Today, Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government Ben Stewart highlighted the ongoing efforts to increase Internet and cellular connectivity for British Columbians.

More than half of all unionized public sector workers have new contracts under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate in time for the holiday season, and more than one-quarter of collective agreements up for negotiation have tentative or ratified settlements in place.

Canada and B.C. targeted funding to support business development, innovation, food safety, and sustainability under the Growing Forward agreement in the first quarter of 2012-13. Growing Forward is a five-year framework that co-ordinates federal, provincial and territorial agricultural policy.

Five local government employees from British Columbia communities are being awarded certificates by the provincial Board of Examiners in recognition of their education and work experience in the local government field.

Employees in the largest health care bargaining association voted in favour of a new agreement, reached under government's Cooperative Gains Mandate.

More than 1,700 students throughout British Columbia will get skills training thanks to $10 million provided to 16 B.C. public post-secondary institutions in April 2012 to prepare workers for jobs in their regions.

The holiday season is a time when many British Columbians reach out and help those in need. This year, that includes BC Corrections staff and inmates at all nine correctional centres and the 55 community corrections offices in B.C.

B.C.'s justice system turns the page to a promising new chapter next year, as government continues moving forward on its commitment to modernize the justice system.

An update to the government's Tsunami Debris Management Plan is now available online at: www.tsunamidebrisbc.ca just in time for the winter storm season along the B.C. coast.