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Iain J.S. Black, MLA

___________________________

Come support and celebrate with Iain!

Thanks to Minister Iain Black, Wednesday is going to be an exciting day in the
Tri-Cities for education and families of young children.

On the heels of the historic $102 million capital and seismic announcement in
February, the minister will be making another major education announcement that
will specifically and immediately affect hundreds of families in his riding, and
across the broader Tri-Cities.

Details:|Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 9:00am at The Gymnasium of Aspenwood Elementary School
2001 Panorama Drive Port Moody, B.C.

This landmark announcement represents an achievement for which Iain can take
personal responsibility, and it would be great to have as many of his
supporters celebrate with him as possible.

See you there!

Hon. Iain J.S. Black Minister of Labour and Citizen Services, and M.L.A., Port Moody-Westwood
#602 - 205 Newport Dr. Port Moody, BC
Phone: 604-933-2312 Fax: 604-933-2315
MLA E-mail: iain.black.mla@leg.bc.ca
Web Site: www.iainblack.bc.ca

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Dear Friends,
Feb 05/09

Earlier this week, Premier Gordon Campbell announced to British Columbians that
the global financial crisis was going to impact our province in a manner that
is simply unprecedented in modern economics.

He announced that literally billions of dollars have disappeared from every
source of our projected government revenues over the next 12-24 months. What
has made this even more distressing is the speed with which this has happened;
quite literally, weeks.

As your government spends about 30 billion dollars a year - most of it on
healthcare and education - our spending plans cannot absorb a drop of 2-3
billion without either dramatically and immediately cutting into such
sacrosanct services, or by willingly going into a deficit for a year or two.

We have some crucial, strategic investments planned for Budget 2009, including
increases for our healthcare system for the 8th consecutive year. We decided
it was more important to provide those increases than it was to stick to our
justified, ideological policy of a balanced budget. This decision was not made
lightly, as it goes against the grain of everything we've repeatedly proven we
believe in as prudent fiscal managers and tax cutters. But all of us
recognized we are not dealing with "normal" circumstances right now, and that
the damage of the global crisis could actually be greater if we didn't maintain
our historically high levels of investment into our public institutions and
services.

We were able to accept this distasteful decision in large part because every
economic indicator suggests that we are right to be confident that BC will
bounce back sooner - and higher - than any other economy in Canada and,
frankly, most/all of the western world. The tough decisions and sound
management over the past 7 years has paid off in a way that none of us thought
it might.

I have included for your reading, below, the entire text of the Premier's
presentation from earlier this week. I want to tell you that I have never seen
him wrestle with a decision more than the decision to accept a deficit for up to
two years, and yet never seen him more confident about the difficult decision
once it was made. His belief in this province and its people is unshakeable,
and he is rightfully approaching this with both complete honesty and a
determination to once again deliver British Columbia from a financial challenge
not of our making.

He is in top form, and I am proud to serve on his team.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hon. Iain J.S. Black
Minister of Labour and Citizen Services, and
M.L.A., Port Moody-Westwood
#602 - 205 Newport Dr.
Port Moody, BC
Phone: 604-933-2312
Fax: 604-933-2315
E-mail: iain.black.mla@leg.bc.ca
Web Site: http://iainblackmla.bc.ca

State of the Economy Update
February 2, 2009

Premier Gordon Campbell and Finance Minister Colin Hansen presented an update
today on the state of B.C.?s economy and outlined steps the Province will take
to ensure critical services like health care and education are maintained in
tough economic times.
. Click here to view Minister Hansen's Slide Presentation.
. Click here to view video of the Economic Update.
Statement from Premier Gordon Campbell on the State of the Economy

This is a very difficult day.

Colin has laid out the picture.

Over the last few weeks the slides haven?t been getting any better.

I?d like to thank Colin, all our deputies and all the officials in finance for
the exceptional work they have done in the last weeks.

As you probably all know the general framework for the budget is normally
finalized by mid December. That was not possible this year, if we wanted to
present a credible budget document in February.

Everything has been changing. Over the last few weeks we have been forced to
confront the most difficult decisions I have ever personally faced in two
decades of public life.

I have been pretty clear. I abhor deficits.

But the changes have come too fast and too big for me to honestly tell you we
can credibly present a balanced budget on February 17th without doing
significant harm to critical health services and essential education services.

I know what I have said. I know the clips and I am sure we will all be reminded
of them in the days ahead. I wrestled with this decision for many sleepless
nights.

I know I will have supporters who counted on me and on us who will be
disappointed, some may be angry.

But I hope they will understand that in these unprecedented times we must ALL
take action that reaches beyond ideology to protect the services that are
essential in the short term, so we are stronger in the long term.

I don?t believe in deficits. I have consistently railed against them for my two
decades in public life.

My colleagues in our caucus dislike deficits as much as me. But we are facing a
situation we couldn?t plan for. We haven?t experienced anything like it before
in scope, speed, scale, suddenness and synchronicity.

It has been a stark reminder that no one can escape the global forces at play.

There?s been a seismic shift in the world?s economies.

It was just a couple of weeks ago that it became clear, that without massive
reductions in planned health and education budgets that a credible balanced
budget was not achievable.

I meant it when I said, as I have in so many ways, ?when anyone talks about a
deficit, they?re talking about turning their back on the next generation and
sending our problems forward to them.?

That?s true, especially if you allow deficits to build, year after year, as
empty debt, with nothing to show for it.

That is why we worked so hard in B.C. to pay down our operating debt.

Through prudent fiscal management and some very tough decisions, we?ve cut that
operating debt by 47 per cent from its peak. We?ve reduced it by $7.4 billion
over the last five years. But there?s still another $8.3 billion to go, in
addition to whatever gets added back in the next two years.

However, today we face reduced economic growth and a precipitous collapse in
projected revenues that has thrown all our earlier budget plans out the window.

Maybe we should have seen it coming.

In December our forecast council was forecasting a 0.6 per cent economic growth
for ?09. By January, that had fallen to zero.

It is very difficult to finalize a credible budget when so many parts are moving
so fast. To give you an idea, previously the most dramatic shift the senior
finance staff had seen was $100 million in one week. This year they saw a shift
of $300 million in one day.

Today the jury?s out on whether our growth will be flat or whether we are
already living with the ?R? word. However, if we want to build confidence, we
have to plan for some bad news and work tirelessly to create some good news.

We are determined to present to the public our best assessment of what we face
and how we plan to deal with it.

I meant it in the fall when I said, ?We don't need to run deficits? and that we
would not run a deficit in this province. I didn?t think we did or would.

Those comments were made in anticipation of the budget that we were actively
planning to deliver on February 17. Since then, our revenue expectations have
been repeatedly revised and new expenditure pressures have emerged.

The balanced budget we were planning even in December included a provision for
reasonable forecast allowance that would have provided the confidence necessary
to make it credible.

And here?s the really hard part. The truth is - we could STILL deliver a
balanced budget that would comply with our legislation.

But to do that, we would have to cut hundreds of millions out of planned budget
increases for health care and education.

We would have to table a budget with absolutely no margin for error and no room
to manage in the event our forecasts are wrong.

It would be a budget that hurts more than it helps while aggravating our current
economic predicament. In short, it would be a budget that satisfied the law, but
that undermined public confidence and our province?s fiscal credibility.

One of the worst things that ever happened to British Columbia?s reputation was
the NDP ?fudge-it budgets.?

The only thing worse than a deficit budget is a duplicitous budget. That is why
we introduced truth in budgeting legislation and Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles. No matter how politically tough it may be to table a deficit
budget, the heart of any budget?s credibility is its commitment to telling the
truth.

As viscerally challenging as this decision is, I believe people expect their
government to be honest and transparent about the challenges at hand ? that
they don?t want us clinging to ideology or dogma at the expense of the public
interest.

This is a tough decision and people will judge us for it.

We will be recalling the Legislature on noon Monday, February 9, a day earlier
than planned.

We will take that full week, and through that weekend if necessary, to debate
the legislative changes necessary to ensure that the budget we table is legally
compliant.

Those amendments will effectively suspend the current balanced budget
requirement for the next two years.

They will require the budget to be balanced in 2011/12 and thereafter.

They will also require that every penny of future operating surplus is first
applied to eliminating the direct operating debt.

The Speech from the Throne will be delivered on Monday, February 16, and the
budget will be presented as legally required, the next day.

It will be a budget that protects and increases funding for health and
education, consistent with the 2008 budget.

It will be a budget that includes immediate, time-limited investments to support
job creation and to help build confidence in these turbulent times.

And I hope everyone hears this: it will NOT be a budget that abandons our
obligations to future generations.

Just because we have been forced to present a deficit budget that may be
unavoidable for the next two years, does not mean that we will not also manage
down spending during that time.

On the contrary, we WILL.

You will see significant reductions in every area of discretionary spending ? in
travel, advertising, administration, service contracts, grants and contributions
and some government programs.

In short, discretionary spending will be kept to a minimum.

A new restrictive spending regime will be put in place. We will do everything we
can to protect core services.

We have created a fund out of savings to mitigate impacts on individuals and to
make smart decisions to ensure we have critical staff available for key
programs. We have also made a purposeful effort to ensure that it is not just
the lower ranks of staff that manage through change. The senior executive ranks
will be reduced by 20 per cent to contribute to this overall belt-tightening.

This will be the toughest budget we have ever faced.

There is far less room for cost savings in our budgets today than there was
seven years ago.

British Columbians have been fantastic in helping us to manage those pressures
in their interests.

We will not return to the days of runaway spending, high taxes and endless
deficits.

We will not abandon our abiding commitment to fiscal discipline.

This is not about changing priorities. It?s about protecting them.

We will demonstrate the depth of that conviction.

To the extent there is new stimulus spending, it will be focused and limited to
the next two or three years.

Every effort will be made to minimize the structural deficit.

That will be evident on February 17.

I regret that we are faced today with this situation.

But I want to assure everyone that we will not only get through this difficult
period; we will emerge stronger than ever.

The relative strength of our economy and our strong fiscal position will allow
us to do just that.

There is no place better positioned to successfully get through this than
British Columbia.

We will use this period to embark on a building program for our province that
will create jobs in every region of the province.

We will lay that out in more detail in the days ahead.

Tough as it is today for so many, our fastest route forward is to build
stability and confidence in our future. That is what our budget will be all
about.

BC Liberal Party, PO Box 21014, Waterfront Centre, Vancouver, BC V6C 3K3

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Greetings from my office in Port Moody!

It's been a very busy several weeks! This is one of two emails you'll get from
me in the next day or so. This one focuses on the economy, due to the way in
which it has resoundingly dominated world events in the past several weeks.
(The other is a more general update where I touch on a variety of topics.) As
always, please feel free to forward this to whomever you please.

This is a long email, written in as "plain English" as I could muster, but if
you're wondering about the gist of it, here are the three main points:

1. We're in a historically difficult time in the global economy, caused
primarily by $Billions in bad loans made to millions of Americans over the past
several years, and overextended credit in general. The result is that crucial
(and otherwise responsible) lending to business has been shut down around the
world, which chokes businesses across industries and of all sizes - eventually
affecting people by the tens of millions in every country.

2. While BC will experience a slowing of our growth, we will feel this less than
most in the world, and absolutely less so than other jurisdictions in North
America. This is due to the momentum of our fairly resilient economy, and due
to some specific decisions by your BC government over the past six years. Put
another way, "Tax cuts work".

3. To shore up our position of strength further, in October Premier Gordon
Campbell announced a ten point plan to improve the province's economic
competitiveness and reduce costs for families and businesses. Included in the
comprehensive plan is an additional $485 million in more tax relief and
support, as well as a property tax deferral program and steps to protect your
investments in your home, RRSP's and credit union deposits. A fall session of
the legislature took place, ending last week, which passed many of these
measures into law.

For the details on the 10-point plan and your new tax cuts, and a longer
explanation of the above, read on.

INTRO
~~~~~

This has been a worrying couple of months, with a global economic downturn
worrying many of us and threatening jobs, companies and livelihoods all around
the world. This is a longhand view of the current economic situation, how the
global challenges affect BC, and what your government has done to both prepare
for it, and react to it.

SUMMARY
~~~~~~~

An admittedly oversimplified explanation is this:

Decades of living beyond their financial means has caught up with our American
neighbors, and brought extraordinary challenge to our planet's ability to
conduct normal business. As a result of making loans of billions of dollars to
American citizens and businesses that have no hope of being repaid, every
financial institution in the world that normally provides responsible lending
to both small and large businesses has seized up. Worse, when you and I as
investors get nervous we withdraw funds and sell stocks, which immediately
makes a challenging situation disastrous for these financial institutions.
Less global lending and troubled financial institutions leave businesses around
the world without their precious lifeblood - CASH - to pay bills and people, and
to complete projects underway; and so company engines stall and their stock
prices drop.

While our own national system of banks is thankfully very sound (our laws do not
allow the excess of lending that fueled this international disaster), those of
us with RRSP's and other investments realize all too well that we have been
affected in very worrying ways.

It's critical to note, though, that BC's economy is still growing while others
are in recession. To be very clear, no private sector economist is predicting
a recession for British Columbia; slowing of our impressive growth, yes - but
not a recession (recessions involve a shrinking of economic activity to the
point of continuous "negative growth").

Nevertheless, provincial government policies - and politics - enter this
discussion in two ways.

BC: SMART DECISIONS PAYING OFF
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First, we can take some comfort from the fact that BC is better positioned than
any other jurisdiction in North America to come through this downturn faster,
and with less sustained damage. Why? Because we have deliberately diversified
our economy AWAY from a single reliance on our resource industries (especially
forestry) while at the same time ensuring stability within it via instruments
like the Softwood Lumber Agreement. (Without that agreement, this already
struggling flagship industry would be in utter ruin as 30% duties would be
added to its crucial wood exports as they cross the US border.) We've also
started to deliberately diversify our economy AWAY from our near-complete
reliance on America as our largest customer for our products and services,
particularly looking to Asia. Again using forestry as an example, note that
the latest trade statistics indicate that British Columbia softwood exports to
each of China, Korea and Japan will set new records in 2008.

In addition, we have deliberately and systematically transformed BC into a
province that successfully competes for investment from outside our provincial
borders (about $27 Billion since 2001!). BC Liberal values maintain that
investment fuels growth and creates jobs, and to attract that investment we
have dramatically lowered taxes and reduced regulatory burdens on small and
large business alike. The lowest unemployment rates in 30 years, and the
country-leading 430,000 new jobs created here in BC since 2001 attest to the
success of this formula.

Our small business tax rate is now among the lowest in G8 countries in the
world, and our personal income tax rates are the lowest in Canada for working
families. The specifics?: The average British Columbian now pays 40% less
provincial income tax than they did in 2001, with our lower income earners
paying either 70% less or (as is now the case for an additional 100,000 low
wage earners) no BC income tax at all.

In a nutshell, job-creating investments are attracted to BC in preference to any
other North American jurisdiction. It's what has fueled our unprecedented
growth since 2001, and it is what best positions BC for the global rebound
ahead as the financial institutions recover both the cash and the confidence to
start lending again. It is also important to remember that this economic
activity results in the tax revenues (your money!) that enable government to
continue to provide the things we value most: healthcare, education, public
safety, etc.

BC GOVERNMENT: TAKING NEW STEPS TO WEATHER THE STORM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The second way provincial politics enter into this discussion involves what we
think we can DO to provide financial stability, and hasten the end to this slow
growth period here in BC.

On October 22, the premier announced a 10-point plan that specifically addresses
how the provincial government will take steps to further improve the province's
economic competitiveness and reduce costs for working families and businesses
in the wake of the global economic slowdown. The plan will provide an
additional $485 million in tax relief and support over the next three years.

Last week in Victoria, your government enshrined many of those steps into law.
Here's what we did:

We changed the Income Tax Act to accelerate income tax relief for individuals
and working families, putting more money back in people's pockets and back into
the economy. A five per cent personal income tax cut, on the first $70,000 in
income, will be in place for this year, putting an additional $144 million back
into taxpayers' pockets.

We also changed the Income Tax Act to accelerate tax cuts for small businesses.
Effective Dec. 1 this year, the rate will be dropped to 2.5 per cent - a full
two years ahead of schedule. That is a 44 per cent tax cut in just one year.
This will inject an additional $146 million over the next three years back into
small businesses, across B.C.

We also created a new program which will allow homeowners facing financial
hardship, and who have at least 15 per cent equity in their homes, to defer
their 2009 and 2010 property taxes. Homeowners will not have to pay the
deferred taxes until they sell their home, but can pay the Province back
earlier if they choose. The Province will charge interest at the prime rate on
the balance outstanding on the tax deferment loan, while ensuring local
governments receive property tax revenues. This will help homeowners who would
otherwise have to try to qualify for a home equity loan during the current
credit crunch.

In addition, the Government will lock in the property assessment roll for one
year to create certainty for homeowners, businesses and local governments.
This measure will provide time for markets to stabilize and reflect proper
market values so property owners know how much they will pay in property tax
and local governments know how much they will collect to provide services. It
will help municipalities who otherwise might be forced to make significant
adjustments to mill rates and protect homeowners whose assessments would be
higher than the market value of their homes. This will not apply to new homes
that have not yet been assessed. This will not affect municipalities' ability
to set their own mill rates.

We also introduced an industrial property tax credit for 2009 and future years.
Owners of major or light industrial property will receive a credit that reduces
their school property taxes by 50 per cent.

We also amended the Financial Institutions Act to provide unlimited deposit
insurance protection for depositors in BC credit unions. This makes your
deposits in credit unions as secure as those in our chartered banks. It is
also amended to enhance the supervisory powers of the Financial Institutions
Commission that is responsible for the regulation of credit unions.

We have also protected changed the laws to protect Registered Retirement Savings
Plans and similar funds inside other registered plans from seizure by creditors.

Still ahead are plans to create a new private sector pension opportunity for
British Columbians who currently have no access to a pension plan. The
province will also accelerate public investments in capital infrastructure
projects, keeping people employed in our construction sector. In addition, we
have stared the analysis across government to rein in avoidable government
spending.

IN CLOSING
~~~~~~~~~~

British Columbia is well positioned to weather these turbulent economic times.
The steps taken build on our solid foundation of prudent fiscal management. We
are providing additional tax relief to working families and small businesses,
while taking action keep British Columbia's economy strong and competitive.
Through all of this, we remain focused on maintaining both a balanced budget
and our historically high investments in health care and education.

A BC Liberal government represents a confident and steady hand in challenging
times, and the ability to understand the economy and help people in meaningful
ways.

I remain grateful for the honour of serving you.

Yours sincerely,

Iain.

_____________________

The 2008 BC Liberals Fall Dinner

Dear friends,

I write on behalf of the Honourable Iain Black, Minister of Labour and Citizen
Services and MLA for Port Moody-Westwood.

We are well into our election planning for the May 2009 provincial election, in
which Iain will defend the newly formed riding of "Port Moody-Coquitlam". This
election will be our opportunity as British Columbians both to re-elect strong
BC Liberal MLAs like Iain, and to add new ones!

As Members and local supporters of Iain, you know that we need volunteers of
many different types, and we look forward to soliciting that help in the coming
months. As you are also likely aware, financial resources are essential to
ensure we re-elect Iain.

Thus, I am pleased to bring to your attention our first major election campaign
fund raiser, the BC Liberals Fall Dinner on Thursday, November 20, at the
Executive Plaza Hotel and featuring Minister Black as our Keynote Speaker. We
do expect a sellout, and would be delighted to include you in the evening in a
supportive manner.

I have attached the order form and invitation for your consideration. Should
you have any questions or wish to know about some of the sponsorship and
auction donation opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail
at falldinner@iainblack.bc.ca, or by calling me at 604-640-0322.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Yours truly,

David Bassett, Dinner Chairman

--
The 2008 BC Liberals Fall Dinner
In Support of Re-Electing Hon. Iain Black, MLA
November 20, 2008, The Executive Plaza Hotel (Coquitlam)
Hosts: The Port Moody-Coquitlam Riding Association
Contact: Dave Bassett, Dinner Chairman, 604-640-0322

___________________________

Northwest route decided for Evergreen Line

Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and TransLink Chair Dale Parker announced today that the Evergreen Rapid Transit Line will be constructed on the Northwest route, connecting Lougheed Town Centre with Coquitlam Town Centre through Port Moody.

“On February 1, when we joined with TransLink to release the Evergreen Line Business Case, we asked the mayors and councils in the Northeast sector for their feedback on the outlined route options for the Evergreen Line,” said Minister Falcon. “Municipal councils in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Burnaby, New Westminster and Belcarra have all voiced their support for the Northwest route.”

“We certainly heard loud and clear from the very communities which the Evergreen Line is meant to serve,” said Parker. “The Northwest corridor has not only technical advantages, but also widespread public and local government support. We now need to roll up our sleeves and get the project built.”

As announced in February, the Evergreen Line will use advanced light rapid transit (ALRT), technology, which is automated and separated from traffic.

“Now that we have decided on routing and technology for the Evergreen Line, we can proceed with project development and engineering to keep on track for planned 2014 completion,” said Falcon. “This important stage will include detailed procurement analysis and further environmental assessment including broad public consultation.”

One of the first orders of business will be the location and establishment of an Evergreen Line Project office in the Coquitlam area. The project partners will work from this new office to proceed with project development, preliminary design and detailed design, all entailing extensive, meaningful consultation with neighbourhood residents, businesses, and other stakeholders.

The Evergreen Line is an estimated $1.4 billion project. Through its recent Transit Plan, the BC Government has committed to investing $410 million in the project, and TransLink has committed $400 million to date to the Evergreen Line. Through the Public Transit Capital Trust 2008, the Government of Canada has provided $67 million to the Province for public transit infrastructure, and these funds will be dedicated to the Evergreen Line.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Iain J.S. Black, MLA

___________________________

Submission of the Electoral Boundaries Commission

Dear friends,

Today in Victoria, our Government House Leader, Mike deJong filed a motion stating our intent to develop legislation to implement the February submission of the Electoral Boundaries Commission. This will raise the number of MLA seats in BC from the existing 79 to 85.

I wanted to write immediately to share this information before it is discussed in the media, and help you understand what it means for the Tri-Cities and me, personally.

The full text of the motion is below, and the report referred to (complete with detailed maps) can be found at http://www.bc-ebc.ca/

The motion reflects the government’s view that we have a constitutional obligation to increase the number of seats in BC. Further, we have a moral obligation to protect Northern and Interior representation while reflecting the increases in population in the Lower Mainland.

Assuming the motion and subsequent legislation enjoys the support of the majority of the House, the Tri-Cities will have increased representation from "3.5 ridings" (i.e., the riding of Burquitlam, currently held by my colleague, MLA Harry Bloy, straddles the Burnaby-Coquitlam border), to 4 ridings fully contained within the Tri-Cities of Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.

For me, personally, it also means a difficult decision lies ahead in the coming weeks.

With population being the key measurement, the riding of Port Moody–Westwood is the third largest in the province and, in addition, has the fastest **growth rate** of all existing 79 riding in BC. Thus, as part of this adjustment, the riding I so proudly represent is dramatically affected by the proposed boundaries.

As the attached map illustrates, Port Moody-Westwood will be split in half and renamed. Coquitlam’s Burke Mountain (currently in NDP MLA Mike Farnworth’s riding, Port Coquitlam-Burke Mountain) will be added to the new eastern riding, as will several blocks of Coquitlam that are immediately south of Port Moody (currently in NDP MLA Diane Thorne’s riding, Coquitlam-Maillardville) to the new western one. The east-west dividing line is, for the most part, the border between Port Moody and Coquitlam. The result is two very winnable ridings for the BC Liberals: “Port Moody-Coquitlam” and “Coquitlam-Burke Mountain”.

I will announce the riding I intend to defend shortly after the passing of the legislation later this spring. In the mean time, I would urge each one of you to seriously consider increasing your involvement in one of our four Tri-City BC Liberals Riding Associations, to renew your membership in the party, and to start engaging in the preparations (already under way!) for the next provincial election in 14 short months: May 12, 2009.

We will need to create one new riding association and reinforce the three we already have in the Tri-Cities. Most important, we must work together to ensure we have four outstanding BC Liberal candidates - one in each of the ridings - and ensure they are supported by a solid roster of hundreds of BC Liberal volunteers like you, cheering us on and doing the crucial work of election readiness.

Candidates cannot do it alone...We will need *you* to ensure BC families continue to prosper and that the challenging issues of our time – healthcare, education, the environment – are addressed by the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell and a team of competent and thoughtful BC Liberal MLAs!

Please email me (iain@iainblack.bc.ca) or call me at any time to discuss or help direct your efforts, irrespective of where you live in the Tri-Cities.

Yours very truly,

Iain.

___________________________

Greetings!

With the spring session now in full swing, I thought I would share a “plain English”, colour version of a 2 page budget summary,
and a reminder of some of the key concepts in the Throne Speech.

See Budget PDF

___________________________

NDP Votes Against Arts and Cultural Funding in B.C.

VICTORIA - The NDP Opposition has voted against funding for arts and cultural projects across British Columbia, choosing to play politics rather than supporting the needs of residents in the TriCities and across the province, said MLA Iain Black.

"Budget 2008 provides $105 million over four years to B.C. arts and culture initiatives. The BC150 Cultural Fund is a new $150 million permanent endowment fund that is expected to generate about $8 million annually for new arts and culture activities in communities across the province," said Black, MLA for Port Moody-Westwood. "I question NDP principles that reject this essential funding and stonewall the arts community."

"I have the honour of sitting on the Finance and Government Services Committee, which tours this province every fall," said Black. "We hit about 14 or 15 cities in 21 days. It's an exhausting but at the same time exhilarating tour of this beautiful province. A consistent theme we heard over the last two years from a very passionate, organized, articulate arts community was that they see the arts and culture element of our society as an untapped area of economic growth and absolutely crucial to our future and crucial to the fabric of our communities."

Balanced Budget 2008 is being recognized across Canada and abroad as a leading edge environmental initiative. The budget puts a price on carbon and then returns the carbon tax revenue to individuals and businesses in the form of reduced income taxes, a lower small business tax rate and a lower general corporate income tax rate.

In addition Budget 2008 makes further investments to promote climate action including $10 million to support innovation in the pulp and paper industry, $25 million to encourage research and investments in bio-energy, and $10 million to introduce a bio-diesel production incentive.

The carbon tax will be recycled into a personal income tax cut of five per cent in 2009. Corporate taxes are expected to be reduced to 10 per cent in three years and small business taxes to 2.5 per cent over the same period.

These tax cuts mean a person making up to $111,000 a year in B.C. pays the least amount of income tax in all of Canada. British Columbia will have amongst the lowest business income tax in North America.

In addition, to help British Columbians to reduce their carbon footprint a $100 climate action dividend will be sent to every single resident of the province this summer.

___________________________

Greetings,

Yesterday I received a note from MP James Moore with the following in it:

Evergreen Line in Budget Speech 2008

"Today we are providing $500 million to make further investments in public transit capital infrastructure. This funding willl be dedicated to several specific projects, including The Evergreen Light Rapid Transit System."
-Hon. Jim Flaherty, PC MP, Minister of Finance (Feb. 26th, 2008)

While details are still to emerge, I am encouraged by what appears to be a meaningful step of the federal government to become partners in this project, and extended my thanks to MP Moore for his ongoing efforts.

Yours truly,

Iain.

___________________________

February 22, 2008

PORT MOODY-WESTWOOD MLA APPLAUDS BALANCED BUDGET 2008

Confronts NDP over Riverview and Evergreen Line

VICTORIA- Iain Black, MLA for Port Moody-Westwood, rose in the house this week to voice his support for the 2008 Budget.

“Our investments, policies and decisions over the past seven years leave us in a position of positive momentum, a heretofore unseen resilient economy and confidence in the hearts and minds of the families across the province,” said Black. “Indeed, it would be tempting to rest on our laurels, to float out a safe, ‘keep it going and don't mess with the formula’ throne speech and budget. But rather than coast along, we have embraced our solemn obligations to look forward, to look long term, to think about the world we wish to leave not only for my children but for my grandchildren.”

In his remarks, Black spent considerable time on topics important to the Tri-Cities including healthcare, education and public safety, noting:

• Health care funding will rise by $2.9 billion over the next three years, representing about two-thirds of all new spending over the period • B.C. Children's Hospital will be upgraded and expanded • Budget 2008 commits $144 million in additional education spending over three years with per-student funding increasing to the highest level ever despite continuing declining enrolment

In discussing public safety, Black noted that the Tri-Cities have achieved their lowest crime rate in the last ten years.

During his extensive discussion on the Evergreen Line, Black directly confronted misinformation about the project by Coquitlam-Maillardville NDP MLA Diane Thorne.

“If the issue of rapid transit is so important, if the selection of the Evergreen Line route is so important, if the importance of federal government funding is so important to Diane Thorne, why has she not joined the constructive dialogue amongst Tri-City municipal leaders, and why has she not once initiated a telephone call or meeting on the topic with her government MP James Moore, the very man who is currently engaging his federal cabinet on behalf of the Tri- Cities?” questioned Black.

He also rebuked Thorne's criticism of his recent use of the term "hysteria" in describing her role in the unfounded press reports about future plans for the Riverview grounds and her assertions that any contemplation of the southeast route for the Evergreen Line is somehow linked to the phantom plans for market housing development at Riverview. Citing in detail a complete lack of foundation for her assertions, Black added "irresponsible" to his observation of "hysteria".

“I have said clearly that Riverview represents an opportunity to replace dozens of now dilapidated and empty buildings and gravel parking lots and create a new home for people most in need. I've also said that an exhaustive consultation process lies ahead in the years to come. I am confident that every angle, every approach, every financing model and every consideration will and should be explored,” he said.

Black completed his speech by stating “I proudly stand in favour of a budget that will take meaningful steps to ensure a province for my kids of both economic opportunity and environmental sustainability. I, for one, will be voting for this budget.”

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Visit Iain’s website at www.iainblackmla.bc.ca

___________________________

Burnaby Board of Trade event

On Tuesday, Minister Carole Taylor unveiled one of the most creative budgets in Canadian history. It complements and materially puts into action the Throne Speech of February 12th. I will be forwarding some thoughts on this shortly.

Premier Gordon Campbell is traveling to Burnaby on Friday to share his views on the province's direction with the Burnaby Board of Trade, and will specifically discuss Balanced Budget 2008.

He will speak at a lunch event on Friday, February 22nd at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown (6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby, BC). Registration begins at 11:30am and the program will take place from noon until 2pm.

Tickets are $45 for members and $65 for non-members. Tables of ten are available for $425 for members and $615 for non-members.

For more information, please visit the Burnaby Board of Trade event page or phone Linda at (604) 412-0100 x. 100.

I will be there and look forward to seeing you!

Iain

___________________________

2008 PROVINCIAL BUDGET and THE ECONOMIC ROAD AHEAD

featuring

IAIN BLACK, MLA & MEMBER OF BC PROVINCIAL TREASURY BOARD

Iain Black will be discussing the 2008 Provincial budget the morning after its unveiling in Victoria. This will be an opportunity for an in-depth review of the Budget and identification of major policy considerations that lie ahead.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2008
7:30 - 9:00 AM (REGISTRATION at 7:15)
THE VANCOUVER CLUB
915 WEST HASTINGS STREET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

TICKETS $125
(TAX RECEIPT PROVIDED FOR NON-MEAL PORTION OF TICKET)

SEATING IS LIMITED.

CONTACT: DAVID BASSETT
EMAIL: bassett@iainblack.bc.ca
TEL: 604.661.1450

___________________________

Black Announces Grand Opening of Glen Pine Pavilion

The City of Coquitlam has been granted $2 million to develop a Town Centre Seniors Facility and recreation centre for its growing senior’s population, announced Iain Black MLA for Port Moody-Westwood.

“This new state-of-the-art facility will serve the social-recreational needs of residents, 50 years of age and older, who live in the north-eastern part of Coquitlam,” said Black. “This project is a great step towards community development and will benefit residents of Coquitlam for many years to come.”

Located in the area of the Coquitlam Town Centre, Glen Pine Pavilion is comprised of approximately 15,000 square feet of dry-floor space. It was constructed as part of a high-rise tower complex in close proximity to numerous public amenities such as the City Centre Aquatic Complex, Evergreen Cultural Centre, Pinetree Community Centre, Coquitlam Centre Branch Library, Douglas College, City Hall and major shopping and rapid transit.

The City of Coquitlam was granted $2 million from the Community Development Initiative (CDI). The CDI was established to fill the gap between the Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Program (CBCIP), which is fully committed and the new Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF), which is nearing completion.

Under CDI, the Province provided funding for two-thirds of the capital cost, up to $2 million, to build or improve community infrastructure, including: cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure to support tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high speed internet access for local public institutions, local transportation infrastructure and affordable housing.
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For more information visit Iain’s website at: www.iainblackmla.bc.ca

Media contact: Ashley Clarke, BC Government Caucus Communications: 250-356-6170.

___________________________

Coquitlam Schools Have a Chance to Go Green

COQUITLAM - The Province has launched its B.C. Green Schools program by making an eco kit available to all interested B.C. schools, BC Liberal MLAs Iain Black and Harry Bloy announced today.

"A real difference in climate change will only happen if government policy is accompanied by a change in our individual decisions and behaviors," said Black, MLA for Port Moody-Westwood. "Where better to start than with the generation who will write the future chapters on how to continue the fight against climate change?"

"This is one step the Province is taking to help lead the world in sustainable environmental management," said Bloy, MLA for Burquitlam. "Teaching children environmental responsibility is an investment in the future health of British Columbia."

The B.C. Green Schools Eco Kit includes an idea book full of possible projects, such as establishing composting or recycling programs in the school, tending a garden or cleaning a local pond. A log book allows students and staff to help their school rise in rank through an environmental-status merit system.

The Province partnered with a 30-year-old non-profit group called the Society, Environment, and Energy Development Studies (SEEDS) Foundation to produce and distribute this B.C. version of the foundation's eco kit.

The Province will provide one B.C. Green Schools Eco Kit per school, or provide a higher-level kit for schools already involved in the program.

The Province has also created a resource guide with suggestions on how teachers can shine a spotlight on environmental sustainability in almost all subjects and at all grade levels. The guide has been published on CD-ROM to save paper.

In addition, the Province has added an environmental awareness category to the first-ever Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence, to be awarded this coming spring.

The Province remains focused on its five great goals, which include making British Columbia the most literate, best-educated jurisdiction on the continent and leading the world in sustainable environmental management. Specific outcomes include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by one-third by 2020. Eco kits and other new resources support these goals and help fulfill an election platform commitment to take action on climate change.

For additional information on the B.C. Green Schools Eco Kit, or to print a registration form, please visit

Visit Iain's web site at: www.gov.bc.ca/bced.www.iainblackmla.bc.ca

Visit Harry's website at: www.harrybloymla.bc.ca

___________________________

.

Dear Friends:

I thought you might be interested in reading these remarks that I made in the Legislature yesterday with regards to recent media coverage on the Riverview Hospital and the Riverview Lands. Clearly, this is a complex matter that involves many points of view - many of which cross partisan lines. Expect myself and other local MLA's to be fairly vocal on this matter in the future as the three Ministries involved (Health, Labour and Citizen Services (the formal "landlord" of Riverview), and BC Housing) begin their consultation process.

Thanks,

Iain

Two-Minute Statement - Iain Black, MLA Port Moody – Westwood

Monday, October 15, 2007

Riverview Hospital and the Riverview Lands

Last month my kids and I attended the Treefest Festival at the Riverview Lands in Coquitlam. It was a marvelous day of music, art displays … and walking tours of some of the extraordinary 2000 tree collection.

With the summer media attention about the future of this unique and historical site, it was not surprising to also sense a heightened anxiety at the various booths, and hear comments reflecting the complex web of misperceptions and assumptions that are still ricocheting around the tri-cities and various web blogs.

Vacating Riverview started in the early 1970’s and was accelerated through the 1980’s. Medical philosophy embraced a model of placing the mentally ill in our communities where, presumably, support systems would enable a safe and healthy existence among the rest of society.

Unfortunately, it didn’t happen then, and it hasn’t caught up sufficiently, now.

Last year, the Premier drew a standing ovation in the middle of his speech at UBCM when he became the first senior elected official to publicly declare this 25 year treatment approach a failure.

Coquitlam’s Riverview is a logical resource to which BC can turn to fix this problem. It’s an opportunity to replace dozens of now dilapidated and empty buildings and gravel parking lots, and create a new home for people most in need.

An exhaustive consultation process lies ahead, and I am confident every angle, every approach, every financing model and every consideration will be explored.

I expect spirited debate - as there should be - as there are many, many points of view on this topic.

And through it all, the treatment of the mentally ill and drug addicted must remain our primary focus, no matter the model or residential mix that ultimately defines Riverview’s fate.

In doing so, I am firmly supportive of the perspective stated in a recent BC government brochure, acknowledging the relationship of the Riverview trees with the surrounding landscape and buildings, and stating a commitment to enhance the tree collection’s diversity, honour its history, embrace its therapeutic values and support its educational role, in perpetuity.

___________________________

NEWS RELEASE COMMUNIQUÉ

2007CS0057-001048
Aug. 22, 2007
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Ministry of Community Services
Ministry of Economic Development
FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS INVEST IN IMPROVED ROADS
FOR THE VILLAGE OF ANMORE
ANMORE – The Village of Anmore has received $1.5 million in federal and provincial funding to
improve road access to the community and the nearby Buntzen Lake Recreational area. The funding
comes from the Canada-British Columbia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF), and was
announced today by James Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and
Government Services and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and Vancouver-Whistler Olympics on
behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister
of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Port Moody-
Westwood MLA Iain Black.
“Canada’s New Government is getting things done for the people of Anmore,” said Moore.
“This $1.5-million investment in federal and provincial funding for the reconstruction of East Road
will ensure the community of Anmore has a safe, reliable and efficient transportation route.”
The grant will allow the Village of Anmore to reconstruct about 1.3 km of East Road from
Lanson Crescent to the 2500 block of East Road. This road improvement will provide reliable and
efficient access to the Village of Anmore and the nearby Buntzen Lake recreational area, which sees
700,000 park visitors each year.
“I’m very pleased that the focus and coordinated efforts over the last two years of Mr. Moore,
Mayor Hal Weinberg and I have reached such a highly successful conclusion,” said Black. “The
community of Anmore has been well served by its mayor and council in keeping this a focus for me
personally and the results will benefit families across the tri-cities who enjoy Buntzen Lake.”
“This support is greatly appreciated by the residents of Anmore, and also by the very large
number of residents in Metro Vancouver of the Lower Mainland who use the magnificent B.C. Hydro
Buntzen Lake recreational park,” said the mayor of Anmore Hal Weinberg. “Iain Black and James
Moore have been instrumental in the support of this project and we wish to thank them for that effort.”
Under the initial CBCMRIF Agreement signed in June 2006, the federal and provincial
governments each committed $51 million to the fund, with participating local governments expected to
make up the remaining costs. This year, Canada’s New Government and the Province of B.C. have
each provided an additional $23.5 million to the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund as
part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This
additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment and matching local government
contribution in CBCMRIF projects to over $220 million.
- 2 -
The majority of the funding is targeted towards communities of fewer than 250,000 people and
at least 60 per cent of the funding will assist with “green projects” such as drinking water supply,
treatment and distribution needs as well as wastewater and energy efficiency projects. The remaining
funds will be dedicated to other projects like tourism, recreation and other infrastructure.
More details on the program are available through the Canada-British Columbia Municipal
Rural Infrastructure Fund website at www.canadabcmrif.ca.
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Media contact: Karl Yeh
Western Economic Diversification Canada 604 666-4714
Anne McKinnon B.C. Ministry of Community Services 250 953-3677
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS,
visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.

___________________________

Black Voices His Support for Strengthening Child Protection in Schools
March 27/2007

VICTORIA - In an address to the province’s Legislative Assembly this week, Port Moody-Westwood MLA Iain Black voiced his support for the creation of a teacher registry and criticized the NDP for failing to support an initiative that will help keep children safe.

In February’s Speech from the Throne, the B.C. Government committed to establish a teacher employment registry, administered by the College of Teachers, to publicly report the names of teachers disciplined for misconduct involving emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. The registry would help protect children by preventing teachers disciplined for these specific types of misconduct from being able to move unnoticed from one school district to another. Prospective employers, such as school boards, will for the first time be able to review this type of employment history of individual teachers.

“We have responded to parents, school trustees and DPACs (District Parent Advisory Councils) throughout the province, who want every reasonable step taken to safeguard our children and the public school system itself.” said Black.

In his remarks, Black identified the NDP’s unwillingness to publicly support protecting students through the creation of a teacher employment registry that will help prevent the repeat of misconduct.

“The member for Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows [NDP MLA Michael Sather] characterized this basic safeguard as an attempt to ‘stigmatize teachers by a public reporting of their misdemeanours.’ Misdemeanours!? This is not about parking tickets or city bylaw infractions. This is about preventing the repeated abuse of trust perpetrated by adults on impressionable and, in many cases, defenceless youngsters,” said Black.

“Once again, this NDP Opposition leaves me wanting for a firm position. It seems they're opposed to this…but we have yet to hear of any alternative plan. Once again, this time regarding something as basic as the screening out of the rare individual who has already demonstrably crossed a line of ethical conduct, the responses leave me hungry for content, direction and a clear statement of their values,” said Black.

“Our values are clear,” added Black. “We believe in working alongside teachers who share the common interest in weeding out from their ranks the thankfully-statistically-small number of professional educators who, frankly, are not professional at all. …If creating a teacher registry prevents even one student from being victimized, then it will be worthwhile.”

 

___________________________

Greetings from Victoria!

The Spring Session is well under way, and by now you will have heard much about our Throne Speech and Balanced Budget 2007. I always find it interesting to see what the media and the Opposition pay attention to (with the former often leading the latter) when the government declares its directions and the financial underpinnings to achieve them. Without bombarding you with ALL the details (it *is* a $38 Billion dollar budget, after all!), I wanted to write to you to not only share my enthusiasm for what's contained in our go-forward plans, but also ensure some of the more pertinent elements were brought to your attention.

First, the state of your province's affairs are clearly well in hand.
We continue to keep a steady and prudent hand on the financial controls, and have identified our ever-evolving challenges and placed plans of action around them. We continue to have one of the leading economies in Canada, and are experiencing an unemployment rate of 4.3 percent as of January, the lowest level in over 30 years.

Budget 2007 is the fourth consecutive balanced budget - the first time that's happened since 1976-1979! - and we enter 2007 with the prized triple-A credit rating for the first time since 1983. The triple-A credit rating means that the interest payments on our accumulated debt built up over the last several decades (the province's version of your mortgage) are now the lowest possible, leaving tens of millions of extra dollars every year for programs for BC's families, and for building infrastructure.

Beyond the historic $13.8 Billion budgeted for our public healthcare system (up 51.4% from $8.3 Billion in 2000/01), and the $765 Million **additional** dollars invested into the Education Ministry (despite 12,000 fewer students in the system than last year), the budget includes the needed seed money for our ambitious environmental agenda outlined in the Throne Speech. Recall that the BC Liberal government has rebuilt the financial prosperity for families in BC by taking a "plan first, then fund" approach; achieving our Climate Change Action Plan will follow this prudent approach, also. We have put aside over $103 million in Budget 2007 not only for some of the shorter term environmental projects but also, and more pointedly, for the action team that will be formed to formally develop the longer term plans needed to achieve the two dozen specific environmental initiatives outlined in the Throne Speech.

I also want to draw to your attention the 10% tax cut made in this budget. We are a government who firmly believes that families make better decisions with their money than government does. It was our 25% tax cut to every British Columbian in 2001 that started us on the road to this renewed prosperity, and we believe that this additional 10% tax cut will sustain our robust economy and continue to encourage investments in our communities throughout the province - the investments that ultimately determine the momentum and health of our economy.

This tax cut means that BC now has *** the lowest tax rates in the entire country *** for everyone making $108,000 or less. It means that an elderly resident making $30,000 per year is now paying $1,000 LESS in provincial income tax than he or she did 6 years ago under the previous government. Most in BC now pay about 33%-35% LESS provincial income tax than they did 10 years ago. If you are in our lowest income brackets, you now either pay NO PROVINCIAL INCOME TAX AT ALL (like our 250,000 lowest earners in BC) or you pay 69% less than 10 years ago.

Clearly, we are spreading the wealth of this province across the spectrum of its citizens.

We have also addressed in this budget one of the challenges that arises in a booming economy: higher housing and rental costs for families, and a higher concentration of homelessness in our urban areas. Beyond the 10% tax cuts, above, Budget 2007 includes a comprehensive series of programs to assist all British Columbians provide for their accommodation, from the homeless to the homeowner.

While I can get you the details of the various housing and homelessness programs, consider this (in summary): In our own community, we have extended the homeless outreach pilot we started with the Hope for Freedom Society for another 3 years. (This creative approach involves sending workers to where the homeless are, and bringing them to government offices to directly connect them to the programs available to help them. I have seen their work first-hand - it is truly incredible.) Moreover, last Friday I also announced that the Province has issued an Expressions of Interest Call, inviting non-profit societies to submit proposals for a 35 to 55-unit affordable housing development on property owned by the City of Coquitlam. In addition, I announced Port Coquitlam's InnerVisions Recovery Society will receive almost $200,000, allowing it to purchase the property where it operates a 10-unit transition housing development providing a substance abuse treatment program.

In a broader housing and homelessness context, Budget 2007 will immediately increase the number of shelter beds available full-time, all year round, by almost 30 percent. The budget raises the shelter rate for people on income assistance to the highest level in Canada, and immediately invests $6 million to strengthen support for transition houses for women and children, most of them fleeing abuse. $45 million has been put aside to convert up to 750 housing units to supportive housing for seniors and the disabled (reflecting our planning for our changing demographics), and we have expanded the Rental Assistance Program to include 5,800 more families (to over 20,000 families, now), by raising the income eligibility threshold by $7,000 to $28,000 a year.
To spread around the housing assistance both to our elderly and to younger people starting out, we've also put meaningful policies in place to help ensure seniors stay in their homes where they raised their children, and are enabling a newly married couple in our community to now save $5,500 when they purchase their first home together.

I will send shorter updates in the coming weeks as the spring session continues and your government rolls out its legislation to shape the future of our province. For now, though, I thought you'd like an overview on our position of financial strength and how confident I am in the plans in place to take us forward.

Yours,

Iain.

___________________________

March 5, 2007

NDP Oppose New Social Housing in the Tri-Cities and Tax Break, says Black and Bloy

VICTORIA - The NDP have voted against new social housing units in the Tri-Cities and voted against putting tax dollars back into the pockets of British Columbians, say BC Liberal MLAs Iain Black and Harry Bloy.

"The NDP have voted against a budget that includes adding 55 new social housing units in Coquitlam and invests almost $200,000 in the transition house and substance abuse treatment program run by InnerVisions Recovery Society in Port Coquitlam," said Black, MLA for Port Moody-Westwood.
"These initiatives are important to the residents of the Tri-Cities and I am disappointed that the NDP have come out against them."

"By opposing this budget, the NDP have sent a clear message to the residents of the Tri-Cities that they are against housing supports and tax reductions that put more money in the pockets of hard-working British Columbians," said Bloy, MLA for Burquitlam.

In addition to the 10 per cent income tax reduction and commitment of
55 new social housing units in Coquitlam, the NDP voted against numerous other initiatives contained in budget 2007/08 aimed at addressing a range of housing issues in B.C.

* Raising the shelter rate by $50 a month for people on income
assistance. B.C. to the highest shelter assistance rates in Canada for employable singles, couples and single-parent families.

* Expanding the Rental Assistance Program by raising the income
threshold by $8,000 to $28,000 a year making an additional 5,800 working families - now more than 20,000 in total -eligible to receive up to $563 a month to help with their housing costs.

* The First Time Home Buyers' Program is enhanced to exempt
first-time buyers across B.C. from paying the Property Transfer Tax on homes valued up to $375,000. This will save first time buyers like young couples up to $5,500.

* Extending eligibility for the Home Owner Grant to lower-income
seniors, regardless of their home's assessed value.

* Introducing legislation to allow people to start deferring their
property taxes at age 55, rather than age 60.

Visit Iain's web site at www.iainblack.bc.ca Visit Harry's web site at www.harrybloymla.bc.ca

Media contact: Kiersten Kirkpatrick, B.C. Government Caucus Communications, (250) 356-6170

___________________________

Iain J.S. Black, MLA
Port Moody-Westwood

Report Shows Class Sizes Reduced in School District 43

TRI-CITIES - The second annual report on class size shows average class sizes in School District 43 are shrinking, said Tri-Cities MLAs Harry Bloy and Iain Black.

The report shows there are only 44 classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 this year with more than 30 students compared to 599 in 2005/2006 - a 93 per cent decrease.

"We know that students achieve better results in smaller classes," said Bloy, MLA for Burquitlam. "Our government adopted Bill 33 to create a better learning environment for students, and this latest report shows that it's working."

Class size averages were reduced in every school district this year, with more than 95 per cent of all classes having 30 or fewer students.

"School District 43 is obviously working hard to comply with the class size legislation introduced by our government last year," said Black, MLA for Port Moody-Westwood. "By working together to create smaller classes, we can ensure that our students reach their full potential."

Province-wide, the report shows there are only 85 classes in grades 4 to

7 this year with more than 30 students compared to 648 in 2005/06 - a decrease of 87 per cent. Under Bill 33, each grade 4-7 class with more than 30 students requires the consent of the classroom teacher.

The number of classes with four or more special needs students decreased by almost 1400 compared to last year. Bill 33 requires that the principal must consult with the classroom teacher for each class with more than three students with special needs.

School districts are required to submit a report on class size by October 15 each year. The report includes information on the number of students at each grade level in each class, the number of students with special needs in each class and the number of ESL students.

The report fulfils an election commitment to report annually on class size. Parents and students in every school in all 60 B.C. school districts have easy access to class-size information about their school.

___________________________

Dear friends,

As most of you know, for over a year now I have been working on a report on our local education system. I am pleased to advise that it has now been released, and I wanted to ensure you got a copy of this. If you would like to print it, it is only 8 pages long, and I have formatted this version of it to print on most home printers. It is contemplated that a broader distribution of this report will follow, but for now I wanted to get this into your hands.

Click Here for PDF

My views in the report are quite candid in places, which I expect will cause a few spirited conversations in the days ahead, particularly in light of recent announcements of possible school closures. As always, I would be interested in any feedback you might have on it.

I would like to thank the many professionals in our school system who engaged me in this effort, and the many parents and students, also, who shared their views with me so clearly and so passionately. I maintain that we have an extraordinarily strong public school system due to their commitment to it, and that we are poised to grow even stronger.

Yours, - Iain.

___________________________

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

December 4, 2006

MLA Iain Black Releases Anticipated Community Report on Education in School District 43

COQUITLAM – In October 2005, Port Moody-Westwood MLA Iain Black committed to pursuing and then sharing a deeper understanding of the public education system in School District 43. In a report released today, Black presents his findings and offers constituents a summary in an eight-page report designed to both inform and provoke further respectful conversation within the community.

"Over the past year, I sought to initiate a dialogue and get to know some of the people who touch or are touched by the 25 schools in my riding," said Black. "Educating our kids is such a central role for government and I was honoured to be able to invest in this area, tour some of our schools and discuss issues that matter to all of us."

Black released ‘A Community Report on Education’ today focused on public education in School District 43. The report is the result of visiting more than a dozen schools, meeting with students, parents, teachers, and principals and researching the local education system in detail through Ministry of Education reports.

"The state of education in School District 43 is very, very strong," advised Black.

In the report, Black explores several areas of public education, including:

* Average class size and class composition data in SD 43

* Declining student enrolment

* Funding, and new or renovated spaces in the district

* The relationships among various stakeholders in the public education system, including parents, the provincial government, the school district and school planning councils.

Black also offers personal observations and informative statistics in the report, which can be used as a reference for parents and other taxpayers in Port Moody-Westwood.

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A copy of the Iain Black's 'Community Report on Education' is attached.

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Greetings from the Legislature!

I am very pleased to advise that today in the House Judge Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond was named as the proposed independent Representative for Children and Youth. You may recall that our government passed an Act in the spring that created an independent officer of the legislature empowered with special discretionary investigative powers, to advocate for children and families and to monitor applicable public agencies. We also promised to bring the House back for this specific purpose, which is why we are here today. (More on that below.)
Judge Turpel-Lafond is a prominent aboriginal judge from Saskatchewan and was the unanimous choice of a special all-party selection committee that began its search last spring.

The first treaty Indian and the first aboriginal woman to serve on the bench in Saskatchewan, Turpel-Lafond was named one of the top 20 Canadian leaders for the 21st century by Time magazine in 1999.

Before becoming a judge, she was a practicing lawyer in Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan and a tenured professor of law at Dalhousie University faculty of law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University, a law degree from Osgoode Hall, a master's degree in international law from the University of Cambridge and a doctorate of law from Harvard. She also holds a certificate in the international and comparative law of human rights from the University of Strasbourg in France.

Earlier this year, the Law Society of Saskatchewan named Turpel-Lafond the winner of its Willy Hodgson Award for her work "building bridges between aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples, based on the teaching of the elders of kindness and respect." In addition, in March, Turpel-Lafond co-chaired a conference in Regina with Roy Romanow that examined aboriginal justice issues and challenges.

In terms of "where are we at" on the formal appointment process, procedural games are currently in full swing over here, as the NDP blocked the ability of the House to complete the appointment process this afternoon, as scheduled.

While this presumably was to enable another Question Period tomorrow and perhaps Monday, I find it incredulous that the NDP is slowing the appointment of a Judge (!) - one who’s willing to leave the Saskatchewan bench for this position, no less - particularly when they unanimously supported her appointment during the selection process, and publicly complained that the appointment process was taking too long.

I must admit I am skeptical of the political wisdom of the NDP’s strategy, as aside from insulting a judge and, more pointedly, one about to become a powerful independent officer of the Legislature, they are sending mixed signals about the priority they are placing on this matter.

More to come in the next few days!

Best regards

--

Iain J.S. Black, M.L.A. Port Moody-Westwood

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Conversation on Health... We need YOUR view!

Sign up at:

http://www.conversationonhealth.ca/– Iain.www.iainblack.bc.ca

___________________________

November 9, 2006

BLACK GAINS SUPPORT FOR BOOSTER SEAT CAMPAIGN

PORT MOODY - MLA Iain Black's campaign of change and awareness regarding the mandatory use of booster seats got a boost of its own this past weekend at the 2006 BC Liberal Party Convention in Penticton.

"I'm thrilled to see our campaign continuing to gain momentum," said Port Moody-Westwood MLA Iain Black. "I've spoken to parents, medical professionals, safety experts, emergency services personnel, and other stakeholders from across British Columbia. Support for changes to the current legislation is overwhelming."

Black's policy resolution that supports changing legislation and regulations to clarify booster seat definitions, to expand their mandatory use, and to eliminate various exemptions that currently exist was passed unanimously by delegates at the 2006 Convention.

In May of this year, Black introduced proposed changes to booster seat regulations in a Private Member's Statement in the B.C. Legislature, raising awareness about the issue. Since then, he has embarked on a cross-province tour soliciting input and support for his proposals.

Black is proposing changes that would require children to be at least eight years old and weigh more than 36 kilograms before being allowed to travel in a passenger vehicle without being seated in a child safety or booster seat.

Under the current Motor Vehicle Act Legislation and Regulations, loosely defined "safety seats" are only required for children who weigh between

9 and 18 kilograms, and who are under the age of six.

Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death and injury for children in B.C. and studies show that booster seats provide 60 per cent more protection for children than seat belts alone.

"Seat belts are designed for the typical male adult, and most children do not reach the appropriate height or weight until they are at least eight years old," said Black, a father of three children under the age of eight. "The fact remains that children who are not properly secured in booster seats face a higher risk of injury or death when involved in a motor vehicle accident."
E-mail: iain.black.mla@leg.bc.ca
Web Site: http://iainblackmla.bc.ca

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Letter sent to TriCity News in response to recent column by Sara McIntyre,
Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Re: "Plenty of reasons to head back to Victoria"

I cannot decide if the high drama contained in recent media coverage and reactions of the NDP pertaining to fall sittings of the legislature is poor homework, selective memory, or simple hypocrisy. Regardless, it’s doing nothing to educate the public as to the actual workings and history of their provincial government. Indeed, from 1986-2001 there were only 4 fall sittings and, in the 10 years of NDP rule, there were only 2 full fall sessions – now the subject of apparent indignation by the NDP Opposition.

Our model of government traditionally involves passing budgets and legislation in the spring and summer, and in the fall executing the exhausting though important committee work, preparing the following year’s budget, and researching and drafting the next round of legislation. Fall sessions – provisionally scheduled or otherwise – were for legislation cleanup that wasn’t completed in the
spring/summer session plan.

Also, it’s clearly evident to anyone listening to radio or picking up a newspaper that the Legislative Assembly does not need to be sitting to "hold a government accountable". The media, themselves, adopted this communication role decades ago, and start almost every story on
government or public policy describing the attack being waged by the Opposition (regardless of who is in power at that moment).

The fact remains that the BC Liberal Government has a clear plan and declared priorities, and that government MLA’s are focused on our extensive duties through the fall in preparation for a compelling session in 2007. Frankly, without the fall session, this MLA’s workload has gone up substantially.

While it’s been getting good press, this whole issue is a red herring – a manufactured "news" story that lacks both factual research and an understanding of the roles of elected officials.

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Iain J.S. Black, MLA

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Dear friends,

As our extraordinary summer draws to a close, I thought I’d write you a quick note and reflect on what has happened over the past week or two, and on an item or two that lie just ahead.

First, I was just delighted with the strong turnout of over 150 people and four other MLA’s to our first annual volunteer appreciation day on August 20th (see photos, attached, and more to come on the website!). Friends, family, riding members, volunteers from our 2005 campaign team and other BC Liberal members gathered at Coquitlam Town Centre for an afternoon BBQ and a "no talent preferred" softball tournament. We were admittedly a little overwhelmed with the positive response, as we were initially envisioning 50-60 or so for a lazy afternoon and maybe 1 or 2 scrub teams of softball! Needless to say, we will be hosting this event again next August and have been told to expect an even stronger turnout, including more softball teams from other ridings, and our "sports venues" expanded to include some organized bocce ball games and mini soccer and other games for the wee ones.

 

A few days later (August 24th) I was on-hand to assist in the re-opening of Rocky Point Park following $3.5M dollars of improvements - a little over $2M of which was courtesy of a joint federal provincial fund – thanks Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen! Included in the redevelopment were upgrades to the pool and field, as well as investments in parking, trails and a new Park Service Building

Then, on August 26th, I was pleased to again represent our Premier and Minister Hansen as Mayor Maxine Wilson, Translink Chair Malcolm Brodie (also Mayor of Richmond) and I officially opened the new Eleanor Ward Bridge. The provincial government contributed $2 million towards the David Street Connector and the bridge, which is the largest infrastructure project every completed in Coquitlam, and proof once again of our government’s commitment to the Tri-Cities.

Changing topics and looking ahead, some of you are aware of the considerable effort I have been putting into a campaign of awareness and change pertaining to child safety, specifically the use of booster seats among 4-8 year old children. Looking ahead, I will taking the campaign to Victoria, Nanaimo and Prince George in the next few days, before bringing the 7-city tour home for our big final forum here in the Tri-Cities.

I would also like to advise you that the summary report I committed to releasing regarding the state of public education in School District 43 is nearing completion after months of work. (You may recall I delayed its release out of respect for the (SUCCESSFUL!) bargaining process involving the provincial government and the BCTF.) This report, as promised, will be released in the next week or two and will be distributed by e-mail as well as posted on my web site.

Finally, please let me alert you to my new televised "Constituency Report"

scheduled for airing on Shaw Channel 4 at 8:30am and 5:30pm on Sunday, September 10th. Also, don’t forget to attend our riding association’s Annual General Meeting on Monday September 11th. If you are interested in getting more involved or being a part of our riding association executive, I would love to hear from you! Please get in touch with me by phone (604-933-2312) or email.

Until next time,

Iain Black

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PREMIER ANNOUNCES CABINET CHANGES

Premier Gordon Campbell announced the following five changes to cabinet today:

Michael de Jong is appointed Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Government House Leader. Tom Christensen is the new Minister of Children and Family Development. Stan Hagen is the new Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. Olga Ilich is the new Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services. Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordon Hogg rejoins cabinet as the new Minister of State for ActNow BC, under the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.

"As my government enters a new phase in its second mandate, I am pleased that four current ministers and one former minister have accepted new assignments as members of the executive council," Campbell said.

"The knowledge, strengths and experience that these ministers bring to their new portfolios will build on the groundwork they laid for each other in their previous capacities," Campbell added. "These changes are aimed at advancing several strategic priorities that are central to my government's vision for British Columbia.

"We are committed to better co-ordinating cross-government activities, building a new relationship with Aboriginal people and advancing the treaty process. We are also committed to strengthening services for children and families through regionalized delivery models that better meet the needs of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities alike.

"By creating a dedicated minister of state for ActNow BC under the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, we will put new focus on efforts to promote healthy living and physical fitness," Campbell said. "This will also allow the minister of health to devote more of his time and energy to leading the Conversation on Health and on improving health-care services for all British Columbians.

"The four-year collective agreements with public-sector unions also provide a positive new foundation for improving citizen-centered services in partnership with public servants," Campbell concluded.

Iain J.S. Black, MLA

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Hi Everyone: This past week I was pleased to announce that both Anmore and Belcarra will be receiving additional funding from the BC Government under the Small Community Grants program. A News Release with more information is below. - Iain --- NEWS RELEASE - July 14, 2006 Anmore and Belcarra Receive Provincial Funding for Local Services TRI-CITIES - Both Anmore and Belcarra will receive additional funding from the BC Government under the Small Community Grants program this year, announced Port Moody - Westwood MLA Iain Black. "This funding will help both Anmore and Belcarra provide services and programs that will directly benefit all people in those communities," said Black. "This is an example of what the strength of a strong economy can do - allow the BC Government to work directly with our municipal partners ensuring the taxpayer receives the best services for their hard-earned money." The Small Community Grants program, worth a total of $30.8 million province-wide, are delivered directly to municipalities. Out of this funding, Anmore will receive $162,262 and Belcarra is set to benefit to the tune of $143,254. Last year, Anmore was provided with just over $110,000 and Belcarra was allocated just under $103,000 in funding from the program. Small Community Grants are unconditional, and balance stability and equity under a new formula. The formula will have three elements: basic funding for all municipalities with a population less than 15,000, population-based funding, and property assessment-based funding. These grants are for small and medium-sized municipalities to fund basic services for residents. Today's announcement is the first step in the province's commitment to doubling these unconditional grants over the next four years, as announced by Premier Gordon Campbell at the 2005 Union of B.C. Municipalities meeting.

Iain J.S. Black, MLA Port Moody-Westwood #602 - 205 Newport Dr. Port Moody, BC Phone: 604-933-2312 Fax: 604-933-2315 E-mail: iain.black.mla@leg.bc.ca Web Site: http://iainblackmla.bc.ca

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May 15, 2006

Private Members Bill to increase child passenger safety by making changes
to the Motor Vehicle Act.

Proposed Legislative Changes Will Boost Child Passenger Safety

VICTORIA - Proposed changes to both legislation and regulations
concerning the use of child booster seats were introduced today in
the B.C. Legislature by Port Moody - Westwood MLA Iain Black.

Black is proposing a Private Members Bill that would require children
to be at least eight years old and weigh more than 36 Kilograms before
being allowed to travel in a passenger vehicle without being seated in
a child safety or booster seat. Under the current Motor Vehicle Act
Legislation and Regulations, convertible or combination
harness/booster seats are only required for children who weigh
between 9 and 18 Kilograms.

Black introduced Notice of a Bill today, stating his intention to
bring a Private Members Bill before the Legislature.

"Studies show that children who are not properly secured in booster
seats are at a higher risk of injury or death when they are involved
in motor vehicle accident," said Black "I believe it is time for the
public to have a healthy debate on this issue."

Black's proposed changes would also compel all passenger vehicles
travelling the province's roads with child passengers to comply with
the intended rules. Currently, rental cars and vehicles registered
out of province do not have to follow the regulations. In addition,
the changes would require all drivers to ensure child passengers are
properly secured. Currently, regulations only apply to parents and
guardians.

"Right now if your neighbour drives your child to the swimming pool,
they are not required to ensure your child is properly secured in a
booster seat," said Black, a father of three young children. "The
changes I'm proposing would protect all children no matter whose
vehicle they were travelling in."

"Car crashes are still the leading cause of death and injuries for
children in B.C.; however, many of these can be prevented with the
proper use of child restraints such as a booster seat," said David
Dunne, Provincial Program Director for the BCAA Traffic Safety
Program. "Booster seats are effective in saving lives and preventing
injures - but here in B.C. only 18 per cent of kids who should be in
booster seat are - we need to change that - and this proposed
legislation will be an important step in that direction."

On average, over 850 children between four and eight years of age are
injured in motor vehicle incidents every year in British Columbia.
Since 2001, there have been 14 fatalities in this age group.

"I am well acquainted with childhood injury having cared for children
for over thirty-five years," said Dr. Basil Boulton, Chair of the
Child and Youth Health Committee. "I support this non-partisan
motion. I will be taking it to my committee with a view to obtaining
the official support and endorsement of the BCMA. In the past the
BCMA has supported similar safety initiatives including seatbelt and
bicycle helmet legislation. Car seats are important for child safety
and for the BCMA Child and Youth Health Committee as well as being an important issue for all doctors caring for children."

Numerous studies, including one published by Safe Kids Canada in
2004, report that booster seats provide 60 per cent more protection
for children than seat belts alone. In addition, children in booster
seats see a significant reduction to the risk of serious injury
especially to the spinal cord, internal organs, head and face. It is
estimated children using only a seat belt face four times the risk of
a head injury compared to a child in a booster seat.

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BACKGROUNDER

May 15, 2006

Proposed Changes to Booster Seat Legislation and Regulations

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and injury for
children. On average, over 850 children between four to eight years of
age are injured in motor vehicles incidents every year in British
Columbia. Since 2001, there have been 14 fatalities for this age
group.

Current Child Safety Seat Rules

* Only parents and guardians are required to follow existing
regulations.

* Children who weigh between 9 Kilograms to 18 Kilograms must be
restrained in a convertible or combination harness/booster seat.

* A child who reaches six years of age is allowed to be restrained by
the use of a seat belt only.

* Rental cars and vehicles registered out of province do not have to
follow the regulations.

Proposed Enhancements to Child Passenger Vehicle Safety

* Requires all vehicle operators to use booster seats when
transporting children who have outgrown child car seats but are too
small to be fully protected by seatbelts alone.

* Increase the minimum age threshold to eight years of age and the
minimum weight requirement to 36 Kilograms.

* New rules would apply to all passenger vehicles travelling B.C.'s
roads with child passengers.

Facts About Booster Seats

* Only 18 per cent of children in British Columbia between 18 and 36
Kilograms use booster seats.

* Booster seats provide 60 per cent more protection than seatbelts
alone.

* Children seated in booster seats see a significant reduction in the
risk of serious injury especially to the spinal cord and internal
organs, head and face.

* It is estimated children using only a seat belt face four times the
risk of a head injury compared to child in a booster seat.

* Seatbelts are designed for adult usage and most children do not
reach the appropriate weight or size until eight years of age.

* Booster seats are easy to install and work with existing vehicle
seatbelts to restrain children in the event of a collision or
accident.

* Booster seats are affordable and are sold at retail outlets
starting at $35.

* The British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) recommends that
all children between four and eight years of age and between 18 and
36 Kilograms use booster seats.

* The provinces of Québec, Ontario and Nova Scotia have enacted
similar booster seat legislation for children under eight years old
and under 36 Kilograms.

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Iain J.S. Black, MLA
Port Moody-Westwood
#602 - 205 Newport Dr.
Port Moody, BC
Phone: 604-933-2312
Fax: 604-933-2315
E-mail: iain.black.mla@leg.bc.ca
Web Site: http://iainblackmla.bc.ca

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Tri-City's Own Crossroads Hospice Society Honoured at Legislative
Assembly

VICTORIA - Recounting a personal connection to the Crossroads Hospice
Society, Port Moody - Westwood MLA Iain Black paid tribute to the
organization for their contributions to the Tri-City region, yesterday
at B.C.'s Legislative Assembly.

During his statement, Black also spoke about the support the Hospice
Society receives from the community, including the annual 'Treasure of
Christmas' gala, and from service organizations including the Kinsmen
and Kinette Clubs and the Rotary Club, who co-hosted last weekend's 4th
Annual 'Hike For Hospice', which raised approximately $37,000 for the
Crossroads Hospice Society.

"The work of the Crossroads Hospice Society - and, indeed, hospices
throughout BC - is both critically important and greatly appreciated by
our communities," Black said, to conclude his address.

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Iain Black, MLA Port Moody
- WestwoodCrossroad Hospice Society
Statement to the B.C. Legislative Assembly Tuesday May 9, 2006

"It is a pleasure for me to rise today to speak about a truly
exceptional organization in the great riding of Port Moody - Westwood.
The Crossroads Hospice Society provides dignified end-of-life care for
terminally ill patients and remarkable support for their families.
With significant funding from this government, the Crossroads Hospice
Society was able to develop of a 10 bed facility in 2003 in Port Moody.

I have a personal connection to the Hospice, both because my friend
Henry Weizel was a patient there, and as our dear family friend and BC
sculptor, George Cooper, carved from soapstone the signature dragonfly
that greets you when you step off the elevator into hospice; and his
late wife and renowned artist, Juan, has many of her paintings hanging
on the walls.

The Crossroads Inlet Centre Hospice has attracted 160 caring volunteers
for this 10 bed facility, and provides care for up to 175 patients, and
support for over 3000 friends and family members per year.

The society has also rallied the support of service clubs throughout
the Tri-Cities, including the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs, who are raising
$50,000. Further, they host one of my favourite events: their annual
"Treasures of Christmas" gala hosted by honorary chairperson, Mr. Tony
Parsons.

This past weekend, I was proud to take part in the Society's 4th Annual
Hike For Hospice, co-hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Port Coquitlam and
Port Moody and sponsored by Coast Capital Savings and Phoenix Truck and
Crane. I was among hundreds of people who proudly braved the soggy
elements and participated in hikes in both Port Moody and Port
Coquitlam, raising approximately $37,000 dollars."

It has been said that hospice care is about putting "life into days,
not days into life". The work of the Crossroads Hospice Society - and,
indeed, hospices throughout BC - is both critically important and
greatly appreciated by our communities. Please join me in saluting
them."

Web Site: http://iainblackmla.bc.ca

Iain J.S. Black, MLA

Port Moody-Westwood
#602 - 205 Newport Dr.
Port Moody, BC
Phone: 604-933-2312
Fax: 604-933-2315
E-mail: iain.black.mla@leg.bc.ca

___________________________

Yesterday I was honoured to be selected to speak on behalf of the government caucus
and honour the workers who have lost their lives in job related accidents, on the annual Day of Mourning.

To read my full statement please visit http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th2nd/H60427y.htm and scroll down to "Members Statements". For more information on the Day of Mourning see http://www.worksafebc.com/news_room/campaigns/day_of_mourning/default.as or read the News Release that I have included below.

Regards,

Iain
Iain J.S. Black, MLA

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BC GOVERNMENT CAUCUS
NEWS RELEASE

E-Annex, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 TEL: (250) 356-6171 FAX: (250) 356-6176

April 19, 2006

Local Libraries Receive Funding to Enhance OneCard Program

COQUITLAM - Both the Coquitlam and Port Moody Public Libraries have received one-time funding boosts from the BC Government towards their OneCard programs, an initiative that allows patrons to borrow books and other materials from libraries across British Columbia.

"The OneCard program is a great way to encourage reading, especially for students and our young people," said Iain Black, MLA for Port Moody - Westwood, "The Libraries in the Tri-cities are integral parts of our communities. With more access to books and an uncomplicated return system, hopefully more people we be motivated to use our valued public libraries."

Originally launched last November by InterLINK, a collective of 17 public libraries throughout the Lower Mainland, OneCard permits library users to use their local card to borrow materials from participating libraries. Once the materials are due back, patrons can simply drop them off at any OneCard library, regardless of location or from where the books were originally borrowed.

"The importance of literacy cannot be overemphasized," said Harry Bloy, MLA for Burquitlam. "We must support readers of all ages, and by increasing the flexibility of library use, we are doing just that."

Funding was sent to the libraries at the end of March and is part of a $3.25 million province-wide initiative. From this funding, the Coquitlam Public Library received $37,300 while $16,000 was directed towards the Port Moody Public Library.

Participation in OneCard is voluntary, but public libraries are only entitled to a share of the $3.25 million in one-time funding if they commit to the OneCard system. Libraries must also commit to work with the Ministry of Education and B.C.'s 60 school districts to provide every student with a public library card.

In addition, the BC Government will also provide $40,000 for 85 new digital readers, also called a Digital Accessible Information System or a DAISY reader. DAISY readers are used with digitally formatted audio books by people who are visually impaired or unable to read print.

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For further information:
Ben James, Communications Officer
BC Government Caucus
(250) 356-5352 - office
(250) 812-5247 - mobile

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A note on Education from Iain Black

April 13, 2006

Dear friends,

I write with a quick note regarding the summary of my public education outreach
and research efforts, originally scheduled to be published in the next few
weeks.

You may recall that in November I announced my intentions to try to both better
understand local issues, and establish a dialogue (in some cases, for the first
time) with the various partners in our public education system.

This has been extraordinarily time consuming, but worth every effort. I have
met with parent group representatives and advocacy groups for atypical (special
needs) children. I have been fortunate to also visit more than half of the
schools in my riding (I have 25!), and have had meaningful conversations with
administrators, teachers, specialists, union reps and students. I am most
grateful for how graciously I have been received. I am also appreciative of
how (as my tours of schools continued) I experienced an increased willingness
on the part of our professionals in our school system to engage in substantive
discussions on both the current state of our public school system (both its
strengths and its challenges) and various suggestions for improving it going
forward.

The main reason for writing to you is to advise that I have decided to delay the
publishing of my summary, solely out of respect for the negotiations currently
taking place involving the teachers and support professionals in our school
system. (I am also suspending my "generic" visitation of the rest of the
schools, in the short term, for the same reason.) While my remarks and
observations are summary in nature and not likely to be confrontational, I do
not wish to take the chance that they might distract in any way from the urgent
talks now underway.

The good news is that these observations and remarks will be just as relevant
and just as accurate a few months from now as they are at the moment. I look
forward to the opportunity to share them with you and hope that the negotiation
process is successful.

Yours truly,

Iain

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