British Columbia is providing $2 million to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) to support its work in advanced research in a variety of fields.

The government of British Columbia and the BC Medical Association are partnering to establish a new incentive that will help improve access to primary and specialist physician care in rural communities.

Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid issued the following statement today in response to an audit report from the Office of the Auditor General, which examined a government service delivery contract with MAXIMUS BC.

A two-year tentative labour agreement has been reached with the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association.

Resident physicians have ratified a new four-year collective agreement consistent with government's Cooperative Gains Mandate.

Nurses and employers have ratified a new two-year collective agreement that ensures patients and families continue to receive quality health care, while respecting government's Cooperative Gains Mandate.

Minister of Health Michael de Jong has issued the following statement:

"Today the Medical Services Commission released an audit of Cambie Surgeries Corporation and the Specialist Referral Clinic (Vancouver) Inc. which indicated a practice of billing patients for publicly insured medical services.

A tentative agreement has been reached between the British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA) and the B.C. government on a renewed Physician Master Agreement covering approximately 10,000 specialists and family physicians in the province.

Beginning today, cataract patients will receive foldable intraocular lenses free of charge.

Beginning today, marriage commissioners may charge an additional $25 per hour, in addition to the standard fee of $75 plus HST charged for basic wedding ceremonies, to recognize the added effort, preparation and travel time required for some ceremonies.