Students in the Cariboo Chilcotin School District will benefit from $1.1 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects, classroom supplies and new school buses, MLA Donna Barnett announced on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier.

Northbound motorists on Highway 97 will experience improved conditions at the northbound pullout, approximately 10 kilometres south of Williams Lake, as work to improve the local amenities at this rest area is now complete.

Up to 42 British Columbians in Williams Lake and surrounding areas are getting the training they need for jobs in their community, thanks to a federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-B.C. Job Fund Agreement.

Families in the Cariboo-Chilcotin school district will benefit from improved transportation services, thanks to $739,024 in funding under the new provincial Student Transportation Fund.

A $1.16-million Job Creation Partnerships project developed by the B.C. government and the Invasive Species Council of B.C. is putting people to work weeding out invasive plants and species in five Interior communities.

Construction is set to begin on widening and four-laning a section of Highway 97 south of Williams Lake, which will result in shorter travel times, less driver frustration and a safer highway.

A tentative agreement between the B.C. government and the Williams Lake Indian Band to move forward on four-laning Highway 97 through the Williams Lake Indian Reserve #1 from 150 Mile House to Lexington Road, was announced by Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

Government and Cariboo Regional District officials continue to work together to address the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to test the local drinking water to determine if it is safe for locals to drink or bathe in, and to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents.