News

OTTAWA – Pacific Coast shipbuilders need work now and Canada’s navy needs new ships, but both will have to wait up to two years according to an announcement made by four Conservative ministers in Ottawa.

The press conference held earlier today at a military trade-show was largely a rehash of past promises and included few details about the lengthy tendering process or funding sources.

NDP MP Denise Savoie was pleased that Conservatives finally recognize shipbuilding is the viable industry that New Democrats have always maintained it can be, but she remains sceptical.

By: Darrell Bellaart, Daily News

Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder is throwing her support behind keeping the Green's Landing wharf on Gabriola Island under federal control.

The Regional District of Nanaimo is looking to takeover the wharf to maintain access to tiny Mudge Island, if Public Works Canada chooses to proceed with divestment of the facility.

It is the main access point to Mudge from Gabriola and has been operated federally since 1959.

By: Darrell Bellaart, Daily News

Powerful emotions overcame David Munro as he carried the Olympic flame through Hope on Sunday.

Munro is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who lived in Nanaimo for several years. He wept as he ran through the Fraser Valley town.

The 73-year-old man was overcome by thoughts of soldiers lost while he served as a United Nations peacekeeper in international hotspots such as the Suez Canal, the Sinai Desert and the Gaza Strip.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I have another couple of education questions.

I understand that the audit division has completed an audit of the K-to-12 programs. Do you know when the committee will have access to that report?

A voice: An audit or an evaluation?

Ms. Jean Crowder: I had it as an audit, but it could be an evaluation.

Mr. Michael Wernick: No, I don't know off the top of my head.

Ms. Jean Crowder: Could you let us know on that?

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present.

The first petition concerns rural post offices. One of the things we know about public post offices is they connect communities throughout this vast land, helping us to overcome differences and distances. Public post offices play a key role in our social and economic lives by providing the infrastructure that healthy communities need to thrive and for businesses to grow.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Madam Speaker, I want to go back to something the member for Timmins—James Bay said about arts funding. I want to quote the member's very good question in the House about the CBC. He said:

Mr. Speaker, we are now seeing crippling losses at CBC in Windsor, Sudbury and Thunder Bay. While we are talking about pink slips, he should be giving them to the Conservative MPs from Quebec who will pay for his decision to blow 260 jobs yesterday in Montreal alone.

By Richard J Brennan

OTTAWA — Four of Canada's largest unions have joined together to urge the federal government to tackle the appalling conditions facing the country's native communities.

The labour movement's "sorry is not enough" campaign is pressing the Conservative government to get beyond last year's apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Canada natives for the emotional and physical harm done to them by the residential school system.

By Lexi Bainas

Heavy rain eased at noon Wednesday, Oct. 14 to allow a large group of the Valley's homeless and their supporters to enjoy lunch together outdoors at the Mound in downtown Duncan.

The occasion?

A special event to celebrate the community's efforts to help the homeless and to recognize Homeless Action Week.

The Regional Affordable Housing Directorate and many other community partners organized the highly-successful event, which featured delicious chili from the Community Kitchens group.

Mr. Speaker,

Volunteers are the cornerstone of every community. They drive the ill, care for the weary, talk to the lonely and cook for armies of the hungry.

Volunteer Cowichan was established in 1977 to raise volunteer awareness in my riding.

Volunteer Nanaimo has been serving my constituents for almost 30 years. Both organizations have created programs that enhance the quality of life by increasing the impact individuals can have on their community.

Groups like Volunteer Cowichan and Volunteer Nanaimo work with partners to respond to community needs.