner table.

“Dietitians work in a wide variety of settings, including health departments, hospitals, health and wellness centres, food stores, and universities. Our government enjoys a close working relationship with dietitians, and together we are making a difference for British Columbians. We can see this approach in action through programs such as the $68.7-million Healthy Families BC strategy, which aims to improve public health through a variety of programs that promote healthy eating and physical activity. For example, this program provides free telephone-based access to dietitian services at HealthLink BC and a public awareness campaign aimed at reducing consumption of sodium and sweetened beverages. Another example, the School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program, provides students with healthy snacks and is now receiving an additional $1 million to provide milk.

“In B.C. we enjoy a health system to be proud of, thanks in part to the collaborative, innovative approach taken by our government and many dedicated and passionate people across the province. The fact that British Columbians have the highest life expectancy in Canada is testament to this.

“Today, I encourage all B.C. families to make a commitment to healthier lifestyles by making nutritious, responsible choices at the grocery store.”

March 20, 2013 is the fourth anniversary of National Dietitians Day.

For more information on services offered by registered dietitians, call 8-1-1 or visit: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/servicesesources/811/

Communities receiving funding are:

• North Vancouver-City         $118,254
• North Vancouver- District  $159,584
• West Vancouver                   $139,035

Why this matters:

• The Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing program directly assists eligible municipalities that pay police enforcement costs. The grants come from ticket fines and court-imposed fines on violation tickets, and the amount of money a municipality receives is based on its contribution to total municipal policing costs.
• Since the commitment to return 100 per cent of net traffic fine revenues was made in 2004 more than $554 million has been returned to communities across the province.

Quotes:

“Our government is committed to promoting safety in our communities. Providing funding for crime prevention initiatives is another way we are putting families first.”

-          North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto

“This investment in crime prevention initiatives will improve public safety in our community.”

-          West-Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan

“North Shore police officers work tirelessly every day to protect our community. I’m glad to see traffic fine revenue reinvested into public safety programs.”

-          West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre

Learn More:

• Strategic Community Investment Fund: http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/policy_research/local_government_grants.htm#small_community_grant

Quotes:

“I want to commend my colleague, the member for North Vancouver-Seymour, for bringing forward this Private Member’s Bill. This bill is something for which I have advocated since my early years in veterinary college as it will greatly enhance protection for cats and dogs used for breeding purposes.”

-          Hon. Dr. Terry Lake, DVM, Minister of Environment, Chair of the Sled Dog Task Force

“The CVMA-Society of BC Veterinarians Chapter supports your efforts to promote standards of care for breeders of dogs and cats in BC.”

-          Marco Veenis, DVM, President of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association – Society of BC Veterinarians Chapter

“By introducing this bill for consideration, Ms. Thornthwaite has taken a very positive step to try to eliminate the unscrupulous breeding of dogs and cats within our province. British Columbians who value animals should be heartened by her efforts.”

-          Carol Morgan, DVM, CVMA representative on the Sled Dog Task Force

“Our association supports the intent of the Bill, which is to regulate breeding establishments for dogs and cats in order to eliminate substandard breeding operations and maximize the health of the animals under their care.”

-          Louis McCann, Executive Director of PIJAC Canada

“This bill contains a number of provisions to enhance companion animal welfare standards in British Columbia. The BC SPCA supports the adoption of additional legislation for dog and cat breeders that incorporates the existing Codes of Practices and provides mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement of these standards. We hope that the adoption of any new legislation would be accompanied by dedicated funding for monitoring and enforcement, as these resources are critical if the legislation is to have an impact.”

-           Craig Daniell, Chief Executive Officer for the BC SPCA

“I support the intent of this bill and Jane’s efforts on trying to shut down puppy mills. In addition – it gives guidelines that will help protect responsible breeders and most importantly, the pets that are in their care.”

-          Catherine King, Splendent Poodles

Additional Information:

• This legislation was developed in close consultation with veterinarians, breeders and animal welfare advocates.
• Preparation of the bill included careful review of existing legislation and research from within Canada (e.g. Manitoba and New Brunswick), the United States (e.g. Texas) and internationally (e.g. New Zealand and Ireland).
• The legislation outlines the requirements for breeding dogs and cats in the following areas:
  • Food and water;
  • Containment and shelter;
  • Sanitation;
  • Breeding;
  • Whelping;
  • Supply of animals;
  • Socialization of animals;
  • Illness or injury;
  • Harmful substances;
  • Transportation;
  • Euthanasia;
  • Grooming; 
  • Required records;
  • Offenses; and
  • Penalties.
• To view the bill, visit www.scribd.com/doc/128739300/Standards-of-Care-for-Breeders-of-Companion-Animals-Act

Organizations receiving grants:

1. Lions Club of North Vancouver Host – $36,000
2. North Shore Schizophrenia Society – $39,500
3. The Cinderella Project Society – $20,000
4. North Shore Crisis Services Society – $20,000
5. North Shore Connexions Society – $100,000
6. North Shore Neighbourhood House – $147,500
7. Young Naturalists’ Club of British Columbia Society – $20,000
8. Parkgate Community Services Society – $70,000
9. Elders Council for Parks in British Columbia – $14,000
10. North Shore Keep Well Society – $5,000
11. Living Systems: Family Systems Counselling, Education, Training & Research Society – $73,000
12. BC Original Minds Association – $200,000

Quotes:

“Organizations like the North Shore Neighbourhood House make our community a better place to live in. I am proud our government is aiding their efforts.”

-          North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto

“A strong community depends on many dedicated individuals and groups, and the North Shore has many. Over $700,000 going to local organizations on the North Shore recognizes their importance and will help support their crucial work.”

-          West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan

Additional information:

• Community Gaming Grants allow non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues.
• Last fiscal year, in 2011/12, our government distributed a total of $135 million in gaming grants for eligible community programs and services.
• More than 5,300 community groups benefited from funding during 2011/12.

For more information:

• Full application information is available online at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/.

Affordable housing continues to be a serious issue for many families, single persons, and seniors on the North Shore. We believe citizen engagement is highly important and constant feedback allows our government to respond effectively. So, we appreciate the February 3rd article “DNV Debates Affordable Rent;” however, some of the comments made in the article are incorrect. The provincial government has worked hard to develop affordable housing options for people on the North Shore and the entire province. We are proud to say that progress has been tangible.

Across B.C., the provincial government has invested close to $3.2 billion in affordable housing, meaning more than 97,000 households for B.C. families. On the North Shore, we have opened more than 299 new units. Counting all forms of subsidized housing, including those receiving significant rent supplements, the provincial government is involved in providing housing to, or directly helping to make more affordable, 2,573 units of housing in North Vancouver.

Our government believes that cooperation with municipal partners is the best way to provide affordable housing for citizens. In the City of North Vancouver, during the first two months of this year, we’ve seen ground broken on Housing for Young Adults with Disabilities (HYAD), and the completion of the ANAVETS seniors’ residence. Both are the result of collaboration between different levels of government and community groups.

The City of Vancouver is another success story. In Vancouver, an engaged and flexible municipal council has recognized the importance of working together with other levels of government to develop social housing, and this approach has delivered results. Vancouver benefits from support for more than 25,000 low-income individuals, seniors and families, has opened 266 units of social housing in the past year alone, and has an additional 1,056 under construction.

We’ve achieved results because of the constructive, collaborative relationship the provincial government has developed with these municipalities. It’s important that local governments and the Province work together to achieve mutually-beneficial outcomes on important issues, such as affordable housing.

The time has come for a renewed burst of energy on all fronts, by all governments, on affordable housing for the North Shore. We now know what works and what doesn’t work. We agree that it is time for all partners to step up to the plate. It is, after all, in the best interests of the residents we serve.