The Province has committed $30,000 in project development funding to the Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS) for the creation of an affordable rental housing project, including a shelter.

Students in the Qualicum School District will benefit from over $1.3 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects, classroom supplies and new school buses, MLA Michelle Stilwell announced on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier.

Lantzville is receiving a joint federal-provincial Small Communities Fund grant worth $4,373,332.

Students, teachers and staff at three schools in the Qualicum school district will benefit from $202,300 in provincial School Enhancement Program funding.

Effective at noon on Sept. 26, 2016, all open fires will once again be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. Tiki torches, burn barrels, fireworks, sky lanterns and binary exploding targets are also permitted. Accumulated rain and cooler temperatures has reduced the wildfire risk in the region.

Effective at noon on Aug. 17, 2016, campfires and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre, with the exception of Haida Gwaii and the area known as the “Fog Zone”.

Effective at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016, an existing prohibition on Category 2 open fires within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction will be expanded to include Haida Gwaii.

The BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public that the use of fireworks or sky lanterns is currently banned within the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction.

The N’Quatqua Band Council and the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of B.C. will be conducting a series of prescribed burns near D’Arcy, about 27 kilometres northeast of Pemberton, between April 18 and May 20, 2016.