Health Minister Terry Lake has issued the following statement in recognition of World Cancer Day on Feb. 4, 2017:

B.C.’s Dam Safety Program moved forward under new legislation that strengthens the ability of dam safety staff to inspect, audit and remediate more than 1,800 regulated dams in the province, according to the 2015-16 B.C. Dam Safety Program Annual Report.

As part of the surveillance related to the opioid overdose public health emergency, the province has confirmed through laboratory testing that carfentanil is present in the illegal drug supply in the lower mainland and being ingested.

The new Franchises Act and regulation taking effect ensure prospective business owners in British Columbia will have more information available to help them decide whether to open a franchised business.

Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement in celebration of Black History Month:

The Province has provided $7.125 million to create new hospice beds in communities around British Columbia, make improvements to current spaces, and support best practices in the palliative approach to care as well as advance care planning, working through the BC Centre for Palliative Care.

Applications from eligible B.C. commercial greenhouse operators for this year’s greenhouse carbon tax relief grants are being accepted until March 20, 2017.

Effective Feb. 1, 2017, the regulation c. 37 for the Provincial Immigration Programs Act (PIPA) will come into effect.

The Province has provided $40,000 for improved access to hospice palliative care in Cranbrook and Kimberley.