Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Lisa Helps, mayor of Victoria, and Fred Haynes, mayor of Saanich, have released the following statement about moving forward with the citizens’ assembly to investigate potential amalgamation between the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich:

New projects supported by the Northern Healthy Communities Fund will help strengthen social and emergency services in northern B.C. communities that are experiencing rapid economic growth.

The Province is responding to the crucial need for more health-care workers and early childhood educators (ECEs).

Premier John Horgan has appointed Josie Osborne as Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship and Minister Responsible for Fisheries, and Nathan Cullen as Minister of Municipal Affairs. Premier Horgan has also named MLA Doug Routley as Parliamentary Secretary for Forests to support the important work of Minister Katrine Conroy to modernize forestry in British Columbia.

Lytton will benefit from more than $8.3 million in funding from the Province to support ongoing village operations and recovery.

B.C. local governments and modern Treaty Nations can apply for grants to support crucial local services that respond to the impacts of homelessness worsened by the pandemic.

The Province and Union of BC Municipalities will work together to review the local government finance system in B.C.  to ensure that municipal governments and regional districts remain resilient in the face of economic changes.

Families throughout the province are encouraged to recognize this year’s Family Literacy Week by reading books, playing games, attending online and outdoor events, and connecting with loved ones virtually.