InteriorNEWS THE
108th Year - Week 38
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Wednesday, September 23, 2015
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www.interior-news.com
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About 125 participants takes part in the Terry Fox Run last Sunday, with about 25 volunteers assisting. The Run raised about $3,300, according to figures provided by the organizer. Xuyun Zeng
Candidates stake positions on New reconciliation plan budgets, Northern Gateway By Alicia Bridges
Smithers/Interior News
By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
With one week to go until the All Candidates Forum at Della Herman Theatre in Smithers, potential Skeena-Bulkley Valley MPs have staked out more positions that would affect the local and national economies. Last week, before the second leaders’ debate Thursday, it was announced that the Conservative government showed a surplus for last year — one year earlier than promised. The NDP have promised a balanced budget if elected, and came out last week with a costing
framework for their promises. Not to be left out, the Liberals reiterated their position against the Enbridge Northern Gateway oil pipeline that would run south of the Bulkley Valley to Kitimat. They also announced that they support formalizing a moratorium on oil tanker traffic along B.C.’s north coast. Liberal candidate Brad Layton said his party is committed to working closer with the province and First Nations on natural resource projects. “We’ll develop plans that will not only make use of our marine resources, but give coastal communities much more say in the management of the resources,” said Layton. See BUDGET on A2
First Nations leaders and the provincial government will agree to a set of common goals for reconciliation, including defining what it means to recognize aboriginal title, if a draft plan unveiled last week is adopted. The Proposed Commitment Document was prepared collaboratively by the Province and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) through meetings which started in June. The draft plan is an updated version of a “vision statement” called the New
MATERNITY WARD TO BE REBORN Charities help pay for major upgrades at Bulkley Valley District Hospital.
FROM SYRIA TO SMITHERS Local group applies to bring family of Syrian refugees to Smithers.
WRINCH HOSPITAL CHANGES HANDS Northern Health confirms it will take over from church health service.
COMMUNITY/A13
OUR TOWN/A19
THREE RIVERS/A29
Friday Only!
Honey Nut Cheerios see last page in A
Relationship, which was created in 2005 and signed by then B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell. That plan included an agreement to recognize aboriginal title in the context of landmark decisions made by the Supreme Court of Canada. If adopted, the new vision statement would build on that agreement with a commitment to recognize aboriginal title in light of last year’s Tsilhqot’in decision. “Ten years later, we find ourselves with new circumstances and new opportunities informing this relationship,” reads the draft agreement. See POLICIES on A3
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