The Interior News
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Smithers/Interior News
A “more realistic” design for a sportsplex beside Smithers Secondary School will be released to the public in March according to Bulkley Valley School District 54 superintendent Chris van der Mark. “The architect in the first rendition put everything that we were interested in... and when you start to do the math on that you go ‘well that’s great,’ but we certainly can’t pull that type of a project off. You start looking at a $9-10 million project if you go down that route,” said van der Mark, describing the first draft as a starting point.
The primary focus is still to have a year-round facility with turf for soccer and rugby, and a walking track, multi-purpose classroom space, and an option to add basketball and volleyball courts in the future. Two versions, one with two levels and another with one, will be drawn up by Vancouver’s KMBR Architects Planners Inc. according to van der Mark. It was also revealed at last Tuesday’s school board meeting that enrolment is down again this year. Funding for this school year will not be greatly affected because of the province’s enrolment protection, but next year’s budget will take a hit if the 15-year trend continues.
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There are 118 fewer students in Bulkley Valley schools than in December 2013. That number represents $1.1 million in funding according to board vice chair Frank Farrell. He said schools in Houston and Smithers have seen a drop in enrolment from declining birth rates, but that the school district is finding ways to ensure programming is not negatively affected. “We have a mechanics course in Houston for example, and we’re busing people from Smithers to go into that course... I think more of that might occur in the future in terms of some course at one school that other students in other schools can come and take part of,” said Farrell.
The Mental Health Family Resource Centre has Moved! Find us now on 3876 Broadway Avenue as part of the Broadway Wellness Centre. Office Hours: Wed. - Fri. from 9am t- 5 pm. We provide a reason to hope & the means to cope to family members of people living with mental illness.
Call: Clara Donnelly - Regional Coordinator ( 250 ) 847-9779 OR email: bcssbv@telus.com
Aboriginal training funds announced at PG Natural Resources forum By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
The federal and provincial governments made a joint announcement Thursday on funding for Aboriginal skills training at the B.C. Natural Resources Forum last week in Prince George. Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Greg Rickford made the announcement on behalf of Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Bernard Valcourt. Over three years, $3.5 million was designated for the New Relationship Trust for the Aboriginal Labour Market Community Navigators initiative. The project is meant for training institutions to help Aboriginals obtain skills needed for jobs such as those in the liquefied natural gas sector according to the federal government. The province is a partner in the initiative, helping with its initial design and supporting its implementation. “B.C. is taking a comprehensive approach to partnerships with First Nations on liquefied natural gas opportunities, including the development of skills training and environmental stewardship projects. Through Navigators and other programs, we are pleased to work with the Government of Canada in achieving this goal. “Access to well-paying jobs, economic growth and collaboration on the development of a long-term environmental legacy are all part of the opportunity for First Nations,” said B.C. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad in a release. Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson
was at the forum Wednesday. He said the provincial government was hurting opportunities in other sectors like forestry and agriculture by diverting resources and putting all its eggs in the LNG basket. “Agriculture was not on the agenda anywhere at the Natural Resource Forum, and I think that’s a major oversight, especially for the North because the potential’s there,” said Donaldson. “Anyone who knows anything about agriculture knows it depends on the natural resource of clean soil, good water and good air, so I think it should be on there.” Another take away from the forum for Donaldson was on Aboriginal title and relations with First Nations. “The premier and the minister maintain that they’ve made great strides in (aboriginal title and relations with First Nations in the province), and that the Tsilhqot’in decision was a new opportunity — that’s what she said, an opportunity in the Supreme Court of Canada decision last summer. “Well, the same day that she made that statement, the news was released that the government had extended the license for the New Prosperity mine, which is in Tsilhqot’in territory and which the Tsilhqot’in national government responded that was disrespectful and in their opinion unlawful; so you can’t have it both ways. You can’t say you’re doing something great and then treat people with that kind of disrespect,” said Donaldson, adding that also applied to the hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en, whom he said were the steward the province has to deal with in LNG development.
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Sportsplex scaled down
By Chris Gareau
www.interior-news.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Erin Hughes
Jeff Jakel
LAW
CAR CRASH CONCUSSION & ITS CONSEQUENCES
D
id you know that car accidents, not sports injuries, are the most common source of concussions? A recent decision of the Supreme Court of BC dealt with a case with life-long effects.
“Helen” (not her real name), 17, was a passenger in a truck that drove off the road and hit a tree. Although she was wearing her seatbelt, her forehead struck the windshield, starring the windshield. She suffered a mild concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), as well as neck, back and soft tissue injuries. The case was prudently brought to trial seven years after the accident, when Helen was still suffering from after-effects. This allowed the court to evaluate the longer term consequences that can follow from such brain injuries. Before the mishap, Helen was a delight to her family and friends. She had a fun-loving outgoing personality, did well in school and put most of her energy into her first love, sports. The supervisor at her first part-time job described her as “fun loving, chatty, crazy, a joy to have around.” She wanted to be a police officer and likely could have become one or succeeded at an alternative career. But after the accident, a different picture emerged. While she worked hard to regain her former self, Helen was no longer organized, punctual or reliable. On college and university team projects, she was disorganized and always late, and her written communications were poor. Unlike before, she needed study aids like cue cards and frequent note reviews. She could only handle a reduced course load and took longer to earn her college diploma and university degree. She lost her first job after university because of performance difficulties. Her emotional and social profile also changed. She was seriously depressed for months after the accident. Long term, her personality became volatile. Her temperament could change quickly and she could become mean. She would sometimes say hurtful things, without realizing it. She became moody and a sometimes difficult person to be around. Helen’s career prospects, as well as her ability to enjoy life and carry out ordinary tasks without assistance, were much reduced. In short, her life changed permanently for the worse. The court pointed out that “mild” concussion or MTBI refers to the physical damage to the brain not the potential consequences, which in exceptional cases can be long-lasting and severe. There is no single objective test to establish MTBI, which may exist even if, as here, it wasn’t detected by an MRI scan. The court assessed Helen’s lost career opportunities and reduced earning capacity at $1 million. It also awarded her compensation for the future care costs and other losses. This case shows it’s important to have a thoroughly prepared and well-presented case in order to bring out the sometimes subtle consequences of a concussion – before-and-after differences in cognitive abilities plus changes in social skills, behaviour, mood and personality – all brought about by a “mild” concussion. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you. Written by Janice and George Mucalov, LL.B.s with contribution by GILLESPIE & COMPANY LLP. This column provides information only and must not be relied on for legal advice. Please contact GILLESPIE & COMPANY LLP at 250-374-4463 or info@kamloopslawyers.com for legal advice concerning your particular case. Lawyer Janice Mucalov is an award-winning legal writer. “You and the Law” is a registered trade-mark. © Janice and George Mucalov
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