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Y O U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R • F O U N D E D I N 1 8 9 1 • W W W. T H E P R O G R E S S . C O M • W E D N E S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 2 5 , 2 0 1 5
Low snowpack is less than half normal in southwest B.C. Chilliwack River at near record low Jeff Nagel Black Press Snow levels in the mountains of southwestern B.C. are exceptionally low. And while that’s halted skiing at some hills, it may also mean trouble in the months ahead for local water users and migrating salmon. The B.C. River Forecast Centre’s latest snow survey shows the Lower Fraser watershed has a snowpack of just 45 per cent of the long-term average and Vancouver Island is even lower at just 15 per cent of normal. “These are very low for this time of year,” said River Forecast Centre hydrologist Tobi Gardner. He said the warm winter in the Lower Mainland and some very wet winter storms, followed by a mostly dry and mild February, have conspired to melt much of the lower and mid-elevation snow. Some specific sampling locations are in record low territory. Jump Creek, between Nanaimo and Port Alberni on the spine of Vancouver Island, measured no snow at all in the latest snow survey – the first zero reading at this time of year since 1966. Within the Lower Fraser, Spuzzum Creek at 20 per cent, Wahleach Lake at 26 per cent and the Chilliwack River at 44 per cent are all at or near record low readings. Metro Vancouver officials say it’s too soon to predict if a lack of snow will force unusual watering restrictions come June as a conservation measure. Reservoirs that supply the Metro drinking water system are typically fed not just by melting snow but also significant amounts of rain. Gardner said there’s potential for low river flow conditions in Continued: SNOW/ p6
Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson (right) visited the University of the Fraser Valley last Friday to announce new funding for trades program equipment. SUBMITTED PHOTO
UFV benefits from new trades training equipment Students enrolling in trades training at the University of the Fraser Valley will benefit from a funding boost announced last Friday. The school is receiving $325,274 from the province, which they’ll use to purchase new trades training equipment for several in-demand programs. New trades training equipment includes a steam cleaner, HVAC recover y program, and drill press for heavy duty mechanic trades students; a saw for carpentr y students; a power threading machine for plumbing students; and newtechnology welding machines for welding students. Government based funding
for new equipment came from consultations with educational institutions and the Industr y Training Authority, as well as the most-recent labour-market data. Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson visited UFV’s Chilliwack campus on Friday, meeting with faculty and students of programs to receive the upgrades. “Our investment means that University of the Fraser Valley trades students will continue to get hands-on experience to develop skills needed by employers,” he said. “A skilled workforce is critical to our economy.” It’s the second boost received recently by the growing trades Fridges
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school. Last July, funding was added to allow for 194 seats in trades programs. The added seats have reduced wait periods significantly. UFV president Mark Evered said the new equipment will help keep students up to date in their future professions. “This funding builds on the University of the Fraser Valley’s capacity to produce top professionals for a variety of trades,” he said. “We’re proud to help shape the future, both regionally and beyond.” The trades training equipment funding for 2014-15 is part of a B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint commitment of $185 million over three years for trades training
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infrastructure and equipment at public post-secondar y institutions. And the funding is timely, as there are expected to be one million job openings in B.C. by 2022. More than 78 per cent of jobs will require some form of post-secondar y education, and 44 per cent of jobs will be in skilled trades and technical occupations. “We want British Columbians to be first in line for the million job openings expected in the coming years,” said Chilliwack MLA John Martin. “New trades equipment for the University of the Fraser Valley will give more students the chance to get the skills they need to succeed.”
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