Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson have issued the following joint statement in recognition of Homelessness Action Week, Oct. 8-14:

Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, annual bus passes will be available to people on disability assistance through a new transportation supplement.

While more than 22,000 British Columbians with disabilities are accessing the benefits of having a federal Registered Disability Saving Plan (RDSP), there are still almost 45,000 people with disabilities who may be eligible for the federal grants and bonds available to them through an RDSP, but are not signed up.

In the Province of British Columbia, October is recognized as Community Living Month to celebrate inclusion and to raise awareness of people with developmental disabilities as fully participating members of our society. 

A partnership between the Province and the City of Surrey is developing new strategies to help local manufacturers grow their operations and create good jobs.

The British Columbia government is eliminating tuition fees on Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Learning (ELL) programs, opening the door for tens of thousands of people to upgrade their education and skills every year.

Twenty-three of British Columbia’s top business leaders have come together to achieve one common goal – to support and encourage meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the province.

Up to 30 unemployed Lower Mainland residents will receive skills training and work experience in office and medical office administration thanks to a new Community and Employer Partnership with Vancouver Community College.

The Province, along with YWCA Metro Vancouver, Valley Driving School, and six Lower Mainland trucking employers have joined forces to make sure that more women have the opportunity to train for a career in B.C.’s trucking industry.

In the decades it has taken for Paul Horgen’s sight to decline, he’s had a successful 35-year teaching career at the University of Toronto, travelled abroad and authored a book.