North Coast Review

Saturday, December 1, 2018

One item to add to your Sunday Terrace shopping checklist

If you're making the run down highway 16 today to do a little pre-Christmas shopping the Terrace RCMP have one item for you to put at the top of your list.

Always, make sure that you have locked your car whenever you head into the many shopping emporiums that the Terrace merchants have to offer.

Sunday will see a one day blitz of the city by both Regular and Auxiliary Terrace RCMP and members, checking car doors to make sure that owners have safeguarded their vehicles while shopping or dining.

Lock Out Auto Crime is an educational program supported by ICBC to draw attention to the high rate of thefts from vehicles. Volunteers audit parking lots looking for vehicles with visible valuables, garage door openers, open windows or doors that are left unlocked.

All vehicles are given a crime prevention notice (which is left on the windshield), either thanking owners for securing their vehicle properly, or providing auto crime prevention tips.

"We all have a role to play in keeping our belongings safe ... Taking the time to lock vehicle doors and ensure valuables are out of sight can save you a lot of time and heartache down the road." -- Constable Crystal Evelyn, Terrace RCMP’s Community Liaison and Crime Prevention Officer.

The Terrace detachment also offers up a Top Ten Tips list to held reduce your chances of being impacted by Auto Crime, a bit of helpful information that travels nicely down the highway to Prince Rupert.

10 Tips to Avoid Auto Crime

1. Keep your spare keys in your wallet, not in your car.
2. Invest in a good anti-theft device.
3. Close windows and lock doors. Take your possessions with you.
4. Avoid parking behind fences or hedges.
5. At home, light your driveway all night. Elsewhere, park in well lit areas near pedestrian traffic.
6. After opening an automatic gate to underground parking, watch out for thieves waiting to slip inside.
7. Wait for the gate to close behind you.
8. Engrave your stereo and other onboard valuables with your driver’s license number.
9. Install an anti-theft device to protect your stereo or buy a unit that is removable and take it with you when you park.
10. If you see any suspicious person or activity near a vehicle, call the police immediately.

More background on their Sunday initiative in Terrace can be found here.

For a look at the work of Emergency Responders across the Northwest see our archive page here.

Emergency Service Files: December 2018

Our Archive of items for the month of December, from the files of law enforcement and other emergency responders in Northwestern British Columbia.

From the North Coast Review

Search and Rescue Fundraiser seeks items for auction
Northwest RCMP seeking whereabouts of missing New Hazelton woman
Terrace RCMP issue warning on fraudulent cheques
Coast Guard introduces New High end endurance Search and Rescue lifeboat to be based in Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert RCMP seek assistance of public in locating missing man
19 year old male arrested related to 9th Avenue West Stabbing
Queen's Counsel list features local lawyer among list of twenty eight
Mayor's comments on downtown assault bring range of suggestions for follow up
Mayor Brain speaks out regarding assault in downtown area
Northwest RCMP seek public's help in November highway fatality
One item to add to your Sunday Terrace shopping checklist

**************************************************************************

Prince Rupert/Port Edward/Haida Gwaii/North Coast

December 15 -- RCMP ask public to help find missing Prince Rupert man
December 15 -- Stabbing in Prince Rupert
December 14 -- Prince Rupert RCMP recommend aggravated assault charge following stabbing
December 14 -- Prince Rupert RCMP searching for missing person
December 13 -- Vehicle fire extinguished at Rushbrook Floats
December 13 -- Prince Rupert Fire Department responds to car fire at Rushbrook Floats
December 12 -- Haida Gwaii resident facing charges relating to house explosion
December 12 -- Man charged following Q.C. house fire that set off explosives
December 12 -- Prince Rupert lawyer awarded Queen's counsel designation
December 6 -- Masset RCMP identify suspect after a string of break-and-enters
December 5 -- Planning for future Haida Gwaii wildfires catches on
December 3 -- Mother of assault victim makes appeal to Prince Rupert public
December 3 -- T-bone collision and suspects wanted for assault

Terrace/Kitimat

December 20 -- Family of Cameron Kerr again appeal for Tips in Hit-and-Run death
December 20 -- Commercial vehicle ablaze inside shop
December 20 -- RCMP warns Terrace businesses of stolen cheques circulating
December 20 -- Businesses beware: Stolen Cheques circulating (RCMP statement)
December 19 -- Family of Cameron Kerr issues second plea for information
December 19 -- Terrace Search and Rescue assist skier trapped for 2 hours in snow
December 19 -- Trapped skier saved in late-night backcountry rescue
December 19 -- Shames Rescue (video)
December 19 -- Terrace Hit and Run Follow up (video)
December 19 -- RCMP Cram-a-Cruiser events exceed last year's totals in Terrace, Queen Charlotte
December 18 -- Terrace shoppers donate more than 5,000 pounds of food during Cram the Cruiser event
December 18 -- Kitimat motorists reminded to "Slow Down, Move Over"
December 18 -- Community crams four police cruisers with food (RCMP statement)
December 17 -- Kitimat RCMP and Fire Department teaming up for education checkstop
December 14 -- Terrace RCMP invite you to Cram A Cruiser - And Spread Christmas cheer
December 13 -- Terrace users on Facebook post warnings about vehicle break-ins
December 13 -- Break and Enter in Terrace leads to a number of stolen items
December 13 -- Police seeking those responsible for vandalism in Terrace
December 13 -- Slush and ice creates poor road conditions across Northwest
December 12 -- RCMP stop traffic with candy canes to remind drivers not to drink and drive
December 12 -- Woman arrested following near-fatal stabbing in Terrace
December 12 -- Terrace woman charged with stabbing another woman
December 11 -- Terrace Search and Rescue volunteers log nearly 6,000 hours in 2018
December 11 -- Terrace Council considering downtown security assistance program
December 11 -- Kitimat RCMP seeking church vandals
December 11 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report (December 3 to 9)
December 8 -- Pressure variation causes downtown Kitimat evacuations
December 8 -- Fire chief McNAb reporting for duty
December 7 -- Carbon Monoxide Safety (video)
December 7 -- RCMP teaming up with Kyle's No Frills and Kitimat Food Bank for Cram the Cruiser
December 6 -- Pedestrian Safety (video)
December 4 -- Terrace Man reported missing seen in town
December 4 -- Highway 16 reopened in Terrace following two-vehicle collision
December 4 -- Cooking safety (video)
December 4 -- Public's help needed in search for missing Terrace man
December 4 -- Terrace RCMP arrest a man following altercation with police officers
December 4 -- Two vehicle collision sends one to hospital outside Terrace Canadian Tire
December 4 -- Reported accident outside Terrace Canadian Tire
December 4 -- Terrace RCMP seeking public assistance in missing person search
December 4 -- Have you seen Craig Laberge? ( RCMP statement)
December 3 -- Knife wielding man arrested in Terrace
December 3 -- Terrace RCMP ask for more tips in November Hit-and-Run
December 3 -- Inebriated man arrested in Terrace after lunching at police officer
December 3 -- Police seek info on truck related to Terrace hit and run
December 3 -- RCMP asking for tips in fatal hit and run
December 3 -- Police in Terrace seek public's help
December 3 -- RCMP prepare to cram cruisers with holiday spirit ( RCMP statement)
December 3 -- Terrace Detachment Service Report ( Nov. 26 to Dec. 2)

Bulkley Valley and elsewhere

December 30 -- Family of missing New Hazelton woman remain hopeful for her safe return
December 27 -- New Hazelton Woman Missing
December 27 -- Search continues for missing New Hazelton Woman
December 26 -- Police search for missing woman from New Hazelton
December 26 -- New Hazelton woman missing
December 25 -- New Hazelton RCMP looking for missing woman
December 25 -- Missing Person to Locate - Cynthia Martin (RCMP statement)
December 21 -- Injunction extended to all LNG blockades south of Houston
December 21 -- Strimbold scheduled to plead February 25
December 21 -- Luke Strimbold trial starts in February
December 19 -- Houston youth turns himself in after arrest warrant issued for failing to appear in court
December 19 -- Houston cram the cruiser
December 18 -- Gitdumden checkpoint blocks access to Unist'ot'ten camp
December 17 -- Houston RCMP crams record breaking 10 cruisers
December 17 -- New impaired driving law starts tomorrow
December 17 -- Houston RCMP crams record-breaking 10 cruisers
December 16 -- Use caution on Frozen Water
December 12 -- Two accidents on icy roads near Burns Lake
December 12 -- Houston residents raise concerns over 'dangerous' street corner
December 10 -- Couple selling fake jewelry in Fraser Lake, say RCMP
December 9 -- Wet'suwt'en and RCMP working to end racial profiling
December 7 -- Dollar Store Drive-Thru
December 7 -- Burns Lake speaks out on violence against women
December 6 -- Fire destroys trailer home near Fraser Lake
December 6 -- Injunction filed against LNG protestors blocking road
December 5 -- Motorhome explosion in Houston
December 5 -- New Special prosecutor announced in Strimblod case
December 4 -- New special prosecutor assigned to oversee former Burns Lake Mayor's case
December 3 -- Luke Strimbold case postponed again

Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska

December 28 -- Ketchikan man charged with driving truck into church
December 27 -- STVFD's newest rig started service with a road trip
December 21 -- Man found dead in Thomas Basin boat harbour
December 20 -- Minor injuries in Saxman house fire
December 17 -- Plane slides off runway at Tyee power plant, no injuries
December 17 -- Two Ketchikan boys charged with threatening school
December 14 -- Ketchikan woman faces more drug charges
December 14 -- Petersburg hospital holds shooter drill
December 12 -- POW man sentenced in federal drug case
December 12 -- Holiday stress can exacerbate domestic violence, advocates say
December 11 -- Allen sentenced for fatal July 4 van wreck
December 11 -- School Board to further discuss investigation report
December 10 -- Ketchikan men sentenced to federal prison on drug charges
December 10 -- Petersburg hospital to train for shooting emergency
December 10 -- December 3 drug bust leads to charges against Ketchikan woman
December 7 -- A week after the Anchorage earthquake, city continues to find damaged homes
December 6 -- Investigation into Ketchikan School District complete
December 6 -- New Ketchikan program to help released inmates not return to jail
December 6 -- Ketchikan man charged in two burglary cases
December 5 -- No injuries in Tuesday House fire
December 5 -- Ketchikan couple charged for heroin, methamphetamine
December 5 -- Ketchikan Council to discuss disposal of Main Street Fire Hall
December 4 -- Unconfirmed mountain lion sightings in Ketchikan
December 4 -- Woman charged with bringing heroin to Ketchikan
December 3 -- Code change for animal noise complaints moves forward
December 3 -- Troopers investigate recent break in, fuel theft

Archive of month to month review for 2018

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

MLA's Week: November 26 & 27, 2018

British Columbia's MLA's brought the fall session to a close this week, with two final days of discussion, debate and a fair bit of controversy, the latter coming from the ongoing concerns over the suspension of two senior members of the staff of the legislature itself.

That story, which will still echo around the capital in the weeks to come, began last week and has put the governing NDP and their partners the Greens on the defensive, while the opposition Liberals put the pressure on for more transparency on the role of the Speaker and his special assistant in the affair.

Controversy swirls around Legislature Speaker over ousting of officials

The concerns raised by the surprising developments made for some of the themes of the session ending media conference from the Premier, who tried to squeeze in some of his government's achievements of the fall session in among all the mystery of the Speaker's fate and the suspension issues.

BC Legislature breaks for Christmas with NDP looking to showcase highlights; but trapped by public's view of chaotic end

With the MLA's heading for their Christmas break, the Legislature will not be in session when the votes are counted in the election reform referendum which has the extended mail in deadline coming up on December 7th.

Last week we noted that by mid-week the returns from Northwest were still quite low, with the North Coast constituency delivering but a 19 percent return rate so far, while Skeena and Stikine were somewhat better at 21 and 22 percent respectively.

Referendum campaign not resonating for North Coast Voters, with but a 19 per cent return rate with one week to go before voting closes

As for the final two days of actual debate in the chamber, our notes on both North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice and that of Skeena MLA Ellis Ross can be found below

************************************************************************

Ms. Rice, had another quiet week with no exchanges in the Chamber on the topics of the final two days of the fall Legislative session.

Our look at the work week that just concluded, can be found below:

On the week, Ms Rice was listed once in the accounts of the sessions of the Legislature from November 26 and November 27 .

That making note of her comments of welcome on Monday afternoon for Tamara Davidson, or Laanas of the Haida nation.

Ms. Rice also attended a Committee of the Whole session on Monday afternoon, serving as the Chair for a portion of the afternoon session.

The North Coast MLA is also a permanent member of the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, serving as the convener of that forum.

Transcripts of the work of the committee are available on the Legislature page for the Committee.

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs

**************************************************************************

For our readers from the Terrace-Kitimat region, Skeena MLA Ellis Ross was mentioned twice for his work in the Legislature from November 26 and November 27.

With the Legislature about the head for its two and half month recess, the Skeena MLA turned to the election reform process and mail in vote for his final thoughts on the work of the fall.

Ellis ross returns to themes of electoral reform for final day of Fall session

Mr. Ross is also a permanent member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives.

Transcripts of the work of that committee are available on the Legislature website

There is more background on the North Coast and Skeena MLA's available from our MLA's Week Archive as well as our General Archives on the Legislature below:

North Coast constituency

Skeena and Stikine Constituencies

The Legislature is now on its Winter Break, with the next call to the Chamber expected to come for Tuesday, February 12th, 2019

That schedule could change in the event of an emergency situation, or some form of procedural requirements during that period.

A larger overview of provincial issues can be found on our political portal D'Arcy McGee

To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

4.7 quake recorded off Vancouver Island Friday night

Another in a string of earthquakes in the 4.5 to 5 magnitude range
was recorded off Port Hardy late Friday night

While not as dramatic as the 7.0 quake of earlier in the day in Anchorage, British Columbia had its own seismic event on Friday as a 4.7 temblor was recorded off of Vancouver Island just after 11:30 PM.

Located 156 kilometres West/Southwest of Port Hardy it was located in much the same area as a string of similar sized seismic events in recent months.

Friday's quake had a depth of 10 kilometres.

More background on the event can be reviewed here.

As for this mornings major earthquake in Anchorage, since the 7.2 shaker shortly after 8:30 AM Alaska time, the community has received over 170 after shocks with six of them recorded at 5.0 or more.

For more items of interest on seismic events in British Columbia and Alaska see our archive page here.

Friday, November 30, 2018

Rainmaker Boys season starts with Terrace showcase this weekend

The road to Provincials starts with a road trip to Terrace, as both the Charles Hays Junior and Senior Rainmaker Boy's teams see action on this weekend.

The Caledonia gymnasium is the host venue for the season opening tip off with the Senior Boys in action tonight at 7:30 against Mount Elizabeth from Kitimat and on Saturday against the Kermodes as the Northwest season launch of the 2018-19 campaign gets underway.

The Senior Rainmakers will be looking to the Terrace trip to give them an evaluation of their work so far in the early stages of the basketball season, what they learn from the competition of this weekend, will come in handy in six days time when they head south to take part in the high profile Vancouver area, Quinn Keast No Regrets Tournament from December 6 to 9.

One night earlier on December 5th, the Rainmakers will tune up for the tournament with a game at Collingwood.

The Vancouver tournament makes for the first opportunity to put their skills up against some top end Lower mainland and Vancouver Island talent, and while a few years ago the Rainmakers might have arrived as a bit of an unknown, their past performances at provincials and other Lower mainland tournaments means that they come to town as a team that others look forward to measuring up with.

Add in some additional notoriety for the Rainmakers this year with Liam McChesney having recently made a splash in basketball circles with his commitment to Utah State and Ryan Bishop's squad won't be flying under the radar on those trips south anymore.

Hometown fans won't have their first opportunity to see the 2019 version of the Rainmakers until mid December, when Caledonia comes to town on December 14th.

🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

Over on the Junior side, Kevin Sawka's Rainmaker team is on the court this evening as they take on the Caledonia Junior Boys tonight at 5:30 at the Skeena Middle School gymnasium.

Like the Seniors, the Junior squad has created their own buzz over the last number of years with regular appearances in the Provincial tournament at year end and strong results at regional tournaments through the year.

There will be some additional incentive for the Juniors this year to go the distance to Provincials, last years team had their shot at a provincial title knocked out by winter weather, with a heavy snowstorm disrupting their travel plans to the point of having to cancel out of the season finale.

The Junior Boys will also have a lengthy road stretch ahead of them heading to Prince George next weekend and then Kitimat of the 15th.

They finally play on the home court at Charles Hays on December 21st when they take part in the Rainmaker Alumni tournament.

Both teams will be looking to make sure that when March comes around there is representation from the North Coast.

With a turn of the calendar page into December that trail to Langley starts anew and the road to Langley begins appropriately enough on the road.

As the season moves forward, you can find more notes on the Rainmakers and other Northwest schools from our archive page here.

Rainmaker Archive 2018-19

Our archive of items for the 2018-19 school year, highlighting events and activities surrounding the various sports teams at Charles Hays Secondary School and Prince Rupert Middle School.

As always, we welcome updates and background items on Rainmaker athletics, simply drop us a line at northcoastreviewpr@yahoo.ca or through our twitter feed @CharlesMHays

You can follow more on Rainmaker Sports for 2018-19 from the CHSS twitter feed

Background, scores and other information on Rainmakers Sports can be found below.

Along with those items of interest, we'll keep track of media stories on both Charles Hays sports and from other schools from around the region.

British Columbia Senior Boys Provincials Archive
British Columbia Junior Boys Provincials Archive

North Coast Review Notes

May 18 -- From the Gyms of Prince Rupert to the BC Hall of Fame, Basektball BC Honours Rainmaker legend Mel Bishop

March 9 -- Having brought the Rain to Langley, Charles Hays Rainmakers are bringing home a AA Provincials banner
March 9 -- ONE MORE GAME! It's off to the finals for Charles Hays after a hard earned Semi-Final victory in AA tournament play
March 7 -- Bring On Sa-Hali!! Rainmakers advance to Semi-Finals at AA tournament
March 6 -- Rainmakers on a roll after Day One of Provincials
March 6 -- Banner within their grasp: Rainmakers in Langley for BC Provincials
March 4 -- Rainmakers and Sparwood to launch AA provincials on Wednesday

February 27 -- Junior Rainmakers edged in their final game of Jr. Boys Provincials
February 26 -- Rainmaker icon Mel Bishop heads to Basketball BC Hall of Fame
February 25 -- Rainmakers sport 2 and 1 record heading into Day 3 of BC Junior high school Basketball Champiionships
February 22 -- Tournament Time for Junior Boys
February 18 -- Rainmakers claim two more victories in final tune up before Provincials
February 15 -- One final tune up before Zones for Charles Hays Senior Boys; Juniors make ready for Provincials
February 8 -- Rainmakers hit the court for two against DP Todd this weekend
February 4 -- Senior Girls find success in final day, after hard fought tournament play in Vancouver
February 1 -- Senior Boys Rainmakers retain top spot in AA Ball in BC: get added exposure in Varsity Letters

January 31 -- Junior Boys Rainmakers move into Provincial Top Ten after weekend play
January 28 -- Saturday Showcase in Vancouver puts Rainmakers onto an even higher pedestal in the south
January 25 -- Rainmakers off to strong start at Vancouver College's Emerald Tournament
January 24 -- Rainmakers take AA Top Dog status into high profile Vancouver area tournament
January 17 -- Junior Boys Rainmakers tip off in North Shore invitational
January 11 -- Rainmakers and Polars set for two in the Rainforest this weekend
January 4 -- Rainmakers wrap up two game series with Vancouver's Kitsilano tonight

December 21 -- Senior Boys Rainmakers retain top spot in AA Basketball in BC
December 14 -- Number One ranked Senior Boys Rainmakers host Caledonia for home opener to 2018-19 season
December 10 -- Handsworth takes No Regrets, topping Rainmakers in tourney final
December 7 -- Rainmakers take opening day win from No Regrets tournament
December 5 -- Rainmakers on Vancouver's North Shore for No Regrets Tourney

November 30 -- Rainmaker Boys season starts with Terrace showcase this weekend
November 14 -- A Rainmaker makes his choice ... Liam McChesney commits to Utah State

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reviews by Sport 2018-19

Basketball

Senior Boys

2018-19 Prince Rupert

May 18 -- From the Gyms of Prince Rupert to the BC Hall of Fame, Basektball BC Honours Rainmaker legend Mel Bishop NCR
May 13 -- Mel Bishop heads for the hall (video)

March 11 -- CHSS Rainmakers Win Provincial Championship
March 11 -- Charles Hays Rainmakers win Provincial AA Basketball championship
March 10 -- Rainmakers win 2A championship at Provincials
March 9 -- The reign of the Rainmakers! No 1. seed Charles Hays delivers a third title to its Rupert faithful
March 9 -- Having brought the Rain to Langley, Charles Hays Rainmakers are bringing home a AA Provincials banner NCR
March 9 -- Rainmakers in provincial finals against Coyotes
March 9 -- ONE MORE GAME! It's off to the finals for Charles Hays after a hard earned Semi-Final victory in AA tournament play NCR
March 7 -- Bring On Sa-Hali!! Rainmakers advance to Semi-Finals at AA tournament NCR
March 6 -- Rainmakers on a roll after Day One of Provincials NCR
March 6 -- Banner within their grasp: Rainmakers in Langley for BC Provincials NCR
March 4 -- Rainmakers and Sparwood to launch AA provincials on Wednesday NCR

February 26 -- Rainmaker icon Mel Bishop heads to Basketball BC hall of Fame NCR
February 18 -- Rainmakers claim two more victories in final tune up before Provincials NCR
February 15 -- One final tune up before Zones for Charles Hays Senior Boys; Juniors make ready for Provincials NCR
February 9 -- Trojans sacked by Rainmakers in close contest
February 8 -- MVP of the week: Ryan Bishop
February 1 -- Senior Boys Rainmakers retain top spot in AA Ball in BC; get added exposure in Varsity Letters NCR

January 28 -- Saturday Showcase in Vancouver puts Rainmakers onto an even higher pedestal in the south NCR
January 25 -- Rainmakers off to strong start at Vancouver College's Emerald Tourney NCR
January 24 -- Rainmakers take AA Top Dog status into high profile Vancouver area tournament NCR
January 22 -- Senior Rainmakers score back-to-back wins in Terrace
January 15 -- Rainmakers dominant over weekend
January 11 -- Rainmakers and Polars set for two in the Rainforest this weekend NCR
January 4 -- Rainmakers wrap up two game series with Vancouver's Kitsilano tonight NCR
January 5 -- Charles Hays wins second straight vs Kitsilano
January 4 -- Rainmakers rout Kitsilano

December 21 -- Senior Boys Rainmakers retain top spot in AA Basketball in BC NCR
December 17 -- Charles Hays Senior Boys make it rain this weekend
December 14 -- Number One ranked Senior Boys Rainmakers host Caledonia for home opener to 2018-19 season NCR
December 11 -- Charles Hays Rainmakers dry up in final game
December 10 -- Rainmakers wait out storm in Vancouver
December 7 -- Rainmakers basketball starts tournament strong
December 5 -- Rainmakers on Vancouver's North Shore for No Regrets Tourney NCR

December 5 -- Prince Rupert Rainmakers basketball beat down Caledonia
December 2 -- Prince Rupert Rainmakers rout competition in Terrace

December 1 -- Charles Hays Rainmakers basketball opens its season in Terrace

November 30 -- Rainmaker Boys season starts with Terrace showcase this weekend NCR
November 15 -- Rainmaker Liam McChesney commits to Utah State University
November 14 -- A Rainmaker makes his choice ... Liam McChesney commits to Utah State NCR

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Golf

2018-19 Prince Rupert

Boys Golf

May 19 -- Prince Rupert to send a high school golf team to provincials

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soccer

2018-19 Prince Rupert

Boys Soccer

Remainder of Northwest BC Secondary Schools

2018-19 Prince Rupert

Girls Soccer

May 6 -- 7 on 7 soccer at CHSS fields

April 30 -- Charles Hays Secondary School girls soccer team in Terrace playday
April 16 -- Charles Hays girls' soccer team defeat Kitimat in play day

Remainder of Northwest BC Secondary Schools

November 10 -- Gammie on Canada West All-Rookie team

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Track and Field / Cross Country

2018-19 Prince Rupert

Remainder of Northwest British Columbia

November 10 -- Smithers runners take on provincial best

October 30 -- 4 for 4 for Smithers secondary cross-country teams

September 27 -- Fall leaves means it's cross-country season

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hockey

Pacific Rim Hockey Academy Information

2018-19 Prince Rupert

--

Remainder of Northwest British Columbia

--

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wrestling

2018-19 Prince Rupert

Remainder of Northwest British Columbia

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prince Rupert Middle School

2018-19 Prince Rupert

--

Remainder of Northwest British Columbia

--

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Archive of items from

2017-18
2016-17
2015-16
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13

BC Government to share Gaming revenue with First Nations

The British Columbia Government has announced plans
to share gaming revenues with First Nations in the province

Looking to act on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the British Columbia government has announced an agreement to share provincial gaming revenue to support self-government and services to make life better for families in First Nations communities.

The first step towards implementing the new revenue sharing program will be funding of two million dollars in immediate support to establish a BC First Nations Gaming Distribution Limited Partnership.

Calling the initiative a step on the path towards reconciliation, Finance Minister Carole James noted the opportunities that the shared revenues will offer First Nations communities.

“This is an enormous step forward on the path to reconciliation and truly recognizing the right to self-determination for First Nations,” ... “First Nations know better than anyone what their communities need to thrive. When First Nations can focus on their priorities, it creates new opportunities for communities to flourish both today and for the generations to come.”

The plan to share in the revenues from gaming in BC is the start of the province's ambitions towards implementing the UNDRIP resolution.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, the president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs observed how that resolution is considered the framework for reconciliation in BC by his organization,

“Today’s historic announcement marks a significant achievement in the Government of B.C.’s journey to reconcile its colonial history with the unextinguished Title and Rights of Indigenous peoples,” .. . “First Nations in B.C. continue to experience the ongoing impacts of colonization, including a lack of recognition for our rights and disproportionately poor living conditions. We are hopeful that the joint work we commit to with the Province will improve the lives of our people and for all British Columbians. Jointly-developed, recognition- and rights-based legislative, policy and operational changes are needed to get out of this colonial hangover. B.C.’s commitment to developing a legislative framework for the full implementation of the standards and principles of the UN declaration, and its commitment to share gaming revenue, is a significant step towards the realization of Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and the revitalization of Indigenous governments and a nation-to-nation relationship. We cannot reiterate enough, the UN declaration must be the framework for reconciliation in B.C.”

As part of Thursday's announcement, the BC government highlighted three key elements of the program.

All First Nations will be eligible for a portion of the new gaming revenue fund. A new limited partnership, comprised of a First Nations-appointed board of directors, will oversee the distribution of the funds.

First Nations will determine the best use for the new funding from a share of annual provincial gaming revenues. Funding will focus on priorities in the following framework: health and wellness; infrastructure, safety, transportation and housing; economic and business development; education, language, culture and training; community development and environmental protection; and capacity building, fiscal management and governance. Within that framework, First Nations governments will determine their own priorities for these funds.

Gaming revenue sharing will be provided in addition to existing revenue sharing. Currently, economic benefits agreements between the Province and First Nations are primarily resource based and provide approximately $125 million annually to First Nations whose land and rights are affected.

The province of British Columbia already offers a share of gambling revenues with municipal governments across the province. The most recent distribution provided Prince Rupert with just over ten million dollars in funding.

The BC Government also distributes some of the gambling revenue to community groups across the province.

You can learn more about the new First Nations revenue sharing program here.

Further background material provides a wider overview of how the province and First Nations plan to approach the new initiative,.

Vision, guiding principles, goals and objectives

Polices and Policies

Commitment Document

More items of interest related to the BC Legislature can be found from our archive page here.

A wider overview of the provincial scene can be reviewed from our political blog D'Arcy McGee