Search and rescue volunteers in Powell River are applauding the inclusion of a tax credit in this year’s federal budget which salutes the memory of the late North Shore Rescue team leader Tim Jones.
Laurence Edwards, president of Powell River Search and Rescue Society (PRSAR) and a search volunteer himself, said he was pleased that the fallen leader was being honoured.
“I feel we lost a great member and very courageous individual,” said Edwards. Jones was a dedicated advocate for search and rescue not only for his team in North Vancouver, but also throughout the province and the country, he added.
Jones, who oversaw one of the busiest search and rescue teams in Canada, died suddenly on January 19 while on Mount Seymour.
Edwards said that Jones was not only pushing for search and rescue to receive a tax credit, but also to develop improved systems for search and rescue in Canada. The tax credit will mean a savings of up to about $450 for rescue volunteers who provide a minimum of 200 hours of service per year. It was previously available only to volunteer firefighters.
“It’s an initial start to recognize search and rescue’s contribution to various communities,” said Edwards. “It’s not a huge amount, but it is an initial recognition—more than we’ve had before. It’s a significant step forward.”
Volunteer searchers have had to pay for all of their equipment costs, though they could claim for reimbursement costs if equipment was lost or damaged while used on a search.
Edwards estimates that volunteer members probably spend about $1,500 each on equipment.
The number of PRSAR volunteers fluctuates between 35 to 40 from year to year.
Edwards hopes that this will open the door for talks with the provincial government about developing sustainable long-term funding for search and rescue groups in BC.
Powell River Chamber of Commerce director Pat Hull responded favourably to the budget. “As a businessperson I think that this is a good budget,” he said. “It’s exactly what we expected. I just wish there was more for the town specifically.”
Hull, who is an owner of RONA Building Centre, said that the biggest frustration right now for him and other business owners is fighting ferry issues.
“We’ve spoken to the federal government and a couple of ministers hoping that there could be some pressure applied to the BC government.” Hull identified that there are funds available through Pacific Gateway. “We’re hoping to see something go towards ferries there because they do supplement ferries.”
There is a line item in the federal budget, stating that $58 million will be allocated over two years to support the operation of ferry services in Digby and Wood Islands-Caribou, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Iles de la Madeleine, Quebec-Souris; and Prince Edward Island.
According to the Canadian Ferry Operators Association there are 284 ferries across Canada, which transport 40.7 million passengers and 1.8 million vehicles per year. Of the total, 41 operate on the Atlantic side of the country and 62 on the Pacific coast.
The federal government is creating a $100-billion Canada Apprentice Loan for those taking part in technical training. Hull said it is “a positive for Powell River. Our school district has done a good job of bringing those Red Seal trades programs to town, so there’ll be a bit of a lift there.”
There is a plan to try to clear up red tape for freer production of craft beers, along with legislation to allow beer and liquor to be bought across provincial lines in the same way wine can be.
Money has been placed in the 2014 budget for research and innovation at post-secondary institutions, upgrading broadband service to rural areas, improvements to first nations’ water and wastewater facilities, and vocational training for people with autism spectrum disorders.
Smokers will be hit with a $4-hike in the excise duty on tobacco products on a carton of 200 cigarettes.
The government says it is on track to eliminate the deficit by 2015, with an expected surplus of $6.4 billion. This year, the deficit is projected to be $2.9 billion.
