Premier David Eby; Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions; and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, have issued the following statement on the seven-year anniversary of toxic drug-related overdoses being declared a public-health emergency in British Columbia:

A new food and yard waste collection program is on the way for 14,000 households in the Cowichan Valley, turning waste destined for the landfill into compost.

People in the North Cariboo will have better access to health care at GR Baker Memorial Hospital as construction completes on a new emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU).

Women and children leaving violence in Courtenay will soon move into new safe and secure homes with the opening of Darry’s Place.

People in Squamish will have more affordable rental options to choose from with more than 140 new homes opening in two projects in the community.

B.C. communities can look forward to high-quality data to support effective and informed decision-making on the planning and management of wildfires, landslides, floods and other natural events.