?
A4
TUESDAY, February 17, 2015
Ask the
EXPERT BERWICK ON THE PARK
ADVICE & INFORMATION
Q: After living 47 years in the same home my mom just told me she is moving into a one bedroom suite in a retirement community. I’m thrilled about her decision to move but... I live in Vancouver, have a family, a busy career and truthfully, we never see eye to eye on issues. A: Your situation is more common than you think. Families with the best of relationships, who reside in the same city as their parent(s), often find the process of downsizing overwhelming. What’s important and meaningful to a parent may have little or no meaning to their child. This could be the perfect time to call in the experts. Downsizing and organization companies can be objective. Many of them offer services that assist in making the move seamless. Downsizers work diligently and closely with each client, they remain objective and know the questions to ask to help the client stay focused. This may mean auctioning or donating some items to various organizations. They will then pack, move, unpack, arrange furniture, hang pictures and even make sure the TV and computer are set up and ready to go. Show up, relax & enjoy!
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
LOCAL NEWS
Arbitration ends No panic over mad-cow case short CP strike CAM FORTEMS STAFF REPORTER cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
CAM FORTEMS STAFF REPORTER cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
Under the threat of back-to-work legislation, the union representing striking CP Rail workers has agreed to arbitration to settle its contract. About 135 engineers and other rail workers in Kamloops are members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. Through Sunday, Feb. 15, and yesterday, striking workers carried pickets on the CP Rail line crossing Third Avenue in downtown Kamloops. Yesterday, they were preparing to go back to work as federal Labour Minister Kellie Leitch said CP Rail and its union have agreed to arbitration, just as the Conservative government was in the midst of legislating striking workers back on the job. Leitch said the strike could have cost the economy more than $200 million in lost gross domestic product every week. Local union chairman Jim Linnell said members are concerned about what he called “fatigue management,” the stresses of being constantly on call, with limited rest periods. “The last couple of years, our rest at home has decreased and our hours away have doubled,” he said. “You have no sleep or meal patterns.” At the same time, Linnell said, CP Rail has increased its haulage and efficiency and has reaped record profits for investors. Linnell said some operators are experiencing fatigue on the job that makes their operational level similar to an impaired driver. Asked whether the threat of a back-to-work bill had negated the rights of workers to strike, Leitch played down its impact, noting employees already had the opportunity to strike. “We have not tabled this legislation,’’ she said. “We have allowed the parties to meet, to talk and to come to what they think will be the best agreement.’’ — with files from Canadian Press
Discovery of mad-cow disease in Alberta should not harm the country’s export of beef, according to an industry representative. Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed on Friday, Feb. 13, that a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was discovered in a single animal at an undisclosed farm in Alberta. The CFIA said no part of the animal entered the food chain. “As part of the investigation, the CFIA is seeking to confirm
the age of the animal, its history and how it became infected,” the agency said. “The investigation will focus in on the feed supplied to this animal during the first year of its life. The agency will also trace out all animals of equivalent risk. Equivalent risk animals will be ordered destroyed and tested for BSE.” It is the first time since 2011 that BSE has been detected in a Canadian cattle herd. “It shows us the surveillance system is working,” said Kevin Boon, general manager of Kamloops-based B.C.
Relief expected in today’s budget TOM FLETCHER
STAFF REPORTER
tom@blackpress.ca
B.C. will likely be the only province in Canada to report a balanced budget for the current year and project surpluses for the next three years, according to Finance Minister Mike de Jong. In a briefing for reporters on what to expect when the annual budget is presented today (Feb. 17), de Jong said the surplus for the current year will be larger than the
$444 million forecast in November. Corporate and personal income tax has been stronger than expected, but there is no certainty that will continue into the new fiscal year that begins April 1. The second straight surplus after billions in deficits the previous four years will be used to pay down debt, but there is some room for helping poorer people, de Jong said. He hinted this may include a change to the
The 5th Annual
also provide tax relief for the wealthiest B.C. residents, as a two-year increase on incomes more than $150,000 a year comes to an end. De Jong imposed the 2.1 per cent hike in his pre-election budget in 2013, after thenNDP leader Adrian Dix promised a similar move to help balance the books. The recent plunge in oil prices has had a major impact on revenues to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland, but B.C. has largely escaped that due to continued gas production. De Jong emphasized that with the continued glut of shale gas produced across North America, it remains an urgent priority to develop liquefied natural gas exports to Asia before B.C. revenues fall further for lack of sales.
Silver & Gold
Wednesday, February 18th, 2015 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm 60 Whiteshield Crescent South, Kamloops, BC
Free Admission Visit with our many exhibitors. Exercise demonstrations, food sampling, and much more. Gather information on products and services that help support senior health and wellness.
For more information, please call 250.377.7275
If you have any questions, or would like to chat, please contact Erin at Berwick on the Park, (250) 377.7275 or email her at berwickonthepark@berwickrc.com
long-standing practice of deducting spousal child-support payments from social assistance and disability payments to single parents. “There are some areas where we believe there have been pressures on the programming side,” de Jong said. NDP finance critic and house leader Mike Farnworth said he is hopeful the child support clawback policy will be changed after more than a year of protest by the opposition. And, he added, the government isn’t telling the whole story about balancing the budget using “tax increases by another name. “You’re going to see higher Medical Services Plan premiums, higher ICBC rates, we’re already seeing higher fees for camping,” Farnworth said. The next budget will
Senior Healthy Living Expo
Do o r P r izes • F u n a n d I n t e r a c t i v e D i s p l a y s • G i v e a wa y s
Erin Currie is your local Kamloops Senior Living Expert.
Cattlemen’s Association. “We were looking.” Canada’s ranching industry was hit hard in 2003 with the discovery of BSE in beef herds. Since then, feeding practices have been reformed and Canada’s tracing and inspection systems have been improved. Boon said discovery of the single animal this month shows countries importing Canadian beef that the system is vigilant and can find pathogens before they enter the food chain. B.C. ranchers are benefiting from record-high cattle prices and a plunging Canadian dollar.
Visit BerwickRetirement.com Or call one of our Senior Living Experts today to learn more. 250-377-7275 Proud to be BC Owned & Operated.
25
%off ALL
DIAMONDS
Sahali Mall
Home of the $5 Watch Battery (Taxes & installation included)
www.danielles.ca
Monday - Saturday: 9:30 am-5:30 pm & Sunday 12:00 -4:00 pm Locally Owned & Operated • Jewellery repairs done on location