job fair set for thursday PAGE A8
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
css engineering students’ project PAGE A9
VOL. 100 NO. 61
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local ringette players go nat’l PAGE A14
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BCSPCA
98 head of cattle removed from local ranch
The BC SPCA, with assistance from the BC Cattlemen’s Association, removed 80 cows and 18 calves from a property near Quesnel March 24. Representatives from the two organizations had previously carried out several site visits to discuss welfare concerns for the cattle and had provided a course of remedial action for the producer to follow to relieve the animals’ distress. “Unfortunately the appropriate steps were not taken and, after an assessment was carried out on March 24 by a livestock veterinarian, a decision was made to take the cattle into BC SPCA custody for their protection and welfare,” said BC SPCA manager of cruelty investigations Shawn Eccles. The BC SPCA obtained a warrant and the animals were removed with the assistance of the BC Cattlemen’s Association and a team that included a representative from the Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association, a branch inspector, a livestock veterinarian and RCMP Livestock Officer Corporal Ralph Overby. “We are grateful to the BC Cattlemen’s Association and all those who worked in collaboration with us to ensure the welfare and safety of these animals,” said Eccles. “It is encouraging to see agencies come together when animals in distress need our help.” “BCCA is committed to ensuring that animal care is a primary focus of our producers and the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle is the industry standard for animal care”, said Kevin Boon, General Manager of BCCA. “This is a very uncommon occurrence in the cattle industry. We appreciate the cooperation and assistance of the other agencies involved and their work with the producer to help resolve this situation.” The cattle industry is embracing positive animal welfare in the renewed Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle, www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice.
Cariboo North MLA and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes, left was joined on the Business Walk by Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business, Naomi Yamamoto Friday. The two ministers, along with business leaders and local government reps, began their trek through the community at City Hall. Annie Gallant photo
Business Walks exceed expectations Successes, barriers and solutions discussed
In a combined effort on Wednesday, March 26, volunteer teams made up of members from Quesnel Community Economic Development Corporation (QCEDC), Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce, Quesnel Downtown Association, along with Mayor Mary Sjostrom and members of council conducted the first Business Walks program of its kind in Quesnel. A second contingent went out on March 28, including Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business, Naomi Yamamoto and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Coralee Oakes, MLA
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for Cariboo North. More than 90 businesses from the Downtown, South and West Quesnel and Two Mile Flat areas participated in the Business Walks program and the response was very positive. The conversations with business owners have already provided QCEDC with some common themes. Location is one of the main reasons owners like doing business in the area and a need for succession planning and availability of qualified staff are things that could be done to help businesses thrive. “Now that we’ve met with the business owners, our next step is to follow up,”
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Amy Reid, Economic Development Officer for QCEDC said. “We have some great resources for business available in our community and we need to make sure that business owners are aware these opportunities.” The Province of B.C. is pleased with the response from the community and will use the experience in Quesnel to implement similar programs in other rural communities. The information gathered from the Business Walks will now be compiled into a comprehensive report to be used by many community organizations. QCEDC,
the Chamber of Commerce and Community Futures can use the information as a tool to identify and tailor needed programs and services, while civic leaders can use the connection developed from the face-to-face interaction to identify and remove barriers for doing business in the area. QCEDC would like to thank all of the community leaders and businesses that participated in the Business Walks program. This program and programs like these would not be successful if without the support of the community. For photos see PAGE A3
2013 Quesnel Volunteer Citizen of the Year
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