22 million watch Sidney Crosby win gold

• Record audience peaks as overtime goal sends nation into frenzy -
• Canadians consume 1.25 billion hours of Vancouver 2010 coverage -
• 2010 Winter Games audiences 138% higher than Salt Lake City 2002 -
• Nearly half of all internet users in Canada have visited CTVOlympics.ca or RDSolympiques.ca -

[Read more]

BC budget highlights

BC Budget 2010 was released in the BC Legislature the afternoon of March 2 by Finance Minister Colin Hansen. The following are highlights of the budget.

by BC Liberal Party. [Read more]

‘Revenue neutral’ HST to fund medical services

A Budget that benefits nobody but the Liberals.

by Dean Skoreyko, BC Conservative Party.

The new BC Liberal budget is another step in the wrong direction for this government, in a series of wrong steps dating back to 2001. The new budget increases record spending, puts us on a path for record debt, and continues to confirm the myth that Gordon Campbell’s government runs a sound economy. [Read more]

Water Act review — have your say

This video trailer was released January 29 on YouTube by producer Liz Marshall. It’s timely release is now followed by a BC Government review of the Water Act (see government blog posting below). The BC Government is encouraging all British Columbians to participate in the process of modernizing this statute. You can register your comments and learn more by visiting the government website Living Water Smart Blog (blog.gov.bc.ca/livingwatersmart). [Read more]

Budget 2010, ’setting the foundation for decades’

Budget 2010 – building a prosperous British Columbia.

Ministry of Finance.

Setting the foundation for decades of renewed economic growth, protecting vital services, adding to British Columbia’s competitiveness and building on the tremendous momentum of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are core elements of the 2010 provincial budget tabled in the B.C. Legislature today by Finance Minister Colin Hansen.

“We are enhancing support for B.C.’s families, meeting our financial targets, maintaining our commitments to health and education, and we are on track to return to balanced budgets in 2013,” said Hansen. “Recognizing the many opportunities resulting from the global exposure provided by the Olympic Games, we are also furthering our investments in areas such as clean energy, arts and culture and international commerce while ensuring future job growth across B.C.” [Read more]

Democracy in action : you too can help change this law (until Apr 30)

Introduction by David R Pacey.

This inititive of the BC Liberals on behalf of the public looking into the future is an important step towards improving our water supply legislation with the potential impact of global warming and potential for drought conditions in our province.

This venue can and is a perfect opportunity for the public and interested groups to provide input towards the future of water supply in our province. [Read more]

Biggest year ever for ecology field trips

Adapting Winter Wonder to a warmer winter – biggest year ever for classes, warmest year for weather.

by Wildsight.

Teaching the importance of winter adaptation is one of the goals of Wildsight’s Winter Wonder program. Of all the Wildsight education programs, Winter Wonder reaches the youngest students, taking Kindergarten to Grade 3 classes on learning adventures in the outdoors around their schools.

This year, it’s been a bit of a challenge for educators, as group after group of kids have been heading out in sunny, near-snowless days to seek the signs of winter. [Read more]

Fernie Griz Days “Jail ‘n Bail”

Until Mar 4, Fernie –

Bail Your MLA out of Jail fundraiser.

by Jennifer Osmar.

Our MLA Bill Bennett has volunteered to be a “MOST WANTED” for the Fernie Rotary Club’s Jail ‘n Bail fundraising project with proceeds going to the Fernie Food Bank. Bill will be arrested during Griz Days in Fernie, March 5-7th, and his bail has been posted at $5,000! [Read more]

Jobs program pays to burn Spilly pine

Province supports resource workers in Golden.

Ministry of Community and Rural Development.

Workers in the Golden area are benefiting from close to $350,000 through a Job Opportunities Program project that will identify and remove trees infested with the mountain pine beetle, announced Pat Bell, Minister of Forests and Range and Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development. [Read more]

Why do people hunt?

Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia.

Who are guide outfitters?

Currently there are 233 licensed guide outfitters in BC who directly employ over 2,000 people and generate over $120 million annually to the economy of British Columbia. The guide outfitting industry is an important contributor to the health and well being of rural economies.

Guide outfitters are the founders of the tourism industry and an important part of the outdoor heritage of British Columbia. Our clients spend more, per day, per capita, than any other visitor to our province. [Read more]