To increase harvesting activity on the coast, government is exploring the use of new scanner technology for scaling logs, accelerating the auction of an additional 500,000 cubic metres by BC Timber Sales, improving the log-export system and exploring ways to better harvest the timber profile.

The BC Oil and Gas Commission and members of both the Professional Employees Association and the BCGEU have now ratified their agreements reached under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

BC Hydro, IBEW Local 258 and COPE Local 378 members have now ratified two-year agreements under the 2012 Cooperative Gains Mandate.

The Industry Training Authority (ITA) is holding a series of community events this winter designed to promote trades training and to recognize employers and apprentices.

A tentative compensation template agreement between the Post-Secondary Employers' Association (PSEA) and the BCGEU has been reached under the Cooperative Gains Mandate Advanced Education.

Environment Minister Terry Lake and Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Minister Rich Coleman have issued a conditional Environmental Assessment Certificate to Creek Power Inc. for the Upper Lillooet Hydro project, located in the headwaters of the Lillooet River, approximately 60 km northwest of Pemberton.

The B.C. government is investing $1.5 million in two new arts programs to help cultural organizations continue to provide quality arts experiences in communities throughout British Columbia.

The B.C. government has released a draft consolidation of the provincial sales tax statute that would take effect April 1, 2013, subject to approval of the legislature, to help British Columbians and B.C. businesses with the re-implementation of the provincial sales tax.