Engaging youth to work on community service projects so they can help their communities “build back better” from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is the goal of a new $5-million Youth Community Partnership program.

Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, has issued the following statement on changes to the University of British Columbia's (UBC) Board of Governors:

Indigenous students at public post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia will have more support to succeed in post-secondary education and finish their studies.

Indigenous students will have a home away from home and the university community will have a ceremonial space in which to celebrate Indigenous knowledge and culture when a new First Peoples’ Gathering House opens on Simon Fraser University’s (SFU)  Burnaby campus in 2023. 

A library renewal project at Coast Mountain College (CMTN) in Terrace will create construction-related jobs for regional businesses and tradespeople.

Youth who have aged out of government care and are ready to pursue post-secondary education this fall will have an additional $250,000 from the Youth Futures Education Fund (YFEF) to help them with expenses beyond tuition, such as rent, utilities and groceries.

Indigenous children and youth in government care and former youth in care are entitled to consistent and reliable support at school, home and in their communities, to ensure they get the most out of their school years and are set up for success in life.