News by Ministry
Office of the Premier
Province supports new weir to keep Cowichan River flowing
B.C. is taking an important step forward in drought preparedness by supporting a new Cowichan Lake weir, ensuring the Cowichan River continues to flow and provide a safe and reliable water supply for people, businesses, the environment and wildlife.
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Province, YVR work together to support good jobs, fight pollution
A partnership aimed at fighting pollution in the aviation sector, growing investment and supporting clean, sustainable jobs and business opportunities for people in British Columbia has been made between the B.C. government and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
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Agriculture and Food
Province strengthens drought preparedness
Hundreds of B.C. farmers will be better equipped to deal with drought with supports to help manage, collect and store water for crops and livestock.
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B.C. vineyards, orchards receive help to replant for changing climate
More B.C. farmers producing grapes, cherries, tree fruit and berries will receive support to replant their vineyards, farms and orchards to make them more resilient to climate change, strengthening the province’s economy and food security.
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Help on the way to B.C. veterinarian clinics that treat farm animals
Clinics that help B.C. farmers and ranchers care for their animals will have extra sets of skilled hands in their offices through a new program that covers summer placement costs for both veterinary and veterinary technologist students.
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Attorney General
Annual awards honour B.C. anti-racism advocates
Nearly 80 people and organizations were nominated for the 2024 B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards, honouring their efforts to combat racism and create a more inclusive B.C.
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B.C. takes action to hold companies accountable for hurting people
The Province is going after wrongdoers to recover the costs of public-health harms their products cause to people.
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Premier’s, attorney general’s, parliamentary secretary’s statements on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination:
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Children and Family Development
New position expedites progress on Indigenous child welfare
A new Indigenous child welfare director (ICWD) position that will help better ensure the safety, wellness, and access to community and culture for Indigenous children was brought into effect on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
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B.C. strengthens information sharing protections in child welfare legislation
New procedural safeguards in the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) will enhance personal privacy protections while supporting child protection needs through amended legislation that also removes barriers to Indigenous jurisdiction.
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Emergency shelter for vulnerable youth opens in Maple Ridge
Vulnerable youth in need of a safe place to stay can now access 24/7 overnight accommodation services at a new Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) in Maple Ridge.
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Citizens' Services
Van takes Service BC to the people
A new mobile service centre is increasing access to government services for people who are unable to visit a Service BC office in person.
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Project connects people of Lax Kw’alaams with high-speed internet
People living in Lax Kw'alaams on the northwestern coast of B.C. will be able to unlock new possibilities with a $1.1-million project to bring high-speed broadband internet access to more than 340 homes.
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Faster internet services available on Westham Island
People in more than 130 households on Westham Island now have access to reliable high-speed internet service.
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Education and Child Care
Budget 2024 brings more student spaces to Langley
Two new Langley school projects are planned to move forward as part of Budget 2024, including a new middle school and an addition.
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More B.C. families benefit from $10-a-day child care
More families in British Columbia will save thousands of dollars every year as more than 930 child care spaces move into the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program in March and April.
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Nanaimo families benefit from new child care centre
Nanaimo families and children are benefiting from 40 new child care spaces, such as out-of-school care at the Great Futures Early Learning Centre, conveniently located near Bayview Elementary school.
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Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Province strengthens flood defences, protecting people, communities
More communities will benefit from local projects that help keep people safe during disasters and extreme-weather events.
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Upgrades to wastewater infrastructure coming to Comox Valley
From Infrastructure Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2024/03/upgrades-to-wastewater-infrastructure-coming-to-comox-valley.html
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Funding coming for protection against debris flow risks in Lillooet Lake Estates
From Infrastructure Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2024/03/funding-coming-for-protection-against-debris-flow-risks-in-lillooet-lake-estates.html
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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
Province, YVR work together to support good jobs, fight pollution
A partnership aimed at fighting pollution in the aviation sector, growing investment and supporting clean, sustainable jobs and business opportunities for people in British Columbia has been made between the B.C. government and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
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Reducing emissions for a cleaner future for British Columbians
The Province will implement a backstop to the federal cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector to support a clean-energy future for British Columbians.
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Budget 2024 prioritizes actions for low-carbon economy
Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston, met with community climate leaders in Nelson to discuss how Budget 2024 can help support people in the region to transition to a low-carbon economy and meet shared CleanBC goals.
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Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Park additions boost outdoor recreation, strengthen ecosystem protection
Newly introduced legislation will expand B.C.’s parks and protected areas, strengthen biodiversity conservation and provide more opportunities for people to access outdoor recreation.
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Reducing emissions for a cleaner future for British Columbians
The Province will implement a backstop to the federal cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector to support a clean-energy future for British Columbians.
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Tilbury marine jetty project granted environmental assessment certificate
An environmental assessment certificate has been issued for the Tilbury marine jetty project on Tilbury Island in Delta, following a decision by the Province.
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Finance
Budget 2024: Taking action for people, families in B.C.
Budget 2024 takes on the big challenges people are facing today by helping with everyday costs, delivering more homes faster, strengthening health care and services, and building a stronger, cleaner economy.
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Province provides violence prevention counsellors to keep kids safe
Violence prevention counsellors will ensure more children and youth receive information about healthy relationships and connect to critical supports if they witness or experience violence at home.
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Parliamentary Secretary’s statement on Transgender Day of Visibility
Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, has released the following statement in honour of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2024:
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Forests
Province takes early action to prepare for wildfire, drought season
The Province is taking several early steps to prepare for the wildfire and drought season, including working proactively with local governments and First Nations to help keep people and communities safe and informed.
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Enhanced technology will help better predict wildfire movement, growth
To better protect people and communities from wildfires, the BC Wildfire Service is expanding the use of wildfire predictive technologies.
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Province seeks public input on proposed Clayoquot Sound conservancies
People are encouraged to have their say on proposed conservancies in the Clayoquot Sound area.
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Health
Life-saving cancer therapy now being provided in British Columbia
Cancer patients affected by certain advanced leukemias and lymphomas now have better access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) therapy closer to home, as the therapy becomes available in the province.
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Province supports seniors living independent, healthy lives at home
Seniors in B.C. will be better supported to age safely at home thanks to the Province investing in home care and community-based services by recruiting and retaining more health-care workers, improving service delivery and expanding services for seniors.
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Improved dementia care coming to Kitimat
Residents and seniors in Kitimat and Kitamaat Village area will soon have access to high-quality dementia care at a new long-term care (LTC) home being developed at 100 Loganberry Ave.
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Housing
Affordable rental homes open for people in Langley
Families, seniors and individuals in the Township of Langley now have access to 98 new affordable rental homes with the opening of Jennie Gaglardi Place.
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New affordable homes open for Upper Nicola Band members
Upper Nicola Band families, elders and individuals will soon move into 26 new affordable rental homes with the opening of Síyáʔ Place on reserve land.
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More than 100 affordable homes preserved through Rental Protection Fund
People living in Langley will continue to have affordable rents and housing certainty with the purchase of 108 homes, made possible through the Rental Protection Fund.
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Joint statement on the Elk-Kootenay/Kootenai watershed
George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation; and Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship; have released the following joint statement in response to Canada and the United States writing to the International Joint Commission with a plan for the Elk-Kootenay/Kootenai watershed:
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Minister’s update on Haida Nation Aboriginal Title agreement
Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, has released the following update on the process of formally recognizing Haida Nation’s Aboriginal Title:
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Minister’s update on Haida Nation Aboriginal Title agreement
Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, has released the following statement update on the process of formally recognizing Haida Nation’s Aboriginal Title:
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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
Throne speech lays out vision of a stronger B.C. that works better for people
Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin opened the final session of the 42nd Parliament by delivering the speech from the throne, laying out the B.C. government’s vision for a stronger province that works better for people.
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Province honours people providing extraordinary community service
Twenty-one people throughout B.C. are being honoured with the Medal of Good Citizenship (MGC) for extraordinary contributions to community life.
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B.C. celebrates youth at Journée de la francophonie
The B.C. government recognized youth as part of this year’s B.C. Francophonie Day, an annual event to celebrate the social, cultural and economic contributions of francophones throughout the province.
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Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
Province, YVR work together to support good jobs, fight pollution
A partnership aimed at fighting pollution in the aviation sector, growing investment and supporting clean, sustainable jobs and business opportunities for people in British Columbia has been made between the B.C. government and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
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Minister’s statement on February Labour Force Survey results
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for February 2024:
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Updates made to Securing Small Business Rebate Program
The Province is making changes to offer a smoother and faster application process to help businesses access funding to offset the costs to repair and prevent vandalism to businesses, in consultation with the BC Chamber of Commerce.
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Labour
Minimum wage increases to $17.40 an hour on June 1
B.C.’s lowest-paid workers will get a pay raise when the general minimum wage increases from $16.75 to $17.40 per hour on June 1, 2024.
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Premier’s, minister’s statement on fatal crane incident
Premier David Eby and Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, have released the following statement regarding the fatal construction crane incident on Feb. 21, 2024:
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Mental Health and Addictions
Budget 2024 supports improvements to treatment, recovery services
The Province is significantly increasing the funding many service providers rely on to deliver thousands of registered or licensed treatment and recovery beds throughout B.C. as part of Budget 2024.
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Youth benefit from significant increase in mental-health, addiction care
More young people will have better access to vital health-care services closer to home, such as primary care, counselling, early intervention, prevention and addictions supports, with 10 new Foundry centres throughout the province.
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Medical detox services coming to Campbell River
People living with addiction challenges in the Campbell River area will soon have access to local detox services to help them in their recovery journey.
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Municipal Affairs
Expanding multi-language support, services for newcomers
Newcomers to British Columbia will have more help getting started in their new communities with expanded services and a new online multi-language information hub.
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Construction underway on Cowichan Sportsplex Field House
From the Municipality of North Cowichan: https://www.northcowichan.ca/news/construction-underway-cowichan-sportsplex-field-house
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Water Projects in Spallumcheen supported by Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program
From Township of Spallumcheen: https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/blog/Spallumcheen-Receives-38-million-for-Water-Improvements.htm
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Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Historic project brings student housing to Douglas College
Students at Douglas College will soon have access to affordable on-campus housing for the first time as construction starts on one of the Province’s largest capital investments in student housing.
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B.C. implements federal changes for new international students
The Province will begin issuing provincial attestation letters to eligible post-secondary institutions to allow international applicants to apply to study in B.C. as required by the federal department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
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Minister’s and Parliamentary Secretary’s statement on International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, and Kelli Paddon, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, have released the following statement in recognition of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science:
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Public Safety and Solicitor General
New digital platform improves response, safety for people in crisis in Port Moody
People experiencing a mental-health or addiction emergency in Port Moody will receive improved response from police officers with HealthIM, an innovative, evidence-based digital tool paving the way for better crisis support in B.C.
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Province provides violence prevention counsellors to keep kids safe
Violence prevention counsellors will ensure more children and youth receive information about healthy relationships and connect to critical supports if they witness or experience violence at home.
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Minister’s statement on unexplained wealth order related to luxury goods
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has released the following statement regarding the B.C. Civil Forfeiture Office’s filing of the next unexplained wealth order (UWO):
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Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Budget 2024 supports improvements to treatment, recovery services
The Province is significantly increasing the funding many service providers rely on to deliver thousands of registered or licensed treatment and recovery beds throughout B.C. as part of Budget 2024.
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Changes aim to help people out of poverty
The Province is making changes to three laws so it can better help people get out of poverty.
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New non-profit network strengthens vital services in B.C.
More people will benefit from stronger and better-connected services, such as health supports, housing and food security, with government funding to develop a formal B.C. non-profit network.
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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Elder-in-Residence supports cultural knowledge, reconciliation
The announcement of Roy Henry Vickers as the inaugural BC Arts Council Elder-in-Residence marks a significant step forward toward learning and promoting Indigenous knowledge within the arts community.
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Province strengthens sport opportunities for youth
The Province is creating more opportunities for young athletes to develop skills and participate in high-performance competitions while supporting the social and economic benefits of sport hosting for local communities.
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B.C. Family Day offers fun-filled free events
Families throughout B.C. will have access to free activities from Feb. 16-19 in their communities to celebrate and spend time with loved ones.
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Transportation and Infrastructure
Province, YVR work together to support good jobs, fight pollution
A partnership aimed at fighting pollution in the aviation sector, growing investment and supporting clean, sustainable jobs and business opportunities for people in British Columbia has been made between the B.C. government and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
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New parking, amenities ready for commercial truckers in Surrey
Commercial long-haul drivers travelling through the Lower Mainland will soon have another safe, convenient place to stop and rest when the North Surrey Truck Parking Facility opens next week just off Highway 17 (South Fraser Perimeter Road).
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No blasting closures planned on Highway 97 on long weekend
Drivers in the Okanagan can expect easier travel on Highway 97 north of Summerland this long weekend.
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Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Province supports new weir to keep Cowichan River flowing
B.C. is taking an important step forward in drought preparedness by supporting a new Cowichan Lake weir, ensuring the Cowichan River continues to flow and provide a safe and reliable water supply for people, businesses, the environment and wildlife.
Read More
Province strengthens flood defences, protecting people, communities
More communities will benefit from local projects that help keep people safe during disasters and extreme-weather events.
Read More
Province takes early action to prepare for wildfire, drought season
The Province is taking several early steps to prepare for the wildfire and drought season, including working proactively with local governments and First Nations to help keep people and communities safe and informed.
Read More