The northern community of Smithers, through a partnership with Moricetown, is the first to sign on for inter-community BC Transit service, which is made possible through the B.C. government’s $5-million Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan and local government partners.

Front-line ministry social workers in hard-to-recruit areas of the province will receive an additional $3,000 to $6,000 per year, thanks to a new agreement between government and the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU).

A total of 85 communities throughout B.C. will benefit from $2.4 million in funding toward community adult-literacy programs that will support adults wishing to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

Getting more First Nations members job-ready by expanding skills training opportunities is the focus of a new project being undertaken by the Gitxsan Development Corporation on behalf of all Gitxsan communities.

Work is now complete on a major upgrade to the Hagwilget Bridge.

The Practice Ready Assessment program assesses internationally trained physicians for practice in B.C. As part of the program, doctors undergo a rigorous assessment process, spending three months with a B.C. physician who evaluates their skills as they care for patients. Physicians successfully completing the program commit to practice for at least three years in a designated rural community in need.

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced $2 million in new provincial and federal funding for the now $5-million Highway 16 Transportation Action Plan, outlined the progress made to put the plan in action and opened the application process for new community vehicles.