Premier Clark also made the following changes to parliamentary secretaries, effective immediately:
Media can download unedited video and photos of Minister Yap's swearing-in ceremony by clicking the following link: https://ohboy.ca
Username: News
Password: Release
Contact:
Sara MacIntyre
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701
BIOGRAPHIES
John Yap
John Yap was first elected in the riding of Richmond-Steveston in the 2005 provincial election. He was re-elected on May 12, 2009.
Yap previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Clean Technology to the Minister of Energy and Mines, as the Minister of State for Climate Action and as the chair of the Government Caucus. He was also a member of the Treasury Board, the Legislative Review Cabinet Committee, as well as the Select Standing Committees of Public Accounts Crown Corporations and Finance and Government Services.
Moira Stilwell
Moira Stilwell was elected MLA for Vancouver-Langara in the 2009 provincial general election.
She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Industry, Research and Innovation to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation on March 14, 2011. She also serves as vice-chair of the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth.
She previously served as Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development from June, 2009 to October, 2010.
Rob Howard
Rob Howard was elected as the MLA for Richmond Centre in 2009.
Provincially, Rob has served on the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Special Committee to Appoint an Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Rob currently chairs the Select Standing Committee on Finance & Government Services, and is a member of the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth and the Special Committee to Appoint a Representative for Children and Youth. Rob is also the provincial lead for the Air Access initiative.
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect
]]>Originally, the profiles were designed for and released online, as well as on multimedia DVD for educational purposes. The project's popularity has prompted the government to make it available in hardcopy, to distribute to service providers and libraries across the province.
Developed under EmbraceBC, the book is intended to increase awareness of British Columbia's cultural diversity and to encourage citizens to consider the role we all play in creating welcoming and inclusive communities.
EmbraceBC is the British Columbia government's strategic framework that supports initiatives to ensure that B.C.'s Multiculturalism Act is understood, upheld, and implemented by citizens, communities and government. EmbraceBC is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
Quick Facts:
Learn More:
To view the book online, visit: http://www.bcpeople.ca
To learn more about EmbraceBC, visit: http://www.embracebc.ca
Media Contact:
Brian Bonney
Communications Director, Multiculturalism
Government Communications and Public Engagement
604 775-1153
604 306-4735 (cell)
Multiculturalism Minister of State Harry Bloy presided over the event as part of WelcomeBC Day, with awards going to two immigrants and an immigrant-supporting agency. The successful provincial nominees have also created or enabled job creation in B.C., which supports one of the three pillars of 'Canada Starts Here: The B.C. Jobs Plan'.
The award winners include:
WelcomeBC Day was proclaimed for the first time in October 2010 and is marked with a celebratory event to recognize outstanding contributions by immigrants. The WelcomeBC umbrella brings together a strong network of settlement programs and services throughout the province for newcomers and immigrants to access free language training, settlement and labour market services.
Through WelcomeBC, the Province will invest $132.9 million in 2011-12 in English language training, labour market participation and community inclusion programs. The breakdown is:
WelcomeBC is funded under the Canada-BC Immigration Agreement.
Quotes:
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney -
"The Government of Canada continues to work in partnership with the Province of British Columbia to help newcomers transition, integrate and succeed in their communities. We celebrate the accomplishments of the WelcomeBC Day award recipients."
Kelly Pollack, executive director, Immigrant Employment Council of BC -
"Receiving the 2011 WelcomeBC Day award is such a great honour for all of us at the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. British Columbia has always been an example of attracting the best and brightest in the world, and at IEC-BC we are committed to developing innovative solutions that help local businesses integrate the skilled immigrants that are vital to our future and to our economy."
Quick Facts:
Learn More:
Watch videos about this year's award winners: http://www.youtube.com/user/WelcomeBCca
The WelcomeBC Settlement and Integration Services 2010-11 annual report was released at the event and can be viewed here: http://www.welcomebc.ca/wbc/service_providers/publications_and_reports/index.page?WT.svl=Body
BC Provincial Nominee Program: www.welcomebc.ca/pnp
A backgrounder follows.
Contacts:
Caroline McAndrews
Communications Manager
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-0613
Candice Malcolm
Media Relations, Minister's Office
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613 952-1650CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Oct. 28, 2011 Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
WelcomeBC Day Award Winners
Nathan Yang, Kuzco Lighting Inc.
Shaokun (Nathan) Yang, a BC Provincial Nominee from China, immigrated to British Columbia over four years ago to set up Kuzco Lighting Inc. in Surrey. With more than 15 years of experience in the lighting business, Yang has more than doubled his initial investment and expanded his business for a total investment of $2.5 million. Kuzco Lighting currently has 12 employees and expects to double its warehouse capacity with continued growth over the next year.
John Eckland, Kaslo Hotel
In 2006 John Eckland came to British Columbia from the United States as a business immigrant under the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program and settled in Kaslo. With a $2.8-million investment, Eckland completely renovated the Kaslo Hotel and created 24 new jobs. Capitalizing on his management experience and knowledge of the hotel business, he completely renovated the historic building, transforming it into a thriving hotel with thousands of dollars in spinoff benefits for other local businesses. In recognition of his contribution, Eckland was also named one of the Top Ten Kootenay Business People of 2010 and awarded the Gordon Wilder Memorial Award for significant achievement in support of tourism in British Columbia's Kootenay Rockies region.
The Immigrant Employment Council of BC
The website www.tapintotalent.ca is a one-stop-shop for employers with a wealth of labour-market resources and tips on attracting, hiring and retaining immigrant talent. The value for employers is that they can have direct access to a database of work-ready, pre-screened skilled immigrants. Through its unique online job-matching tool, TalentMatch BC, the website gives employers access to a pool of pre-screened, experienced, internationally trained talent at no cost. Through its mentoring program section, tapintotalent.ca introduces employers to a host of learning and professional-development opportunities for their staff.
Contacts:
Caroline McAndrews
Communications Manager
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-0613
Candice Malcolm
Media Relations, Minister's Office
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613 952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
]]>
"On behalf of the government of British Columbia, I would like to extend my best wishes to everyone celebrating Diwali.
"Diwali begins this year on October 26 and will be celebrated all across B.C., bringing families, friends, neighbours and communities together to share the things we value most in life - harmony, peace and understanding.
"For many cultures the New Year represents an opportunity for new beginnings and Diwali is no exception, reminding us of how fortunate we are to live in a province that values multiculturalism and diversity.
"It's a time to look forward with excitement and hope to a whole new year of opportunity, and a time to reflect on how we can create a better future.
"As we acknowledge our diverse ethnic and cultural heritage, we must remember that it is much more than just an asset, it represents who we are, a province of diversity, a province of opportunity where people can live, work and build their lives, where inclusiveness, mutual respect and co-operation bring together people of many faiths.
"So let us continue to work together to encourage and promote mutual understanding and acceptance, as we build a caring and generous society that values and respects all British Columbians.
"Diwali Mubarak! A Happy Diwali to everyone."
Minister Bloy's Letter to the editor: Province recognizes and celebrates Diwali
Contact:
Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640
The BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior provides cancer patients and their families with the services they require close to home. A nurse and a lawyer, Ahluwalia Hawkins served as an MLA, as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, Deputy Speaker and as Minister of Health Planning.
She championed for better cancer care and research throughout British Columbia before losing her seven-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia in 2010.
As a former nurse and someone who battled her own form of cancer, Ahluwalia Hawkins was sympathetic to the needs of other Interior cancer patients. She helped establish the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Outreach Program of B.C., a first of its kind in North America. This program provides outreach clinics at four locations outside of Vancouver to serve eligible patients who cannot conveniently travel to the Lower Mainland for appointments.
Ahluwalia Hawkins understood the economic and personal hardships cancer patients face when travelling to Vancouver for an extended period of time. As a Cabinet minister and MLA with the B.C. government, Ahluwalia Hawkins initiated a project to provide better housing options for cancer patients and their families. Now, thanks to a partnership between the Province, the Krall family and the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, leukemia/bone marrow and solid organ transplant patients needing to travel to Vancouver have access to housing services. The Patient Accommodation Pilot Project helps patients and their families find housing options for the duration of their time at Vancouver General Hospital.
Ahluwalia Hawkins, a proud Canadian who was of East Indian ethnic origin, understood the challenges that ethnic patients faced in finding a stem cell donor. She actively blogged and spoke at events throughout her illness to encourage more ethnically diverse donors to register with the national stem cell registry. She organized stem cell drives and launched the Thanks Mom drive in 2006.
Ahluwalia Hawkins worked with Canadian Blood Services to initiate the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network in Canada, which matches donors to patients who require stem cell transplants. This program eliminates the need for people to travel to hospitals for a blood test, as a cheek swab can now be done from home and mailed to Canadian Blood Services.
Even after she was diagnosed, Ahluwalia Hawkins continued her efforts to raise over $20 million dollars for B.C. cancer care and research.
Cancer affects so many lives. One in three British Columbians will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. According to the Canadian Cancer Society's 2010 Canadian Cancer Statistics report, B.C. men and women have the lowest overall mortality rate and incidence rate for all cancers in Canada.
British Columbians can be proud of our Province's cancer prevention efforts and treatment services. B.C. is internationally recognized for the advanced developments in many types of health research, particularly in cancer research, for which Ahluwalia Hawkins advocated so hard.
The BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior will be a lasting tribute to her life and legacy. This centre provides a comprehensive cancer control system for all Southern Interior residents and is part of a provincewide network providing patients with the highest quality of care.
Quotes:
Norm Letnick, MLA For Kelowna-Lake Country -
"All of us are touched by cancer - personally, family members, friends, co-workers - and Sindi's courageous battle was an inspiration to everyone."
Lorraine McGrath, board member, Provincial Health Services Authority -
"Sindi was a passionate advocate for the delivery of the best care possible for people affected by cancer and her legacy represents our commitment to continue to be the leader in delivering the highest quality of cancer care in Canada."
Sandra Broughton, regional administrator, Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior, BC Cancer Agency -
"Sindi was always a champion for patients and families. It is an honour that our regional cancer centre is named after this courageous woman who publicly shared her cancer journey and in spirit will continue to share and be recognized at the BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior."
Rupie Sachdeva, Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins's sister -
"Sindi's passion for bettering cancer care was endless. She was a shining example, who touched so many lives with caring and compassion. Renaming the centre in honour of Sindi is a great tribute to everything she worked so hard for."
Manohar Singh Ahluwalia, Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins's father -
"May this renamed centre inspire others and give them the courage and strength to continue to fight, just as my valiant girl, Sindi, did."
Quick Facts:
Learn more:
Find out more about the BC Cancer Agency Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior at: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca
Media assets available for re-use:
Broadcast-standard video:Media Contacts:
Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)
Lubna Ekramoddoullah
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Provincial Health Services Authority
604 675-7459
Email: lekramod@phsa.ca
CAMPBELL RIVER - A community celebration was held to celebrate the official opening of École Mer-et-montagne, a new elementary school to serve Francophone students in the Campbell River area.
Total cost of the new school was $10.1 million, with the provincial government contributing $8.9 million and the federal government contributing $1.2 million. The project created 65 new jobs for the area. The school is on the now vacant site of Rockland Elementary. Only the existing gym was retained after seismic upgrading. The school has a capacity of 100 students from kindergarten to Grade 7.
École Mer-et-montagne was built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standards. Design features include:
All Francophone schools in B.C. are part of the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF). The CSF is a public school district that covers all of B.C. Since its inception in 1995, the CSF has offered programs and educational services enhancing the full development and cultural identity of Francophone learners in the province.
Enrolment in the CSF for 2011-12 is 4,607 students, a two per cent increase over last year and an increase of more than 63 per cent over the last decade.
Quick Facts:
Learn More:
http://meretmontagne.csf.bc.ca/
Contact:
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963
COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE
3 octobre 2011
Ministère de l'Éducation
Inauguration d'une nouvelle école francophone à Campbell River
CAMPBELL RIVER - Aujourd'hui a eu lieu la cérémonie d'inauguration officielle de l'école Mer-et-montagne, une nouvelle école primaire desservant la communauté francophone de la région de Campbell River.
Le coût de construction de la nouvelle école s'élève à 10,1 millions de dollars. La participation financière du gouvernement provincial est de 8,9 millions de dollars, alors que celle du gouvernement fédéral s'élève à 1,2 millions de dollars. Ce projet a permis de créer 65 nouveaux emplois dans la région. La nouvelle école a été construite sur le site de l'ancienne école primaire anglophone Rockland. Suite à des améliorations parasismiques du site, seul le gymnase de l'ancienne école a été retenu et intégré au projet de construction. La nouvelle école pourra recevoir 100 élèves de la maternelle à la 7e année.
L'école Mer-et-montagne a été construite conformément à la norme environnementale " or " du programme de certification LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Sa fiche technique comprend, entre autres :
Toutes les écoles francophones en Colombie-Britannique sont regroupées sous l'aile du Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF), un district scolaire publique dont le territoire couvre l'ensemble de la province. Depuis sa création en 1995, le CSF offre des programmes et services éducatifs novateurs qui favorisent et valorisent le développement de l'identité culturelle et le plein épanouissement des apprenants et apprenantes francophones de la province.
4 607 élèves sont inscrits au CSF pour l'année scolaire 2011-2012, soit deux pourcent de plus que l'année précédente. Il s'agit d'une augmentation de plus de 63 % par rapport à il y a dix ans.
Citations :
George Abbott, ministre de l'Éducation -
" Je félicite tous ceux et celles qui ont contribué à donner vie à cette nouvelle école francophone à Campbell River. Le Conseil scolaire francophone est une des plaques tournantes de notre système d'éducation et nous sommes heureux d'appuyer sa croissance ".
Raymond Ouimet, président du Conseil d'administration du Conseil scolaire francophone -
" La construction de la nouvelle école Mer-et-montagne nous démontre comment la Province et le Conseil scolaire francophone peuvent collaborer au profit de l'éducation des enfants francophones de la Colombie-Britannique. Aujourd'hui, nous ne pouvons que remercier le ministère de l'Éducation, et noter qu'ensemble nous avons pu bâtir quelque chose de vraiment remarquable ".
En un coup d'œil :
* Le Conseil scolaire francophone offre des programmes d'éducation et des services éducatifs en français dans 36 écoles - dont 24 sont autonomes - à travers la Colombie-Britannique.
* Depuis 2001, la province a investi plus de 78,8 millions de dollars dans des projets d'immobilisations et des améliorations parasismiques touchant les écoles du Conseil scolaire francophone.
* Depuis 2001, la Province a consacré plus de 3,9 milliards de dollars aux écoles de la Colombie-Britannique pour financer des projets d'immobilisations et d'entretien.
Pour en savoir plus :
http://meretmontagne.csf.bc.ca/
Contact :
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministère de l'Éducation
250 356-5963
The Hon. Steven L. Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, was joined by representatives of the college and local community to officially open the Aboriginal gathering space at the Chetwynd campus.
The gathering space is one of four created at NLC's campuses. The projects were originally developed from $600,000 in funding provided in 2008 by the Province. The first gathering space opened in 2009 at the Fort Nelson campus.
NLC's gathering spaces feature artwork and cultural artifacts commissioned by local Aboriginal bands, as well as study spaces and lounge areas. The Chetwynd facility includes an adjacent office for an Aboriginal co-ordinator and a kitchen.
This gathering space is one of 27 being created at public post-secondary institutions across B.C. through a $13.6-million investment by the Province.
Quotes:
Henriette Landry, Aboriginal Co-ordinator at Northern Lights College -
"Gathering spaces are an important part of the quality of life for Aboriginal students, and I believe this new space will help enrich the college experience not just for Aboriginal learners, but for all learners at Northern Lights College. There will be opportunities for ceremonial and cultural events, sharing of oral traditions, art and material displays, and language revitalization and Circle teachings."
Quick facts:
Improving quality and choice in education is a key pillar of the Province's Pacific Leadership Agenda. The gathering places funding also supports the government's commitments, through the Transformative Change Accord and the Métis Nation Relationship Accord, to close the gaps in education, health, housing and economic opportunities.
Learn more:
http://www.nlc.bc.ca/Services/AboriginalServices.aspx
Media Contact:
Marc Black
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400