The three major credit rating agencies have affirmed their credit ratings for the Province of B.C., including triple-A ratings - the highest possible - from Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Services, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) board of governors has provided the final ratification on a two-year collective agreement with its BCGEU child-care staff under government's 2010 net-zero mandate, announced Advanced Education Minister Naomi Yamamoto.

The British Columbia Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA) board of directors has ratified two-year collective agreements for support staff in another nine school districts under the government's 2010 net-zero mandate, bringing the total up to 40 agreements covering about 18,300 employees.

Finance Minister Kevin Falcon has issued the following statement: "The B.C. Teachers Federation has mounted an illegal picket line outside several government buildings in Victoria and is encouraging unionized staff not to enter their workplaces.

Changes to the Business Corporations Act would allow for a new hybrid type of company - the community contribution company - that combines socially beneficial purposes with a restricted ability to distribute profits to shareholders.

The BC Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA) board of directors has ratified two-year collective agreements for support staff in 11 school districts under the government's 2010 net-zero mandate.