HIT AND RUN | RCMP seek information after pedestrian struck in intersection Thursday evening [A4]
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Sunday, March 24, 2013
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4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
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Facility vote ‘ready to roll’
Competition SoarS
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Patrick Marsh of Vernon gets maximum air in the slope style competition at the B.C. Freestyle Ski Championships Friday morning at Silver Star Mountain Resort.
Budget to boost job force RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
There’s a hope that Ottawa’s financial plan will put Canadians to work. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty revealed his new federal budget Thursday and it includes a focus on skills training to bolster the workforce and economy. Colin Mayes “There are challenges with skills training. It wasn’t seamless and there was a lack of money for people needing those skills,” said Colin Mayes, Okanagan-Shuswap MP. “Businesses have work but they are unable to find skilled people.”
The budget calls for a maximum $5,000 in federal funding per person for training That money will be matched by the provinces and employers. There is also $241 million over five years for First Nations Canadians to pursue skills training. Mayes defends funding for training when there are concerns about First Nations communities not having basic infrastructure. “We have been addressing those things. We have built 30 schools and addressed water issues,” he said. “We have spent billions on reserve and off-reserve housing. We are looking to the future and we must make First Nations communities viable. We must engage aboriginal youth in the economy.” The $5,000 in federal money for an individual wanting to pursue skills train-
ing must be matched by the province and employer. Nick Hodge, Okanagan-Shuswap NDP president, isn’t sure if that will be possible. “It’s difficult to get three parties organized,” he said, adding that employers and provinces may not have the money to participate in the new program. “Personally, I am pleased that the jobs strategy is so successful. I have three of them.” The Liberals are also not impressed with the budget. “There’s some shifts of training from the federal government to the provinces,” said Janna Francis, riding association spokesperson. “It’s a business as usual budget. There is nothing concrete and no details. The devil will be in the details.”
has for the 13th consecutive year been voted…
After years of planning, the future of a proposed recreational amenity is in the hands of voters. The first advance poll for the community sports field and athletics facility borrowing referendum is Wednesday. “We’re ready to roll,” said Jeanne Byron, chief election officer. Residents will be asked if they authorize the borrowing of up to $7.5 million over 50 years to construct a sports complex at Okanagan College. Wednesday’s advance poll will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Schubert Centre, the Coldstream municipal office and the Regional District of North Okanagan office. There will also be an advance poll at those same locations April 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. General referendum day is April 6 and the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Priest Valley Gym, Coldstream Elementary, BX Elementary and Ellison Elementary. Residents can vote at any of the locations. To cast a ballot, resident electors will be required to produce two pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) that prove residency and identity. Non-resident property electors must produce two pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). They must prove they are entitled to register in relation to the property and, if applicable, provide written consent from the majority of the property owners. There is no corporate vote under provincial legislation. To vote, you must be 18 years or older, a Canadian citizen, a B.C. resident for at least six months and a resident of Greater Vernon for at least 30 days. Information on the referendum can be obtained at www.rdno.ca. Prior to Wednesday’s advance poll and general referendum day, polling clerks have undergone extensive training. “Our teams are in place and ready to go,” said Byron. The steering committee promoting the referendum will hold a public information session at Okanagan College Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
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