AG - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 30, 1994 TERRACE. STANDARD Business Review More housing on way THERE WAS good news last week for the Skeena-Kalum Housing socicly and for those looking for affordable housing here, The province announced the sociely had received conditional approval for another 18 units to be added to the 32 unit complex on Haugland Ave. which is now nearing completion. Society spokesman Heather Eyjolfson said the society will first have to reach agreement with the city on leasing more land to the north of the pres- to be a happy new year for them,’ She said there were a total of 150 applications for the units. But despite the numbers, applica- tions are still being accepted by the society. That's because tenancy is based on need, not first come first serve, Qualifying for affordable housing first depends on income. If the family’s income falls below the benchmark, other factors such as the type of ac- commodation they are currently living in and the ent development. the disabled. The plan calls for the new units to be twa, three and four bedrooms and it is likely a couple of these will be specially designed to fit the needs of As for the existing development, she said tenant selection had been finalized last weck and the prospective tenants had toured the units last Sat- urday, “They were thrilled. It’s definitely going cost of that accommodation are assessed. The selection committce then decides who gets offered a unit based on a points system laid down by the BC Housing Management Corporation, the approving government agency. All information given by applicants is strictly confidential, Eyjolfson emphasized. For success- ful applicants, rent will be set at 30 per cent of gross income. Mixed opinions greeting .. minimum wage increase TERRACE AND District Cham- ber of Commerce president John Evans says planned hikes in the minimum wage will hurt small businesses and result in fewer jobs. The current rate of $6 an hour is due to go to $6.50 on March 1, 1995 and to $7 on Oct, 1, 1995, Workers under the age of 18 are now being paid less bul that pro- vision will be eliminated as of March 1, 1995. ‘This is just another tax to the small business person,’? said Evans of the increases. ‘This will cut the number of eniry level jobs and that means there'll be fewer people working.” “I'd say businesses which employ people in entry level positions will try to get by with as little help as possible,’’ he added, Evans noted that a business which employs 40 or 50 people at the minimum wage faces fairly serious increases on an annual basis. He’s also worricd about the ef- fect on the tourism industry which traditionally hires younger people at eniry Ievel positions, “There won't be as many jobs available and that means fewer young people will be given the opportunity to learn job skills,” Evans said. Evans is predicting an impact on businesses which use the mini- mum wage as a benchmark for the wages of other employces, . When the minimum wage rises, . he said, there'll be pressure to in- crease olher pay rales. In making the wage announce- ment, labour minister Dan Miller said 80,000 people — about 60 per cent of whom are women — will benefit. “The purchasing power of the minimum wage has nol kept up with inflation in B.C. It’s about time minimum wage camers, who Tepresent 5.6 per cent of -the workforce, shared in B.C.’s very strong economy,’ said Miller. Camphell Stewart, who owns the two A and W outlets in Ter- race, isn’t predicting a major problem in adjusting to the in- creases. “7 think it’s going to be a posi- live move. I welcome anything that Increases the wages of workers, particularly in-a period of next to no inflation,’ said: Stewart. *¥ don’t begrudge my staff the increase,’’ he said. Stewart added that he anticipated that the wage was going to be increased. kkkkk Other changes to provincial labour regulations were also an- nounced by Miller. Taxi drivers, resident caretakers and live-in domestic workers and homemakers will be covered by the Employment Standards Act. Employers will have the ability to schedule compressed work weeks with the approval of 65 per cent of their workers, & About The Terrace Churches Food Bank is getting a boost from the Ter- race and District Credit Union. Faced with an overwhelming demand during its November dis- _ tribution period, the food bank is . out of cash and practically out of food and has started a campaign to ready itself for its next distrib- . ution period in January 1995. Credit union manager Dennis Brewer said last week it will con- tribute $500 at the start of each month to help the food bank. Cash contributions can also be made to the food bank at the credit union, kkkkk The union representing reporters, announcers, camera op- erators and office people at Skeena Broadcasters has ratified a one-year contract that came into effect Nov. 24. It covers more than 40 people in _ four locations and provides for a general 1.5 per cent wage in- erease, says union representative John Crawford. The salary scale levels were also shortened so that it takes five years now for peaple to reach top rite instead of nine years, he said. There were also improvements to mileage rates. More than 90 per cent of the members ratified the contract. Workers had been represented by the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Tech- nicians, But that union is merging with the new, all-Canadian Communi- cations, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) Union of Canada, - A fdundiig’ convention was held in Toronto last week. CEP also represents workers at Skeena Cellulose’s Carnaby mill and at Eurocan in Kitimat. kiekk Wendy Shymanski and Rod Gee from local Wildlight Pho- tography have made it to the pages of the 1995 Sierra Club Engagement Calendar. Their ‘‘Sunset at Ridley Is- land’? photograph was among those chosen for the calendar. Now Playing in. GiGi’ s Pub | Manila Boys Nov: 28-Dec. 10/94. FASTER THAN A SPEEDING REINDEER. LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS, REJOICE! We have the perfect gift for you. Send a Christmas package up to 10 kgs. door-to-door to anywhere we fly in Canada for only $20.00. Envelopes just $9.99. 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