Week 10 – March 6
Barnett on B.C. forests
In a speech to legislature, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett said the British Columbia forestry industry is “alive and well” despite pine beetle infestation, and the B.C. Liberal government was working with business and First Nations.
She added this was in “sharp contrast to the NDP record” on forestry management. However, then-NDP candidate Charlie Wyse pointed to a loss of 30,000 jobs in the forest industry under the B.C. Liberals.
Mine queries answered
Taseko Mines responded to the 50 information requests (IRs) issued by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency review panel in December 2012.
The IRs were for the Environmental Impact Statement on the New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project, and Taseko’s response constituted 800 pages of material.
Halpenny: no new care beds
Interior Health Authority (IHA) president and CEO Dr. Robert Halpenny visited the South Cariboo Health Centre on Feb. 28.
He talked about current priorities in IHA, such as working on its budget for next year.
Halpenny said the new, unopened long-term care beds at Fischer Place will not be made available until the need in “the whole of IHA” justifies doing that.
Week 11 – March 13
Assembly sought
Ervin Charleyboy said there are Tsilhqot’in First Nation people in favour of New Prosperity Mine, but afraid to go public on it.
The Tsilhqot’in National Government publicly denounced the mine on behalf of its people, but Charleyboy said these chiefs don’t listen to their members.
A Nation Assembly should be held to see how other Tsilhqot’in people were feeling about the mine, he added.
Citizens awarded
The 2012 Citizen of the Year award was handed out at the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards gala banquet on March 9.
The Citizens of the Year were Tom and Maryann Rutledge and Garry and Elsie Babcock, who had all worked tirelessly for years in the 100 Mile & District Historical Society, especially on the 108 Mile Heritage Site.
Health budget shrinks
The B.C. Liberal government said Budget 2013 would protect health services, while at the same time, constrain spending growth to an annual average of 1.5 per cent
The Ministry of Health budget growth was to be reduced to an annual average of 2.6 per cent through savings and spending efficiencies. This amounted to $234 million less than government had forecast in 2012.
Week 12 – March 20
PSO gym approved after all
The planned, and then cancelled, proposal for a gymnasium expansion at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) was once again back on the books at School District #27 (SD27).
Then-SD27 chair Will Van Osch credited local MLA Donna Barnett for bringing it to the attention of Education Minister Don McRae who met with the school board and stepped in to make the project happen.
Prosperity open house popular
A New Prosperity Mine Open House on March 16 had an estimated 200-plus people turn up at 100 Mile Community Hall.
Information tables all across the room were manned by mine proponent, Taseko Mines Ltd., and other project supporters, as well as various mine opponents. All presented information about their individual viewpoints and research.
Donex sold to businessman Colin Munro
Longtime Donex Pharmacy & Department Store owners Dave and Gordon Dickie sold the family business.
The roots of the family business go back to Spencer-Dickie Drugs in Quesnel founded in 1955, leading to Spencer-Dickie Drugs opening in 100 Mile House in 1967, which was renamed Donex Pharmacy in 1983. “Donex” was derived from a logo of their dad, Don’s, name with a mortar and pestle forming an X.
Week 13 – March 27
Budget reveals deficit
Canada’s Conservative government announced yet another deficit budget.
Revenues for 2013/14 were forecasted at almost $264 billion, with spending at about $283 billion, for a $19-billion deficit.
Critics said deficits and borrowing are catching up with taxpayers, but Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod said it was “a great budget for the economic environment that we are in.”
She explained a key aspect of Economic Action Plan 2013 was moving back to a balanced budget.
Tourism marketing funded
Provincial legislation earmarked a funding framework to firm up the new industry-led, formula-funded Destination BC to market B.C.’s tourism resources.
The Crown corporation was established to provide greater transparency and funding certainty for industry stakeholders and taxpayers.
Flight 21 memorial
Local resident Ruth Peterson formulated a plan to build a rock cairn near 100 Mile House Airport.
It would be a memorial to the 52 people who lost their lives in the plane crash of Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 21 nearly 48 years earlier. A monument would bring awareness to the tragic event and provide an accessible site for victims’ family and friends to reflect on their loved ones.
