It’s been another busy week in the Cariboo-Chilcotin!
Feb. 6 and 7 was the ministers’ Cariboo tour with ministers Pat Bell, Mary McNeil, Ida Chong and Steve Thomson, and myself.
This week I would like to share with you some of the highlights of that trip.
While there were many places we visited and people we saw, the first thing I’d like to share with you is the Success by 6 funding announcement which took place at the North Cariboo Aboriginal Family Program Society in Quesnel and Marie Sharpe Elementary School in Williams Lake. Success by 6 is a non-profit organization that teaches children about everything from the importance of good nutrition to creative and interactive play. It was an absolute delight to announce a new investment of $3.4 million from the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Another highlight was the signing agreement ceremony between the Williams Lake Indian Band and Mount Polley Mining Corporation. The agreement set the stage for economic development between the two parties and is a true testament to relationship building between businesses and First Nations. One of the greatest highlights of the trip was our Williams Lake announcement of $200,000 in funding for the Cariboo Memorial Hospital. The province announced $10 million in July 2011 to provide financial assistance for rural, fee-for-service physicians who commit to ensure reliable public access to emergency services. Quesnel’s GR Baker Memorial Hospital and 100 Mile House’s District General Hospital also qualified for this funding. As you can tell, this was a very extensive and positive tour. We experienced the passion of sharp stakeholders with a drive for economic growth, caring community leaders and bright young students. It makes me feel incredibly proud to show off my constituency to our province’s ministers and do good for the people I serve.
Donna Barnett is the Liberal MLA for Cariboo Chilcotin.