High demands in labour market

General Principles

1. Prior approval is required.

2. The client must: a. Be eligible for the NIHB Program; and b. Be currently enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a provincial or territorial health insurance plan and continue to meet residency requirements for provincial/territorial health coverage.

3. For Transportation to Medical Services: For transportation to medical services outside of the country the client must be referred for provincially/territorially insured medical services by a provincial or territorial health care plan for treatment Shaganappi Plaza: wage change for Building Maintenance and Superintendent Windspeaker.com http://www.windspeaker.com/news/sweetgrass-news/building-maintenanceand-superintendent/ ammsa.com http://www.ammsa.com/content/careers/shaganappi-plaza-ltd-calgary outside of Canada.

4. For Supplemental Health Insurance Premiums: Full-time students enrolled in a post-secondary institution to study outside of Canada must provide a letter of confi rmation that tuition, which is not an eligible benefi t under the NIHB Program, has been paid.

What is covered?

For Supplemental Health Insurance Premiums: -

The cost of privately acquired health insurance premiums for approved students or migrant workers and their legal dependents will be reimbursed.

For Transportation to Medical Services: -

Transportation benefi ts when eligible clients are medically referred and approved for treatment outside of Canada by a provincial or territorial health care plan.

For further information on coverage outside of Country you are encouraged to call First Nations & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Vancouver BC toll free @ 1-800-317-7878

What You Should Know- “Before” Leaving British Columbia

If you are leaving the province, you should be aware that your coverage may not pay all health care costs.

Health services provided outside Canada often cost more than the amount paid by the Ministry of Health Services. Sometimes the diff erence is substantial; for example, the amount we pay for emergency inpatient hospital care will not exceed $75 (Canadian) a day for United States of exceeds $1,000 (US) per day and can be as high as $10,000 a day for intensive care.

In addition, some items/services that may be a benefi t in BC are not covered outside the province; for example, prescription drugs and optometric services. Further, the Ministry does not subsidize fees charged for ambulance service obtained outside BC.

We advise you to buy additional health insurance to supplement your basic coverage before you leave the province, regardless of whether you’ll be in another part of Canada or outside the country – even if your company or travel agency can advise you about extra coverage to pay for any diff erence in fees and to provide benefi ts not covered by the Ministry. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you must mention this when purchasing additional insurance as most policies will not cover treatment of that condition outside the province.

In some cases you may purchase an insurance policy where the insurance company has a signed agreement with the Ministry. This permits the company to pay physician and hospital claims and receive reimbursement on your behalf thus eliminating the need for you to handle your own claims.

NOTE: Ambulance – If you require ambulance service while in another province or outside Canada, you will need to obtain service from an ambulance company in that jurisdiction and will be charged the fee established by the-out-of-province service provider. Fees range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

When purchasing additional out-of-province health insurance you are advised to obtain insurance that will cover emergency transportation while you are away and, if necessary the cost of transportation back to BC.

Labour shortages in all west coast communities

Owners regularly work 10-hour days as staff shortages limit business hours of operation during busy season

By Melissa Renwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tofi no, BC- Communities across the west coast of Vancouver Island are facing labour shortages, forcing some businesses to adjust their operations. Lewis and Cathy George have been operating the House of Himwitsa, a First Nations art gallery and lodge in Tofi no, since 1991. In previous years, Cathy said their storefront would be open from 9:30 a.m. until as late as 7 p.m. But without enough staff , Cathy said they now have to close their shop as early as 4 p.m. “We don’t have the staff ,” she said. “It’s kind of heartbreaking.” Cathy regularly works 10-hour days to compensate for staffi ng shortages. “I have to,” she said. “There’s no other way.” When Terry Deakin launched INEO Employment Centres in Port Alberni 22 years ago it was created to facilitate a Services Canada pilot project that aimed to provide services to those struggling to enter the job market. In the 22 years Deakin has been running INEO she said she’s never had a problem fi lling their programs. “We are struggling right now,” she said. “There are so many job opportunities out there. People can apply for jobs and get them, even if they can’t keep them.” The skills training for employment off ered by INEO are usually operated at 100 per cent capacity. This year, Deakin said occupancy rates have dropped to 60 per cent for the fi rst time. While Deakin said she doesn’t think the labour shortage is caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, “it is correlated.” “People who were laid off or shut down because of the pandemic and were close to retirement age have decided just to stay at home,” she said. “The other piece of it is that people are able to work from home.” Indeed, Port Alberni’s population is aging. The median age in the Port Alberni census agglomeration was 50 years old in 2021. Comparatively, the median age for B.C. as a whole in 2021 was 42.8 years old. And as for the rest of the workers, Deakin said she’d be a “magician” if she knew where the answer. “The demand [for workers] is extremely high all across the board,” she said. “Everybody keeps thinking it’s just the hospitality and tourism sectors that are crying for help right now. But as far as I can see, it’s everywhere – every industry is looking for people.” It’s a sentiment shared by Bill Brown, manager of employer services for Work BC in Port Alberni. “The labour market was tightening up before the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. “The pandemic just made that happen much more quickly.” To keep people safe during the pandemic, the government’s response was to send workers home – “and pay them to stay home,” said Brown. The Canada Emergency Response Benefi t (CERB) provided fi nancial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who were directly impacted by COVID-19. “But what we noticed is that when the benefi ts ended, [employers] still had a hard time fi nding workers,” he said. And yet, Canada’s unemployment rate was 4.9 per cent in July – a record low, according to Statistics Canada. Places like Tofi no have their own very specifi c labour market challenges, said Brown. “They need a workforce that’s bigger than the number of people who live there,” he said. “[Tofi no] relies on a workforce that comes from somewhere else. And there isn’t housing and there isn’t good local transportation for people to get to their jobs.” Despite only having a population of roughly 2,000 residents, Tofi no draws around 600,000 visitors every year. The median cost of a one-bedroom rental unit in Tofi no and Ucluelet rose by 71 per cent between 2017 and 2020 to $1,200, according to the 2021 Clayoquot Biosphere Trust’s Vital Snapshot report. Two-bedroom units saw an increase of 6 per cent to $1,480, and three-bedroom units surged by 38 per cent to $2,200. Al Little has been the general manager for the Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) for the past 25 years. NEDC is an organization that assists Indigenous peoples start, expand and acquire businesses through fi nancial and business support. While staffi ng challenges have forced operators to expand their businesses with more caution, Little said it hasn’t deterred anyone. “It requires some extra thought and planning under the current times,” he said. “[Business operators] have to be aware of where they’re going to get employment from.” Depending on where people are opening or expanding their business, Little said they may be limited by the housing market. Increasing rental prices are making it more diffi cult to attract employees because the cost of living is “beyond the means of a lot of employees,” he said. Without staff accommodation to off er potential employees, Cathy George said she relies on the local workforce. But even then, she said “we can’t seem to retain staff .” “If you can get somebody to stay for a few weeks, at least they’re here for a few weeks and they’re helping,” she said. “It’s just the norm. It’s just how it is.” It’s a trend that causes Cathy to “worry about the next generation.” “I don’t think a lot of people have the same work ethic their parents or grandparents had,” she said. “I try to instill in my kids and my grandkids that this is not a free ride. You’ve got to work.” As the busy season in Tofi no comes to an end, Cathy said she just has to make it through another four weeks of worrying about staff . “I don’t know what the answer is to the labor shortages,” she said. “It’s hard to say what’s going to come of it.”

Port Alberni Friendship Centre Volunteers Needed

Need work experience? The Port Alberni Friendship Centre is looking for interested applicants for various positions. Call 250-723-8281

Gord Johns, MP - Constituency Assistant, Permanent, Full-Time Position Offi ce

Location: Constituency Offi ce, Parksville, British Columbia Responsibilities: • Manage and respond to constituent casework including outreach and correspondence • Act as media liaison for the Member, including organising press conferences, media events and preparing op-ed pieces, media material, news releases, speeches, and articles • Administer and log incoming phone calls, emails, faxes, and walk-in traffi c • Co-ordinate the Member’s visibility in the riding • Represent the Member at events and meetings • Monitor events in riding and advise the Member on issues concerning the riding • Maintain database lists and direct mail to constituents in coordination with

Ottawa parliamentary offi ce • Organize, in consultation with Parliament Hill offi ce, outreach activities that off er both visibility for the Member and opportunities to receive constituency feedback • Liaise with various community organizations and federal government departments • Schedule Member’s constituency activities and liaise with Parliament Hill offi ce to coordinate Member’s riding schedule • Liaise with Member’s Ottawa Offi ce • Other duties as required Qualifi cations: • Proven verbal and written communication skills, including media relations • Strong organizational skills, ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines • Strong computer skills including Internet, Windows and MS Offi ce • Knowledge of Courtenay — Alberni region and riding priorities • Knowledge of the New Democratic Party and sound political judgement • Relevant post-secondary education or equivalent experience • Knowledge of the labour movement, government departments and community organizations • Desktop publishing, graphic design and layout skills, an asset • Experience working with social media (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.) • Bilingualism, an asset • Vehicle and license, an asset

Annual salary: $56,250 (salary levels subject to clauses 12 and 21 of the collective agreement) Closing date: August 21, 2022 (Midnight) Starting date: As soon as possible Send application to NDPHR@parl.gc.ca Offi ce and position applied for must be indicated in subject line of e-mail application

Note: A collective agreement is in eff ect between UFCW (Local 232) and the New Democratic Party Members of Parliament. All applications will be received and held in confi dence.

The NDP and NDP MPs actively promote employment equity. Women, Black, Indigenous, and racialized persons, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+, and anyone from equity seeking groups are strongly encouraged to apply for this position, and qualifi ed applicants from these groups will be given priority. If you are a member of an equity-seeking group, you may choose to identify as such in your application. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at ndphr@parl.gc.ca to arrange appropriate accommodation.

More job posting at www.hashilthsa.com

Health Corner

Photo from Ha-Shilth-Sa Archives Elders keeping cool in the shade at the Yu-clutch-aht Music Festival in Tofi no 2008.

Elders safety tips in the extreme heat

Elders may encounter numerous factors that could put them at increased risk during extreme heat events. These factors may include chronic illnesses, medications that interfere with the body’s cooling mechanisms, social isolation, and poverty.

The following people are at risk during extreme heat:

• seniors aged 65 years or older • people who live alone • people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart problems or breathing diffi culties • people with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety • people with limited mobility issues

Think of people you know who may be more susceptible to heat and develop a buddy system. Check in with your neighbour. Check in with your hot weather buddy often, especially in the evening when indoor temperatures are highest. It is also good to check early morning, to see how your buddy has managed through the night. Watch out for severe headache, confusion, unsteadiness, loss of thirst, nausea/ vomiting -- they are signs of dangerous heat-related illness. Check on people at higher risk in-person to evaluate their health and the temperature indoors. If you cannot check in-person, ask them to tell you what it says on their thermostat or indoor thermometer. Encourage those who may not know they are at higher risk to take cool baths, sleep in the coolest room, or stay with friends. If you have air conditioning and higher risk members of your family do not, bring them to your house. Never leave children, dependent adults, or pets alone in a parked car, leaving windows open will not help.

Severe heat illness and heat stroke are medical emergencies. Call 9-1-1 if you are caring for someone with signs or symptoms of severe heat-related illness

Signs of heat stroke:

• Severe nausea and vomiting • Fainting or loss of consciousness • Confusion or disorientation • Diffi culty speaking • Movement and coordination problems • Lethargic (tired, listless) • Not sweating • Hot, fl ushed skin or very pale skin • Not urinating or very little urinating • Rapid breathing and faint, rapid heart rate • Body temperature >39°C (102°F)

While waiting for help to arrive, cool the person by: Moving them to a cool place, if you can Removing excess clothing. Applying cold water, wet towels or ice packs around the body, especially the neck, armpits, and groin.

Source: BC Centre for Disease Control

Les Sam Construction

Residential . Commercial & Architectural Structures Construction Management & Consulting Forming & Framing Ph/Txt: 250.720.7334 les sam@shaw.ca

Since the 1970s wolves have returned from extinction on Vancouver Island to pose a hazard on the west coast

By Melissa Renwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tofi no, BC - In all of Joe Martin’s 68 years of living on the west coast of Vancouver Island, he said he’s only encountered a wolf once. Alone in the forest just outside of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation community of Esowista, Martin recalled when a pack of wolves ran past him over 20 years ago. Their presence stopped him in his tracks, and with wide eyes he turned around to get another look. But just as quickly as the wolves ran by, they disappeared into the forest. Martin said the experience still plays vividly in his mind. Within Nuu-chah-nulth culture, wolves are sacred. During winter solstice, in between a new and full moon, Martin said there would be a sacred ceremony held to initiate members into the wolf clan. It was a lesson about fear, Martin described. “To never have fear,” he said. Martin recounted how elders would say that without fear, “you can learn anything.” Wolves were also used to teach about the importance of family unity, he added. “A lone wolf is not very successful,” he said. “But if there’s a pack of wolves that all work together, they’re so much more successful.” Many of these teachings were disrupted when the Indian Act was enacted in Canada in 1876. The act was aimed to eliminate Indigenous culture, with the goal of assimilating First Nations, Inuit and Métis into a Eurocentric society. This meant that the winter wolf ritual of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples was forbidden, said Martin. To protect it, Martin said elders kept the ritual secret from the Indian agents and they stopped sharing it with younger generations for fear of being thrown in jail. There are people within Nuu-chah-nulth communities who continue to keep the wolf ritual secret, he said. “But when I think back to the former days, it was free,” Martin said. “Anyone could talk about it – it was not secret. It was a thing that was widely known in our communities. The initiation into the wolf clan was a very important thing.” Like Martin, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

Photo submitted by Parks Canada A wolf is photographed in the Pacifi c Rim National Park Reserve as part of a program to track the presence of the animals and educate the public on how to avoid them. Tribal Parks Project Coordinator Terry Dorward has only seen a wolf once in his life. “We try to keep our worlds separate from them,” he said. “We try to create the space for them to fl ourish. It helps with keeping a healthy ecosystem intact.” Besides their spiritual and cultural signifi cance within Nuu-chah-nulth communities, wolves also play a vital role in the ecosystem, explained Todd Windle, coordinator of Parks Canada’s Wild About Wolves project. “Wolves are the top predator that we have in our ecosystem on Vancouver Island,” he said. “They’ll even hunt bears for food.” Entering “a wolf territory and seeing a wolf is a privilege,” said Windle. “It also comes with a responsibility to treat wildlife with the respect that they deserve to survive in their own habitat,” he said. In 2018, Parks Canada launched the Wild About Wolves project because there was an increase in human interactions with the animals. “It was not a healthy balance,” Windle said. When interactions become more frequent, the animals start to become really comfortable with people. “That’s when you start seeing them in the middle of the day, or in a parking lot, or beside the road,” he said. “They’re actually seeking food – that’s an unhealthy type of observation.” Since the program began, Windle said there has been a decline in the number of interactions with wolves. Teachings from traditional knowledge holders from seven diff erent First Nations, including Tla-o-qui-aht, are incorporated into the program. These include lessons on coexisting with wolves and the greater ecosystem, Windle shared. Remote cameras have been set-up to collect data on how to protect wolves, prey species and other animals that wolves are in competition with – such as cougars. Wolf scats are also being collected to look into their diet, and surveys are being conducted to better understand the attitudes, beliefs and values of people which ultimately drives their behaviour around wolves. Through more understanding about wolves, Windle said he hopes people develop more respect for the animal. Keeping dogs on-leash and not feeding wolves, either directly or indirectly, helps to protect them, he said. “Doing what we can to prevent habituation, or having them become desensitized or less wary around people, is what keeps them safe,” Windle said. For several decades leading up to the ‘60s, Windle said wolves were extirpated off of Vancouver Island. “All predators in most parts of North America were seen as nuisances,” he said. At the time, Windle said it was common for there to be campaigns to remove predators by killing them. “It’s a little hard for us to think about now because it’s not how we are in society anymore,” he said. Wolves started naturally re-establishing themselves on Vancouver Island in the early ‘70s as they began swimming from mainland British Columbia to the northeast part of the island. Since then, they’ve slowly migrated farther south and from the east to the west coast of Vancouver Island. This is also the reason the number of interactions with wolves started to increase, Windle said. “A lot of people hadn’t been living wolves for decades,” he said. “They were not in a position where they knew how to coexist with wolves, or maybe they needed to re-learn.” Dorward recalled being taught not to video record wolves by his late-uncle. “We shouldn’t go out looking for them,” he said. “We shouldn’t go out trying to take their picture because what happens is that they’ll become habituated.” When entering the forest, Dorward said he was taught to say a prayer to acknowledge that he was stepping into the Ha-houlthee (traditional territory) that belonged to the animals. “We ask for protection,” he said. “And [share] that we come in peace.” During wolf encounters, Windle said people should give them at least 100 metres of space. Windle said it’s also important to report wolf sightings so Parks Canada can come up with strategies to help prevent the situation from getting worse. “Sometimes there’s a misconception that if somebody reports a sighting or interaction, somebody’s going to come out and shoot the animal,” he said. “And that’s just not true. The more information we have, and the earlier we have that information, the better.” Wolves bring an awareness to the roles and responsibilities Nuu-chah-nulth people are expected to uphold to ensure the wellbeing of their traditional territories, said Dorward. “There is order in the animal kingdom that we need to respect,” he said.

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Signs of heat exhaustion

• Skin rash • Heavy sweating • Dizziness • Nausea or vomiting • Rapid breathing and heartbeat • Headache • Diffi culty concentrating • Muscle cramps • Extreme thirst • Dark urine and decreased urination Who is most at risk in extreme heat?

Fact 1 Older Adults Older adults may be faced with compounding factors that could put them at increased risk during extreme heat events. These factors may include chronic illnesses, medications that interfere with the body’s cooling mechanisms, social isolation, and poverty.

Fact 2 Infants and Young Children Given the unique physiological characteristics of children’s bodies and their high dependency on caregivers, they are likely to be at risk during extreme heat events.

Fact 3 Chronic Illness/ Special Medication Individuals with breathing diffi culties, heart problems, and psychiatric illnesses are at a higher risk of heat-related health eff ects.

Anyone with these symptoms should be moved to a cool space, given plenty of water to drink, and cooled down with water applied to the skin (e.g. cold shower, submerging body or legs in a cool bath, wearing a wet shirt, applying damp towels to the skin).

Signs of heat stroke

• High body temperature • Fainting or decreased consciousness • Confusion • Lack of coordination • Very hot and red skin If you think someone might have heat stroke, call 9-1-1 or seek medical attention immediately.

Submerge some or all of the body in cool water, remove clothes and apply wet towels.

Some individuals are at higher risk for heat-related illness, including: • Seniors aged 65 years or older. They may be particularly vulnerable if they are socially isolated, or live in older buildings without air conditioning • People who live alone • People with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease • People taking certain medications, including high blood pressure medicines, antidepressants, antipsychotics or anti-Parkinson’s agents. • People with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety • People with substance use disorders • People with limited mobility, including those who are confi ned to bed, need assistance with daily living or who have sensory/cognitive impairment • People who are socially disadvantaged due to low income, being homeless or living alone • Newcomers to Canada • Occupational groups who work outdoors or who have increased physical strain • People who are physically active with increased physical strain with a reduced perception of risk • People who are pregnant • Infants and young children

*If you are taking medication, particularly for mental illness, heart disease or Alzheimer’s disease, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it increases your health risk in the heat and follow their recommendations. Source: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-fi les/heat-related-illness

To prevent sunburn

• Always protect babies from the sun • Limit sun exposure, especially during peak hours. • Cover your baby in loose clothing and always wear a hat. • Use a stroller sunshade to cover your baby. • Properly apply a small amount of sunscreen with SPF 30 (sun protection factor) on exposed areas. Note that sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months old, because they can rub it in their eyes and mouth. • Make sure your child’s favourite play areas have a shady spot, or bring along a sun umbrella. • At least 30 minutes before heading outside, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on all areas of your child’s skin that will be exposed to the sun. Use a lip balm with SPF 15 as well. • Remember to put sunblock on ears, nose, back of neck and legs, and tops of feet. • Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours, and after swimming or vigorous play. To prevent heat illness or dehydration

• Encourage your child to drink plenty of fl uids, especially water. Children don’t necessarily feel thirsty while at play. • Be alert for signs that your child is experiencing heat illness and needs to go inside. These include thirst, fatigue, leg or stomach cramps, and cool, moist skin, which can be a sign of heat exhaustion. Bring your child inside or into a cool, shady area, and off er frequent small sips of water. Removing extra clothing and fanning can help your child cool down slowly.

Safety Tips:

Tip 1 : Prepare for the Heat • Tune in regularly to local weather forecasts and alerts so you know when to take extra care. • If you have an air conditioner, make sure it works properly. • If you don’t have an air conditioner, fi nd an air-conditioned spot close by where you can cool off for a few hours on very hot days.

Tip 2: Know the Signs of Heat exhaustion or heat stroke

Tip 3: Pay Attention to how you and Those Around you Feel • Frequently visit neighbours, friends and family members, especially those who are chronically ill, to make sure that they are cool and hydrated.

Tip 4: Drink Liquids; Water is Best

Tip 5: Stay Cool • Wear loose-fi tting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric. • Take cool showers or baths until you feel refreshed. • Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler days, or choose a cooler location, like a place with air conditioning or with tree shade. • Spend a few hours in a cool place. It could be a tree-shaded area, swimming facility or an air-conditioned spot.