News

KERSLEY Opens Accessible Trail

Sisters Creek Recreation site named inaugural Forest Capital of Canada Legacy Trail

North Cariboo – The community of Kersley, BC is the latest community in the Cariboo Chilcotin to develop a wheelchair accessible trail. It’s called the Sisters Creek Recreation Site Accessible Trail and was built in partnership between the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, and the Kersley Community Association.

“I am extremely pleased that we have now completed the Sisters Creek Accessible Trail,” stated CRD Vice-Chair and Electoral Area A Director Ted Armstrong. “However, this was just the next step in making the Cariboo Chilcotin one of the most attractive wheelchair accessible tourism destinations in the world.”

The trail is approximately 800 metres long, and takes visitors to a wheelchair friendly viewpoint over the Fraser River. The location was identified as a priority site in the CRD-commissioned regional Wheelchair Accessible Trails Inventory and Assessment Study completed by Kary Fell of CARE consulting in 2008. CARE is also providing ongoing consulting services on the project.

“Improving our recreation sites and trails is an important part of developing the Province’s tourism infrastructure,” said Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Kevin Krueger. “Partnering with the Regional District and the Kersley Community Association has helped us expand access to this site to those with limited mobility and I know it will be an outdoor attraction for both residents and tourists.”

In celebration of the CRD’s Forest Capital of Canada designation the Sisters Creek Recreation site Accessible Trail has also earned the distinction of being named the first trail on the newly created Forest Capital of Canada Legacy Trail Network. This legacy project was developed with hopes that future Forest Capital of Canada communities will continue to add trails to the network throughout their reign.

“This is a momentous day for the community of Kersley, and we are extremely proud of this new trail,” says Wayne Charlton, President of the Kersley Community Association. “I feel that the Sisters Creek Recreation site and its accessible facilities will be a huge draw, bringing people of all abilities to a pristine area to enjoy our great outdoors.”

Construction funding was provided by the provincial Towns for Tomorrow and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Tourism grant programs with substantial contributions of in-kind effort from the partners. Ongoing management of the site will be provided by the Kersley Community Association.

The Board passed a resolution in 2006 to work towards developing the Cariboo Chilcotin as a world leader in accessible outdoor recreation and tap into niche tourism markets for persons of low mobility. On August 9, 2008, the Tatlayoko Community Association developed and officially opened the first Wheelchair Accessible Trails in the Cariboo Regional District. The Association built two kilometres of accessible trail, along with an accessible washroom and a picnic area. Other priority wheelchair accessible sites currently in development are at Parkland on Ten Mile Lake, Cottonwood Historic Site, Horsefly salmon spawning grounds, and the 108 Greenbelt.

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Funding Opportunities - Thank you to the Rural Secretariat of Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada for providing these links.

1. Keg Spirit Foundation for youth and childhood development - Small grants opportunity available through the Keg Spirit Foundation.  Application intake is rolling with a focus on projects that support the healthy development of children and youth. If you/youth in your community have an idea that they’d like to take forward, please take a look. Initially, only a ‘Letter of Intent’ is required. Full details available here: http://en.kegsteakhouse.com/kegspirit/grant

2. Community Transition Toolkit - The Community Development Institute (in partnership with the District of Mackenzie, the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition, and the BC Ministry of Community Services) combined available community transition best practices into a Community Transition Toolkit for assisting communities with economic emergency preparedness and planning. Community Transition Toolkit reports are available at: http://www.unbc.ca/cdi/toolkit.html

The first annual Measuring Up The North Awards of Excellence were presented at the NCLGA Convention held in Smithers May 5-7. 2010.

The winners were:

Category: Over 5000 population - Winner: City of Dawson Creek

Honourable Mention: Cariboo Regional District

Category: Under 5000 population - Winner: District of Tumbler Ridge

Honourable Mention: Horsefly District Board of Trade and District of Chetwynd

Category: Individual Nomination - Winner: Nancy Harris - Fraser-Fort George Regional District

Honourble Mention: Diane Rogers - City of Quesnel 

BRAUNWYN HENWOOD - Receives BC Community Achievement Award!

 Congratulations to Councillor Braunwyn Henwood from the District of New Hazelton who recently won a BC Community Achievement Award! Braunwyn's pragmatic approach and her enthusiasm for community initiatives enhance the quality of life in the Hazeltons. She has been the volunteer liaison for Measuring Up The North, an initiative that considers the needs of the disabled and elderly. Braunwyn is a Director of the Skeena Supportive Employment Society and was instrumental in the establishment of the New Hazelton Skate/Bike park.

Revenue Canada Agency

Under the Income Tax Act, 20(1) (qq) and 20(1) (rr), the Federal government allows businesses/commercial building owners to deduct the amount they paid during the taxation year to make renovations or alterations to a building that enables individuals who have a mobility impairment gain access to the building or to be mobile within it.

Businesses are also allowed to deduct prescribed disability-related devices or equipment, such as:

Elevator car position indicator, such as a Braille panel or an audio signal for individuals having a visual impairment; visual fire alarm, listening device for group meetings or telephone devices for individuals who have a hearing impairment.

For further information, contact Canada Revenue Agency:
Tel: 1-800-959-5525
Website: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu.html

MUTN 2009 News Archives

Summer 2009

Total Access 2009 - Measuring Up The North Article.

Great history of the Measuring Up The North Project, how it began and some of the amazing accomplishments.

Click here to read the article!

May 2009

Thursday May 7th, 2009 - MUTN-Related Resolutions passed at NCMA Convention 

To order the Canadian CSA B651 Standards - click here

MUTN 2009 Community News Archives

November 2009

November 17th, 2009 - 100 Mile House Free Press - ‘Visitable’ housing in planning stage. 

April 2009

Monday, April 27th, 2009 - The Province - Lori Slater, MUTN Community Liaison recieved a Courage to Come Back Award

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 - New Westminster News Leader - Vivian Garcia, recipient of the Courage to Come Back Award

Saturday, April 4th, 2009 - Prince George Citizen - Conference to explore senior, disabled issues

March 2009

Tuesday March 24, 2009 - Creating Universally Designed Healthy Sustainable Communities Interview with Key Conference Presenters

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 - Opinion 250 News - Making Communities Accessible for All

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 - Rolling Rains Report - Measuring Up The North: "Creating Universally Designed Healthy Sustainable Communities

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - Premier's Video Gallery - Honouring Outstanding British Columbians

MUTN 2008 - News Archives

October 2008

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - Quesnel Observer - Quesnel Measuring Up Committee drafts strategies
Friday, Oct 3, 2008 - PG Free Press - MU Workshop in City today
Wednesday, Oct 1, 2008 - North East News - Unique Park for Seniors at Dawson Creek

September 2008

Wednesday, Sept 17, 2008 - Ramp on Hwy 16 bridge crossing Skeena River at Terrace

August 2008

Thursday, August 14 ,2008 - Williams Lake Tribune - New Accessible Tatlayoko trails opened
Monday, August 25, 2008 - Quesnel News Release - City researching employment issues for people with a disability"
Councillor Mary Sjostrom appointed Minister Richmond’s Council on Employment for Persons with Disabilities

May - July 2008 

News articles on Accessibility issues, Terrace Standard, July 2008
City of Terrace has started working on their Community Assessment and Strategic Plan
NCMA-MUTN news release, June 2008

New !! Life in a wheelchair, Black Press, Terrace, June 2008
Telkwa and Smithers work toward accessibility
Village of Telkwa, June 2008 Newsletter (pages: one, two, three, four) 
Improving livability effort underway, PG Citizen(May 29, 2008)
MUTN Day in Prince George Citizen
Measuring Up team challenges community, Quesnel Observer (May 25, 2008)
2010 Legacies Funds Northern Communities To Measure Up In Accessibility
MUTN-Day Press Release' 2008

April 2008

Getting Started on Community Facilities, Terrace Standard Article, April' 2008
$20,000 provincial grant to make the Cultural Centre more accessible, Alaska Highway News, April' 2008
Improvements planned to make Cultural Centre more accessible
MUTN trains community liaisons for new program
City of Quesnel (the first MUTN participating community) is on web
Lt. Gov. talks to elders (Prince George Citizen, March 27,2008) page-1, page-2
Measuring Up to Accessibility (Cariboo-Winter ,2007)
100 Mile Concerns (100milefreepress)
Wheel Chair Day
Builder turning school into senior-friendly dwelling, Jan. 25, 2008

Three resolutions passed at the NCMA-AGM '2008 : 

A-1 Accessible Transportation,  A-2 Accessible Housing ,  A-3 Incentive Program for Accessibility .A letter has been forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation asking them about their works about Accessible Transportation: A Letter to the Minister of Transportation regarding A-1

Announcements/Conferences/Training

E-News (MUTN) Novermber 16, 2009

E-News (MUTN) September 28, 2009

 E-News (MUTN) September 14, 2009

E-News (MUTN) September 02, 2009

E-News (MUTN) August 18, 2009

E-News (MUTN) July 28, 2009

E-News (MUTN) July 14, 2009

E-News (MUTN) June 30, 2009

E-News (MUTN) June 16, 2009

E-News (MUTN) June 2, 2009  

E-News (MUTN) Mar 15, 2009

E-News (MUTN) Jan 14, 2009

E-News (MUTN) Jan 28, 2009

E-News (MUTN) Dec 09, 2008

E-News (MUTN) Nov 26, 2008

E-News (MUTN) Nov 11, 2008

E-News (MUTN) Oct 29, 2008

E-News (MUTN) Oct 22, 2008

Access 2 Entertainment Card

Grand Opening of Tatlayoko Trail August 9, 2008

Pat Harris, Laurie Ringaert, and some other attendants at the Tatlayoko Trail Opening	MUTN Committee member Len Knight,CRD Measuring Up Coordinator Kary Fell, Pat Harris from the BC Paraplegic Association, and Area J CRD Director Alex Bracewell cut the ribbon to open the new wheelchair accessible trails in Tatlayoko.

MUTN Award Presentation NCMA-AGM May 8, 2008

The MUTN Panel: (from left to right) Stefa Katamay,2010 Legacies Now Pat Harris,BCPA Joanne Doddridge,District of 100 Mile House Councillor Lori Ackermann,City of Fort St. John Mayor Herb Pond,City of Prince Rupert Laurie Ringaert,MUTN Project Director Councillor Mary Sjostrom,City of Quesnel

2008 MUTN Implementation Award Winners: 100 Mile House, Bulkley Nechako Regional District, Burns Lake, Caribou Regional District, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Hudsons Hope, Kitimat, McBride, Northern Rockies Regional District, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte City, Quesnel, Smithers, Taylor, Telkwa, Terrace, Williams Lake.

Site visits, Presentations

Fort St. James NCMA Liaison Kris Neilson and Librarian		MacKenzie: Dale Primus and Pat Harris

 

May 21 and 23: Fort St. James and MacKenzie:  Laurie visited Fort St. James and met with NCMA Liaison Councillor Kris Neilson. Laurie was invited to a community meeting and also toured the town with Kris. On May 23, Laurie and Pat visted MacKenzie and presented at a Community Meeting. Laurie and Pat also toured the town with Dale Primus from Public Works. April 2008: Laurie visited several communities in April including Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Kitimaat Village, Smithers, Telkwa, New Hazelton and Hazelton Village, and Burns Lake.

Kitimat: Laurie Ringaert; Liaisons Joe Ianarelli, Mary Monteiro, Coordinator Laura Da Costa		Hazelton: Laurie Ringaert and Braunwyn Henwood
Telkwa: MUTN Liaisons: Carmen Graf and Jim Hiltz		Burns Lake: MUTN Liaisons: Lyle Graham, Councillor Lianne  Olson, RD Thomas Pfister and Cindy Shelford from Lakes Economic Development Association

Laurie Ringaert, Pat Harris and Mayor Stephanie Killam		Laurie Ringaert, Pat Harris and MLA Pat Bell

Fort St. John  MUTN Liaisons Don Irwin and Lori Slater hosted a MUTN Kickstart Workshop and Launch on January 24, 2008.Nearly 40 people in total attended the events. Many thanks to Don and Lori for their hard work! Also many thanks to the City of Fort St. John for hosting this event.

 

Fort St. John: Kick Start Workshop Attendees		Councilor Don Irwin; MUTN Community Liaison: Lori Slater, Project Director: Laurie Ringaert

 To see the rest of the visited list click here. To see a list of presentations click here.

MUTN Kick Start Workshop One, Prince George, Feb. 4, 2008  

In attendance:  John Nieson (Prince George MUTN Community Liaison),Aiden Kelly, Prince George MUTN NCMA Liaison), Councilor Lianne Olson (Burns Lake NCMA Liaison), Mark Allen (Smithers NCMA Liaison), Councilor Joanne Groves (Smithers MUTN Community Liaison),Carmen Graf (Telkwa MUTN Community Liaison), Laurie Ringaert, Project Director

 Cheque Presentation 

The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society (NKDFS) presented the BC Paraplegic Association (BCPA) and North Central Municipal Association (NCMA) with the first installment of $3,750 for the Measuring Up the North project. This project is funded by Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society, BC Real Estate Foundation, United Way Prince George, and the NCMA communities. The presentation took place at the Aboriginal Business Development Centre at 3845 15th Avenue in Prince George.

Pictured L-R - Dan Boudreau, Manager, NKDFS, Laurie Ringaert, Project Director, Measuring Up The North Pat Harris, Regional Rehab Supervisor, BCPA and Paul Stewart, Chair, NKDFS

Rest of the visited community list

	August 09, 2008		Tatlayoko Lake, Cariboo Regional District
	August 05, 2008		McBride
	August 05, 2008		Valemount
	June 24, 2008		Terrace
	May 27, 2008		Fort Nelson
	May 23, 2008		MacKenzie
	May 21, 2008		Fort St. James
	April 25, 2008		Burns Lake
	April 23, 2008		Hazelton Village, Smithers, Telkwa
	April 22,2008		Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Kitimaat Village
	March 18, 2008		Vanderhoof
	Jan 30, 2008		Burns Lake
	Jan 21-25, 2008		Fort St. John area: Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe, Tumbler Ridge, Hudsons Hope, Chetwynd, Taylor
	December 10, 2007		Quesnel
	December 6-7, 2007		Kitimat
	December 05, 2007		Terrace
	December 04, 2007		Telkwa, and Hazelton
	December 03, 2007		Smithers, and Telkwa
	September 12, 2007		Prince George Special Needs Advisory
	September 08, 2007		100 Mile House
	September 07, 2007		Williams Lake

 Presentations

March 26-27, 2008 Aging Well in Rural and Remote Communities Prince George   March   13-15, 2008 Rural Communities Conference 100 Mile House   October 17, 2007 Prince George Seniors Dialogue: participant   October 16, 2007 Introduction to MUTN: Canadian Home Builders Association (Northern BC) by L. Ringaert and P. Harris   October 11, 2007 Introduction to MUTN: People and Places Conference, Prince George, BC   September 26, 2007 Introduction to MUTN: UBCM Area Association Lunch, Vancouver, BC   September 19, 2007 One Day Kick Start Workshop   September 18, 2007 Project Launch, Prince George

3. Community Developers’ Conference:  Training and Support for the BC Community Development Movement, Monday, May 17 to Wednesday 19, 2010, First Nations Longhouse, University of BC - This conference is for anyone involved in building community in BC who wants to develop knowledge and skills, network with others, and help shape the future of the community development movement in BC. Workshops and discussion will be organized around themes of community learning, capacity building and governance. More info at: http://www.sparc.bc.ca/community-developers-conference-2010

 3. Economic Diversification Programs list - From the Ministry of Community and Rural Development - A listing of economic diversification programs from the province, federal government, and non-government sourceshttp://www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca/econ_divers/economic_devl_programs.htm

4. Dig It - Community Garden Guide: How Local Governments Can Support Community Gardens  - Download this guide on how local governments can support Community Gardens. This report provides an introduction to community gardens and offers some background information designed to help local governments understand the benefits and challenges of community gardens. It also provides some practical tools and templates that can be used or adapted by local governments summarizes the report, makes recommendations for further work, and offers a variety of resources related to community gardening.  
Download: http://www.toolkit.bc.ca/resource/dig-it-community-garden-guide-how-local-governments-can-support-community-gardens

 2010 Measuring Up The North Initiative - AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - Winners