Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service report on illicit drug toxicity deaths through June 2024:

BC Hydro will invest nearly $6 billion in capital projects across B.C.’s southern Interior over the next decade to expand the electricity grid, and upgrade its infrastructure to ensure a continued, reliable supply of clean power across the region.

The B.C. Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) has taken urgent action to protect the interests of tenants and landlords of approximately 350 properties in B.C. by freezing the bank accounts and suspending the licence of Vancouver-based rental property brokerage firm Rent it Furnished Realty.

Provincial legislation to fix outdated zoning rules and create more small-scale multi-unit homes (row homes, triplexes and townhouses) has now been adopted into local bylaws, or will soon be adopted, by almost 90% of communities throughout B.C., paving the way for more housing options for people with middle incomes.

Families and people with middle incomes living and working in Whistler will soon have access to more than 100 new rental homes as the first BC Builds project breaks ground.

Skidegate Band members now have access to 24 affordable homes with the opening of a new on-reserve rental complex.

Young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Vancouver now have access to safe and secure homes with supports as the final phase of Covenant House Vancouver’s expansion is complete.

Families, individuals and Indigenous people on Vancouver Island will continue to have access to affordable housing with the purchase of 153 homes in Campbell River, 125 homes in Port Hardy and 56 homes in Duncan, through the Rental Protection Fund.

More financial relief is coming to more families through the BC Family Benefit Bonus, arriving in bank accounts starting in July.