A new medical school on the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Surrey campus is taking a significant step forward with the hiring of an interim dean and provincial funding to support its development.

People living in the Tri-Cities will benefit from improved access to team-based, comprehensive primary health care with the official opening of an urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) at its permanent location at 3105 Murray St. in Port Moody on Nov. 7, 2022.

Improving care for people in British Columbia is central to investments in workers as the Province launches a health human resources strategy to optimize the health system, expand training and further improve recruitment and retention.

As people in B.C. continue to step up and become vaccinated in record numbers, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have decreased, leading the provincial health officer to lift additional public health orders.  

As of Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, 86.5% (4,310,875) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.3% (4,102,917) have received their second dose.

Starting Sept. 13, 2021, proof of vaccination will be required in B.C. for people attending certain social and recreational settings and events.

More than 300,000 front-line workers, including first responders, grocery store employees, and teachers and child care workers, will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations over the coming weeks as the Province’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan moves forward ahead of schedule.

More than 400,000 people in British Columbia will be immunized from March to early April as the Province moves into Phase 2 of the largest immunization rollout in B.C.’s history.