The B.C. government is supporting agricultural fairs, British Columbia's annual celebrations of rural heritage and the bounty of the land, featuring great traditions such as livestock competitions, 4-H activities and red ribbon prizes for best jams, jellies and pies.

As we close out the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke and look ahead to the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2014, I want to congratulate B.C. athletes and coaches and let British Columbians know what a tremendous sport system we have in this province.

The Province is moving ahead with making changes to the rules regarding local government elections.

The B.C. government has introduced new regulations that give clarity and confidence to the combat sport sector to allow amateur events to go forward,

British Columbia was well represented on the international stage with five high-performance athletes competing at the International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France.

Organizations dedicated to public safety like volunteer fire departments, search and rescue societies and community policing groups are encouraged to apply for B.C. government community gaming grants by Aug. 31, 2013.

Organizations helping animals in distress from abuse, neglect or injury need to apply for B.C. government community gaming grants by Aug. 31, 2013.

B.C. communities are sharing $56.2 million to invest in policing and community safety, services and municipal-level projects that are deemed priorities.