Food banks in the Okanagan will receive a nutritious boost that will benefit low-income families, thanks to new provincial funding announced today.

The Province is investing $24 million to increase access for low-income families to fresh food, dental and hearing care for children, and to support community initiatives to reduce poverty.

The Government of British Columbia is taking action under the Climate Leadership Plan to support investments by natural gas utilities that will increase the use of LNG and renewable natural gas in the transportation, marine and other sectors and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement regarding the attack in London:

The farming industry in British Columbia is a source of local agrifood, providing diverse, fresh and great tasting products to communities all over the province.

As part of the Province’s investment of more than $80 million in emergency preparedness and public safety, MLA for Vernon-Monashee Eric Foster announced $150,000 of flood protection support for the Village of Lumby, on behalf of Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness, Naomi Yamamoto.

The B.C. government has committed $5 million to reroute the Town of Oliver’s agricultural irrigation system so the region’s fruit, vegetable and crop economy has the stability to grow.

The Province has established a cross-ministry working group to ensure that British Columbians are adequately protected from the dangers of asbestos.    

As part of the Province’s long-standing commitment to healthy wildlife populations, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced that all hunting licence revenue will be re-invested to enhance wildlife management activities.