Salmon Arm campus expands construction trades training

Ground-breaking ceremony for Okanagan College expansion.

Okanagan-Shuswap MP, Colin Mayes joined Shuswap MLA and Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconcilliation, George Abbot as well as representatives from Okanagan College for the official groundbreaking ceremony of the $1-million expansion of the college’s trades training facility.

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New washrooms for Memorial Arena, feds pay

Government of Canada invests in key Salmon Arm recreational centre.

Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced today federal funding to strengthen economic opportunities in Salmon Arm. Funding for this investment is being provided under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“Our Government, through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, is taking steps to reduce the effects of the economic slowdown,” said Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap. “The Memorial Arena is an important part of our community. It brings us together as families, friends and neighbours to learn new skills, exchange ideas, get fit and healthy, and have fun.”

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Penticton gets green technologies campus

College breaks ground for $28M Centre of Excellence.

Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.

Construction is set to begin on Okanagan College’s new $28-million Penticton Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation following the official groundbreaking by provincial, federal and college representatives. The project will create up to 179 direct jobs.

“The investment in Okanagan College will provide a significant economic stimulus to our community and will create jobs in this region,” said Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla. “Our government is investing in innovation to create jobs, to help our economy recover quickly and to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Young people and older citizens in increased numbers will benefit from the ongoing excellence of Okanagan College.”

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Job stimulus money for Kamloops

$12.4 million investment from Canada, BC creates jobs.

Ministry of Community and Rural Development.

An investment of more than $12.4 million in 25 projects through the Community Adjustment Fund and the Job Opportunities Program will help organizations and groups throughout the province of British Columbia to create immediate employment in all industry sectors and communities impacted by the economic downturn, today announced Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Kootenay – Columbia, on behalf of Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development, and MLA for Kootenay East.

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Workplace training to improve skills and productivity

Innovative training program opens for employers.

Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.

The Workplace Training for Innovation Pilot program opens for application today, providing small business and not-for-profit employers in British Columbia with access to funding to support employee training, helping improve skills and productivity.

Available to employers in every community across the province, the $15-million Workplace Training for Innovation Pilot, funded through the federal Strategic Training and Transition Fund, offers up to $1,500 per employee – to a maximum of $5,000 per employer – to support employee training.

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Squilax railway crossing improvements

Canada invests in safety with new funding for grade crossing improvements in Squilax.

Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Shuswap, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide up to $5,568.00 in new funding to improve safety at the Turtle Valley Road crossing in Squilax, British Columbia.

“There is always a potential for accidents in our communities where roads and railways meet,” said Mayes. “These improvements will make these intersections safer throughout the riding of Okanagan-Shuswap.”

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