NELSON—The city of Nelson has a much needed CT Scanner and members of CUPE 339 are proud they were able to help provide this life-saving medical testing unit.

The Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation launched a campaign 16 months ago to raise $1.5 million for the scanner.

VANCOUVER – Organizers are calling National Aboriginal Day celebrations held in Vancouver’s Oppenheimer Park yesterday the best yet – and the second of many more to come.  This is the second year for the event and CUPE was once again a major sponsor.

The five-hour celebration featured a full slate of music, dancing and singing for a crowd of hundreds (see our photo gallery).

VANCOUVER—The run up to tomorrow’s National Aboriginal Day was held Saturday at Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Events centred on kids with face painting, storytelling and hoop dancing.  Visit the CUPE BC gallery for photos from Aboriginal Kids’ Day.

Tomorrow the celebration continues at Oppenheimer (440 Powell Street) as one of the events taking place across the country. This year’s theme is Respect, Honour and Kindness.

VANCOUVER— Preparations are well underway for two days of Aboriginal celebrations in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.  The event is being organized in part by Debra Merrier of the CUPE BC Aboriginal working group at Oppenheimer Park (at 440 Powell St) on Saturday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 21.

This is the second year for the event, which coincides with National Aboriginal Day on Tuesday, June 21.

VICTORIA—CUPE 50 (Victoria Civic Workers) has been recognized for its outstanding efforts in helping the 2010 United Way campaign in Greater Victoria bring in $6.21 million to help the community. The award was presented to CUPE 50 president John Burrows.

“Our members are honoured to contribute to our community,” said Burrows.

BURNABY— The BC Liberal government’s proposed new Water Sustainability Act has the laudable goals of protecting surface and ground water, but its focus on opening BC’s waters to market forces is a dangerous step in the wrong direction, says CUPE BC’s Water Watch coordinator in an online submission to the government’s consultations on the proposed legislation.

The submission can be read here.

It’s unclear what the government’s next move will be no

The Dawson Creek Pee Wee Rep team had a great time watching the Vancouver Canucks take on the Phoenix Coyotes.VANCOUVER—When CUPE 2403 – Dawson Creek civic, regional district and library workers – supported their community by sponsoring the Dawson Creek Canucks, they had no idea the CUPE name would be seen in Rogers Arena at a recent Canucks game.

The Dawson Creek Canucks were on their way to the five-day Pee Wee Tier 3 Provincials Hockey Tournament in Campbell River.

Young people from ages of 13 to 20 and from all backgrounds – youth in care, youth in crisis, peer counselors and ‘A-students’ – attended the workshop.

NARAMATA—In mid-February, 58 teens, young adults and adult volunteers gathered in Naramata to experience the Motivating the Teen Spirit (MTS) workshop, thanks to sponsorship from CUPE 608, Okanagan Mainline District Council and the CUPE BC Women’s Committee.

BURNABY—As a part of World Water Day activities, CUPE BC is proud to co-sponsor with the Council of Canadians, the Wilderness Committee and the Sierra Club BC a presentation by Jim Olson, one of the world’s foremost experts in the public trust doctrine.

The Government of BC is currently involved in the "Modernization of the BC Water Act", a process that has suggested the introduction of a market-based allocation system for water licenses (or a water market.) The implications of such a framework are very serious.

BURNABY—To date, 40 municipal councils from across British Columbia have proclaimed March as Community Social Services Awareness Month, or recognized community social services in some fashion.

This includes the city councils of Victoria, Vancouver, Prince George, Trail, Whistler, Kelowna and Richmond. The province of British Columbia has also proclaimed March 2011 “Community Social Services Month.”

Take a look at the proclamations.

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