February 14, 2007 The Valley Voice Volume 16, Number 3 February 14, 2007 Delivered to every home between Edgewood, Kaslo & South Slocan. Published bi-weekly. “Your independently-owned regional community newspaper serving the Arrow Lakes, Slocan & North Kootenay Lake Valleys.” Childcare community speaks out on government cutbacks by Jan McMurray up the CCRRs last year and cut them in this province right now and that’s understand that investment in in life.” He urged us to “change it now Locally and provincially, the this year.” because they have taken money off children pays dividends. “It’s not or kids won’t even know what the response to the childcare cuts Cowan also spoke from her the backs of our children. This is because they don’t understand Social Democracy of Canada looks recently announced by the Province perspective as a business owner. “It already an undervalued and investment, and it’s not because they like.” has been very strong. An estimated is important that my employees’ underpaid profession. The kids are are broke.” They got a budget surplus Contact information for the 200 people attended a community children are well looked after. It our future. We need to stand up for “by selling your kids natural gas.” He relevant politicians: Premier forum on the subject in Nelson on affects us when an employee calls in them.” concludes that the reason they make Gordon Campbell: 1-250-387-1715 February 1, and February 13 was a sick because they can’t find Many expressed complete the decisions they do must be one of (phone); 1-604-660-5488 (fax); province-wide day of protest for childcare.” bewilderment over why politicians ideology. “Some people have decided [email protected]; Room 156, childcare. There were protest An Early Childhood Educator make decisions contrary to the results to move away from a social Parliament Buildings, Victoria BC marches in various BC cities, from Nelson said her centre would of the research. Todd Kettner, Dads democracy and into a two-tier V8V 1X4. Prime Minister Stephen including Nelson. have to increase parent fees because for Childcare, co-sponsor of event, system. The decision is driven by Harper: 1-613-941-6900 (fax), At the February 1 event, the line- of the cuts. She referred to the federal said, “Every dollar invested in quality politics. Linda Reid doesn’t need [email protected], Office of the Prime up of speakers included MLA Corky program of giving $100 per month childcare saves money in the long faxes, she needs power! Don’t go to Minister, 80 Wellington St., Ottawa, Evans, who said, “I don’t ever to families for every child under six. term. The money saved is not just in work on February 13.” He also said ON K1A 0A2; Minister of State remember a meeting about childcare “The $100/month after taxing it isn’t education, but in health, mental when he tries to push issues on our for Childcare Linda Reid: 1-250- that had such a large turnout, with going to cover the increase that we’re health and justice. It’s a no brainer. behalf, he loses a lot because he has 356-8337 (phone), email: politicians attending, and with so going to have to charge,” she said. “I All the political parties can come no power. “We need all these people [email protected]; Minister much anger.” have been in this business for 25 together now and learn to play in the – parents, Early Childhood of Finance Carole Taylor: Kim Adamson, local Children years and I have never seen such a sandbox like they did in Educators, business owners – to get [email protected]; MLA First and Success by Six Co- ludicrous decision. In the same year, Kindergarten.” involved or else we will all lose. Corky Evans: 354-5937 (fax), ordinator, described the cuts they tell us to increase the CCRR Corky Evans gave an Canadians get it about early childcare [email protected]; MP announced by Minister of State for program and then shut them impassioned plea for people to get but ideologically we have decided Alex Atamanenko: 1-250-365-2793 Childcare Linda Reid, amounting to down...We have a $2 billion surplus involved. He said the politicians there should be two tiers of chances (fax), [email protected]. between $35-40 million and to be phased in over the next nine months. Adamson explained that childcare is funded mostly by parent fees. The government helps with subsidies for low income families, but Adamson says the program does not capture all the needy families. Another way the government kicks in is with Childcare Operating Funds, which currently pays licenced group childcare centres $7.48 per child (3-5 years old) per day. As of July 1, this grant will drop to $5.48 per child per day. This cut represents a loss of $20,000 per year at the Care to Learn childcare centre in Nelson. The Childcare Operating Funds have also been capped, so no new programs will be able to access them. Capital grants to build new spaces have been cut. Finally, all 45 Childcare Resource and Referral Centres (CCRRs) will be closed by September 30. CCRRs are there to help parents find childcare and access the subsidy program, and to help childcare centres by lending them toys and other resources. Mary Walters from the CCRR in Nelson spoke about the 2005 government decision to expand the CCRRs. The centres moved into storefront locations, and hired and trained staff. Now, they have been told to shut down, and that the government will buy out leases and cover layoff costs. Jennifer Cowan, a volunteer director on the board for Kootenay Kids, described this as “an abject waste of taxpayers’ dollars – to beef The New Denver Nursery School gang gets ready for their trip to Nelson on February 13 to join the protest march against the recent cuts to BC childcare programs. COUNTRY FURNITURE & HOME DECOR Looking for something out of the ordinary? Country Furniture & Home Decor, 115 Hall St. Nelson, Toll-Free 1-866-352-3665 2 NEWS The Valley Voice February 14, 2007 Columbia River Projects Water Use Plan gets stamp of approval by Jan McMurray indicated that the company is happy are approved, the studies will be done. rainbow trout, bull trout and kokanee; wildlife, aesthetics, dust control and The long-awaited approval of the that the plan has now been approved After the studies are approved, the actual and monitor areas identified as recreation, and for monitoring programs Columbia River Projects Water Use and Hydro can move forward. work will begin. providing high value wildlife habitat to to evaluate the effectiveness of the Plan (WUP) came through on However, it looks like it will still The priority is the boat ramps. determine opportunities for protection planting program. Also within a year, January 26. be a while before we see any work on Within three months, BC Hydro must and enhancement. Hydro is to submit terms of reference “We worked hard with local the ground to improve on the submit terms of reference for feasibility Also within nine months, BC for an environmental review to assess communities and stakeholders for a recreational, fish and wildlife, and studies that will recommend options for Hydro will do terms of reference for an the potential impacts of debris removal number of years to develop the plan heritage and cultural values in the Arrow new or extended ramps at Burton, archaeological overview assessment of on fish and wildlife and identify and we believe it provides clear Lakes Reservoir. The next step for BC Edgewood, Fauquier, McDonald Creek the drawdown zones (area between the potential uses of debris for fish habitat operational criteria that will balance Hydro is to start putting together terms Park and two other sites on the Lower low and high water marks) of the and wetland habitat restoration in the environmental and recreational of reference for studies that will Columbia. reservoir, and erosion monitoring of the reservoir. Finally, terms of reference will interests,” commented Jennifer determine how best to do the work on The Nakusp ramp is not mentioned archaeological resources in the be submitted for a feasibility study that Walker-Larsen of BC Hydro. She the ground. Once the terms of reference in the plan, but Walker-Larsen assured reservoir. will review physical works options to that this does not change Hydro’s Within a year, Hydro must submit improve conditions for nesting and commitment to improve the ramp. “The terms of reference for a reservoir-wide migratory birds and wildlife within the Water Comptroller decided the Nakusp planting program that will benefit fish, drawdown zone. ramp was outside the scope of the WUP because the ramp is functional at all The Tanchiro Brothers premiere water levels, but he is still requiring BC Locally produced film The Stefan Berrill, director, producer, and Hydro to make improvements to the Tanchiro Brothers will be hosting a screenwriter. boat ramp, using the order under clause world premiere at the Capitol Theatre “This could be the real start for m of the water licence.” February 20 and 22. Doors open at 7 indy film in Nelson,” adds actor Nakusp Mayor Karen Hamling, pm, showtime for both screenings is David Edgington. however, says the Village provided 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the input during the public referral process The 110 minute action/drama Capitol Theatre Box Office for $8.25. arguing that the ramp should be part of feature is the story of two private the water use planning process.