Yukon

CanadaImmigrants.com British Columbia Desk - INCREASED WEIGHTLIMITS FOR TRUCKS CREATES LOCAL JOBS STEWART Commercial trucks will soon beallowed to haul larger mining loads from the Yukon south along Highway 37 tothe Port of Stewart, benefiting both the environment and the local economy,announced Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond today. Shipping outof the Port of Stewart will allow the economic benefits to remain in BritishColumbia, specifically the communities of Stewart and Dease Lake said Bond. Allowing larger, more efficient trucks will reduce the number of vehicleson the road, cut transportation costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions andmaintain our provincial highway system, by reducing pavement damage. Mining is a driving force inB.C. s economy, generating new investment and jobs for British Columbians, said Minister of State for Mining Randy Hawes. The new bulk haul program isanother example of how the Province is working with industry and stakeholders,to create jobs, support the mining industry and reduce greenhouse gasemissions. Under the bulk haulprogram, shipping companies can enter into agreements with the Province tooperate trucks that comply with axle weight limits, but exceed gross vehicleweight restrictions. Beginning in June, Yukon Zinc Corp. will be the first company totake advantage of the new program, by transporting zinc, copper and leadconcentrate along Highway 37 from the Wolverine Mine in the Yukon through tothe Port of Stewart, instead of shipping it to the Port of Skagway in Alaska.The vehicle being used for this haul will have a gross vehicle weight of 72,300kilograms, up from 63,500 kilograms, which will reduce the number of trips by17 per cent. The bulk haulprogram is the result of a tremendous amount of effort and co ordinationbetween the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, industry andstakeholders. On behalf of Yukon Zinc Corporation, we extend our sincere thanksto the contribution made by everyone involved, said Raymond Mah, chief operatingofficer of Yukon Zinc Corporation. The new bulk haul program isexpected to create 50 full time driver and mechanic jobs in the communities ofStewart and Dease Lake, in addition to several port worker positions. T he program has the potential to expand to other appropriate routesaround the province where larger mining loads would be permissible, and isavailable to any mining company that wishes to enter into an agreement with theMinistry of Transportation and Infrastructure. I would like to welcome Yukon Zinc toour community and extend our warmest welcome to Maple Leaf Loading, who will behauling the ore for Yukon Zinc through our port. This haul would not have beenpossible without the hard work and efforts made by the Ministry ofTransportation and Infrastructure in keeping jobs in a B.C. community, saidDistrict of Stewart Mayor Angela Brand Danuser. NorthernDevelopment Initiative Trust is providing Maple Leaf Loading Ltd with a directjob creation incentive valued at up to $440,000 to support creation oftransportation sector employment in northwest B.C. The vehicles onthe Yukon Zinc haul will operate under certain conditions, including: Vehicles are restricted to specified highways. Each truck must have an onboard electronicdevice to record driver hours of service and vehicle speed. Drivers must have a minimum of 100,000kilometres driving experience on similar highways with similar equipment, havepassed a professional driver course, and have an accident free driving recordfor the past two years. Across northernBritish Columbia alone this year, over $200 million has been committed to 70new and ongoing highway projects that are expected to create over 1,200 jobs.This brings the total transportation investment in the North since 2001 02 to$1.5 billion. As reported in the news.

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• CBC News - British Columbia - B.C. emitting more greenhouse gases

Charter Rights Freedoms: In a ruling handed down this morning, the court affirmed that the rights to control admissions to francophone schools outside of Quebec lie with provinces or territories, but said that power can be delegated, according to CBC. It said the Yukon French school board could argue its case that the territory admissions criteria don't meet the goals of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in a new trial. Roger Lepage, a lawyer for the Yukon French school board, says another trial may not be needed. Yukon francophones appeal to Supreme Court However, it not clear whether Yukon francophones will seek another day in court. Who gets to decide on admissions The case dates back to 2009, when Yukon francophone school board sued the territorial government, asking for better facilities and more control over admissions to its school. Roger Lepage, who represents Yukon francophone school board, said that may not be necessary, citing a "night and day" shift in the relationship between the board and the Yukon government. "Let go talk to the Government of Yukon and see if they are willing to settle on issues," he said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Yukon Government: Employment and Social Development Canada increased the wage for these workers to $15 an hour from $11.75 in October. It includes workers under the Yukon Nominee Program, which allows the Yukon Government to nominate potential immigrants based on labour market needs. , according to CBC. "We're told that it set in stone," says Shawn Kitchen, Yukon assistant deputy minister of advanced education, who was at the meeting. A wage increase for servers and kitchen staff working in Yukon fast food industry is here to stay, but it not sitting well with everyone because it only applies to immigrants hired under federal and territorial immigration programs. In a teleconference meeting with business owners and the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, explained the methodology it used to determine the wage, but didn't budge on the amount. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Yukon Nominee Program: So far, he says, he hasn't had much success. "I think I applied to 90 per cent of the hotels in Whitehorse, according to CBC. I've applied to a few restaurants, a few stores," he said 10 days after his arrival. Juan Carlos Escobar Hernandez, 30, flew to Whitehorse from Edmonton earlier this month with the hope of being hired into the Yukon Nominee Program, which offers a pathway to citizenship. He said one company offered to hire him but didn't want to have to go through the nominee program. There no way to find out who hiring and who not. Related: Yukon Nominee Program workers complain of mistreatment, discrimination Related: Yukon sees more temporary foreign workers, fewer nominees Escobar Hernandez, who has a diploma in tourism from Ontario Fanshawe College, said it frustrating not knowing what businesses are part of the nominee program. "You hear from other foreigners to go to Canadian Tire or to go to different hotels, but it not advertised. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Yukon Dept: Under new federal government rules, foreign workers in the Yukon Nominee Program will now have to put up $10,000 in security in case they can't support themselves in Canada, and write an exam to prove they know some English or French, according to CBC. The Yukon Nominee Program was developed to fill holes in the labour market and tougher rules for foreign workers will cause a big drop in immigration to Yukon, says Ailene Gayangos, vice-president of the Canadian Filipino Association of the Yukon. "For an average Filipino to have, like, 400,000 pesos, you know, which is the equivalent of the 10,000 settlement, that's a lot of money," Gayangos said. "They will be able to just probably stay in the Philippines if they have that money." As reported in the news.
@t filipino association, nominee program

Yukon Nominee Program: So far, he says, he hasn't had much success. "I think I applied to 90 per cent of the hotels in Whitehorse, according to CBC. I've applied to a few restaurants, a few stores," he said 10 days after his arrival. Juan Carlos Escobar Hernandez, 30, flew to Whitehorse from Edmonton earlier this month with the hope of being hired into the Yukon Nominee Program, which offers a pathway to citizenship. He said one company offered to hire him but didn't want to have to go through the nominee program. There no way to find out who hiring and who not. Related: Yukon Nominee Program workers complain of mistreatment, discrimination Related: Yukon sees more temporary foreign workers, fewer nominees Escobar Hernandez, who has a diploma in tourism from Ontario Fanshawe College, said it frustrating not knowing what businesses are part of the nominee program. "You hear from other foreigners to go to Canadian Tire or to go to different hotels, but it not advertised. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Government Contracts Dept: Carrefour d'Immigration Crossroad, which is run by the Yukon's francophone association, has lost its federal contract to provide services to immigrants, according to CBC. But several weeks ago, the organization learned that the federal Citizenship and Immigration Department has awarded the latest contract to the Yukon Tourism Education Council and newcomers to Canada may not be able to access some Yukon-based services for now, due to a recent change in government contracts. From English language classes to social events and other support programs, Carrefour had provided on-the-ground services to immigrants since 2005. As reported in the news.
@t citizenship and immigration, immigration department

Yukon Dear Ryan: And it certainly seems like he has accomplished his task, according to Rabble. Canadians are no longer citizens, but consumers and taxpayers. Open Letter to Ryan Leef, MP for Yukon Dear Ryan, Stephen Harper once bragged that we wouldn’t recognize Canada by the time he was through with it. We keep our eyes on narrow self-interest while buying into the notion that anything that regulates those interests or implies social responsibility, either on a local or international level, is "unfair." If the tone of Conservative attack ads is a measure of how most Canadians think, why then we must be a nation of people who admire bullies. We were, at the time, the very best we could be. So what happened to the idea of citizenship with its associated responsibilities to our communities, our nation and the planet In the 70s, Canadians rallied to welcome and care for the Vietnamese boat people. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

First Nations: The group says the decision ignores a land-use plan seven years in the making, according to 660 News. They say the plan released a week ago in Whitehorse violates the land-use planning provisions of a land claims agreement the territory signed with First Nations and A coalition of First Nations and conservation groups is suing the Yukon government over its decision to open a vast region of the Canadian North to mining and industrial development. A lawsuit was filed Monday in Yukon Supreme Court by the Nacho Nyak Dun, the Tr ondek Hwech in, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Yukon and the Yukon Conservation Society. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Supreme Court of Canada: The case, which was first brought to court in 2009, argues that the Yukon French school board should have the right to determine who its students are. , according to CBC. The Yukon government argued for the strictest interpretation of who should be allowed to attend minority language schools. Members of francophone communities across Canada are disappointed by Quebec position in a Yukon case that was before the Supreme Court of Canada this week. Section 23 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees Canadians the right to education in a minority language, whether English or French, but extends that right only to the children or grandchildren of those who were educated in that language or who learned it as their first language. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.