BC Gov News

Arts and culture organizations in 55 communities around the province are benefiting from a special community resilience grants program.

British Columbians, who have served as jurors and experienced stress and mental-health challenges arising from their work as jurors, will have access to free counselling sessions at the conclusion of a trial, thanks to a new juror support program.

People who travel on Highway 16 will soon benefit from two resurfacing projects near Prince George and McBride.

In response to the federal government’s announcement that Canada and the United States will launch negotiations to discuss the future of the Columbia River Treaty on May 29, 2018, Katrine Conroy, Minister responsible for the Columbia River Treaty, has issued the following statement:

The Government of British Columbia is starting a discussion on improving wildlife management and habitat conservation, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has announced.

The Government of British Columbia has underscored its commitment to work with Indigenous peoples in the spirit of respect and collaboration by introducing a set of draft principles designed to guide the daily work of provincial government employees. Don Wright, head of the BC Public Service shared the draft principles with all 27,000 public service employees on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

The Government of British Columbia has filed a statement of claim in Alberta's Court of Queen’s Bench.

If you are preparing to return home after recent flooding, Emergency Management BC asks that you take precautions for your personal safety.

Farmers and food processors in British Columbia will have $14 million in federal and provincial government support over the next five years, to help them develop new products and processes that will support food production in B.C.

With hot weather forecast through the long weekend for much of the province, Emergency Management BC and the BC Coroners Service urge residents and visitors to take extra care in and around rivers and lakes.

Every year, hundreds of groups and individuals donate their time and energy to care for the 1,033 provincial parks and protected areas in British Columbia.

British Columbians are being asked to make sure they are not accidentally taking stowaway bats for a free ride when they return from their summer travels.

New protections and compensation for renters in British Columbia, who are facing eviction as a result of renovation or demolition, have officially come into effect.

Effective at noon on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Category 2 and 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

As part of wildfire recovery efforts following the 2017 Elephant Hill wildfire, government is partnering with local First Nations to help protect and restore burnt areas and support local First Nations, as they monitor this spring’s mushroom harvest.

Michael J. Prince, the Lansdowne professor of social policy at the University of Victoria, has been appointed chair of Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) by Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

The six Tŝilhqot’in community names within the Tŝilhqot’in Nation have been adopted as official names within the Province of British Columbia.

The Province is responding to the urgent need for more housing on Haida Gwaii by creating 19 new homes with 24/7 support services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

More young parents in B.C. can now access free child care while they finish high school, announced federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jean-Yves Duclos, B.C. Minister of Children and Family Development Katrine Conroy and Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen.

An innovative collaboration is taking B.C.’s mining success stories to the international stage, Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, has announced.

May 17, 2018 - COAST SALISH TERRITORY, Vancouver, B.C.      

Tom Christensen has served as board chair of Community Living B.C. since July 2015, and as his term comes to an end, Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, has issued the following statement:

In response to Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth’s request for federal support to assist British Columbia's work on flooding in B.C., Farnworth has expressed his gratitude and thanks for the federal government’s commitment to help:

In total, 1,186 provincial permits are required for the Trans Mountain expansion project, with many involving First Nations consultation.

George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, has sent the following letter to his federal counterpart, Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Following feedback from nearly 35,000 British Columbians, the Government of British Columbia is taking action toward making insurance rates more fair for B.C. drivers.

Effective at noon on Friday, May 18, 2018, Category 2 open burns will be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, with the exception of the Haida Gwaii Natural Resource District and the “Fog Zone”.

The May long weekend is a great time to travel and visit friends and family.

Recommendations from the Logging Contractor Sustainability Review will help improve relationships between logging contractors and forest licensees, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has announced.

Almost 400 young students in Burnaby can look forward to having a safer school with the announcement of a $6.7-million seismic upgrade at École Armstrong Elementary.

Crews have made significant progress in excavating rock to widen the highway, and have re-established the second northbound lane on Highway 1 through the Malahat Village in time for the higher traffic volumes anticipated for the May long weekend.

Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, has issued the following statement in response to Transport Canada’s funding announcement for the inland Ashcroft Terminal.

The Government of British Columbia and BC Housing will resume preparing a site for temporary modular housing for people who are homeless in Maple Ridge after protesters voluntarily vacated the site, prior to the court application to have them removed.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises that ferry service between Barnston Island and Port Kells will be adjusted based on Fraser River water levels, and in support of any evacuation alerts and orders issued for Barnston Island.

Premier John Horgan has released the following statement on the federal government’s Trans Mountain pipeline investor compensation:

Courtenay residents are advised that the second aerial spraying treatment to eradicate invasive gypsy moths from residential and farm land north of Courtenay along Highway 19A (Old Island Highway) will occur on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, between 5:10 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., weather permitting.

There is nothing like enjoying the May long weekend in the great outdoors.

Effective at noon on Thursday, May 17, 2018, an existing Category 2 open burning prohibition in parts of the Prince George Fire Centre will be expanded to include the entire fire centre, to reduce wildfire risks and protect public safety.

The Province is taking action to restore portions of Elephant Hill that were severely affected by wildfires this past summer.

To protect the environment and wildlife at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, dogs and other domestic pets will be prohibited as of Friday, May 18, 2018.

Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement in honour of the month of Ramadan:

Girls and women will be encouraged to pursue careers rooted in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), with the help of a $250,000 grant from the Government of British Columbia to the Achieve Anything Foundation.

The Government of British Columbia, BC Housing and the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation intend to seek an injunction to ensure construction of temporary modular housing can begin for people who are homeless in Maple Ridge.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development will host a community open house and information meeting about the second phase of ongoing wildfire risk reduction activities in the Borland Valley, about four kilometres east of 150 Mile House.

Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology, has announced the membership of Innovate BC’s new board of directors, to help guide and promote tech sector growth, generating good jobs in the emerging economy, increased revenue and economic development all around British Columbia.

The Government of British Columbia has appointed Jennifer Dyson as the chair of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).

Hot and dry weather is in the forecast for the entire Prince George Fire Centre over the next week, so the BC Wildfire Service is preparing for increased wildfire activity.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available for eligible British Columbians who have been affected by the flooding that began on May 7, 2018.

Thousands of fans, athletes, officials, media and tourists have arrived in Chilliwack to watch the top teams from the Canadian Junior Hockey League compete for the 2018 RBC Cup.