Finance Minister Michael de Jong will be hosting a telephone town hall for residents of the Okanagan on Monday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. to get their input on the 2017 provincial budget.

Environment Minister Mary Polak and Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman issued the following statement following their issuing of an Environmental Assessment (EA) Certificate for the B.C. portion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Project:

Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow as a result of a $10-million investment in College of the Rockies for a new trades-training facility.

Trade missions are an important part of British Columbia’s strategy to support economic growth and job creation throughout the province, as well as BC Jobs Plan objectives.

Fraser Valley agritech entrepreneurs will meet with Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick to share a first-hand look at innovative developments in the agritech sector.

A new, community-based skills training and adult education project for the Prophet River First Nation will help Indigenous participants overcome job barriers, such as low literacy and limited workplace skills to attain secure and meaningful employment.

The Province is increasing the home owner grant threshold to $1.6 million, helping keep property taxes affordable for families and ensuring most home owners will continue to receive the full grant this year.