These and hundreds of more achievements were released today through the BC Government Caucus’ Website, to coincide with the final sitting of the spring 2012 legislative session.

“Our government is focused on putting families first, creating jobs and listening to British Columbians through open government,” said BC Liberal Caucus Chair and Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordon Hogg. “Over the past few months we have been hard at work in Victoria and across B.C. putting these priorities into action and delivering the services that benefit British Columbians. We’re proud that we’ve enhanced programs for seniors and children, launched skills training initiatives, and instituted family-friendly policies.”

Since the Legislature resumed sitting on February 14, 2012, approximately 30 bills have been passed by the Legislative Assembly, including the Education Improvement Act, the Provincial Sales Tax Act, the Family Day Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act, and the Pharmaceutical Services Act.

“It has been a busy, productive legislative session and we’ve accomplished a great deal – here and throughout the province.  We know that the priorities for British Columbians are their jobs and their families, and we have worked hard to reinforce those priorities during our legislative debates,” said BC Liberal House Leader Rich Coleman and MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove. “MLAs are elected to serve their constituents and I am pleased to say my government is delivering what matters most to the people. Now that the session is over, I look forward to listening to British Columbians across the province, and bringing their important ideas forward to my government colleagues.”

Direct link: http://governmentcaucus.bc.ca/springsession2012/index.html

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Backgrounder

Highlights of the BC Liberal Government’s achievements over the past six months include:

• $22.2 million for the Nurse Practitioners for BC initiative, funding 190 nurse practitioner positions over three years
• The official opening of the Centennial and Dr. Walter Anderson Buildings at Kelowna General Hospital
• Announcement that AirCare will end on December 31, 2014
• Work on Phase 2 of the Cariboo Connector is underway
• Passage of the Education Improvement Act which includes the $195 million Learning Improvement Fund
• A trade mission to Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines during of which 25 business deals and partnerships were signed or announced with a value surpassing half an billion dollars
• Legislation on return to the PST introduced and passed
• $122 million towards seismic upgrading of 14 high-priority schools
• The first provincial partnership with ParticipACTION
• A new RCMP contract
• Raising the minimum wage to $10.25 an hour – a $2.25 increase from just over one year ago
• More funding towards capital projects at BC Parks
• B.C.’s newest statutory holiday, Family Day, passed into law and set for the second Monday of February
• Legislation to allow TransLink to go after fare evaders and to strengthen the organization’s governance model
• A Mines Act permit issued for the Red Chris mine in northern B.C.
• New supportive housing in Surrey
• Funding to help municipalities build additional bicycle lanes
• Launched the BC Jobs Plan’s international education, natural gas, forestry, transportation, and mining and minerals sectors strategies
• Funding to UBC to double the number of their midwife graduates
• Implementation of the B.C. Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit, worth up to $10,000
• Lowering the cost of generic drugs through the Pharmaceutical Services Act
• Measures to address workplace bullying
• Modernizing B.C.’s liquor distribution system
• New hospitals announced in the Comox Valley and in Campbell River
• $2 million in funding towards the 2015 Women’s World Cup
• BizPal added to 10 more communities
• Triple-A credit ratings affirmed
• Enhancements to the DriveABLE program to help seniors
• Moving ahead on a new hospital on Haida Gwaii
• A new recreation centre and hospital for Burns Lake
• The half-way completion of the South Fraser Perimeter Road
• New motorcycle safety laws
• Funding to help municipalities celebrate anniversary milestones
• Launch of the JobFest tour to connect youth to job opportunities in B.C.
• $8 million to improve safety on the Malahat
• The start of construction on the 216 cell expansion to the Surrey Pretrial Centre
• New seniors’ affordable housing developments in Lillooet, Sechelt, Parksville and Nelson
• A new wildfire facility in Valemount to assist firefighting operations in the Robson Valley
• Grants to support new immigrants improve their English skills
• Elimination of the jet fuel tax on international flights
• A new mobile app to help British Columbians locate health services
• New protection for sled dogs
• Increasing the new housing rebate threshold and making recreation homes eligible for a provincial grant
• British Columbia earning accolades for its open government achievements
• Funding for transportation infrastructure in northeastern B.C.
• New judges appointed to courtrooms
• New support line for grandparents raising children
• New Aboriginal training programs
• Increasing the community gaming grant program to $135 million
• Funding to help fruit tree growers
• Construction contracts awarded for the Evergreen Line
• Joint $36 million in funding towards flood mitigation
• Export Development Workshops to help businesses sell their products and services internationally
• Homeowner threshold grant raised to $1.285 million
• Approval of the Nahwitti Windfarm Project on Vancouver Island
• Appointment of the Immigration Task Force

For a more thorough list of accomplishments, please visit http://governmentcaucus.bc.ca/springsession2012/index.html

The schools approved for funding are:

• Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith Elementary
• Dr. George M. Weir Elementary
• Sir Wilfred Grenfell Community School

Why This Matters:

• These schools were selected from the most recent district capital plan and are top-ranked projects based on an updated assessment of seismic safety risk.

Quotes:

“Safety at our schools is paramount, and these three ageing facilities are in need of significant upgrades to make them seismically sound. I’m pleased this work is moving forward, and will improve safety for our students while preserving the heritage of these structures.”
Kash Heed, Vancouver-Fraserview MLA

“Moving forward with our seismic program is critical to the safety and security of our students. The province’s approval of funding for seismic upgrades to Grenfell, Kingsford-Smith and Weir will help us make these schools safe as quickly as possible. We have an unprecedented level of planning and construction underway in Vancouver as we work in partnership with the Ministry of Education to upgrade our seismically at-risk buildings to ensure safe learning and working environments.”
Patti Bacchus, Vancouver Board of Education Chair

Quick Facts:

• This project is part of a revised list of 152 high-priority schools to be addressed under the School Seismic Mitigation Program at an estimated total cost of $1.3 billion.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $188 million to complete 40 capital and seismic projects in the Vancouver School District. Government has also invested more than $6.9 million for additional full day kindergarten space.
• Since 2001, government has spent more than $790 million on school seismic upgrades in 37 B.C. school districts.
• With this next step in the Seismic Mitigation Program there are now 30 supported projects working towards formal project agreements and 137 projects that have been completed, are under      construction or are proceeding to construction.

Learn More:

Ministry of Education, Seismic Mitigation Program: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/capitalplanning/seismic/

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The following schools in School District 39 (Vancouver) will receive a playground reimbursement for their PACs:

• Champlain Heights Elementary ($8,000)
• Dr. Annie B Jamieson Elementary ($50,000)
• École Jules Quesnel Elementary ($10,000)
• John Norquay Elementary  ($13,000)
• Lord Selkirk Elementary ($50,000)
• Renfrew Elementary ($40,500)
• Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary ($23,000)
• Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary                ($32,000)
• Southlands Elementary ($20,000)
• Tecumseh Annex ($30,000)
• Thunderbird Elementary ($27,000)
• Tyee Elementary  ($50,000)
• Walter Moberly Elementary ($28,000)

Quotes:

“Playgrounds are an essential part of a healthy and fun school experience. Today’s funding recognizes PAC volunteers for their hard work and commitment to supporting students. “ – Vancouver-Fraserview MLA Kash Heed

“Children at these Vancouver schools will able to enjoy the thrill of swinging across the monkey bars thanks to the dedication of hard working Parent Advisory Council volunteers. These funds recognize their commitment to the kids.” – Vancouver-Langara MLA Dr. Moira Stilwell

Quick Facts:

• Based on school district input there are 102 public elementary and middle schools that are eligible to receive a reimbursement towards PAC playground contributions. This spans across 31 school districts.
• Each PAC was eligible to receive up to a maximum of $50,000 depending on how much they contributed to the project.
• School districts will be reimbursed directly by the Ministry of Education, and will be responsible for ensuring their PACs are reimbursed appropriately.
• The first round of funding supported 40 new playgrounds for elementary and middle schools that were identified as not having a playground but wanting one, for a total of $2 million.
• The final phase of the playground program will see approximately $3.6 million being distributed for high-priority playground upgrades, repairs and replacements.

Learn More:

• For more information on Education in B.C. visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/bced/
• PACs having concerns about the dollar amounts shown above, or the eligibility of schools not listed, should contact their school district directly. Contact information can be found here: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/apps/imcl/imclWeb/SchoolBoardSelector.do

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A total of 43 ISCs will be live in Vancouver by the end of the year. The 17 sites that went live today are in addition to the two sites that went live during the first phase in January. A total of 19 ISCs are now live at the following intersections:

Quotes

“A small minority of drivers make our roads dangerous to travel on; the installation of more intersection safety cameras will punish reckless driving, improving safety and saving lives.” Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Colin Hansen

“As a high percentage of crashes happen at major intersections, the expansion of the Intersection Safety Camera program will help save lives, and reduce injuries and accidents.” Vancouver- False Creek MLA Mary McNeil

“Pedestrians and drivers are safer because of the new cameras announced today. The cameras will make intersections safer by holding dangerous drivers accountable.” Vancouver-Point Grey MLA Christy Clark

“A significant portion of police-attended crashes happen at intersections. The additional cameras announced today will improve safety on Vancouver roads and save lives.” Vancouver-Fairview MLA Margaret MacDiarmid

“Traffic-related fatalities are unnecessary and senseless deaths. The cameras announced today will increase safety at Vancouver intersections, save innocent lives and hold dangerous drivers accountable.” Vancouver-Fraserview MLA Kash Heed

“The expansion of the Intersection Safety Camera program will improve public safety and prevent senseless deaths on Vancouver roads.” Vancouver-Langara MLA Dr. Moira Stilwell

“This is priority for us – all too often we see the tragic consequences of intersection crashes. The expansion of this program will be a major deterrent for red-light runners and will help to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes.” Inspector Ted Schinbein, Vancouver Police

“We’re committed to making our roads safer. Every day on average, about 250 crashes occur at intersections in B.C., so we all need to use extra caution when approaching intersections. Set an example by making smart driving decisions – it can have a significant influence on others.” Fiona Temple, ICBC’s director of road safety

Camera Locations

• Burrard at Davie St.
• Granville St. at W 49 Ave.
• Granville St. at W King Edward Ave.
• Kingsway at Nanaimo St.
• Grandview Hwy at Rupert. St.
• Oak St. at W 70 Ave.
• E Hastings St. at Main St.
• SE Marine Dr. at Fraser St.
• SE Marine Dr. at Argyle St.
• Terminal Ave. at Main St.
• W Georgia St. at Denman St.
• Granville St. at W 41 Ave.
• Oak St at W 33 Ave.
• Granville St. at SW Marine Dr.
• E 1 Ave. at Commercial Dr.
• Victoria Dr. at E 41 Ave.
• Oak St. at W 49 Ave.
• Knight St. at E 49 Ave.
• E Hastings St. at Renfrew St.

Additional information

• The upgraded program will see digital cameras placed at 140 of B.C.’s highest-risk intersections.
• The goal of the ISC program is to prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities, not to generate ticket- revenues.
• Sites were selected based on where cameras will be the most effective in reducing serious crashes, severe injuries and fatalities.
• Signs are prominently posted at the intersections to advise drivers that ISC cameras are in place.
• All traffic fine revenue will continue to be distributed among B.C. municipalities to help them enhance their policing and community-based public programs, regardless of the number of cameras within their community or how many tickets they issue.
• With the second phase of cameras going live, half of the cameras under the upgraded ISC program are now operational. By the end of the year, all 140 ISCs will be live.
• Visit www.icbc.com for more information about the Intersection Safety Camera program and to see a map of the 140 locations.