News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

The BC Ministry of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing announced this morning that BC’s $8.6-billion mining industry has reason to celebrate Mining Week, May 13-19. Employment, revenue, exports, production and prices are all up over previous years and are in a position to continue rising.

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Prince Rupert RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 24 yrea old male from the Bella Bella community.

Maxwell Brown Jr. was last seen on Tuesday , May 1, at approximately 1:00am in the small community of Klemtu, where he was visiting friends. The community has a population of 200 residents and is located on Swindle Island which is six hours south of Prince Rupert, BC.  In order to access the community, visitors and residents require the use of a BC Ferry or float plane. The closest community to Klemtu is Bella Bella.

(Photo:  Maxwell Brown Jr. is described as 5'10" and 161 lbs with brown eyes, dark brown hair and a tattoo of the words 'Rest in Peace' located on the left side of his neck.  Click photo for largerversion.)

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Legislation introduced today will allow provincial laws and regulations to apply to major commercial and industrial projects on federal Indian Reserve Land for the first time, announced Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mary Polak. 

Bill 43, the First Nations Commercial and Industrial Development Act (FNCIDA) Implementation Act, implements the federal government's FNCIDA initiative, which seeks to regularize development on Indian Reserves. Under the Constitution, Indian Reserves are a federal responsibility. 

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The Province is introducing changes to the review process for immediate roadside prohibitions (IRPs), to safeguard the life-saving benefits of its impaired driving law while addressing a recent court ruling.

The proposed Motor Vehicle Act amendments will enhance fairness and strengthen public confidence in the process for drivers whose roadside breath samples yield either 'warn' or 'fail' readings on an approved screening device (ASD). The amendments are critical to sustain the public safety benefits and justice reform facilitated by providing police with tough, immediate roadside prohibitions, as an alternative to pursuing the full criminal process for those who provide a failing breath sample.

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BC is making it possible for caterers to obtain a liquor licence, enabling catering companies to fully meet the food and beverage needs of their clients.

The new legislation, introduced today, will allow caterers to provide a wider range of services to their customers. This expansion of services will make it easier for clients to have liquor service at catered events, which will not only help support the industry, but also strengthen B.C.'s tourism appeal.

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The Province is adding 30 web cameras to its DriveBC network this year, giving motorists more opportunities to check real-time traffic, road and weather conditions as they plan their trips. Six of these will be in Northern BC.

The closest new highway cam will be located on Highway 97 between Williams Lake and Quesnel.  It is expected to be installed this spring.  Existing highway cams in the Cariboo are located south of Williams Lake near Enterprise Road, and on Begbie Summit, as well as in Dragon Lake and Hixon. Add a comment

A new labour market partnership agreement between the Province and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) will help address human resources challenges within Aboriginal non-profit agencies to better provide essential supports to Aboriginal people and families throughout B.C.

Aboriginal non-profit agencies often face complex human resource issues and labour market challenges, such as lower wages and benefits, lack of pensions and high rates of worker turnover. The agreement will help develop a strategy to address these challenges. It will also lead to the development of tools and resources relevant to Aboriginal cultures and communities that address the more standard human resources issues such as recruitment, retention and succession planning.

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The B.C. government wants to hear what you have to say about policing.

The Province is engaging with British Columbians online and in face-to-face sessions over the next three months, with feedback being used to support the development of a new 10-year policing strategic plan, announced Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond.

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British Columbia is joining the federal government in marking Victims of Crime Awareness Week, April 22-28, by providing over $40 million again this year to support the delivery of critical services to those individuals whose lives have been impacted by crime.

The B.C. government funds more than 160 victim service programs throughout the province to provide information, referrals, emotional support and practical assistance to victims of crime.

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A record-breaking number of skilled tradespersons have qualified as journeypersons this year, announced Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell today while touring Camosun College's carpentry program.

Nearly 8,760 Certificates of Qualification have been awarded by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) for the 2011-12 year - more than ever before, at a time when B.C.'s economy needs them the most. This is the highest number of certificates awarded since the ITA was established in 2004, and represents a 20 per cent increase over 2010- 11, when 7,318 certificates were awarded.

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