POLICY MONITOR CANADA » Arts/Culture/Sport

Action Group on French Language New Brunswick

Admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:30:54 +0000

Action group developing language, cultural planning policy in education (10/01/18)

FREDERICTON (CNB) – Work has begun by the Action Group for the Commission on Francophone Schools on a language and cultural development policy in response to a major priority identified in the commission report prepared by Gino LeBlanc.

The action group identified the areas of activity for developing the policy, which will describe the characteristics of schools desired for the Acadian and francophone communities, the objectives to be achieved, and the means of achieving them.

The Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) welcomes its involvement in elaborating the policy, especially since its implementation was a recommendation of the États généraux des arts et de la culture (Summit of arts and culture in New Brunswick’s Acadian society).

“We believe that artists contribute to the growth of the educational community by creating works of art that allow students to ask questions by suggesting other points of view and other ways of looking at the world,” said Carmen Gibbs, the executive director, AAAPNB.

Ernest Thibodeau, president of the Fédération des conseils d’éducation and spokesperson for the action group, said the development of the policy is advancing at a good pace.

“Developing this type of policy is a long-term effort,” he said. “The synergy between the members of the action group keeps growing at every meeting. With this common vision, we will be able to achieve all our objectives. This policy will transform the francophone education system in New Brunswick and will help develop better schools for our children.”

The action group is developing a plan to use the $5.7 million announced recently by the provincial government as a follow-up to the commission’s report.

REVIEW OF SOCIETY ACT: BC

Admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:16:06 +0000

PROVINCE LAUNCHES REVIEW OF SOCIETY ACT

VICTORIA – The Province is embarking on a review of British Columbia’s Society Act to modernize and update the statute that provides rules for the registration and governance of not-for-profit organizations in B.C., Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced today.

“As part of the review, we’re inviting input from the more than 26,000 societies registered in B.C.,” said Hansen. “I encourage them and anyone else with interest in the legislation to take part. Their feedback will help determine what changes need to be made.”

This review forms part of the Province’s ongoing revision of important framework statutes in the corporate, commercial, real estate, and financial services sectors. In recent years, this process has resulted in several pieces of new or revised legislation.

Although the Society Act has occasionally been amended, it is outdated and in need of revision. There has been no comprehensive revision of the act since 1977. Other corporate statutes such as the Business Corporations Act, which governs companies, and the Cooperative Association Act, which governs cooperatives, have been completely rewritten within the last decade.

The review will address two fundamental structural questions. The first concerns the nature of the corporate model most appropriate for societies and whether a sophisticated business law framework should be adopted. The second issue concerns the extent to which the act should contain regulatory provisions or other rules that constrain the operation of societies. The deadline for feedback on the first phase of the review is April 1, 2010.

British Columbians are invited and encouraged to participate by providing their comments via the following methods:

Email: fcsp@gov.bc.ca

Recreational Leasing Framework: NWT

Admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:42:21 +0000

GNWT Announces Development of Recreational Leasing Framework

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) announced today the development of a Recreational Leasing Policy Framework and a temporary freeze on lease applications for Commissioner’s Land in the Cassidy Point, Walsh/Banting/Prosperous lakes area.

The Recreational Leasing Policy Framework is being developed to strengthen the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) land administration program by addressing the demand for land for recreational use. The development of the Framework will be undertaken collaboratively and include participation of internal GNWT stakeholders and external partners such as the Akaitcho Dene First Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and the City of Yellowknife. Other interested parties, including existing lease holders, will also be encouraged to participate. While the Framework is being developed, MACA will stop leasing activity in the area.

Once complete, the Framework will ensure future sustainable development and management both in the area and across the Northwest Territories (NWT), and will, amongst other things, develop parameters for cabins and other structures, make land available for recreational use in a transparent and open manner, control new instances of trespass, and protect the natural environment.

“The Commissioner’s Land in this area is a popular recreational area with the highest demand for leases, and the highest concentration of trespassers, in the NWT,” said the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. “To continue to allow leasing and development in during the development of the Framework will only add to the land and environmental management concerns that already exist in the area.”

Existing leaseholders in the area will retain all of the rights they have under their current leases to renew, assign, or amend the documents. The land freeze will only prohibit new leases in the area, and will be lifted in December 2011, or upon the completion of the Recreational Leasing Policy Framework. During the land freeze, MACA will continue to prosecute individuals who trespass in the area.

For a map of the Commissioner’s Land outlining the area where the freeze is in place, please visit MACA’s website at http://www.maca.gov.nt.ca

Through the development of the Recreational Leasing Policy Framework, the GNWT is working to manage the land in the NWT, and is coordinating efforts to ensure development is sustainable as envisioned in the 16th Assembly’s Vision of Northerners Working Together.

SASKATCHEWAN GOVERNMENT LOOKS FOR OPTIONS TO IDENTIFY AND PROTECT BURIAL SITE

Admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:05:51 +0000

GOVERNMENT LOOKS FOR OPTIONS TO IDENTIFY AND PROTECT BURIAL SITES

The Government of Saskatchewan announced a new initiative to look at ways to preserve and catalogue cemeteries and burial sites.

Minister responsible for The Cemeteries Act Don Morgan has asked Al Dwyer to convene a working group of stakeholders and interested individuals to look into this issue and make recommendations on options to encourage greater community involvement in the care and maintenance of local, non-commercial cemeteries. Dwyer is the former Registrar of Cemeteries.

“I believe that something needs to be done to preserve our cemeteries and places of interment, to maintain our heritage for future generations and honour the memory of those who helped build this province,” Morgan said.

There are about 3,500 known cemeteries throughout Saskatchewan, many of these run well and cared for by owners, local communities and religious organizations. However, there are a significant number that are abandoned and uncared for as well as many more that are unknown or uncatalogued, including many Aboriginal burial sites.

The working group is to report back to the Minister with their recommendations in the new year. Interested groups, individuals and organizations are encouraged to contact Mr. Dwyer at 1-877-880-5550.

Creation of “2010 and Beyond” Panel

Admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:42:43 +0000

Minister of State Lunn Announces Creation of “2010 and Beyond” Panel

Ontario Film Tax Credits

Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:26:00 +0000

Boosting Jobs In Ontario’s Creative Economy

The government is proposing further enhancements to its permanent film and television production services tax credit. It is part of the government’s plan to support growth and job creation in Ontario’s economy, including the film and television industry.

June 29, 2009 9:00 PM | Ministry of Finance

Final Report on the 2008-2009 Review of the Official Languages Act

Admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:09:55 +0000

Final Report on the 2008-2009 Review of the Official Languages Act
Question and Answer – Final Report on the 2008-2009 Review on the Official Languages Act

NWT Joins Vancouver 2010 Team

Admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:05:50 +0000

Premier Signs Contributing Territory Agreement as NWT Joins Vancouver 2010 Team
R(16)166 - Thursday, April 02, 2009
Premier Floyd Roland of the Northwest Territories and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) announced today in Inuvik the Northwest Territories’ (NWT) participation in the Contributing Province/Territory Program.

Alberta: Consultation on Health Information Amendment Act

Admin — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:02:32 +0000

Review of Bill 52, Health Information Amendment Act, 2009

March 20, 2009
Review of Bill 52, Health Information Amendment Act, 2009

Edmonton… The Standing Committee on Health is asking the public for feedback on Bill 52, Health Information Amendment Act, 2009 that was originally introduced in the fall session. Members of the public are now invited to make written submissions to the committee before April 24, 2009.

BC:$6.1 MILLION FOR ARTS AND CULTURE ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Admin — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:16:32 +0000

March 10, 2009

$6.1 MILLION FOR ARTS AND CULTURE ENDOWMENT FUNDS

VICTORIA – Across British Columbia, 43 different arts and culture organizations will share in $6.1 million through the BC Arts Renaissance Program, announced Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Bill Bennett.