Natural Gas Powering the North

24/08/2010

John travelled high into the northern regions of the province, along with the Northern Caucus, to get an understanding of the fantastic opportunities in natural gas exploration.

Arial View of B.C.’s Opportunities

24/08/2010

John got a lift in an Apache helicopter to tour the natural gas extraction that will play a vital role in the economic future of the province.

Northern Caucus

24/08/2010

Northern Caucus members Pat Pimm, Shirley Bond, John Rustad and Donna Barnett toured throughout the Peace River North region to better understand the tremendous economic opportunities in the region.

New Accessible Park in Burns Lake

18/08/2010

John tried out the new Kinette Park Accessibility Revitalization Playground in Burns Lake.

The Fort Fraser Bridge – Done

18/08/2010

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad was able to affix the completed tag for the Fort Fraser Bridge, a $1.7 million project that makes travelling safer for residents and visitors and brought jobs to the North.

Reforestation in the North

12/08/2010

John and Mayor of Quesnel, Mary Sjostrom took advantage of the good weather to take a look at reforestation activites on TFL # 52 (West Fraser Mills).

Reforestation Activities

12/08/2010

John serves as the Parliamentary Secretary for Silviculture to the Minister of Forests and Range and is a strong advocate for the forestry industry. He recently took a look at reforestation activites on TFL # 52 (West Fraser Mills).

The Cancer Centre for the North Breaks Ground

29/07/2010

The Cancer Centre for the North broke ground. Ushering in a new era of patient care for Northern B.C.. From left: Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad, Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, Lheidli T’enneh Band Councillor Louella Nome, President, BC Cancer Agency Dr. David Levy, Premier Gordon Campbell, Cancer Survivor Garry Grant and Minister of Health Services Kevin Falcon.

Hospital Auxiliary Day

10/05/2010

John joins MLA-colleagues Steve Thomson and Norm Letnick and Kelowna General Hospital Auxiliary President Seymour Zidle in celebrating Hospital Auxiliary Day. The province proclaimed May 10th as the day to recognize the great work of hospital auxiliaries across the province.

Recognition for Health Care Auxiliaries

08/05/2010

Pat, John, and Shirley along with Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers present the B.C. Association of Health-Care Auxiliaries with a special proclamation to celebrate the contributions of British Columbia’s health care volunteers in northern B.C. and throughout the province.

Houston Chamber of Commerce

27/03/2010

John speaks about financial issues important to the local small business community of Houston.

Throne Speech 2010

09/02/2010

John prepares for the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor Stephen Point on Throne Speech Day at the BC Legislature.

Fort Fraser Welcomes Torch

30/01/2010

The 2010 Torch arrives in Fort Fraser.

Vanderhoof Olympic Torch Relay Celebration.

30/01/2010

John with Vanderhoof Torchbearers and their fans.

Vanderhoof Welcomes Torch

30/01/2010

The 2010 Torch arrives in Vanderhoof.

Fort St. James Olympic Torch Relay Celebration.

30/01/2010

John gets the crowd excited about the 2010 Olympic Torch in Fort St. James

Fort St. James Welcomes Olympic Torch

30/01/2010

The 2010 Torch arrives in Fort St. James Spirit Square.

Fraser Lake Torch Relay Celebrations

30/01/2010

John and local Olympic fans cheer on the arrival of the 2010 Olympic Torch in Fraser Lake.

Fraser Lake Welcomes 2010 Torch

30/01/2010

The 2010 Olympic Torch arrives in Fraser Lake.

Stellaten First Nations

30/01/2010

Stellaten First Nations Welcomes 2010 Torch John with Stellaten First Nations in traditional dress to honour the arrival of the 2010 Olympic Torch.

Burns Lake Welcomes 2010 Torch

30/01/2010

John joins in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay celebrations in Burns Lake

Topley Welcomes the 2010 Torch.

30/01/2010

John and Topley residents line the Torch Relay route to express their Olympic spirit.

Houston Welcomes the 2010 Torch.

30/01/2010

John in Houston with the actual official flame of the Olympics all the way from Greece. The Olympic flame is never extinguished.

Celebrating our Veterans

11/11/2009

John thanks some local Canadian veterans for their brave service on Remembrance Day.

Laying a Wreath

11/11/2009

John lays a wreath to honour local veterans on Remembrance Day.

2010 Olympic Torch

21/10/2009

As many B.C. communities gear up for the Olympic Torch Relay, John takes a minute to pose with the 2010 Olympic Torch.

Gamestown Prize for Burns Lake

14/10/2009

John presents 2010 Paralympic Tickets to Bernice Magee, Mayor of Burns Lake, in recognition of Burns Lake’s Olympic spirit.

UBCM Sledge Hockey Game

29/09/2009

John Rustad joined in a game of sledge hockey with fellow BC Liberal MLAs, UBCM representatives and paralympians

Houston Health Centre Renovation Groundbreaking

26/06/2009

Mayor of Houston Bill Holmberg and John get to work in improving health services for Houston. June 26, 2009.

Houston Health Centre Renovation Groundbreaking

26/06/2009

Pictured left to right : Cormac Hikisch, Health Service Administrator Northwest HSDA – East Cluster; Bill Holmberg, Mayor of Houston; Health Councilor Joanne Dickenson and John join together to begin work on the new Houston Health Centre. June 26, 2009.

Swearing in ceremony

08/06/2009

John Rustad, pictured with Premier Gordon Campbell and Clerk E. George MacMinn, was sworn in today as MLA for Nechako Lakes. June 8, 2009.

Lakh Lakh Vadai

10/03/2009

BC Liberal MLAs join Premier Gordon Campbell to celebrate and congratulate the Sikh community on Vaisakhi. Happy Vaisakhi.

Rustad Supports Safety in Silviculture

24/02/2009

Prince George North MLA Pat Bell, Minister for Forests and Range, and Minister of Community Development Kevin Krueger join Prince George-Omineca MLA John Rustad, Bulkley Valley-Stikine MLA Dennis MacKAY and their BC Liberal colleagues to announce $500,000 in funding to deliver four safety programs designed specifically for the silviculture industry. February 24, 2009.

Students Sing to Celebrate Vancouver 2010 Countdown

18/02/2009

John and the Minister of Forests and Range join students from St. Patrick's Elementary School and Tillicum Community School at the Legislature to sing O Canada and celebrate the one-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games in Victoria.

New PG Officers to Fight Gangs

14/02/2009

John views recently seized firearms with Solicitor General Jon van Dongen, Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond and local RCMP. MLA Rustad was on hand to help announce sixteen new police officers dedicated to the fight against gangs and organized crime in Prince George and northern B.C.

John at the USW Kickoff Event

06/02/2009

John joined members of the United Steelworkers and MLAs Pat Bell and Shirley Bond to celebrate the partnership between USW and the province to help hundreds of workers in B.C. to upgrade their skills and obtain sustainable development. The government is providing $2 million to USW Local 1-424 to co-ordinate employment and training services in northern communities.

Happy Ukranian New Years!

24/01/2009

John with Prince George-North MLA Pat Bell and Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond posing with Ukranian dancers celebrating Malanka (Ukranian New Years).

Northern Perspectives at the Northern Summit

23/01/2009

John speaks on a panel discussing northern perspectives to highlight the choices, challenges and potential of B.C.'s economy. From left to right - Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Mayor of Kitimat Joanne Monaghan, Mayor of Prince George Dan Rogers, Executive Director - Northern Develop Initiative Trust Janine North, MLA Rustad.

Opening of the Omineca Medical Clinic Expansion

20/01/2009

MLA Rustad cutting the ribbon for the opening of the Omineca Medical Clinic Expansion project. From left to right – Dr. Sean Ebert, Dr. Sue Campbell, Mayor Gerry Thiessen, Colleen Erickson (Saik’uz FN – Chief at the time), JR, Dr. John Pawlowich, and Rod Schellenberg (Northern Health).

Province, Steelworkers Partner on Skills Training

12/01/2009

John joins Mary Arcand from WorkSafeBC's TruckSafe strategy, Myrt Turner of M. Turner & Associates and Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris to discuss a partnership between the Province and the United Steelworkers which will help hundreds of workers in northern B.C. to upgrade their skills and obtain sustainable employment.

StrongStart Opens in Fort St. James

11/12/2008

John joined school trustees, parents, caregivers and district staff for the official opening of the Province's StrongStart BC early learning centre at David Hoy Elementary school. Pictured from L to R (front row): MLA Rustad, Graeme, Rebecca, Callie and Brynn. (Back row) Janna Burgart (parent), Theo, Julieanne Trelenberg (parent) Jessabelle, School Trustee Brenda Lukeniuk and Program Facilitator Suzanne Lorimer.

Highway 16 Expansion Completed

10/10/2008

John joins in celebrating the completion of the Highway 16 East Bound Passing Lane from Silver Road to McBride Timber Road. Pictured L to R: Dennis Richardson, Nechako Excavating, Todd Paterson, IDL Contracting, MLA Rustad, Dennis Schwab, IDL Contracting.

NDIT supports Fort St. James Business

29/09/2008

John attending the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) announcement of a $30 Million Business Incentive Program which translates to 260 jobs or $2.6 million dollars in Fort St. James. The NDIT also announced three other programs: Embracing Our Roots to revitalize tourism, redevelopment of Murray Ridge Ski Hill and a training kitchen at the College of New Caledonia’s Fort St. James campus. Pictured L to R: CEO of Conifex Ken Shields, MLA Rustad, Chief Fred Sam (Nakazdli), CEO of NDI Trust Janine North and Chair of the NDI Trust Board Bruce Sutherland.

Fraser Lake Represented at UBCM

25/09/2008

John joins Fraser Lake Councilors Don Reyden and Dwayne Lindstrom at the North Central Municipal Association lunch during the UBCM conference.

UBCM Welcomes Fort St. James

25/09/2008

John joins Fort St. James Mayor Mayor Rob MacDougall, CAO Nigel Black and Councilor Kris Nielson at the North Central Municipal Association lunch during the UBCM conference.

Vanderhoof Has a Voice at UBCM

25/09/2008

John joins Vanderhoff Mayor Len Fox, Councilors Ken Young and Jim Woodruff, CAO Joe Ukryn, Councilors Jack French and Brian Frenkel at the North Central Municipal Association lunch during the UBCM conference.

Major Investment in Vanderhoof Development

04/09/2008

John joins the Northern Development Trust Chair, CEO and Board to present Vanderhoof with almost $1 million in grants supporting infrastructure, tourism and recreation projects.

PGX Opens

07/08/2008

John helps cut the cake to celebrate the opening of the Prince George Exhibition (PGX). Pictured L to R: Prince George North MLA Pat Bell, PGX Association President Nancy Loretta, MLA Rustad and Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley.

Emergency Centre Construction gets Boost

25/07/2008

John helps award the Village of Fraser Lake $149,600 in Towns for Tomorrow funding for the construction of the Municipal Hall Emergency Operations Centre. Pictured L to R: Councillors Dwayne Lindstrom and Richard Bisanz, Treasurer Donna Ward and MLA Rustad.

New Vanderhoof Pathways Funded by LocalMotion

25/07/2008

John presents $315,205 of LocalMotion funding to construct phase one of the Community Trail System. Pictured L to R: Erin Siemens, Economic Development Officer Kathie LaForge, Stuart Sinclair, MLA Rustad, Chief Administration Officer Joe Ukryn (behind Len), Mayor Len Fox, Councillor Brian Frenkel and Supervisor of Public Works/Subdivision Approving Officer Paul Hascarl.

$1.05 Million Grant to Improve Houston Roads

08/07/2008

John announces a $1.05 million grant to help the District of Houston upgrade local roads impacted by the harvest of mountain pine beetle infested wood. Pictured L to R: Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon, Houston Mayor Sharon Smith, MLA Rustad and Councillor Bill Arkinstall.

$300,000 Grant to Improve Burns Lake Roads

08/07/2008

John announces a $300,000 grant to help the District of Houston upgrade local roads impacted by the harvest of mountain pine beetle infested wood. Pictured L to R: Burns Lake Mayor Bernice Magee, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon, and MLA Rustad.

$4.7M Contract for Simon Fraser Bridge Approaches

07/07/2008

John helps announce the award for a $4.7-million contract to help build the approaches to the new Simon Fraser Bridge beginning in August. Pictured L to R: Finance and Olympics Minister Colin Hansen, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon and MLA Rustad.

Improvements to Simon Fraser Bridge Start in August

07/07/2008

John helps announce improvements to the new Simon Fraser Bridge. The $4.7-million contract has been awarded to build the approaches beginning in August. Pictured L to R: Vancouver-Burrard MLA Lorne Mayencourt, MLA Rustad, PG Mayor Colin Kinsley, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure Kevin Falcon and Councillor Don Zurowski.

Over $1 Million for Vanderhoof Area Roads and Airport

07/07/2008

John presents two grants to help the District of Vanderhoof upgrade local roads impacted by the harvest of mountain pine beetle infested wood, and to help light the Vanderhoof Airport. Pictured L to R: Councillor Jim Woodruff, MLA Rustad, Councillor Brian Frenkel, Councillor Jenny Bahr, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon and Councillor Ken Young.

$500,000 Grant to Improve Fort St. James Roads

07/07/2008

John joins local councillors and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Kevin Falcon to present a $500,000 grant to help the District of Fort St. James upgrade local roads impacted by the harvest of mountain pine beetle infested wood. Pictured from L to R: Minister Falcon, Mayor Rob MacDougall, Fort St. James Chief Administrative Officer Nigel Black, Councillor Brenda Gouglas, Councillor Keith Playfair and MLA Rustad.

$500,000 Grant to Improve Mackenzie Roads

07/07/2008

John joins Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon to announce a $500,000 provincial grant to help the District of Mackenzie upgrade local roads impacted by the harvest of mountain pine beetle infested wood. Pictured L to R: Councillor Mel Botrakoff, Minister Falcon, MLA Rustad and Mackenzie Mayor Stephanie Killam.

Supporting Aboriginal Entrepreneurs

02/07/2008

John helps announce the combined provincial and federal funding to support Prince George Aboriginal Business Entrepreneurs. Pictured L to R: Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris, President & CEO of the Prince George Aboriginal Business Development Centre Ray Gerow, Aboriginal Business Development Centre Board Member Vincent Prince, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond and MLA Rustad.

Provincial Boost for Pine Beetle-Impacted Communities

04/06/2008

John helps announce $870,000 in provincial funding for the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition to continue planning that will sustain mountain pine beetle-
impacted communities into the future. Pictured L to R: Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley, MLA Rustad, Mayor of Vanderhoof Len Fox, Mayor of Burns Lake Bernice Magee, and Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman.

Traffic Fine Transfers Keeping Prince George Safer

03/06/2008

John joins Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley and Prince George-North MLA Pat Bell to announce the return of $1,303,089 in traffic fine revenue to the City of Prince George this year, helping enhance policing and community-based public safety programs.

Duchess Park Secondary Work Begins

30/05/2008

John joined local dignitaries to break ground on the new $40-million Duchess Park Secondary school. Pictured L to R: Superintendent of schools for SD 57 Brian Pepper, Duchess student on council and leadership Kris Prazma, Trustee for Conseil scholaire francophone Eva Elliot, City Councilor/Acting Mayor Don Zurowski, MLA Rustad, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Board chair Lyn Hall , Brian Savage, New Duchess Principal Sherry Thibault and current principal Bruce Ballantyne

Honouring Health-Care Auxiliaries.

09/05/2008

John presents proclamation of the first-ever Health-Care Auxiliary Day – May 10 - to Lorraine D'Auray, President of the B.C. Association of Health-Care Auxiliaries, and to the dedicated members of the Hospital Auxiliary Workers. The event took place at the Prince George Hospital.

Province Supports Nechako Sturgeon Recovery

04/05/2008

John joins Minister of Environment Barry Penner to announce a $1.5 million grant for conservation efforts in the Nechako watershed to help the endangered white sturgeon recover.

Province Supports Green Home Show

21/04/2008

John joins fellow PG MLAs, Pat Bell, MLA for Prince George-North, and Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Mt. Robson, to present PG Home Builders Executive Director Sharon Slager $10,000 in sponsorship for the annual Home Show. The theme of the show this year is THINK GREEN. April 21, 2008.

OPLS Funds New Clock for CN Centre

21/04/2008

John helps present the final Olympic/Paralympic Live Sites (OPLS) Program payment of $110,000 and a plaque to signify the completion of the new clock and video screens for the CN Centre. Pictured L to R: Prince George North MLA Pat Bell, Director of Leisure Services for the City of PG Tom Madden, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Maintenance Supervisor for Civic Facilities Leland Hansen and MLA Rustad. April 21, 2008.

Funding Completed for the Northern Sports Centre

21/04/2008

John presents the final cheque of $6.7 million to UNBC for the completion of the Northern Sports Centre. The Province provided $20.5 million in total for the project. Pictured L to R: Prince George North MLA Pat Bell, PG Mayor Colin Kinsley, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond, MLA Rustad and President Don Cozetto. April 21, 2008.

New Bus Expansion

21/04/2008

John helps announce an expansion of new buses and service to the transit system in the City of Prince George and province wide. Picture L to R: MLA Rustad, PG Mayor Colin Kinsley, Minister for Transportation Kevin Falcon and Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond. April 21, 2008.

Local Hockey Gets Provincial Boost

12/04/2008

John presents $26,000 to the Lumber Kings Sports Club for their All-Native Hockey Tournament.
Pictured from L to R: MLA Rustad, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond, Harley Chingee, Alison Ketlo and Shane Godfriendsen accepting the cheque on behalf of the sports club and Prince George-North MLA Pat Bell.

Province Supports Meals on Wheels

12/04/2008

John presents $10,000 to the Council of Seniors to support the Meals On Wheels Program. Pictured L to R: Prince George-North MLA Pat Bell, Council of Seniors members Lou Veeken and Bob D'auray, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond in the centre and MLA Rustad.

Renovations for NUGSS Student Centre

12/04/2008

John helps present $200,000 in provincial funding to the Northern Undergraduate Student Society (NUGSS) for renovations to the student centre. Pictured L to R: Vice-President of External Affairs for NUGSS Elyse Elmslie, MLA Rustad, NUGSS General Manager April Williams, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond, NUGSS President Cameron Ehl, NUGSS Vice-President of Finance Gavin Chung and Prince George-North MLA Pat Bell.

United Native Nations Hockey

04/04/2008

John drops the puck with Prince George Councillor Don Basserman at the United Native Nations Hockey Tournament.

$100,000 for Nechako Exhibition Upgrades

04/04/2008

John presents $100,000 of capital funding to the Nechako Valley Exhibition Society for upgrades to the arena and to enhance the Fall Fair and Exhibition. Pictured L to R: Valerie Dettwiler, Shelly Funk, Mike Prichard and John Young, with horses Ace and Keyso.

Spirit of 2010 Olympics/Paralympics in Nechako

04/04/2008

MLA Rustad presents Vanderhoof Councillor Jack French with the first of three payments of $110,000 from the Olympic Paralympic Live Site program to create a new grass playing field, running track and washrooms at Nechako Valley Secondary School.

Slow Down for Safety

27/03/2008

John joins Surespan worker Lisa Takhar, along with her children Avtar (10 yrs) and Angel (4 yrs) for the Worksafe Slow Down campaign in Prince George at the Simon Fraser Bridge upgrade.

Infrastructure Funding for Fort St. James

25/03/2008

John joins Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George, and Rob MacDougall, Mayor of the District of Fort St. James, to announce $171,000 from the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF) for extended and upgraded sidewalks.

Going for Gold

17/03/2008

John joins Owen Gormley from the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) to celebrate with Stacy Reynolds, the winner of two Gold Medal Tickets to the Men’s Hockey Final at the 2010 Olympics. The event was funded by Sports Funder, BCLC.

Prince George Regional Hospital

14/03/2008

John helps unveil the new CT Scanner at the Prince George Regional Hospital. The $2 million instrument is the first of its kind in British Columbia. From left to right are Dr. Larry Breckon from the PGRH Dept. of Radiology, MLA Rustad, Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley, and Dr. Colleen Hennessey from the PGRH Dept. of Internal Medicine.

Prince George Regional Hospital

14/03/2008

John and Prince George-Mt. Robson MLA Shirley Bond listen to CT Scan Supervisor Leslie Harvey at the CT scanner unveiling at Prince George Regional Hospital.

Celebrating BC150 at the Farmers Market

31/12/1969

John and Prince George North MLA Pat Bell display their carving skills for the BC 150 day celebrations at the Farmers Market in Prince George.