After consultation with local municipalities, the government of British Columbia today issued an amendment to its 1950 agreement, as previously amended in 1987 and 1997, with Rio Tinto Alcan under the Industrial Development Act to allow for the company to complete its Kemano Back Up Tunnel Project.

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell responded today to British Columbia and Canada's total victory in an arbitration panel's ruling on B.C.'s timber pricing policies under the 2006 Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA).

British Columbia job growth remains steady as the province gained 3,600 new jobs last month and the unemployment rate dropped to 6.6 per cent. B.C. gained 2,400 full-time positions and added 1,100 part-time jobs.

More than 100 communities throughout British Columbia can do more to support and promote local tourism initiatives as a result of provincial funding.

Businesses across Western Canada will find it easier to operate throughout the region under New West Partnership rules that take effect July 1.

A provincially funded program will upgrade the industry and job-specific skills of 1,200 eligible participants working in tourism and retail sectors in British Columbia.

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell released the following statement in support of the federal government's participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks:

Sixty people on northern Vancouver Island are beginning a 25-week training program to learn the skills necessary to work as aquaculture technicians in the aquaculture industry.