Prince George, B.C.-  A new subdivision has been approved for  Prince George.  It is  phase 6 of the Westgate development and will  cover 41 hectares of  property, that is about 10% of the  415 hectares which make up the South Ospika Neighbourhood plan.

The plan  for  phase 6,  predicts   construction spread over  10 to 15 years.  It calls for  development that would see  residential construction  of which 74%  is  dedicated to single family homes and 26% to multiple family.   In all, there would be  475 residental units made up of 260 single family homes, 30 two family residences, and 185 multi family units.

One resident, who lives near the  new  plan  says he is concerned about  an area which he referred to as a "temporary fill"site.  Tony Muldor told Council the  fill was supposed to be  temporary "It is sinking out of control"  and he says  the area, ( grey  in the left corner region of the map above)  can only  be used for mobile homes  because the water table is  now "about 5 feet below  ground level, which we never had before."

Councilor Debora Munoz  has asked if the developers would be looking at some creative ways of recycling  storm water run off.  The answer  was that  run off would "collect" in some of the ravines, but that it was not likely  that water could be used to water community gardens.

The developer says the  area that will likely be  developed first is the mobile home park area,  but, he adds, it all depends on  market demand.

Mayor Dan Rogers says  this is a positive development  for the City.

Council has withheld final reading of this rezoning application pending a traffic impact study which meets the approval of the City, and a  storm water drainage plan which would also meet the approval of City planners

Dean Birks

Top Office Producer 2010

The new cabinet is made up of 17 ministers plus the premier, reduced from the previous total of 24. This includes the new Ministry of Jobs,Tourism and Innovation, which will bring together many of the functions in government focused on job creation under a single ministry. As well, three new cabinet committees reflect the priorities of government - the Committee on Families First; the Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth; and the Committee on Open Government and Engagement. 

Responsibility for colleges and universities has been recombined under the Ministry of Advanced Education; responsibility for mining has been returned to the Ministry of Energy and Mines; Labour and Citizen Services have been combined; and Forests and Lands has been combined
with Natural Resource Operations. 

The new cabinet appointed and sworn into office today is:
* Premier - Hon. Christy Clark
* Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance - Hon. Kevin Falcon
* Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation - Hon. Mary Polak
* Minister of Advanced Education - Hon. Naomi Yamamoto
* Minister of Agriculture - Hon. Don McRae
* Attorney General - Hon. Barry Penner
* Minister of Children and Family Development - Hon. Mary McNeil
* Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development - Hon. Ida Chong
* Minister of Education - Hon. George Abbott
* Minister of Energy and Mines (minister responsible for Housing) -Hon. Rich Coleman
* Minister of Environment - Hon. Terry Lake
* Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations - Hon. Steve Thomson
* Minister of Health - Hon. Michael de Jong
* Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation - Hon. Pat Bell
* Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government - Hon.Stephanie Cadieux
* Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General - Hon. Shirley Bond
* Minister of Social Development (minister responsible for multiculturalism) - Hon. Harry Bloy
* Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure - Hon. Blair Lekstrom 

Additionally, 10 MLAs have been named as parliamentary secretaries, and will work with ministers to focus on key initiatives of government. 

Rich Coleman will serve as the Government House Leader and Terry Lake will be the deputy Government House Leader. Ben Stewart will be the Government whip. 

"We want British Columbians to have the opportunity to be more engaged with government decision-making," said Premier Clark. "We will work with citizens to find solutions to problems, set priorities openly and explain why we make the decisions we do. British Columbia is starting
from a position of strength. It is up to us to build on this strength for the betterment of families across our province."

Dean Birks 

Top Office Producer 2010