With the holiday season upon us, I'd like to encourage all British Columbians to celebrate and support our province by buying local products. Whether you're choosing gifts or purchasing ingredients for Christmas baking or your holiday feast, please celebrate with B.C. foods.

Today we remember the young women who needlessly lost their lives in a shocking act of violence at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal on Dec. 6, 1989.

The BC Jobs Plan has set a target to invest $25 billion in transportation infrastructure by 2020, creating up to 17,000 new jobs.

It is often said that governments don't create jobs - that is the role of the private sector. But governments can indeed support innovators and B.C.'s burgeoning technology sector is a prime example.

When we talk about a society being inclusive and accessible for individuals with disabilities, what does that really mean? What supports will help people with disabilities pursue their goals and dreams while taking care of their families?

Earlier this year, two tragic sawmill explosions in northern British Columbia placed a spotlight on the importance of sawmill safety.

Under the BC Jobs Plan, the Province is working toward three liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants becoming operational by 2020, with one up and running as early as 2015.

British Columbia's natural gas sector is in a period of transition - an unprecedented time of investment, growth and development.

Employment opportunities in the mining sector are expected to grow over the next decade, with more than 10,000 job openings expected by 2020. The industry will need skilled workers in several key occupations, including machinery and transportation equipment mechanics, primary production workers and vehicle drivers.

In 2011, the B.C. forest sector employed more than 53,000 workers. In addition to new jobs, as many as 25,000 job openings are expected across the sector over the next decade as existing workers retire.