RCMP recruiting future Mounties
The RCMP recruiting team is coming to Fort St. John this month to hold several information sessions and interactive opportunities for interested people to learn more about a career in the RCMP.
The first such session will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 10 at Northern Lights College, with a presentation and an opportunity for questions from students and anyone on campus interested in learning more.
At the Fort St. John CKNL Trade Show, April 11 to 13, the RCMP recruiters will have a booth with information about policing and the requirements needed to begin a career in the RCMP, as well as staff on hand to answer any questions.
The final session is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 13 at the Fort St. John RCMP detachment, located at 10712 100 Street.
This two-hour information session will give interested people the chance to hear about the variety of opportunities within the RCMP, and details about the recruiting process, including requirements and expectations.
While registration isn’t mandatory for the information session at the detachment, the recruiters request that potential attendees register for the presentation. For more information about a career in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, you can visit their careers website.
Enhancements for Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program
The Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program is a critically important support for low-income seniors, helping them to have a better quality of life in their golden years.
Last week, the provincial government expanded the eligibility criteria for SAFER, increasing the household income limit to $40,000 up from the previous $37,240, benefitting approximately 1,600 more seniors in British Columbia, bringing the total number of SAFER recipients to 25,000.
Starting April 1st, eligible seniors will now receive $337 per month, an increase of almost 30 percent.
Seniors’ advocates have long been seeking better assistance for seniors as the cost of living continues to rise.
“I’m pleased more seniors will be eligible to receive SAFER, however I’d still like to see the SAFER program be indexed to inflation and have government commit to ensuring the program is meeting its goal to have recipients paying no more than 30 percent of their income on rent,” said senior’s advocate Dan Levitt.
“The seniors’ demographic in BC is increasing rapidly and supports such as SAFER are critically important for the quality of life for low-income seniors.”
Mayor Lilia Hansen, who served on the NP Seniors Housing board for six years, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that she agrees with Levitt, and believes the SAFER program should be indexed to inflation, and calling the increase “good news”.
This expansion is part of Budget 2025 and existing eligible recipients will see an increase in their average benefits to give them more financial assistance to put towards rent.
At same time, the province also improved the Rental Assistance Program (RAP), by increasing the before-tax household income eligibility limit to $60,000 up from $40,000. This is expected to almost double the number of families eligible for support to 6,000.
The average family supplement for existing recipients will increase to $700 per month.
Families that are not receiving income or disability assistance will now be able receive rental assistance if all other criteria are met, as the improvement also included the removal of the employment income requirement.
In Budget 2025, the government has committed to invest an extra $375 million over the next three years to enhance both SAFER and RAP programs.
Creating Energy Conference back this month
Once again, the FSJ & District Chamber of Commerce is gathering together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators who are shaping the future of energy and economic growth, for the annual Creating Energy Conference later this month.
The theme of this year’s conference is Economic Growth: Where We Are and Where We Are Going, which will explore the ever-evolving energy landscape and its critical role in driving sustainable economic development in Northeastern BC.
The Chamber’s goal of the conference is to facilitate meaningful discussions, foster innovation, and create opportunities for collaboration that drive growth in today’s rapidly changing global economy.
The all-day event takes place on Tuesday, April 29 and will feature presentations and discussions about current international, national and provincial changes, a regional economic study, a regional growth strategy, and innovative technology.
Kicking off with registration and breakfast at the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre, the conference will be officially opened with remarks from Mayor Lilia Hansen.
The following sessions include a fireside chat around Addressing Canada’s Economic and Energy Future, with Stewart Muir of Resource Works and Gerry Protti from Collaborative Canadian Energy Solutions.
Then Economic Analyst Ivy Ruan will discuss Unlocking Regional Insights for Northeast BC, followed by the Peace River Regional District’s Ashley Murphey who will discuss the PRRD’s journey to create its Regional Growth Strategy.
The afternoon will continue with more informative discussions and presentations such as Energy Operations in Northeast BC, with Mary Mytting of the Northern Innovation Network, and Jen Simmons of Forefront Energy.
Fort Nelson First Nation’s geothermal project, Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal is the focus of the panel, Transforming the North with Sustainable Energy, presented by Tu Deh-Kah’s Taylor Behn-Tsakoza, Cyndi Bonn and Andrea Warren.
Stewart Muir reappears for an afternoon presentation on Unlocking Canada’s Energy Potential, followed by BC Hydro’s Frank Lin who will discuss the province’s move to meet the demand for power through its Call for Power from Independent Power Producers.
For more information and to register, visit the Creating Energy Conference webpage.
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