Victoria, British Columbia, April 10, 2012 – The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and MP for Vancouver Island North, announced today that the federal government has set aside up to $7.5 million for work on the restoration of the Vancouver Island Railway between Victoria and Courtenay.

“The restoration of the Vancouver Island Railway will create local jobs and economic growth, re-establish important passenger rail service for Island residents, and offer another route for visitors to this beautiful region,” said Minister Duncan.

“The Island Corridor Foundation’s plan to revitalize passenger service and start train service in Nanaimo makes a new future for business and tourism possible,” added James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo-Alberni.

Because of poor track conditions on the Vancouver Island Railway, passenger rail service between Victoria and Courtenay has been suspended due to safety concerns. Freight traffic is currently operating at reduced speeds.

The total costs of the project, to be undertaken by the Island Corridor Foundation, are estimated to be $15 million. Of this amount, $500,000 has already been expended by the Province of British Columbia toward a bridge engineering study. The Government of Canada has set aside up to $7.5 million under the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component toward infrastructure work such as the cost of ballasting and the replacement of track ties and joints. The Island Corridor Foundation will be responsible for any additional costs that arise as part of this project. The work will address short-term operational issues, with the intention of making the corridor safe again for passenger service.

Federal funding for this project is conditional on the completion of a federal project review and the signing of a contribution agreement. Federal support is also conditional on the Province of British Columbia confirming its remaining contribution of $7 million toward the project. As well, the Island Corridor Foundation must confirm that no further federal investment will be required. This includes costs associated with repairs to the existing track and bridges, and the costs associated with building a new passenger station in Esquimalt to replace the municipally-owned terminal in downtown Victoria, as well as any other costs that might arise.

The Government of Canada is focused on creating new opportunities for jobs and economic growth, and securing long-term prosperity for Canadians. Investing in public infrastructure is an important part of this strategy.

For more information on the Building Canada Plan and federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia, please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Geneviève Sicard
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154

The meeting’s format will include a presentation of the draft budget by Mayor Jon Lefebure and staff, small group discussions to identify what’s good in the budget, what’s a problem, what citizens don’t understand. The Mayor and staff will be asked to respond to those concerns and questions.

Venue for the meeting, running from 7:00-8:45 pm Is the upper room of the Chemainus Senior Drop-In Centre, 9824 Willow St.

For more information, contact Bernie Jones, bj [at] communitydeveloping [dot] ca

• Chemainus Business Improvement Area to offer free Canada Day events;
• Cowichan Neighbourhood House to provide food preservation workshops;
• Chemainus Theatre Festival Society to produce the new Canadian comedy, ‘Harvest’; and,
• Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society to present the Music in the Park Summertime Series.

Thank you, Coastal!  www.cccu.ca

– article courtesy Dee Kinnee

Business Awards:
Business Leadership: Flowering Tree Natural Spa
Innovation: Crafty Cuppa
Business of the Year (under 6 employees): Hansel & Gretel Candy Co.
Business of the Year (6 or more employees): Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn
New Business: Odika Cafe
Outstanding Customer Service: Twisted Sisters Tearoom
Sustainable Business Practices: Chemainus Health Food Store
Home Based Business: Renditions in Rags

Individual Awards:
Young Entrepreneur: Foster Thorpe-Doubble, TD Repairs
Employee of the Year: Margaret Fisher, V. I. Regional Library, Chemainus Branch
Volunteer of the Year: Betty Short
Volunteer Couple of the Year: Murray and Jane Schafer

Lifetime Achievement: given posthumously to Hilary Everitt

The finalists were chosen by a panel of three Chemainus residents from the nominations received at the Chamber office. The panel members agreed that it was difficult to choose just two finalists in many categories, as there were many other businesses and individuals deserving recognition.

The winner in each category will be announced at the Golden Brush Dinner and Silent Auction, February 18, 2012, beginning at 5:30 pm at the Chemainus Theatre.

Business Leadership – A business that serves as a positive role model, provides business leadership and inspiration, makes a positive contribution to the community, mentorship and/or improving the environment.

Finalists: Chemainus Bakery and Flowering Tree Natural Spa

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Innovation – A business that displays a high level of successful innovation; illustrates vision in the development of new technologies, products and /or services, and demonstrates an ability to take risks.

Finalists: Crafty Cuppa and Utopia Bakery

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Business of the Year(less than 6 employees) – A business that demonstrates excellence through positive business growth, excellent customer service, and exceptional commitment to quality.

Finalists: Hansel & Gretel Candy Co. and Ocean Soul Book Cafe

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Business of the Year(6+ employees) – A business that demonstrates excellence through positive business growth, excellent customer service, and exceptional commitment to quality.

Finalists: 49th Parallel Grocery and Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn

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New Business – A new business that has achieved outstanding business performance in a short period of time, demonstrates exceptional promise for continued growth, and serves as an inspiration for other new businesses.

Finalist: Odika Cafe

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Outstanding Customer Service – A business of any size demonstrating exceptional customer service in any of the following areas of business: purchasing and distribution, transportation and brokering, wholesale and retail trade, professional services, communications, or financial services.

Finalists: Twisted Sisters Tearoom and Willow Street Cafe

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Sustainable Business Practices – Honours a business that demonstrates sustainable business practices in their own operations (aside from the product or service for sale) including the use of energy efficient technology, and demonstrates how these practices benefit the regional environment. Special attention will be paid to businesses raising environmental awareness, and demonstrating leadership and commitment to sustainable development and energy conservation.

Finalist: Chemainus Health Food Store

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Homebased Business – A business which is legally operated out of the residence of the owner. The business may have captured a unique niche market and may have experienced, or shows, potential for significant growth.

Finalists: Helen’s Hair Shop and Renditions in Rags

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Young Entrepreneur – Honours a business owner or founder under the age of 35 who has excelled in business. proven leadership and entrepreneurial skills and shown outstanding vision that contributes to business success.

Finalist: Foster Thorpe-Doubble, TD Repairs

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Employee of the Year – An employee who demonstrates a sustained dedication and commitment to her/his work, provides outstanding customer service, initiates improvements in the work place and maintains a positive work-life balance.

Finalists: Margaret Fisher, VIRL Chemainus Branch, and Chanda Dalziel, Utopia Bakery

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Volunteer of the Year – An individual who gives freely of his or her time and encourages others to volunteer, contributes knowledge and commitment to continuous improvements, and follows through on commitments.

Finalists: Individual: Betty Short and Shelley Rouse

Couple: Murray and Jane Schafer

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Lifetime Achievement: To be Announced

Catalyst Paper has been awarded the 2011 Team Award because “Beginning with an approximately $250 million investment in energy infrastructure in their mills, Catalyst increased their use of biomass and dramatically reduced fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Other improvements cut other types of emissions, contributed to reduced toxicity and measurable improvements in local habitat conditions and set water-use intensity on an improving trend. The dedicated team built strong relationships with ENGOs and actively engaged in broader industry efforts to arrive at mutually acceptable land-use solutions designed to advance a range of sustainability-related objectives. ”

This recognition follows recognition as one of the 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Maclean’s magazine and Corporate Knights magazine this past June.

Maclean’s magazine says:

• The company’s Sage commercial printing papers are manufactured carbon neutral and contain 100 per cent certified sustainable fibre sources. One dollar from each Sage tonne purchased goes to GreenBlue, a not-for-profit institute that focuses on sustainable product design.
• As part of the federal government’s Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, the company is investing $18 million in green energy and environmental projects at two mills. These projects are supported by local First Nations, based in part on business development potential such as fibre-supply and skill-building opportunities.

Corporate Knights rates Catalyst at number 13, with a score of 75.04%.  The top-rated company, the Cooperators Group, received a score of 85.96%, number 50, Telus, scored 62.42%

Congratulations to Catalyst Paper!

Normally visitors to Chemainus are treated to the music of Jorge Alfaro on Wednesdays, but he agreed to permit members of the Trelawny Choir to perform briefly.

The choir tour began in Vancouver, where they performed at the St. Andrews Wesley Church yesterday.  After leaving Chemainus they will travel to Victoria to enjoy the city, and then they will perform at Central Baptist Church on Friday night.  The rest of the tour will take them through Kamloops and on the Banff and Jasper, and ending in Calgary, and include three more concerts.  They will be returning home October 12.