Local governments in British Columbia are being invited to apply for a share of $200,000 set aside by the Province to develop grassroots policies that help residents lead healthier lives.

The growers of two varieties of apples that were first known as SPA493 and 8S6923 and then introduced to consumers as Salish and Aurora Golden Gala are now receiving Buy Local program funds to help promote these tasty new B.C. products.

The British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on the Substitution of Environmental Assessments with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

A seminar on the return to PST held by the B.C. government and hosted by the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Kiyukai Vancouver Japanese Business Association in Vancouver on March 19, 2013, will help businesses prepare their systems and understand how to register.

The B.C. government has appointed an acting chair to start work on B.C.'s new Civil Resolution Tribunal, Canada's first-ever online tribunal that will help citizens resolve strata and small claim disputes.

With government officially proclaiming March 15 - 22, 2013 as Consumer Awareness Week, consumers and businesses in B.C. are set to take the spotlight and have the chance to educate themselves about their rights and responsibilities in the marketplace.

Businesses in Vanderhoof that want to learn about returning to the PST can take part in a seminar on Thursday, March 21, 2013.

Businesses in Burns Lake and Houston that want to learn about returning to the PST can take part in seminars to be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

Businesses in Smithers that want to learn about returning to the PST can take part in a seminar on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.