A tentative two-year agreement has been reached with the Facilities Bargaining Association under government's Cooperative Gains Mandate.

Remote First Nations communities throughout British Columbia will receive $700,000 from the Heart and Stroke Foundation, through funding from the Provincial Health Services Authority, to grow community gardens - helping to provide fresh produce to those who would otherwise have limited access to these healthy foods.

To ensure a consistent standard of qualification for all officials in professional contests such as mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai kickboxing, the B.C. government is putting in place the first of a series of training courses.

Minister of Health Margaret MacDiarmid has issued the following statement:

British Columbia's oil and gas sector is regulated with modern legislation that includes public and environmental safety as top priorities. The protection of human health is a vital aspect of our commitment to world-leading practices. Our health assessment will ensure our province remains a responsible oil and gas resource developer

Health Canada has announced that it has lifted the temporary precautionary suspension on all Novartis influenza vaccine products in Canada.

While Ministry of Environment officials remain confident that there is no risk to public health or the environment, the ministry is launching a formal investigation in response to concerns around the approximately 1,800 tonnes of potentially hazardous fly ash shipped to the Cache Creek Landfill from the Burnaby waste-to-energy facility in July and August, announced Environment Minister Terry Lake today.

Following a recommendation from Health Canada to temporarily suspend use of Novartis influenza vaccine products (Agriflu and Fluad), British Columbia has halted the use of these products in its influenza program.