The Government of British Columbia approved $16.7 million in community gaming grants for arts and culture and $29.1 million for sport during 2013-14.

As we look ahead to the 2014 General Local Elections on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, we can reflect on how fortunate we are, as British Columbians, to live in a strong democracy where all citizens can participate in elections freely and fairly.

The Government of British Columbia is excluding federally-licensed medical marijuana production from the list of agricultural uses that qualify for farm classification for assessment and property tax purposes.

The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for British Columbia, the Honourable Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development for British Columbia, and Rhona Martin, President of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, celebrated today an agreement for the renewed federal Gas Tax Fund that provides predictable, stable funding for public infrastructure across British Columbia.

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, issued the following statement today in recognition of Local Government Awareness Week.

The Government of British Columbia has renewed its commitment to community development through sport by providing $192,000 in funding for Hosting BC programs.

Key community cultural organizations and events, including local arts councils, art galleries, theatres, museums and arts festivals throughout British Columbia shared nearly $13 million in BC Arts Council grants.

Non-profit cultural organizations, First Nations and friendship centres are sharing $804,000 in B.C. government grants to improve local arts infrastructure.