FIRST HOME GAME PACKED WITH FANS A23 SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
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Local government want slice of revenue pie
Two Sections, 48 pages
100milefreepress.net
INTENSE DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Carole Rooney Free Press
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A new method to lobby the provincial government for stable infrastructure funding for regional districts and municipalities has arisen in a financial reform policy document. It suggests the provincial government share some of the bounty if, and when, its revenues rocket from the new resource industries expected to burgeon in upcoming years. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) member endorsed the July 2013 report, prepared by its Select Committee on Local Government Finance, which provides a policy framework for reforming the local government finance system in B.C. Cariboo Regional District chair Al Richmond co-chaired the committee with Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore. Richmond notes that while the current property-tax structure is “fairly strong” and sound, it lacks the ability to fund future local infrastructure needs over the next two decades. “We are concerned about our ability to fund that, so it is an invitation to the province to sit down with us and endeavour to find a number of solutions to ... assist local government in finding new sources of revenue, and sharing revenue.” The UBCM members also wants to ensure B.C. Liberal government recognizes many of the standards that are being downloaded from senior levels of government to local governments, he explains, such as water and sewer standards. Richmond adds some lower level leaders – including him – believe they are “fixing things that aren’t broken.” They want to be sure the cost of doing infrastructure upgrades doesn’t “strip away” Continued on A4
Gaven Crites photo
Luca Weir, left, made a defensive play against Riley Campbell during a 100 Mile House & District Soccer Association (OHMSA) U8 game at the Soccer Park in 100 Mile House on Sept. 21. Goalie Ethan Mori prepared to make the save. The local minor soccer association season wraps up Sept. 28.
Mill workers ratify contract Ainsworth OSB employees solidify new four-year deal
Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada Local No. 9 (PPWC9) members at the Ainsworth OSB plant in 100 Mile House voted in favour of a new collective agreement on Sept. 8-9. PPPWC9 president Chuck LeBlanc says the new four-year contract was ratified by 68 per cent of votes. “We’ve been negotiating since June [when the previous agreement expired], so it has taken us a few months, but we had a bit of a break through August because of holidays.” He adds the union didn’t have the “same types of problems” as it did in its previous contract bargaining. “I think it was a drastic departure from four years ago in dealing with
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the first year in lieu of a wage increase, which LeBlanc adds is a single cash outlay that doesn’t add to wages. After that, he says pay rates will increase by two per cent next year, two per cent the following year, and then two-anda-half per cent in 2016. - Chuck LeBlanc However, LeBlanc explains there was an additional consideration for CHUCK LEBLANC the electricians, millwrights, mechanics and others working in the trades. the company. It was a more respectful, “The tradesmen out there got a dolopen dialogue-type negotiation, which, lar an hour raise on top of that over the in my view, is extremely important.” four years.” The new collective agreement applies Apart from some minor language only to Ainsworth PPWC9 members changes that were made, he says in 100 Mile House and is in effect the only other noteworthy revision from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2017, he revolves around benefits. notes. Continued on A3 It includes a lump-sum payment for
I think it was a drastic departure from four years ago in dealing with the company