TUESDAY APRIL 8, 2014
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Conflicting messages
MP says there’s a tentative deal; no-confidence motion coming tonight JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney said last week he has learned through “high-level discussions” there is a tentative agreement between Southern Rail and VIA Rail for the re-start of passenger rail service on Vancouver Island. While VIA Rail officials say negotiations continue and there is no agreement of any kind to announce, Lunney said he was disappointed VIA didn’t participate in the Island Corridor Foundation’s news conference Wednesday that proclaimed a “tentative agreement” had been reached between VIA and Southern. “It is disappointing that VIA didn’t stand with the ICF at this time,” said Lunney. “I have assurance from both ends that there is a tentative agreement. The agreement is there.” Lunney would not speculate on when any official announcement would come, but he said “there are no excuses for delaying anymore.” A VIA official reached in Montreal on Thursday said the ICF asked for VIA’s permission to use the rail company’s logo at the news conference Wednesday at Nanaimo’s train station. “That was out of the question,” said Jacques Gagnon, VIA’s senior manager of media and community relations. “(We told the ICF) no, we’re not doing that.” “You announce when there is a signed deal,” said Gagnon. “We’re not going to play this out in the public domain. I don’t know when (there will be an announcement), and I won’t speculate.” Gagnon said discussions between VIA and Southern continue and “they (Southern) have to get back to us on some conditions.” See ICF, page A9
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Approximately 100 people rallied Saturday afternoon despite the rainy weather to show support for keeping Qualicum Beach Elementary School open and turning it into a community school.
RALLY OVER POSSIBLE SCHOOL CLOSURES IN QUALICUM BEACH
Taking it to the streets LISSA ALEXANDER
reporter@pqbnews.com
About 100 adults, seniors and children took to the rainy streets Saturday afternoon to show their support for keeping Qualicum Beach Elementary School open. The rally and walk around downtown Qualicum Beach was organized by newly-formed Qualicum Beach Community School Steering Commit-
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tee. “The goal is to show support for the school and help educate people on community schools and what that might look like here,” said committee co-chair Anne Skipsey at the rally. Skipsy told The NEWS earlier that the funding challenges faced by the current Board of Education has presented residents with an opportunity to build a healthier, more inclusive and cohesive school and community.
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Skipsy said the steering committee has asked trustees to consider the community school idea at Qualicum Elementary and to give them one year to show them what they can do. In that vein, the committee is currently working on a business plan to present to the Board of Education, she said. Following the 1.8 km walk, refreshments, activities and entertainment was set to take place.
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