BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT GUILTY OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2006

Cranbrook: BC Conservative Leader Wilf Hanni claimed today that the BC Government is guilty of racial discrimination in its dealing with the Tsawwassen Indian Band.

The government wants to expand the Roberts Bank superport to facilitate the increase in Asian trade. “This is commendable,” said Hanni, “except that they want to show favouritism to the Tsawwassen Indian Band, in order to accomplish this”. Part of the Treaty being negotiated with the Tsawwassen Band is a huge chunk (approximately 400 hectares) of prime agricultural land. A large portion of this land is to be removed from the ALR and rezoned for industrial and residential use to permit the Tsawwassen band to expand roads and container facilities. These roads and facilities are essential for the expansion of the Roberts Bank superport, and to build a lucrative housing development -- in addition to other commercial developments.

“Of course, the Tsawwassen Band is in favour of this proposed agreement,” said Hanni. “Who wouldn’t be; they stand to make millions of dollars. However, it is at the expense of losing a tract of British Columbia’s best agricultural land forever. If ever, there was a case for maintaining the ALR land base, this is it.”

Hanni pointed out that a great many residents of British Columbia have suffered as a result of the imposition of the ALR on huge tracts of land in the Interior that are totally uneconomic because they are not suited for agriculture. “These lands have no agricultural value whatsoever, and should not have been included in the ALR to begin with. Now, the government refuses to remove these parcels from the ALR so that they can be utilized for urban expansion or commercial development,” added Hanni. "But they are willing to remove prime agricultural land from the ALR in order to get their seaport expansion and satisfy the Tsawwassen Indian band. This is not fair and equal treatment for everyone under the law. This is race based politics at its worst.”

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BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT WASTES BILLIONS ON FERRIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9, 2006

Cranbrook: British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. recently announced a $28 million dollar "upgrade" to four loading bays at Horseshoe Bay (near West Vancouver) and Departure Bay (near Nanaimo). This followed an announcement that they were having three new giant car and truck ferries made in Germany. In total, this corporation plans to spend $200 million on ramps and bays and $2.5 billion on boats.

BC Conservative Leader Wilf Hanni said today said that this money would be better spent on a new bridge between Vancouver Island and the Mainland, which would be a far better addition to our highway system than new ferries would be. It would also create work for British Columbians.

”Let’s not get rid of the car ferries yet,” said Hanni. “People who travel to the Island depend on them. But, let’s keep using the recently overhauled ferries on the Horseshoe Bay/Departure Bay route. They would be fine for another decade or two, at least, giving us plenty of time to complete the bridge.”

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BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT ENDANGERS LIVES OF EAST KOOTENAY RESIDENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 6, 2006

Cranbrook: BC Conservative Leader Wilf Hanni said today that he is very concerned by the BC Liberal Government’s continuing cuts to Health Care Services in the Interior of the Province. Hanni said that, citing Budget shortfalls, the BC Liberal Government has dramatically reduced the quality of Health Care in the Interior of the Province over the last few years, at considerable risk to the health and safety of the residents. “After balancing the budget, we expected Campbell to restore some essential services or at least maintain the status quo,” said Hanni. “Instead, we have learned that these dangerous and life threatening budget cuts are continuing, The single remaining ambulance driver in the Elk Valley has now been laid off and replaced with a part-time on call person.”

The loss of full time staff means our ambulance service will have absolutely no continuity, grounding or mentoring. BC Ambulance has also cancelled the training of their staff to national standards of competency. It has also started the practice of hiring untrained and inexperienced Ambulance attendants off the street to cover the vacant full time ambulance positions. Our area is losing qualified Paramedics to other communities because of theses cut backs.

“These decisions by the BC Ambulance Management are killing our ambulance services and putting countless lives at risk,” said Hanni. “The Elk Valley and the East Kootenays are busier and busier every year. Our communities are growing and our hospitals and ambulance services are getting over worked. It does not make sense to continue making cut-backs”

Hanni called on the BC Liberal Government to reconsider this decision and restore the full time positions immediately, before someone in the East Kootenay loses their life because of these cut-backs.

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