Students, teachers and staff at Cedar Elementary school in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district will benefit from $240,000 in provincial School Enhancement Program funding.          

Families in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district will benefit from improved transportation services, thanks to $244,630 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

Trades students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) will benefit from hands-on learning opportunities through a new investment of $187,071 in industry-standard trades-training equipment, as well as $4.85 million in continued support for 1,366 trades seats.

More than 20 local small business leaders met with members of the B.C. Small Business Roundtable and Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Coralee Oakes to discuss their unique challenges and identify opportunities for growth.

An additional 96 trades seats will give Vancouver Island University (VIU) students access to training in a variety of in-demand occupations in a range of sectors that support the provincial economy.

Construction is set to begin on upgrades that will improve safety and the flow of traffic at two key intersections on the Nanaimo Parkway.

Co-op students at Vancouver Island University and North Island College will benefit from $75,000 in one-time funding, part of a $1.3-million announcement to 16 public post-secondary institutions following the launch of Co-op Week celebrations.