Off to the Worlds: Snowshoer Hazen Meade will represent Canada Sports A30
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Fisheries Fisheries Act changes changes Act under fire fire under KRISTENDOUGLAS DOUGLAS KRISTEN CAMPBELLRIVER RIVERMIRROR MIRROR CAMPBELL
PAUL RUDAN/THE MIRROR
Moving forward More than 200 people joined together Saturday for the annual Walk Away From Racism event. Sporting anti-racism banners, the happy group marched around the downtown area and gathered at the Community Centre for more festivities. See more photos on Page A32.
Regional district looks to hold taxation line PAUL RUDAN CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR
It’s a hold-the-line budget for the Strathcona Regional District. “It’s fiscally-restrained, a more conservative approach,” said chief administrative officer Brian Reardon. “Basically it’s
status quo. We’re keeping costs down to the rate of inflation.” A stagnant North Island economy is the reason elected directors have been whittling away at costs in order to keep budget increases minimal. The board votes Thursday to approve the budget. Area D (from Oyster River to
the Ocean Grove area) will see the biggest increase of $113 per home owner based on an average residential assessment of $304,643. The main reason for the increase, said Reardon, is costs associated with the Strathcona Gardens complex; Area D shares the costs of the pool and two are-
nas with Campbell River. The Rod Brind’Amour Arena requires significant infrastructure repairs, particularly to the floor, boards and brine lines. The cost of the project is just under $1 million and Reardon is hopeful the district will receive a $400,000 grant to support the Continued on A27
CampbellRiver’s River’sfish fishhabitat habitat Campbell willbebevulnerable vulnerabletotoindustrial industrial will developmentififthe thefederal federalgovgovdevelopment ernmentgoes goesahead aheadwith withaaproproernment posaltoto“water “waterdown” down”the theFisherFisherposal iesAct, Act,says saysa adirector directorofof aalocal local ies conservationorganization. organization. conservation “It’sa avery verysignificant significantchange,” change,” “It’s saidPeter PeterWoods, Woods,a adirector directorwith with said GreenwaysLand LandTrust. Trust.“You’re “You’re Greenways goingtotohave haveone oneofof the themost most going powerfulpieces piecesofoflegislation legislationinin powerful Canadareduced.” reduced.” Canada Thechange changewas wasrevealed revealedearly early The lastweek weekwhen whena aformer formerfederal federal last fisheriesofficer officerreleased releasedinforinforfisheries mationtotothe themedia mediaand andenvienvimation ronmentalgroups. groups.The TheConserConserronmental vativesplan planamendments amendmentstotothe the vatives FederalFisheries FisheriesAct Actthat thatwould would Federal essentiallyremove removeprotection protectionofof essentially fishhabitat habitatfrom fromthe thelegislation. legislation. fish OttoLanger Langerwrote wroteininaaletter letter Otto thathe hewas wasleaked leakedaadocument document that fromPremier PremierStephen StephenHarper’s Harper’s from government“that “thatindicates indicatesthat that government Cabinet is planning to water Cabinet is planning to water downthe thehabitat habitatprotection protectionproprodown visionsofofthe theCanada CanadaFisheries Fisheries visions Actby bydeleting deleting‘habitat’ ‘habitat’from from Act Section3535(1) (1)ofofthe theAct, Act,i.e. i.e.the the Section section dedicated to protect fish section dedicated to protect fish habitatacross acrossCanada.” Canada.” habitat Langeralso alsosaid saidhe hehad hadbeen been Langer informed the amendment to the informed the amendment to the FisheriesAct Actwould wouldnot notbebeavailavailFisheries ablefor forconsultation consultationand andthat thatitit able “istotobebeslipped slippedthrough throughParliaParlia“is mentby bytagging taggingititonto ontothe theBudBudment get Omnibus Bill that is due by get Omnibus Bill that is due by ContinuedononA3 A3 Continued
“JACKSON NEEDS A FUR-EVER HOME”
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Jackson is full of energy, very inquisitive, playful and needs to go to a home where he will be kept active and stimulated, with lots of exercise. PLEASE help spread the word about pets available for adoption and ongoing fundraisers by finding us on Facebook at BC SPCA Campbell River branch or call
Campbell River SPCA 250-286-6131
Watch for our upcoming Fathers Day Raffle Tickets with a 1st prize of over $500worth of tools!
www.campbellriverrealestate.com 972 Shoppers Row Campbell River
250-286-3293