The British Columbia government’s Startup in Residence (STIR) program, the first of its kind in Canada, is helping local startups do business with the Province, while improving services to British Columbians.

As of Sept. 1, it is free to cross the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges.

It was a pressing priority for Advanced Education, Skills and Training Minister Melanie Mark to get out early in her mandate and engage with students, faculty and staff at all 25 public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has released the Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative report.

The stories of people taken by the overdose crisis come from every corner of the province. A forestry worker in the North who became addicted to painkillers for a workplace injury and then turned to street drugs. Friends celebrating after a wedding in the Interior. Suburban parents who left behind young children. Middle-aged men who were clean and sober for years.

Last week I met Don, a carpenter who became addicted to painkillers after an injury he got on the job. He ended up on the streets, and says he was in and out of the hospital about 100 times over a period of four years.