BC midwives and province deliver new three-year deal, increasing wages

British Columbia midwives and the province have ratified a new three-year, wageincreasing agreement with the overwhelming support of health-care workers.

The new deal includes a series of fee increases and measures that the province says will provide more supports for Indigenous midwifery.

A vote among members of the Midwives Association of British Columbia on July 31 garnered 99 per cent support for the agreement, with 89 per cent of eligible association members taking part in the ballot.

The agreement is effective retroactively from April 2022 until March 2025.

Fees increase by 3.24 per cent, 6.75 per cent, and two per cent over the course of the deal.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the agreement “will be transformative in helping grow the profession.”

Lehe Spiegelman, co-chair of the midwives association, says in a news release that the deal will allow midwives to focus on maternity care in B.C., which she says has the highest rate of midwiferyinvolved births in the country.

- Canadian Press

Applications are still open for accessibility committee

Applications are open to join the Northeastern BC Accessibility Committee, which will help guide the development of a shared accessibility strategy for the region.

The Peace River Regional District, member municipalities, and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, are collaborating to develop a shared Accessibility Strategy for the region. This Strategy will identify ways to reduce barriers for people with disabilities and ensure everyone can participate fully in their communities.

To ensure the Strategy reflects the perspectives of community members and people with disabilities, the member communities are establishing the Northeastern BC Accessibility Committee.

The Accessibility Committee will play an important role in helping local governments to identify barriers for people with disabilities and develop suggestions for actions to make the region and specific communities more accessible. Plans are in place to formally launch the committee in September. All community members are encouraged to apply, with preference given to applicants who have a disability and to representatives of organizations who serve people with disabilities, to ensure the Committee includes the perspectives of people with personal and first-hand experiences.

If you would like to support this important work, please consider applying to be a member of the Accessibility Committee. Community members can apply to be a Northeastern BC Accessibility Committee member at https://bit.ly/ northeasternbcaccessibility.

Completed applications are due by August 13, 2023. If anyone requires assistance or support with completing the application, please call 778-844-0616.

About the Accessible BC Act

The Accessible BC Act came into force in September 2022. This legislation aims to support people with disabilities to participate meaningfully in their communities. It requires all prescribed organizations, including local and regional governments, to establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee, develop an Accessibility Plan, and build a tool so people can provide feedback on accessibility issues.

Contact Information: Urban Matters 778-844-0616

Howvolunteeringcanbenefityourcareer

2.Expandyournetwork. Meetingnew peoplethroughvolunteeringopens newdoorstofuturepaidopportunities. Astrongnetworkisessentialto advancingyourcareer.Nevermissa chancetomakeyoursbigger!

Celebratetheinvaluablecontributions oftheover12millionvolunteersin Canada.Ontopofthesocialbenefitsof volunteering,herearethreewaysthat givingbacktoyourcommunitycanboost careerprospects.

1.Developyourskills. Volunteeringfor acauserelatedtoyourcurrentor futurecareercanhelpyouexpand yourexistingskillsetandgainvaluable real-worldexperience.Afterall,you’re stillworking,butinsteadofgetting paid,you’redonatingyourtim etoyour community.

3.Buildreferences. Professional referencescanbehardtocomeby, especiallyifyouhaven’tworked severaljobs.However,they’re crucialforscoringawell-paying gig.Fortunately,you canaskthepeople youvolunteerwith, especiallysuper visors, tovouchforyour employabilityandwork ethic.

Finally,volunteeringshows potentialemployersthat you’reawell-rounded personwhocaresabout yourcommunity.If you’rereadyto becomepartof Canada’sextensive volunteercommunity, inquireabout exciting opportunities inyourarea.

Campfire ban lifted in Northern BC

Effective at noon today (Aug. 11), the ban on campfires is over for the Prince George and Northwest Fire Centres, the Ministry of Forests and B.C. Wildfire Service said in a release Friday.

That area covers the entire northeast corner of the province, from Prince George east to the Alberta border, north through the Peace and Fort Nelson to the Yukon border. While Fort St. James, Vanderhoof and Mackenzie are covered, the lifting of the ban does not apply to

Quesnel or Burns Lake, according to a map provided with the statement.

A Category 1 fire, or campfire, is defined as an open fire that burns piled material no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.

The ban on fireworks, sky lanterns, burn barrels or burn cages of any size and other larger open fires remains in place.

Campfires must have the following precautions in place:

Ready access to a shovel or at least eight litres of water the entirety of the time the campfire is lit a fuel break around the campfire, free of any debris or combustible materials the fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the campfire for any length of time.

Health alert: Monster Energy drinks recalled in Canada

Health Canada has issued a recall of multiple flavours of Monster Energy Drinks due to caffeine content and labelling issues.

All flavours containing caffeine and without bilingual labelling have been recalled from the marketplace because of “various non-compliances related to caffeine content and labelling requirements,” according to the authority’s website.

The products have been distributed across Canada and no record of how many units were sold has been made public.

Currently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products, says Health Canada, and the CFIA is verifying that the industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the products, however, if you have one in your possession Health Canada advises against consuming or redistributing the product.

Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased.

Health Canada also warns that high levels of caffeine may have adverse health effects for children, pregnant individuals, breastfeeding individuals, and those sensitive to caffeine. In addition, exercising while consuming caffeine may lead to adverse health effects including insomnia, irritability, headaches, and nervousness.

What you should do about recalled food products

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider

Check to see if you have recalled products

Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products

If you become aware of recalled products being sold, report it to the CFIA

If you buy food products online, do not assume the products meet Canadian requirements

New pilot project will train firefighters to battle wildfires near urban areas

Wildfires aren’t just a threat to vast swathes of forest and the wildlife that inhabit them. They’re increasingly becoming a danger for urban areas and human populations.

On Friday, at District of North Vancouver Firehall #4, federal and provincial officials announced $400,000 in funding that will go to the International Association of Firefighters for a pilot project to prepare departments across Western Canada to fight wildfires near urban settings.

Through the pilot, the IAFF is training 25 instructors in Kamloops, who will then train 325 municipal firefighters on how to fight interface fires.

At the announcement, Natural Resources Minister and North Vancouver MP

Jonathan Wilkinson addressed the tragic events in Hawaii, where a devastating wildfire in Lahaina has killed at least 55 people.

“The friends, families, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives are in our thoughts today,” he said, while acknowledging the challenging circumstances on home soil, as Canadians continue to fight the country’s worst wildfire season on record.

Wilkinson called the wildland-urban interface a “crucial area” that is home to more than 10 per cent of Canadians, and requires specialized training for firefighters to operate in.

“Right here in North Vancouver is one example of a thriving community calling the interface home,” he said.

“The training delivered through this pilot project will increase Canada’s firefighting capacity, making sure we have more firefighters protecting the communities that need it most, while also allowing us to learn important best practices and identify barriers to effective wildland fire training,” he said.

“Phase 2 of the government of Canada’s training program will fully launch next year and will be informed by the lessons learned through today’s pilot project with the IAFF and others like it.”

Wilkinson commended the IAFF, which proposed the pilot program.

What is wildlandurban interface?

Wildland-urban interface could be a park inside a city, significant grasslands or forested areas near residential neighbourhoods.

“Interface fires can happen in just about any community, and making sure that [firefighters] are trained to effectively use the skills and tactics that are required in those types of scenarios is truly important, and we look forward to providing that training across Canada,” said Mike Carter, IAFF 6th District vice president.

While firefighters prevent major devastation in many circumstances, Carter said the Hawaii wildfires and the Lytton, B.C. disaster are examples of how interface fires can impact communities.

“Beginning next year, hopefully we’ll have ongoing funding from the federal government to expand the number of instructors and then train across Canada,” he said.

- Nick Laba

Announcements

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Fort St. John Hospital Foundation AGM will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 7pm (MST).

Location: FSJ Hospital Callahan

Room

Everyone is Welcome.

In order to have a VOTE you must be a paid member 30 days before the AGM.

Questions: Please contact: 250.261.7563 or email fsjhf@northernhealth.ca.

GET RESULTS!

Reach

Community notiCes

We’re here to help!

• PREVENTION

• EDUCATION

• SUPPORT Northern Brain Injury Association

1-866-979-HOPE (4673)

We’re here to help!

• PREVENTION

• EDUCATION

• SUPPORT Northern Brain Injury Association

1-866-979-HOPE (4673)

Career OppOrtunities

GrantWriter& Researcher Seekingexp.grant writer,researcher, proj.mgr.P/Tre− mote. clearcourse.ca/ careers

Domestic Help WanteD

Nanny/Live-in Caregiver required for 2 children ages 4 & 6. Full-Time Live-in only.

Duties include: Cooking, Care for the children at home. Light house cleaning. School drop-off and pick-up. Must speak English. Related Experience necessary. Dawson Creek. Email resume to: jayson_saao@yahoo.c om advertise 1-866-669-9222

Nanny/Live-in Caregiver required for 2 children ages 9 & 11.

Book

Full-Time Live-in only. Duties include: Cooking, Care for the children at home. Light house cleaning. School drop-off and pick-up. Must speak English. Related Experience necessary. Dawson Creek. Email resume to: rosaliejustado@gmail.com

Education

TAKE YOUR CONFIDENCE & communication a level. Get the career and family life of your dreams! Jon a Toastmasters International group near you. www.toastmasters.org/find-a-club

Art & ColleCtibles

Complete Set of 1978

Ford Factory F150F350 Service Manuals.

A1 condition. Asking

$250 Firm. 250-7855321

Bicycles

For Sale: Huffy Mountain Bike. Steel Frame, 27in Wheels. Call 250789-3778

Books, Coins,stamps

Todd’s Coins: Buying gold, silver & coins

250-864-3521

For SaleMiSc

8ft Walter T. Kelley

Co. Stainless Steel Wax Melter for Honey Bees. Call Jack 780766-2117

Browning Gore-Tex Trapshooter’s Jacket

XL, VG condition

Woods Game-bird Jacket XL, VG condition 250-785-4636

Wanted to Buy

2011 Diesel Dodge RAM 3500 automatic-4-Door for parts. (wiring-harness must be intact & functional)

250-789-3350

Looking for a Moveable Modular/ Home/House/ Cabin to buy. Call 778-838-1055

Wanted to Buy

Looking for School Desks and Playground

Equipment for a School. Call Ernest at 780-926-9412

Haying EquipmEnt

New Holland BR780

Round Baler for Sale.

Asking $18,000. Call Greg at 780-512-1207 or 780-538-9115

Heavy equipment

For sale: D7-17A Cat. Call for more info. 250-772-5407

Horses & Tack

Looking for 3-horse angle-haul horse trailer. 250-759-4956

Wanted: large round horse hay bales within 45 minutes of Pouce Coupe, 250-786-5860 or Wonowon@shaw.ca

3521 Saddles & Tack

WANTED: Used Horseshoes. Call Ron at 780-774-2017 Western Saddle for Sale. Also have Boots, Cinches, Bridle and Halter. Call 250-7893778

Notices / NomiNatioNs SAY NO to FAKE NEWS! 63% of Canadians can’t tell the difference between real and fake news. Support reliable LOCAL journalism. Join the list www.newspapersmatter.ca.

Houses For rent 1 Bedroom suite furnished, in small mobile-home. $650 includes utilities & satellite. Pouce Coupe. 250-786-0409

Hay/Bales For sale

Will trade Alfalfa hay for grass hay. 250759-4956

ColleCtibles & ClassiC Cars

2004