May 7, 2012

VICTORIA - I wanted to take this opportunity to clear up some confusion that has been swirling around regarding supports and services provided by the Ministry of Social Development.

British Columbia has a solid system of income and disability assistance supports that provides temporary help to those who can work, and longer-term assistance to those who - through disability or other barriers - cannot work or have difficulty working full-time.

Our government spends approximately $1.6 billion a year providing income assistance to over 180,000 people. We have a responsibility to ensure that this assistance is provided in a fair, transparent and fiscally prudent manner to ensure that dollars are being spent where they are most needed. This means that not everyone is eligible for
every benefit - the line has to be drawn somewhere.

Every benefit, service and support has specific eligibility criteria that clients must meet in order to receive the benefit. These requirements must be clear and applied fairly to everyone. Our front-line staff work diligently to assess and work with each client to
ensure that they are receiving the appropriate supports and services for which they are eligible.

For those who are expected to work - approximately 34,000 cases - we provide a comprehensive system of supports that are designed to help them find a job and regain their independence. We believe that people would rather work than be on assistance, so our focus for these individuals is to support work plans, provide training and assistance, and help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

More than 98,000 individuals are receiving disability assistance in B.C. These individuals receive an enhanced benefit package that a higher support rate and a broad system of supports. These benefits include low-cost annual bus passes, free MSP coverage, non-deductable PharmaCare, moving and transportation costs, and a number of health supplements including medical equipment, dental coverage and nutritional supplements.

Staff rely on information provided by individuals and their physicians to identify need and establish eligibility for health supplements. It's very important that people work closely with their doctors to ensure the information provided to the ministry is accurate and comprehensive.

As well, there are many organizations and non-profits that provide additional supports and services to those in our community that need a little extra assistance. My ministry works closely with these community groups to ensure that we maximize the supports and benefits available to our clients with no unintended consequences on their monthly
provincial support.

There are times when situations arise that expose unnecessary complexity in our system. Such a situation arose last week around nutritional supplements. A review of the situation highlighted the complex set of regulatory rules that our staff must consider every day while assisting people in challenging circumstances. To me, the rules
seem a little too complex and I have directed staff to review and suggest how to simplify eligibility requirements for nutritional supplements so that in future, others in similar situations don't experience the same challenges.

I can assure you that the ministry is committed to assisting our clients to address their health needs while dealing with extreme illness. I encourage anyone unsatisfied with a decision by the ministry to apply for reconsideration, or to reapply for support if their
condition has changed over time. In the meantime, we will continue to work hard to provide the best supports possible to British Columbians in their greatest time of need.

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

VICTORIA - Changes announced April 25 by the Government of Canada to expedite and improve the Temporary Foreign Worker Program are welcome news for many B.C. employers.

New rules mean the federal government will expedite application-processing for select employers to within ten days, to fill high skilled job vacancies for which no local workers are available.

The new accelerated-labour market opinion (A-LMO) means greater flexibility for companies who have faced red-tape hurdles that have hurt their bottom line, as well as their abilities to innovate and create new jobs. Employers still need to prove they have been unsuccessful in filling vacancies with existing B.C. workers.

New regulations will also weed out employers who intend to break the rules. As well, they will offer better protection for successful TFWs coming to British Columbia.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the federal departments that jointly administer the TFW program, announced the following changes to the program: a simplified online application process; faster and timelier processing for employers with a positive history with the program; risk-based and random in-depth compliance reviews of employers after LMOs are issued; and a call centre to support employers, among other enhancements.

To be clear, our first priority is to use every available source of labour currently in B.C. However, we know given the forecast that over the next decade there will be over one million job openings due to our aging workforce and economic growth, we will not be able to meet our labour-market demands without new skilled immigrants.

B.C. would also like the federal government to increase its Provincial Nominee Program annual quota of 3,500 nominees to 5,000 in 2012 and 6,500 in 2013. Including the immediate family members who accompany nominees, this would bring over 10,000 people to B.C. every year through the program.

The Province would also welcome similar changes to allow for accelerated recruitment to fill vacancies in lower-skilled occupations, particularly in the Northeast region of B.C., where employers are facing critical labour shortages.

We know that having sufficient numbers of skilled labourers to fill jobs in B.C. is a major concern for employers, and immigration is one of the most-important avenues to attract skilled workers. Filling existing job vacancies faster will enable employers to operate more efficiently, and allow them to create more jobs for B.C. families: a key priority from the BC Jobs Plan.

VICTORIA - In today's busy world, people plan and prepare for almost anything and everything.

Many of you are probably planning summer vacations, while others may be preparing to celebrate a big milestone such as a birthday, wedding or anniversary. But what about planning for your future health-care treatment decisions?

No one knows what tomorrow will bring. A serious accident or illness can result in you being incapable of making your own health-care treatment decisions, leaving your loved ones to make difficult decisions for you.

Advance care planning is all about talking to your loved ones and health-care providers so they know the kinds of health-care treatments you wish to receive, or not, if you become incapable of expressing your own wishes.

Katherine Tam, an advance care planning volunteer with the Community Engagement Advisory Network (CEAN) in Vancouver, knows the stress and conflict that can occur in a family when a loved one's health-care wishes are unknown.

Her father was 89 when he became ill and was admitted to hospital. Unable to swallow and his condition deteriorating, health-care workers asked the family's permission to insert a feeding tube. He did not have an advance care plan and the family had to guess what his wishes would be.

Katherine, a hospice volunteer and her father's caregiver, was sure that her father would not want life support. Her brother felt differently and insisted measures be taken to sustain their father's life. Katherine's mother deferred to her son and efforts were made to insert a feeding tube. Her father fought off the feeding tube so determinedly that it was never inserted and he died a few days later.

Everyone in the family was trying to do the right thing but, because he had not made his wishes for his care clear when he was capable, the family was in turmoil.

Advance care planning has been close to Katherine's heart ever since and her volunteer interests have stretched to doing advance care planning workshops in Greater Vancouver.

Talking about advance care planning isn't always easy. And it can be hard to know where to start. That's why in September 2011, we made changes to personal planning legislation, giving British Columbians new options to express their wishes for their future health-care treatment in advance of a time when they may be incapable of doing so.

The provincial advance care planning guide, My Voice: Expressing My Wishes for Future Health Care Treatment, helps ordinary British Columbians learn about advance care planning and create an advance care plan that fits their beliefs, values and wishes. Since February 2012, more than 380,000 British Columbians have viewed this guide, which is available on the ministry's website.

Providing information on advance care planning and tools to help prepare for future health-care needs is one of the actions in our new seniors' action plan. Through 'Improving Care for B.C. Seniors: An Action Plan', the Province is building a more accessible, transparent and accountable approach to seniors' care. The plan contains specific deliverables to help seniors and their families navigate the health system, easily access information about care options and have a clear and simple way to register complaints and have their concerns addressed.

April 16 was Advance Care Planning Day in B.C. and in Canada. It may not be easy, but consider who you would like to make decisions on your behalf in the event you are not able to. Think about what instructions you want your loved ones and health-care providers to have to ensure your beliefs, values and wishes are carried out. Reflect on what healthy aging means to you and what choices you can make now to help you live a long, healthy and independent life.

Don't wait to ask yourself these questions. Talk to your loved ones now about what your vision is for your health as you age.

For more information on advance care planning talk to your health-care provider or visit: www.seniorsbc.ca/legal/healthdecisions/.

• C. difficile is never going to be eradicated completely because the bacteria live in people's guts and normally don't cause illness.

• We only see illness when a person carrying the bug is exposed to antibiotics, killing the normal gut flora and allowing the C. difficile to grow and produce a toxin that causes the illness.
  

• Even if the bug was eliminated from the hospital environment, it would be continuously reintroduced by new patients coming into the hospital and it survives in a spore form that is very difficult to kill. Even if we wiped down every surface in the hospital every day with strong chemicals, we would never be able to kill it all.

• The focus needs to be on prevention. This includes using antibiotics wisely, keeping the environment as clean as possible (especially around ill patients) and focusing on hand hygiene.
  

• In order to become infected with C. difficile, a patient needs to swallow the spores. The spores are carried on hands- those of the patient and healthcare providers after touching contaminated surfaces.
  

• Everyone needs to take responsibility for ensuring they perform hand hygiene before and after contact with patients, before eating and after using the toilet.
  

VICTORIA - I would like to clarify some facts related to recent reports of
a private developer's desire to see several parcels of Delta farm land
used to support Port Metro Vancouver's Deltaport operations.

Some have expressed concern because the developer has reportedly
secured options to purchase the lands, which sit within the Agricultural
Land Reserve. This, in turn, has prompted the MLA for Delta South to
organize a petition asking the provincial government to condemn the
developer's intent, as well to declare support for the protection of
lands within the ALR.

It is important to note this is a private business transaction between a
developer and farmers in Delta, with no provincial involvement
whatsoever. That said, while government does not involve itself in
private-property transactions, there are processes in place to ensure
protection of agricultural lands.

In this instance, the developer does not have the ability to simply
remove these lands from the ALR for port purposes. Rather, the
Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) and the community of Delta must
first approve use of this land for any purpose other than agriculture.

The provincial government does not interfere in the statutory decision-
making power of the ALC or municipalities. I recently reconfirmed with
the ALC chair the fact that no application is in front of the commission.
We both agreed that should an application be made, the ALC process
must be respected.

There has been conjecture about Port Metro Vancouver not having to
abide by ALC procedures because it is under federal jurisdiction. This is
at best a hypothetical scenario, and any attempt to ascertain whether
federal or provincial legislation takes precedence is mere speculation.

The provincial government's position is clear: Anyone seeking to have
lands removed from the ALR needs to go through the proper process
with the local community and the ALC. Whether it's an individual, a
company or another level of government, the established process
needs to be followed to ensure the bests interests of agriculture are
taken into account.

As for Delta South MLA Vickie Huntington asking for a condemnation of
the private transaction, it is interesting to see that several Delta
councillors have reportedly been aware of this situation for some time,
but are not concerned because they understand the land is not in
danger of being pulled from the ALR. More importantly, to condemn
these transactions would be a gross misrepresentation of
government's authority.

In Canada, private land transactions are permissible, and it is not for
government to pass judgment. The ALC receives hundreds of
applications every year regarding land in the ALR. It has the mandate to
review each application with an eye toward protecting and preserving
farmland. The ALC takes its responsibilities seriously and performs its
duties admirably. Should the ALC ever receive an application from Port
Metro Vancouver, I have every confidence it would manage it in the
best interests of agriculture.

Our government has clearly demonstrated its support for agriculture
and the work of the independent ALC. We recently provided $1.6
million along with a suite of legislative changes to strengthen the ALC,
giving it a greater ability to focus on preserving farmland. In response
to the Province providing more certainty for his organization, ALC chair
Richard Bullock publicly stated, "It's here. It's here to stay. I would
hope people hear that message, hear it loud and clear."

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

April 26, 2012

VICTORIA - Every year, British Columbians commemorate Autism Awareness Month as a way to recognize and honour children, youth and adults dealing with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Now, as we approach the end of the month, it is a good time to reflect on the outpouring of support we have seen this year to find better ways to help those with ASD.

On April 1, the Canucks Autism Network hosted the annual Autism Awareness Walk in Vancouver. I was heartened to join individuals, families and community members on the walk, to read the proclamation and to participate in a special lighting of the Olympic cauldron - all to help raise awareness of ASD.

Then on April 2, B.C. celebrated World Autism Awareness Day by participating in the unique global movement, Light It Up Blue, where iconic landmarks around the world are bathed in blue light to show each community's support and solidarity on this issue. This year, BC Place, the YVR Tower and Rogers Arena were all glowing blue to demonstrate B.C.'s support of individuals and families around the world living with autism - a wonderful show of community support!

Community events and workshops were held throughout the month of April. These included the ACT-Autism Community Training's 8th Annual Focus on Research Event, as well as innovative workshops for families which provided a lesson on apps for the iPad and other software applications that help children with ASD.

ASD is a complex condition that impacts normal brain development and affects a person's social relationships, communication, interests and behaviour. ASD occurs in all ethnic and social groups. ASD is four times more likely to affect boys than girls.

You may have a family member, friend or neighbour who is living with ASD. If so, you have seen the difficulties these families face. If you are a parent with a child or youth with ASD, you are dealing with these challenges first-hand.

Because ASD challenges can be even greater for families living far from large cities, the Province launched the Autism Outreach Program to offer training and resources to behaviour interventionists and families in rural and remote communities. The second phase of the program was launched earlier this month and offers more e-training for behaviour interventionists through Douglas College and two-day workshops for parents and caregivers to learn best practices and work intervention methods into their daily routines.

There is no cure for ASD and no "one size fits all" intervention. However, there are highly effective treatment methods available that can help people address the specific symptoms and characteristics of this disorder.

Early comprehensive interventions for children with ASD can result in dramatic improvements in language, communication and cognitive abilities to help them achieve more meaningful communication with family and friends.

That's why the B.C. government invests in an integrated, co-ordinated range of services and supports. We are the only province in Canada that has a no-waitlist policy for families to access autism funding once their child or youth has received a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, allowing them to choose the intervention that best meets the needs of their child.

The government provides more than $165 million annually for programs and services that support approximately 7,500 children and youth with ASD and their families - including assessments, funding for early intervention and education funding for students.

For children under age six, families receive access to funding of up to $22,000 per year to help with the cost of autism intervention services. For children and youth aged six to 18, families receive access to funding of up to $6,000 per year to help with the cost of out-of-school intervention services. This is in addition to the $18,300 in per-pupil funding for educational program and special education services provided through school boards.

Together - as parents, families, professionals, researchers, community organizations, and across the government - we all have a shared goal of enhancing outcomes for children with ASD and helping them live enriched lives.

Minister of Agriculture

April 25, 2012

VICTORIA - One of the critical factors in our ability to grow B.C.'s agrifoods sector to a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017 is a solid working relationship between the governments of B.C. and Canada.

Given the global market place and shared areas of jurisdiction, a strong federal-provincial partnership is crucial to agricultural progress. The cooperative relationship will also help B.C. achieve the main goals of our Agrifoods Strategy: developing high-quality, high-value products, expanding domestic and international markets and increasing competitiveness.

In an effort to continue that constructive relationship, I just attended a conference of Canadian agriculture ministers in Gatineau, Quebec. The goal of my attendance was to ensure B.C.'s diverse agriculture sector was well represented as we near final negotiations for a new funding agreement for B.C. producers.

The agreement is a new five-year agriculture policy framework that will build on the success of the Growing Forward suite of risk management, food safety, environmental and business development programs that conclude in the spring of 2013. The current agreement has brought $553 million of funding to B.C., in a 60/40 federal provincial sharing ratio.

Following our meetings in Quebec, there was wide consensus that the new agreement, Growing Forward 2, should focus on supporting and rewarding innovation, increasing competitiveness in agriculture, building market opportunities, and supporting adaptability and sustainability.

Growing Forward 2 will build stronger connections between federal and provincial governments in order to increase market opportunities for farmers, producers and food processors. The reputation and international demand for B.C. foods as a trusted, high-quality source of nutrition results in about $2.5 billion in agrifood exports a year to about 140 countries. With record exports to China in both 2010 and 2011, and increased emphasis on building our trading relationships in Asia, the opportunities for B.C.'s food producers and processors continue to grow.

I believe farmers and producers who participated in the consultation process to date will be pleased to see their view regarding the involvement of the entire value chain has been heard, and will likely form part of the agreement. At the Gatineau meeting we agreed to further industry consultations with the goal of signing the Growing Forward 2 agreement in September and to have the new framework in place by this time next year.

With much of the discussions focused on expanding market opportunities, federal and provincial agriculture ministers jointly reiterated our support for liberalized trade arrangements. We agreed creating new trading blocs will benefit farming and food producing families but that these negotiations should clearly maintain our support for Canada's supply management system.

British Columbian food producers and communities are well positioned to benefit from our province's strong relationships with the federal government and trading partners around the world. By working together and continuing our emphasis on high quality products, new markets, and industry competitiveness, producers and processors will continue to invest in an agrifoods sector that employs more than 61,000 British Columbians, and directly contributes to the social, health and economic benefits of us all.

• The Ministry of Children and Family Development in partnership with the Union of BC Municipalities Healthy Communities Committee will lead community poverty reduction strategies in seven communities (Prince George, Cranbrook, Port Hardy, Surrey, New Westminster, Stewart, and Kamloops) by developing action plans that reflect the needs and resources of each community.
• These strategies will be a partnership between the provincial and municipal governments, local community organizations, service providers and business representatives to develop strategic, measurable plans focused on reducing poverty and providing supports for low-income families.
• Once the project has been implemented in the original seven communities, it will be evaluated and expanded to 20 additional communities per year with the goal of having a strategy in place for every community across the province by 2014/15.
• B.C. already has a number of supports in place that are designed to help low-income families out of poverty.
• Access to jobs and a workforce that has the skills to fill jobs is critical and is a key focus of government policy and action. As part of Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan, government has made several funding announcements for skills training including:
• $13 million investment in 2011/12 in employment skills training under the Employment Skills Access Initiative;
• $10 million to sector and industry groups in skills-training funding for unemployed and low-skilled workers to better prepare them for working in high-demand occupations; 
• Over $1 million for the mining industry to further develop human resource strategies designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled labour in B.C.'s mining sector.
  

• Since December 2001, B.C. has added 406,700 jobs (as of March 2012).
• As of May 1, 2012, B.C. will have one of the highest minimum wages in Canada at $10.25/hour - increases to minimum wage in the past year means more than 4,000 additional dollars annually for a full-time employee.
• The Province has invested close to $2.8 billion over the last decade to provide affordable housing for low-income, individuals, seniors, and families in communities across B.C.
• The Province has created 17,000 new affordable housing units with about 3,000 more planned or under construction.
• The Province helps more than 26,000 B.C. families through provincial subsidized housing and rent supplements that help keep the cost of private market rentals affordable.
• As of September 2011, nearly one million B.C. families were receiving MSP subsidies with more than 800,000 individuals and families paying no MSP premiums at all.
• The Province is helping families in the workforce access early childhood learning and support through a $43-million commitment to expand StrongStart BC programs - with more than 300 StrongStart BC programs already supporting 385 communities - and through the introduction of full day kindergarten.
• In 2011, the B.C. government funded 100,000 licensed child-care spaces and subsidies for approximately 50,000 children in low-income families.
• When all taxes are considered, British Columbians generally have one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the country.

Contact:

Brian Cotton
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-0543

April 10, 2012

Over the next decade, there will be about 1.1 million job openings in this province. British Columbians need to be ready to take advantage of these opportunities so they can support their families and contribute to their communities.

The new Employment Program of BC will provide unemployed British Columbians with the supports and services they need to do just that - get back to work and be self-sufficient.

Each of the 85 new WorkBC Employment Services Centres and 114 satellite offices that opened across the province on April 2 offers a full suite of employment programs while ensuring quick and easy access through a single door.

When job seekers visit one of the centres, they will meet with an employment advisor to help identify the supports and services they need to find - and keep - a job. Then, depending on their eligibility, they will get help building their resume, taking additional training, or building other skills that will help them find success in their job search.

Knowing that not everyone's needs are the same, service providers are responsible for ensuring that everyone - including specialized populations and people living in smaller communities - has access to the full suite of employment services. Specialized populations include immigrants, youth, Aboriginal peoples, Francophones, people with multiple barriers, survivors of violence and/or abuse, people with disabilities and people living in rural and remote areas.

Before any contracts for the new Employment Program of BC were awarded, service providers had to demonstrate a clear understanding of the specific needs of the people living in their local area and identify how they were going to meet the needs of their communities.

For example, in communities where language barriers exist, services are being offered in multiple languages and job seekers are providing access to translation and interpretation services as needed. Under this new program, people with English as a second language are receiving the same or better services as were previously offered, but with increased access and choice.

People living in rural or remote locations may access services through satellite centres or through mobile, online or outreach services. All locations are fully accessible.

To ensure no one falls between the cracks, a comprehensive performance management system is in place to ensure the program delivers on its promise. Two external advisory panels - one of which focuses exclusively on the needs of specialized populations - are being set up to provide advice and recommendations to the Ministry of Social Development. This will help the ministry assess and adjust the program on an ongoing basis to ensure that people's needs are being met.

As well, a Centre for Employment Excellence will launch in the fall that will offer resources, training and technical assistance to the employment services sector with the goal of improving employment outcomes for anyone looking for work in the province.

Through the new Employment Program of BC, we are delivering on our commitment to ensure all British Columbians have the supports and services they need to find a job and get back into the workforce quickly.

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect

• Across the province, there is an average daily total (YTD) of only 16 girls in youth custody. Prior to the centralization, averages were: eight girls in Burnaby, five in Victoria and three in Prince George. There were many times in Prince George and Victoria where only one girl was in custody, isolated by herself, and many times when the staffed girls unit in Prince George was empty.

• There have been 118 individual girls admitted to custody this fiscal year to date, 76 of whom were placed in Burnaby.

• Bringing all the girls in youth custody together in Burnaby enables the development of and access to a broader array of gender-specific programs that, for example, will better address addictions and mental health needs (especially trauma) of girls. This will benefit all girls in custody, but especially girls who otherwise would have been in Prince George or Victoria and would not have access to the array of gender-specific programs available in Burnaby.

• About half of the girls formerly admitted to Prince George and Victoria were already transported from other communities and were long distances from their families. A review found that only about one-quarter of the girls in custody in Victoria and Prince George had relatives who visited the centres in person.

• Centralizing female youth custody services in Burnaby will decrease the amount of travel time in confinement for girls committed to custody from outlying communities.

• Formerly, girls committed to custody were transported to Burnaby or regional centres in sheriff vans. This type of ground travel can take days at a time. Under the new system, girls from outlying areas will be flown to Burnaby from the nearest airport under the escort of a female sheriff, spending less time travelling and less time in police cells.

• Girls who are released from custody in Burnaby will have community transition plans and will be provided transportation under appropriate adult supervision to return to their home communities and families. Girls will not be released to the street under any circumstance.

• Girls sentenced to secure custody have been centralized in Burnaby for five years - nothing has changed. The closure of the girls' units at Victoria and Prince George, which were only for open custody and remand purposes, and centralization of all girls' custody services in Burnaby is consistent with the approach taken for secure sentenced custody for girls.

• The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver which, for many decades, has been the leading Canadian and international organization that advocates for the rights of female prisoners fully supports the centralization of services for girls.

• As part of the realignment, the ministry will promote family visits through telephone, video conferencing and financial supports for parent travel, where required.

• These improvements are the result of a review of program requirements to address the needs of youth in custody and of B.C.'s very low and decreasing youth incarceration rate.

• B.C. has the lowest per capita youth custody rate in the country due to the use of community-based alternative programs, treatment services, and more integrated service delivery by the ministry.

• Ministry planning has included provision for increases in youth custody expected to result from changes in federal youth justice legislation. A 25-per-cent increase in the youth custody population can, if necessary, be absorbed under the realigned system.

Contact:

Shae Greenfield
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639   
 

March 29, 2012

VICTORIA - As the minister responsible for public safety, I want British Columbians to know the facts about how we're improving the DriveABLE program to better meet the needs of drivers while maintaining public safety.

As we get older, our cognitive abilities change - in a small number of cases, they change to the degree that driving simply isn't safe anymore. It is very emotional and difficult to face the possibility that, after decades of driving, we may face the loss of our licences. I understand that - in fact, I went through that process with both my parents.

It is important to note that a very small number of drivers, including seniors, actually lose their licences. Of 3.1 million B.C. drivers - 84,000 of whom are over 80 - only about 1,500 take a DriveABLE assessment each year. The vast majority of seniors will continue to drive for a long, long time. About 95 per cent of referrals to take the assessment come from physicians, when they screen for cognitive impairments they believe make it unsafe for their patients to drive.

We clearly heard concerns from seniors about DriveABLE. First, some seniors felt anxious about taking the on-screen DriveABLE assessment. Second, that they want the driving assessments to be done closer to home, especially in rural communities. Several months ago, after listening to these concerns, I directed staff to look at program improvements.

Our government listened and has taken decisive actions. The biggest change means that seniors will no longer have a decision made about their ability to drive solely based on an on-screen assessment. People who do not pass this assessment will be given the opportunity to take an on-road assessment. The Province will pay for both assessments. Final decisions will be based on a combination of the two, plus medical information provided by their doctor.

We are also in the process of developing a service-delivery model to reduce the amount of travel for rural British Columbians. As a Northerner, I am acutely aware of the challenge that travelling long distances creates for seniors. Our goal is to provide services as close to home as possible through regional expansion and increased mobile services.

We also recognize that we have to do a better job of outreach and public education. Ministry staff will be working to connect with seniors and their families much earlier in the process, with a focus on how we can help prepare them for possible changes and how driver assessments work.

Staff will also work with stakeholder groups (such as medical doctors and physician groups) who will assist us in developing new materials that explain age-related driving issues, medical fitness requirements and personal planning for driving retirement.

Finally, we are going to continue to evaluate and review driving assessments. While DriveABLE is a tool used in other parts of Canada and internationally, we are always open to continued improvement. A peer review is currently underway on DriveABLE and we look forward to seeing the outcomes. We will be monitoring future research, and will be prepared to make adjustments based on what is learned.

Our goal is a simple one: to ensure seniors can keep driving for as long as it's safe, while ensuring decisions on their ability to drive are done in the most fair and respectful way possible.

For more information on driver medical fitness in B.C., visit: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/

Media Contact:
Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-6961

VICTORIA - Producing quality, great-tasting food products is an integral part of British Columbia's economy. That is why the Province recently launched "BC Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth" as part of the BC Jobs Plan; to ensure food production in our province continues to grow and support valuable jobs and healthy communities.

The agrifoods sector was selected as part of the BC Jobs Plan because it has great potential for growth, and offers exciting opportunities to inject new dollars into the B.C. economy. The agrifood strategy will guide the further development of B.C.'s agrifoods sector, with the goal to increase industry revenues from the current $10.5 billion a year to $14 billion annually by 2017.

Early in the new year, I met with over two dozen producers representing all sectors within the larger agrifood industry to discuss a plan for the sector. I wanted to hear from them first-hand because it was essential this strategy be developed from the ground up. The men and women who produce and process our foods and beverages are the experts, and so it was essential their thoughts and perspectives be reflected in the plan.

Together we looked at various opportunities and challenges confronting our industry. This includes a heightened appreciation for buying local, a growing global desire for safe, secure food products, increasing demands on our land base as well as the need to maintain a competitive business environment so producers can generate jobs and wealth.

The resulting five-year strategy lays out a coherent roadmap to move British Columbia's agrifood industry to a new level of prosperity. Stakeholders agree the measures we're undertaking make the target of increasing annual revenues by $3.5 billion by 2017 realistic and attainable. To achieve this we will place special emphasis on promoting B.C.'s high-quality and high-value products, take specific actions to expand both domestic and international markets and bring about new policies to enhance industry competitiveness.

The plan clearly differentiates our government's approach to agriculture from the opposition. While we embrace forward-thinking, innovative approaches to growing the industry, the NDP are either focused on the rear-view mirror with yesterday's ideas or are advocating for policies that are already in place.

When the NDP say they'll have public institutions purchase locally grown foods they're embarrassingly unaware that fresh B.C. products are already served in schools and hospitals. For example, contracted food providers for Health Authorities in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are already using local food sources like chickens, eggs, beef, and in-season produce. Meanwhile our government's School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program is providing nutritious servings to over 400,000 students while supporting local food producers.

In terms of marketing, the NDP want to bring back BuyBC and its multi-million dollar cost to taxpayers. While this was an effective program a generation ago, our government's approach is to move to a contemporary marketing model. We know the demographic that does most of the grocery shopping also has the highest social media use. That's why we've introduced FoodsBC, using social media to more effectively promote buying local. Facebook and Twitter sites are up and running, while mobile applications, a market-exchange tool and dedicated website are on the way. In addition we're working with industry on other shared, more traditional marketing plans that have a fresh, dynamic brand.

Over the next five years, the BC Agrifoods Strategy for Growth and the BC Jobs Plan will develop and expand our domestic and international markets. We will build on our reputation for producing safe, high-quality, high-value products to increase our competitiveness worldwide. This will generate economic growth for our agrifoods families and for the people of B.C.

Perhaps most importantly, "BC Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth" is a living document that allows us to adapt to changing conditions or emerging trends. I will be revisiting the strategy with industry representatives this fall to ensure we are on the right track, and if revisions or alterations to our collective plan are required then they will be made jointly.

I also invite the public to read and comment on the strategy at: www.BCJobsPlan.ca

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

• ensure accurately transcribed and translated witness statements;
• ensure prosecution files involving child victims are identified early in the process;
• facilitate Crown file ownership for pro-active case management wherever feasible; and
• establish a more effective flagging mechanism for identifying cases with a child victim for trial preparation purposes.
  

CJB policies and case management practices will also be reviewed to see if further changes need to be made to address the specific issues raised in the report, including quality control timelines to monitor completion of disclosure requirements and witness readiness.

The CJB will also distribute the report as an educational tool to all prosecutors and emphasize to Crown Counsel the unique needs of these files and the importance of close monitoring.  

Recommendation 2: That the Ministry of Justice ensure an appropriately funded system of access to accredited translation and interpretive services is available throughout all states of an investigation and prosecution.

As the report notes, police are responsible for arranging the transcription and translation of statements made in foreign languages and providing those translated statements to Crown. This is set out in the Memorandum of Understanding on Disclosure between Police and Crown Counsel in British Columbia.

Currently, there are translation services available across the province and police regularly access these services when needed for use with witness statements, or they produce the translations in-house. However, greater clarity is required on when it is necessary for police to use accredited or court-approved translators for the production of a statement, so that the necessary resources can be allocated to get the work done in a timely way.  Special consideration will also be given to how these translations are handled when rarely used languages are involved.

To ensure a similar situation does not occur going forward, CJB will bring this issue to the B.C. Crown Police Liaison Committee, which is made up of prosecution and senior police representatives from across the province, for consideration and the development of an effective solution to the need for accredited transcription and translation of statements. The next meeting of the committee is in May.

Recommendation 3: That the Ministry of Justice produce an annual aggregate report on the outcomes of criminal prosecutions where a child has been a victim of violence, including cases that are stayed or otherwise terminated prior to a trial.

The Ministry of Justice will produce an annual, aggregate, data-based report beginning in June 2013, which is the timing recommended by the Representative. This report will identify the number of accused persons who are charged with offences involving child victims and the outcomes of prosecution files involving child victims.  

Contact:

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 387-4962
250 889-5945 (cell)