Several media reports in recent days have focused on temporary foreign workers hired to do work for Canada Dehua, a company that is undertaking coal exploration activities at two sites in northeastern British Columbia. The following facts have been absent from much of this reporting:

Violence in the home has a devastating impact on too many women, children and families throughout B.C.

Did you know that in B.C., more than one million people are employed by small businesses? Or that 98 per cent of all businesses in B.C. are small businesses? Small business is big business in B.C.!

Caring, committed, compassionate - these are just some of the words that describe B.C.'s amazing foster parents and the remarkable contribution they make each and every day to our children, youth and communities.

Dr. Seuss once said, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

I want to clarify information in your Sept. 18 editorial.

The Ministry of Health's investigation into employee conduct and use of research data is a serious situation.

As someone who competed in sport for decades, I know that coaches are an integral part of the experience. In B.C., our government is recognizing the immense contributions of coaches in every athlete's personal and professional development by proclaiming the week from Sept. 15 to 22 as B.C. Coaches Week.

When the Jobs Plan was released, 2,270,900 people were employed in the province. When the Progress Report was released, 2,322,600 people were employed in the province. The difference is 51,700 more people working.

Each fall, my ministry hosts an awards ceremony honouring dozens of police officers who've gone beyond the call of duty - in many cases, to save the lives of people in peril.

In honour of the Third Annual BC Farmers Appreciation Week, I would like to recognize the importance that farmers have to British Columbia's economy and to the health of everyone who lives here.