The remote Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation village in Kingcome Inlet is taking steps to transition from diesel to clean electricity and create local jobs under the Province’s CleanBC plan.

Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has released the following statement regarding government support for forestry contractors impacted by the conditions in the coastal forestry sector and the ongoing labour dispute on Vancouver Island:

Skilled trades students in two northern Vancouver Island school districts will benefit from a three-year, $15-million investment by the B.C. government to support youth trades programs with the purchase of new trades training equipment.

Students in the Vancouver Island North School District are connecting with skills and technology training development thanks to a $17,500 grant to the district from the Province’s Shoulder Tappers Program.

Students, teachers and staff at Port Hardy Secondary school in the Vancouver Island North school district will benefit from $717,000 in provincial School Enhancement Program funding.

Provincial funding is providing work experience to four North Islanders as they gain new skills removing invasive knotweed in four different communities.

As part of the Province’s work to make sure British Columbians have access to high-quality primary care, 14 internationally-trained physicians will begin practicing in rural and remote communities in B.C. this month, including two new family doctors in Port Hardy.

Residents and interested parties in Port Hardy, Alert Bay, Sointula and surrounding areas will soon have an opportunity to take part in the B.C. coastal ferries consultation and engagement process.

Every community is unique, with different needs and priorities for the families that live there. Tailoring government resources to fit those needs is exactly what's happening under a Communities First Agreement signed between the District of Port Hardy and the Province.