Government and the B.C.-First Nations Water Table announced an unprecedented $100-million investment in healthy watersheds and the launch of engagement on a new co-developed watershed security strategy intentions paper to help ensure safe, clean water is available to communities throughout B.C. for generations. 

More than 350 delegates are coming together for the first time since the BC First Nations Justice Strategy was signed in 2020, to learn about progress being made to address the overincarceration of Indigenous Peoples. 

For the Growing Communities Fund, 85% of the total funds are allocated to municipalities and 15% go to regional districts. The allocation generally follows the population split between incorporated (urban/suburban) and unincorporated (rural) areas of the province and provides a slight boost to address the increased costs of servicing rural growth areas as they are constrained in their population base to raise servicing costs.

Drivers are advised that Highway 5 (Coquihalla Highway) will remain closed until at least Saturday afternoon between Hope and Merritt due to extreme weather conditions.

The Province is taking another important step to support the recovery of endangered spotted owls while promoting biodiversity and accelerating the protection of old-growth forests.

The Province is removing Richmond’s Ecowaste landfill from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), allowing the company to move forward with a new recycling facility for housing construction waste.

Drivers are advised that Highway 99 will be closed overnight Sunday, March 5, at the Steveston Interchange to allow crews to complete the relocation of a BC Hydro electrical line.

Local governments are receiving a $1-billion boost through one-time funding to address the needs of their growing communities.