CHRISTMAS CAROLS B5-16
$1.30
DECEMBER 4, 2014
ST
Includes G
MLA drills into LNG tax regime Carole Rooney
LOCAL CURLERS TAKE THIRD PLACE A21
DETACHMENT WELCOMES NEW MEMBER B1
INSIDE
opinion A8 letters A9 entertainment A25 sports A21 community B1 classifieds B17
The voice of the South Cariboo since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net
Free Press
Independent MLA Andrew Weaver (Oak Bay-Gordon Head) motion to delay the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Income Tax Act fell on deaf ears when it received third and final reading in legislature on Nov. 27. Citing that no revenue projections were included in the debate on the tax regime, Weaver also identified what he says are possible tax loopholes. “By delaying the bill’s passage, the government would have had an opportunity to release its revenue models for public scrutiny, and ensure that British Columbians were made aware of both the opportunities and possible pitfalls associated with this bill.” Both the B.C. Liberal government and the NDP Opposition voted unanimously in favour of the bill, passing it into law, while one other Independent MLA (Vicki Huntington, Delta South) voted against it. Weaver, who is also deputy leader of the Green Party of BC, says it was “perplexing” and “startling.” “This was supposed to be the legislature’s opportunity to ‘unpack’ the government’s LNG promises, but instead we have still received no substantive [revenue] information.” He also pointed to the government’s reduced
LNG income tax rate at 3.5 per cent (rising to five per cent in 2037) being scaled back from projections of up to seven per cent in last spring’s Budget 2014. This reduces the provincial corporate tax rate for these companies to as low as eight per cent (from 11). Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says it’s easy for anyone against any bill to criticize its validity. “He is incorrect, and in our opinion, he is on the wrong side of the issue. “[Finance Minister Michael de Jong] says the LNG income tax gives proponents the certainty they need to make investment decisions. It also ensures British Columbians receive the revenues they deserve from this industry.” If there had been anything less than satisfactory in the bill, the Opposition would not have supported it, she adds. “I certainly didn’t see any loopholes.” Barnett says accurately predicting LNG revenue is “very difficult” to do because it depends on the world market, future investments and other factors. Certainty is needed to get industry investors on board when it comes to taxes and government revenues, while Weaver’s proposal to slow down the process “could jeopardize many jobs,” she adds. Continued on A7
Two Sections, 52 pages
100milefreepress.net
REVVING UP FOR WINTER RIDING
Val Severin photo
South Cariboo Search And Rescue volunteers want sledders like Sam Bergman and other backcountry users to be prepared for the winter season ahead. An avalanche safety course is being offered with that in mind. See page A21 for more details.
1st Step Mobile Treatment coming to 100 Mile House
Ken Alexander Free Press
A program, which gives youth an insight on substance misuse and abuse, addictions and life skills, is coming to 100 Mile House, Dec. 8-12. Jamie Tazelaar, who is the 1st Step Mobile Treatment and Short Stay Housing Program
co-ordinator for the Kamloops Axis Family Resource Ltd. Branch, says she is excited about bringing the program here. The group, which will run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is open to youth aged 13-24 who you think may benefit in gaining knowledge and education about substance misuse,
addictions and life skills. The program is funded by the Interior Health Authority, Tazelaar says, adding youth must be referred by a professional or be connected to a professional in the community. “Youth who are not using substances at this time, but feel they may lack life skills and be at
risk of using a substance in the future are also welcome.” She notes the 1st Step Mobile Treatment program uses a harmreduction approach by meeting group members where they are at in their readiness for change. The program is both community and Continued on A5