I had similar questions and now here is the answers. Thought some of you may be interested.
Cheers
This email was sent to subscribers of MLA Shirley Bond E-Newsletter, as well as people she has met out in the community.
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 |  | | A Message From Shirley
Myth Busters | | Hello everyone,There has been a lot of discussion in recent weeks about temporary foreign workers. This is an important topic, and one that certainly should be discussed. It is important to separate myths and facts, however. One of the common myths we hear is that it is easy to find people who want to work in underground coal mines. The fact is, before permits are granted to hire temporary foreign workers, a company has to go through a process, managed by the federal government, which requires them to demonstrate that they have made efforts to hire Canadians for the jobs. This includes demonstrating that the wages being offered are comparable to similar jobs, that working conditions meet provincial labour standards, and that there is an economic benefit to hiring foreign workers, such as the transfer of knowledge and of skills from foreign workers to Canadian ones, or the development of a new industry.Another myth is that the company rigged the process to hire temporary foreign workers, and used Mandarin as a language requirement. In fact, the company, HD Mining, went through the required process for advertising the jobs for Canadian workers, including advertising through the company’s and BC Mining Association’s websites, as well as local and provincial job boards, newspapers and fairs. Mandarin was not a language requirement for any of these jobs, and the federal government determined that there were no qualified workers available before allowing the jobs to be advertised for temporary foreign workers.Yet another myth is that Chinese workers are being hired because they are cheap. Once again, the facts are different; Chinese workers are being hired because there are no workers in Canada with the necessary training in long wall mining. In fact, Grand Cache Coal in Alberta, the only other underground mine operating right now in Canada, also uses temporary foreign workers, because of the lack of workers with the right skills and workers willing to work in underground coal mines. The company advertised these jobs at a level of pay equal to or higher than Grand Cache Coal. It is important to realize that a lot of what we hear is myth, and we need to look at the facts. At the bottom of this page, you can find a link to learn more about the myths and facts regarding temporary foreign workers.This week, as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, I had the privilege of announcing the first ten steps we will be taking towards transforming British Columbia’s justice system. This reform is a project that I have been working on for a long time, and which is very important to me personally. We will be reducing backlog, improving access to justice services, and increasing transparency throughout the justice system. After a great deal of consultation with stakeholders and with the help of input from the public, we have come up with a plan that will improve timeliness and balance through sustainable reforms. I hope you’ll take the time to read about the steps we are taking through the link below, and I will continue to work towards implementing these important changes.Moving from justice to emergency relief, this week our government made an agreement which is one of the first of its kind in Canada. We will be working with the Canadian Red Cross Society to deploy disaster management personnel, equipment, and infrastructure more quickly in response to natural disasters or other catastrophic events. When major events strike, like the tsunami in Japan last year, local responders can sometimes be overwhelmed. It is exactly at times like these that the Red Cross can use its resources and expertise to help out, and through this agreement the Red Cross can bring in national or international trained personnel and equipment that can be ready to go in 24 to 48 hours. Through this partnership, our ability to respond to disasters is greatly improved.Turning closer to home, if you want to get a sneak peek at the new BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North before it opens, there will be an open house this coming Monday, October 29, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. This will be the sixth regional cancer centre in B.C., and you can tour this brand new facility, with its state-of-the-art radiation therapy unit, before it begins treating patients. It is something Northerners have been waiting for and I am thrilled that families requiring radiation treatment will now be able to do that closer to home surrounded by their families and friends!A busy weekend ahead including participating in federal and provincial ministers meetings and constituency work! I look forward to seeing you out and about . . .Until next week,
Shirley | | | | The latest from our community and around B.C.
What's Making News | Myths and facts on temporary foreign workers Myth 1 - It is no problem finding people who want to work in underground coal mines. Fact 1 - Prior to being granted permits to hire temporary foreign workers, a company must secure a labour market opinion. Managed by the federal government, the process requires... Learn more here:  | | | | | |
MLA Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, with Nancy Harris and Norm Coyne at the Healthier You Expo.
MLA Shirley Bond with Monica Peacock, winner of Prince George Citizen of the Year.
B.C., Red Cross to co-ordinate major disaster responses - The B.C. government and the Canadian Red Cross Society today formalized a partnership to deploy disaster management infrastructure, equipment and personnel more quickly and effectively in response to a major catastrophic event or natural disaster.
Learn more here: |
New smartphone app helps youth be their own boss - Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto was joined by Junior Achievement of British Columbia students at Lambrick Park Secondary school on Tuesday to launch the new smartphone application, Boss Yourself.New tools and information are now available for businesses on the steps they need to take when the Provincial Sales Tax replaces the Harmonized Sales Tax next spring.
Learn more here: | | B.C. pledges action plan to modernize justice system - The first 10 steps toward transforming B.C.'s justice system were announced today by Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond, with projects aimed at reducing backlog, improving access to justice services and increasing transparency.
Learn more here:
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| | | Upcoming community events | | Calendar of Events | | The Fifth annual homemade frozen cookie and pastry dough is now on sale. What a great way to save time during the holiday season. There are seven varieties of cookie dough to choose from each package contain 3 pounds of frozen cookie dough for $10.00. Or one pound of homemade frozen pastry dough for $2.50 per package. For more details or to place your order phone 250.561.9381 and ask for Odelia or after hours call 250.964.1118October 26 The Spruce Kings will be facing off against Alberni Valley! Tickets are available at the Spruce Kings office in the Prince George Coliseum.October 27 The Prince George Cougars will be facing off against Brandon Wheat Kings! For Ticket information, call Ticketmaster at 250.564.5585October 27 The Spruce Kings will be facing off against West Kelowna! Tickets are available at the Spruce Kings office in the Prince George Coliseum.October 27 Canada’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers will be performing at Vanier Hall. Show starts at 7:30. Ticket on sale at Studio 2880 250.563.2880 30.00 Adults, 20.00 18 & under doors open at 7:00 pm with the show starting at 7:30 pmOctober 27 The Nove Voce Chorus is preparing there first concert to the new season at the Prince George Playhouse. Tickets for Changing Tides. A music Voyage are $15 and can be purchased at Studio 2880 or at the door. Concert starts at 8:00 pmOctober 27 Visit the Halloween Spooktacular at Huble Homestead in the dark for Prince George’s spookiest Halloween Haunt. Lots of activities and crafts for kids. Plus entertainment, hot drinks and snacks in the General Store. The brave can tour the House of Horrors for $3 per tour. Bring a flashlight, waterproof shoes and dress warmly. Event starts 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for full schedule of activates visit www.hublehomestead.ca or call 250.564.7033October 27 The Prince George Railway Museum will be holding a Halloween Fairytale. Doors open at 11:00 am- 3:00 pm. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item to the Prince George Salvation Army Food Bank. This event is focused on the Grimm’s Fairy Tales and the public library will have a storyteller on hand. Lots of other activates demonstrations from the Spinners Weavers Guild and the Ghost train will make an appearance, many snacks to purchase for those that are hungry.October 27 The Two Rivers Gallery is holding a fundraiser. Menagerie- A night to let it out! Jimi Smyth will be your Menagerie DJ and Hummus Brothers will be providing a fantastic late night lunch. Great door prizes - a trip for two to any scheduled WestJet destination! The best costume wins a trip for 4 to Jasper compliments of Via Rail. Tickets at the door are $80.00. For more information call Carol at 250.614.7804October 27 Hart Pioneer Center will be holding a Halloween Dance music will be provided by Country Caliber. $10.00 per person and includes a midnight snack.October 28 the Forever Young Chorus will be performing their popular Songs of the Old West Show at 2 pm at the PineVeiw Recreation Centre at 6470 Bendixon. Tickets are 10.00. Special guest is Prince Georges Idol winner Laurie Meier. For ticket information, call Donna at 250.963.9475October 29 YMCA is hosting the 2nd Annual Halloween Spooktacular. Children between the ages of 2-5 are invited down from 10:00 am -11:00 am and older children are invited down from 4:30-6:30 pm.October 30 Le Cercle des Canadiens Francais (French Canadian Society of Prince George) is hosting Anthropology in our backyards event. Epic and Forgotten: The history of French speakers and the Metis of Northern BC. Dr Michel Bouchard, Associate Professor at UNBC Department of Anthropology will be speaking at ArtSpace (2nd Floor, Books & Co. Building) at 7:30 pm presentation will be done mostly in French. For more information, call 250.561.2565October 30 IMSS will be holding an Embracing Diversity workshop at 1270 2nd Ave between 9:30-11:30 admissions is free. For more information call Cat Sivertsen at 250.562.2900 or email cat@imss.caNovember 2-4 Is the 36th Annual Studio Fair presented by the Community Arts Council over 90 vendors will be on had at the Prince George Civic Centre.November 2 Good Timber at the Prince George Playhouse. Based on the logger poetry of Robert E Swanson, the Bard of the Woods. Tickets are available at Books & Co on 3rd Ave or call 250.563.6637 for more information.November 3 Looking to learn more about BC wines? North 54 and Cheryl Lawrence Liquor Agency Ltd along with Foothill Foods and Deli are bringing the best of BC wines and pairing it with the best world cheeses. Tickets are $45.00 from 6:00-8:00 pmNovember 2-3 The Elder Citizens Drama Club presents Wits and Skits. Come out for a few laughs. All proceeds go towards Elder Citizen Recreation Centre on 10th Ave. For more information, call 250.561.9381November 3 Nadina Jackson returns home to solo with the Prince George Symphony for a one-night engagement at 7:30 pm at Vanier Hall. For more information call 250.562.0800 or email marketing@pgso.com | | | |
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