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CRIME
Tuesday, August 25, 2015 FEDERAL ELECTION
Liberals bank on job creation and health care Ex-Parksville councillor says lack of opportunity in Alberni is ‘unacceptable’ MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Several cases of poached Roosevelt elk have been discovered south of Port Alberni in recent years. Pictured above is a herd of the species in the upper Pit River area on B.C.’s southwest mainland. [MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT]
Charges announced for elk poaching; man set to be in court on Wednesday ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A West Coast man has been charged with illegal hunting for a reported poaching incident from November 2013, part of a rash of unregulated kills south of Port Alberni that prompted $33,000 worth of rewards. Timothy Wilson Jack faces infractions under the province’s Wildlife Act for hunting out of season and unlawfully possessing dead animals. According to B.C.’s court records Jack has no previous charges besides the alleged poaching that occurred on Nov. 1, 2013. He is scheduled to appear in Port Alberni Law Courts on Wednesday and Sept. 2. The roosevelt elk was found killed south of Port Alberni on Nuu-chah-Nulth territory, part of a wave of poaching that occurred over periods in late 2013 and from December 2014 to last January. A statement released last week by the Nuuchah-nulth Tribal Council said Jack first appeared in court Aug. 5 but asked for more time to consult with a lawyer. After eight Roosevelt elk were found poached south of Port Alberni in late 2013 the NTC, which is a governing body that serves 14 First Nations on western Vancouver Island, offered a $25,000 reward for information
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“It is the preference of the [Ucluelet] government that restorative, culturally sensitive and healing justice be utilized.” Ucluelet First Nations
leading to an arrest. B.C. Coastal Outfitters pledged another $5,000 to find the person responsible for the illegal hunting, and the B.C. Wildlife Federation and Pearson Kal Tire put up another $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. No disbursements have been announced in relation to the poaching charges. The Wildlife Act states that poachers can face up to six months in prison and a $50,000 fine. Jack belongs to the Ucluelet First Nation, and in a statement issued last week the west coast government said that it refers to take its own measure for justice in such cases. “An individual that breaks the law, including a [Ucluelet First Nation] citizen . . . must be held accountable and face justice without favour or special treatment,” stated the treaty First Nation. “Recognizing that aboriginal people are disproportionately
represented in the justice system, the [Ucluelet] government also believes in and supports justice that seeks to rectify this inequity,” continued the Ucluelet First Nation. “In cases involving an aboriginal individual and where appropriate, it is the preference of the [Ucluelet] government that restorative, culturally sensitive and healing justice be utilized to reinstate that individual as a contributing member in their community.” On certain occasions First Nations are permitted to harvest Roosevelt elk on Vancouver Island, while permits are also granted for other hunting. The breed is tightly controlled, with 300 licensed kills permitted annually from approximately 15,000 applications received by the province. According to an roosevelt elk management plan being developed by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, these restrictions could open up in the future if herds continue to become more stable. “Although their global distribution is smaller and more fragmented than pre-1900, the B.C. population is growing, particularly in the South Coast region,” states the ministry’s report. Eric.Plummer@avtimes.net
The number one issue in this federal election for the Alberni Valley is job creation, says Liberal MP candidate Carrie Powell-Davidson. A lack of jobs in the area is hurting the community and families, Powell-Davidson said. “As I’m going around the community door-to-door meeting people, or going to events and meeting people, and even just driving around seeing closed businesses, abandoned houses, knowing that families are being separatated due to work,” Powell-Davidson described. “It’s just unacceptable.” Improving employment opportunities in Port Alberni is the top priority for her constituents, she noted. The Liberal candidate for the new Courtenay-Alberni riding grew up in B.C., has experience operating a small business in the hospitality industry and was elected twice to city council in Parksville. The proposed transshipment container hub at Sarita Bay with the port authority and Huuay-aht First Nations is a major economic opportunity for the Alberni area, Powell-Davidson said, but a number of steps must be taken in the meantime to promote job growth, she noted. “Our economic plan includes diversification,” said Powell-Davidson. “Yes we do have a natural resource sector but we also need to look at...economies that are not harmful to the environment.” Building up the manufacturing industry while encouraging the use of “green technologies” and promoting tourism are all important factors to grow a sustainable job market in Port Alberni, she said. The Alberni Valley needs more doctors, said Powell-Davidson, and it’s a need she’s heard from constituents more often here than elsewhere. If elected she would speak in the House of Commons about the issue, she added. “Port Alberni is having trouble attracting the medical staff that
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Those vying for the new CourtenayAlberni riding lean to decriminalization, or even legalization, of pot use.
» Alberni Region, 3
» Island & B.C., 5
POWELL-DAVIDSON
they need,” Powell-Davidson said. Not only doctors, she noted, but health care technicians and other staff required for operation of clinics and the West Coast General Hospital are needed. “This is a serious issue. It’s one thing to have facilities, but if you don’t have the people to staff this, the residents are suffering. They’re waiting in long wait lines, they’re having to travel long distances, or maybe they’re not getting those treatments that they need.” Post-secondary education is a “top priority” for the Liberals, Powell-Davidson said, and Canada needs to train more doctors for rural communities. On the divisive health care issues over the right to life and death, Powell-Davidson is prochoice. “A woman has the right to do with her body as she chooses,” she said. And doctor-assisted suicide has “already been decided by the courts,” she noted. If someone no longer wants to live, that should be their choice, she added, and having the doctor’s assistance is the safest way to do that. Canada needs a “national mental health strategy” and greater coverage for pharmacy care, said Powell-Davidson. This is the only country in the Group of 7 without a “national dimentia strategy,” which is one health care area she would be advocating for, she said. see LIBERALS, page 3
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ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES VOLUME 66, NUMBER 161
Your Regional
Public & Farmers’ Markets Where fresh food, artisan goods and great company come together!
Did you you know? know? The Tofino Community Food Initiative purchases produce from the Alberni Valley and transports it for sale on the West Coast weekly. Interested producers can contact the TCFI at tofinolocalfood@yahoo.ca for more info.
Classifieds 9 Community 10
Port Alberni Farmers’ Market
Spirit Square Farmers’ Market
Ucluelet Night Market
6211 Cherry Creek Road Saturdays 9am-noon “Consumers, be prepared for food shortages and higher prices. We can help - with local organic grains, honey, fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, baking and crafts every week!”
Harbour Quay, 5440 Argyle St Saturdays 9am-noon “August 29th -Tomato Festival ‘Everything Tomato!’ Recipes, samples and tomatoes of all shapes, sizes and colours. See you at the Quay!”
Village Green, 200 Main St Fridays y 3-7pm p June 26-Sept 18
Tofino Public Market Village Green, Campbell St Saturdays 10am-2pm May 16-Sept 26
Sunset Market 4586 Victoria Quay Wednesdays 6-9pm June 24-Sept 9