Newcomers, including international students and foreign workers, will soon receive enhanced supports to help them thrive in their new communities as they contribute to B.C.’s economy.

For the Growing Communities Fund, 85% of the total funds are allocated to municipalities and 15% go to regional districts. The allocation generally follows the population split between incorporated (urban/suburban) and unincorporated (rural) areas of the province and provides a slight boost to address the increased costs of servicing rural growth areas as they are constrained in their population base to raise servicing costs.

Local governments are receiving a $1-billion boost through one-time funding to address the needs of their growing communities.

On Dec. 19, 2022, the government enacted the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel International Student Health Fee Remission Regulation.

Community grants for not-for-profit organizations on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast will help deliver services so people can be more active, creative and culturally connected.

The Province is responding to the crucial need for more health-care workers and early childhood educators (ECEs).

Premier John Horgan has appointed Josie Osborne as Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship and Minister Responsible for Fisheries, and Nathan Cullen as Minister of Municipal Affairs. Premier Horgan has also named MLA Doug Routley as Parliamentary Secretary for Forests to support the important work of Minister Katrine Conroy to modernize forestry in British Columbia.

More than 250 not-for-profit organizations throughout B.C. are receiving Community Gaming Grants to support environmental conservation and public safety programs. 

People of all ages and abilities in communities throughout the province will benefit from improvements made to not-for-profit programs and services with capital project funding from the Community Gaming Grants program.

Kids in B.C. will benefit from participation in a wide range of school activities thanks to Community Gaming Grants funding that is going to more than 1,300 school advisory councils.