Inside
u RCMP report P. 2 u Line in the sand P. 3 & 5
u Ski hill strategy P. 12 u Town hall talk P. 12
Publications Mail Contract #: 40007759
WEDNESDAY, November 13, 2013
NEWS BRIEFS Grant Lawrence coming Grant Lawrence of CBC fame is coming to Fort. St. James Public Library on Friday November 15, 2013 at 7 p.m.. His new hockey book, entitled The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie is part personal memoir and part hockey history. The Lonely End of the Rink not only tells the often hilarious story of Grant’s experiences; it also examines Canada’s relationship with the sport. Grant Lawrence, who is one of Canada’s great veteran musicians, also plays hockey in Vancouver’s beer-league. Full of hockey lore, tales of Canadian music and musicians, and Grant Lawrence’s signature side-splitting anecdotes, The Lonely End of the Rink is a quintessential Canadian story that delves into the heart of our cultural identity. Come out this Friday evening to hear Grant tell his tale.
PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com
Fort group plans rally
VOL. 36 NO. 37 $1.30 inc. GST
Instagraphics #forstjames
Ruth Lloyd Caledonia Courier The Fort St. James Sustainability Group is planning a rally in Fort as part of a national day of action. The Defend Our Climate, Defend Our Communities national day of action, initiated by the group Defend Our Coast, is planning rallies across B.C. to oppose the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. The rally in Fort St. James is planned for Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. in Spirit Square. The Fort St. James Sustainability Group said they are hoping to bring together a diverse group from the community, including rural residents, First Nations and those living in town. “We call on Christy Clark to stand strong for B.C.,” said Brenda Gouglas of the Sustainability Group in a release. “The Province’s submission to the Joint Review Panel for Northern Gateway acknowledged that, ‘For most open ocean spills, no oil from a spill is recovered, the oil remains in the environment,’ and a recent report released by the province outlined B.C.’s inadequate spill response capability. Given these realities, Christy Clark must uphold her rejection of this project.” The group is hoping to draw attention to the issue and rally opponents to the pipeline prior to the Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel decision release expected in December.
This beautiful shot on Stuart River of a fisherman on the shores of Stuart River during the first snowfall of the season was the best of the week tagged #fortstjames on Instagram. There were no costume shots, but this image was an easy win anyhow, as it evokes the beauty of the first snowfall for those hearty enough to go out in it already. Keep on tagging #fortstjames, because we love what we see. @normaddd photo
$66 million spent to ‘talk’ about aboriginal kids Tom Fletcher Black Press
and producing materials of questionable practical value following such meetings that almost never adThe B.C. government has spent 10 dressed the actual difficulties chilyears and $66 million on meetings and dren and youth were experiencing consultants to discuss aboriginal “govin their lives – issues such as parenernance” of children in protective care, tal addiction, domestic violence, while actual services such as domespoverty, neglect and the need for tic violence safe houses remain inadmental health services or special equate to meet the need. needs support.” That conclusion emerges from a Stephanie Cadieux, B.C.’s Minnew report from B.C.’s Representative ister of Children and Family Defor Children and Youth, Mary Ellen velopment, said Wednesday she acTurpel-Lafond, who calls it a “concepts the findings of the report, and fused, unstable and bizarre area of agrees that the ministry “strayed public policy” where millions continfrom its mandate to provide direct ue to be spent without accountability. services.” “For example,” Turpel-Lafond Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C. RepA new deputy minister appointwrote, “nearly $35 million was spent resentative for Children and Youth. ed two years ago has worked to refile photo discussing regional aboriginal authoridirect ministry spending to services ties, including large expenditures on paying people to for those in need, Cadieux said. She acknowledged meet, hiring consultants to facilitate those meetings, that another $8 million is being spent this fiscal year on
impractical “nation to nation” talks before consulting contracts expire. NDP children and families critic Carole James said she supports the concept of delegating child welfare to aboriginal communities where it’s practical to do so. But she said it’s “appalling” that millions are spent on high-level meetings while there is an eight-month waiting list for youth mental health services. The B.C. Liberal government has a track record of this, going back to former premier Gordon Campbell, who recruited a South African expert as deputy minister to impose a new aboriginal child care system, she said. “They put out a big idea or a slogan, say they’re going to move it, and then have no plan to implement it properly, with resources, with clear outcomes,” James said. “The tragedy with this one is it’s aboriginal children who are suffering.” Cadieux said it isn’t fair to conclude all the money was wasted. The ministry has better relationships with aboriginal communities, and still provides direct services across the province, she said.