Tax return Businesses prepare for provincial sales tax to take effect April 1. PAGE 5 Good Samaritan Nanaimo man credited with preventing further injury. PAGE 13 On the water Sailors gear up for approaching boating season. PAGE 3
Hockey on hiatus PAGE 26
OPTOMETRIST
(Ind dependent d Doctor off Optomet O ry))
BOOK YOUR APPOIN APPO INTM TMEN ENTT TODAY!
I S ION S ONE HOUR OPTICAL
250-390-2444 www.visionsoptical.com
www.nanaimobulletin.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013
VOL. 24, NO. 139
NANAIMO
Project spending at top of budget I INFRASTRUCTURE KEY target from federal government. BY TOBY GORMAN THE NEWS BULLETIN
Charged performance Erin Murphy, 9, left, gets a bad case of the frizzies with a little help from science facilitator Ella Simon and her Van der Graaf static electricity generator. Hair styling was just one of the exciting activities for kids when Science World B.C. performed science experiment shows for spring break at Nanaimo North Town Centre. Performances are happening today 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the mall.
Divers recover body from Gabriola terminal BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Gabriola RCMP confirmed Thursday afternoon they recovered the body of a woman from the vehicle that drove through a B.C. Ferry terminal and off the deck of the ferry M.V. Quinsam Wednesday morning. The incident shut down ferry service between Gabriola and Nanaimo for most of Wednes-
day as coast guard, RCMP and search and rescue units combed the waters and shoreline looking for the car and any occupants. The car, which was driven through a safety barrier at high speed, launched off the Descanso Bay ferry terminal loading ramp and continued across the M.V. Quinsam’s deck before crashing and sinking, was discovered at a depth of about 37
metres about 60 metres off the stern of the Quinsam Wednesday afternoon. B.C. Ferries resumed sailings between Nanaimo and Gabriola at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, but said in a press release sailings could be interrupted Thursday due to dive and recovery operations in Descanso Bay. RCMP divers were back on scene at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. ◆ See ‘FEMALE’ /2
1,000
$
UP TO
≠
NO CHARGE
CHROME PACKAGE
AND
$
7,000
X
IN CREDITS
PLUS CHOOSE
%
72
UP TO
MONTHS†
FINANCING EFFECTIVE RATE: 2.16%
Only until April 1st, 2013
INTRODUCING
OR
UP TO
LIMITED TIME
2,000
$
BONUS CASH ON CASH PURCHASES
ON SELECT MODELS
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Canadian municipalities can expect long-term consistency from the federal government when it comes to infrastructure spending and planning. Infrastructure was one of the key targets in the federal budget, which was announced Thursday by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. Over the past year, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities lobbied the government for more consistency in infrastructure spending and for the most part received it. Instead of 20 years asked for by the federation, $14 billion will be allocated over 10 years through the Building Canada Fund, allowing cities to address key infrastructure needs. “I think that provides adequate time for cities to plan for in addressing infrastructure requirements,” said NanaimoAlberni Conservative MP James Lunney. “Communities like Parksville, Port Alberni and Nanaimo benefit significantly from these programs.” In Nanaimo, city council is considering adding a one per cent property tax rate increase over five years to address a projected $19-million deficit in infrastructure spending.
In total, about $70 billion will be spent across the country on infrastructure over the next decade. The Community Improvement Fund will set aside $21.8 billion from gas tax fund payments beginning next year, municipalities will receive another $10.4 billion over 10 years under incremental GST rebates, First Nations will receive $7 billion for infrastructure needs on reserves, and federal properties will receive $10 billion for upkeep. National Parks will receive $19 million for road and bridge repair. Jean Crowder, NDP MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan, said while infrastructure investment is welcome, the numbers the Conservatives have provided won’t keep up with inflation or the amount of projects required. “Any money will help, but the way it’s being allocated means it won’t keep pace with what has been invested in the past,” said Crowder. “So there will actually be funding available for fewer projects. There is very little new money here, if any. It has all just been rebranded.” Cities will, however, have more flexibility in projects for which they apply for funding. Investments considered infrastructure under the gas tax fund now include highways, local and regional airports, shortline rail, short-sea shipping, disaster mitigation, brownfield redevelopment, culture, tourism, sport and recreation. ◆ See ‘DEFICIT’ /4
DLR# # 30 09 0 0960
2590 Bowen Rd Nanaimo W W W. L AI RD W H E AT O N . C O M