George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy; Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation; and Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship; have released the following joint statement in response to Canada and the United States writing to the International Joint Commission with a plan for the Elk-Kootenay/Kootenai watershed: 

The Province has updated the Provincial Policy Manual: Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA manual) to ensure local governments are supported in delivering the housing and amenities people need in areas near transit hubs.

from Infrastructure Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2024/03/prince-rupert-receives-funding-to-help-upgrade-water-system-and-improve-sewer-line.html

The Province is advancing work to reform the Mineral Tenure Act (MTA) in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with a clear process for co-operation and consultation with First Nations in British Columbia and engagement with industry and all interested parties.

The Province will enable the transfer of approximately $60 million from a legacy trust to the Gwaii Trust Society for the benefit of the broader Haida Gwaii community.

As a part of ongoing efforts to improve safety on Highway 5 North, the Province is moving forward with a project to build a dedicated Commercial Vehicle and Safety Enforcement (CVSE) pullout south of Barriere.

Everyone is welcome to a land-and-forest planning information session on March 13, 2024, in Port McNeill.

The Province is making changes to offer a smoother and faster application process to help businesses access funding to offset the costs to repair and prevent vandalism to businesses, in consultation with the BC Chamber of Commerce.