GALIANO ISLAND – The Government of British Columbia and the BC Medical Association are partnering to establish a new incentive that will help fill 20 pre-designated family physician and specialist positions in rural communities, including a general practitioner on Galiano Island. The Rural Physicians for British Columbia incentive aims to fill 20 pre-designated family physician and specialist positions. The incentive will provide each physician with a one-time payment of $100,000 when they commit to a three-year return of service in

Marie Cooper is a leading voice in Aboriginal education in BC. Her interest in education came at a time when post-secondary learning was deemed illegal for “Status Indians.” Undaunted, she graduated from high school in 1952 (as one of the first Aboriginal students permitted to attend a BC provincial school) and set her sights on a teaching degree. She refused to give up her Aboriginal status and identity in order to attend a Canadian university, and chose instead to leave

SAANICH – Five organizations in Saanich North and the Gulf Islands have received a total of $115,000 in Public Safety Grants from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. The organizations are: • Saanich Inlet Lifeboat Society-$22,100 • Salish Sea Marine Rescue Society-$10,000 • Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue Society-$11,000 • Gulf Islands Marine Rescue Society-$30,000 • Saanich Marine Rescue Society-$41,900 Additional Information: Community Gaming Grants allow non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues. Last fiscal year,

SALT SPRING ISLAND – Salt Spring Centre School Parent Support Group has received a $6,960 Community Gaming Grant from the Government of B.C.   Additional Information: Community Gaming Grants allow non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues to support direct delivery of a program that benefits the broader community. Last fiscal year, in 2011/12, government distributed a total of $135 million in gaming grants for eligible community programs and services. About 5,300 community groups benefited from funding during 2011/12.

SIDNEY, BC – Today, Murray Coell, a long-time public figure in British Columbia politics, announced that  he will not seek a fifth term as MLA for Saanich North and the Islands in the 2013 general election. “It has been my honour to serve the people of Saanich North and the Islands for the past 16 years.  I will be leaving this post with a deep appreciation of the strength and vibrancy of the communities that make up this riding, and