The Canadian government has announced changes to the Employment Insurance program in the country. There will be new categories of claimants, and new expectations for the sort of work those on EI should be accepting. To explain, we spoke with Arthur Sweetman, a professor in the department of economics at McMaster University and an expert on Canada's E.I. system.
According to a report from B.C.'s Immigration Task Force, the province needs more immigrants immediately or businesses will be forced to shut down or leave the province. We spoke to John Yap, B.C.'s Minister of Multiculturalism and task force chair about why he thinks this is the case, and why immigration is the solution.
But for some recent immigrants, it's another story. Romana Pasca works as an employment counsellor at the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society in Prince George trying to connect newcomers to Canada with meaningful work.
A new national database seeks to connect police officers, coroners and missing persons investigators across the country. Inspector Carole Bird, who oversees the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains, talks about the new database.
Senior Research Scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Richard Thomson provides an update on the latest research on tsunami debris form last year's disaster in Japan.
"I've always felt like a bit of a Meatloaf," says Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell in this interview about a traveling jobs fair that looks to rock stars for inspiration. Can rock make work more exciting for young people?
The B.C. government has created a special committee to evaluate the timber supply in the province. This is after a leaked report revealedthousands of forestry jobs are at stake. MLA John Rustad is on the committee.He joined us on the program.
For many, the May Long weekend the unofficial beginning of summer. But with all the snow dusting the north, it's hard to imagine. Dave Phillips is Environment Canada's senior climatologist, and he came on the show to talk about what we can expect for summer 2012.
Chris Purves makes his living photographing purebreds at dog shows, but he has a soft spot for mutts, as well. Daybreak's Andrew Kurjata where Chris was taking part in an event called "Puparazzi."
We also asked our listeners to share their pet photos. Here's a few of them:
Daybreak host Carolina De Ryk is about to take some time off to have a second child! But she and her husband are at odds over a name. They know they are having a girl, so your task for the Daybreak DJ is to come up with songs with girls' names in the title. Call the Listener Line at 1-866-340-1932, email daybreaknorth@cbc.ca, or tweet us @daybreaknorth.
(By the way, Carolina's fill-in will be Leisha Gebrinski. You can follow her on Twitter as she gets acquainted with the northwest @LeishaGrebinski).
Information on Donating to Lakeland Mills employees
Donations can now be made to the Lakeland Fire Assistance Fund through the Prince George Community Foundation online at www.pgcf.ca/ or by calling (250) 562-7772.
The
United Steelworkers union has also set up a separate help fund, cheques
can be mailed to the union's Prince George office, directed to the
"Lakeland Tragedy Fund."
Tax receipts will be issued.
"We Remember Lakeland Mills" wristbands are also being sold, with proceeds going to the assistance fund. Information can be found on Facebook.
There is a Lakeland Mills Bottle Drive. Donations can be made at BBK, Nechako and Hart bottle depots under the Lakeland Mills Fundraiser Account.
On May 15, students from the College of New Caledonia's culinary arts program will be holding a fundraiser barbecue and silent auction from 11 am to 2 pm. Information also on Facebook.
