The Province, in partnership with the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, has transferred ownership and management of 75 properties for Aboriginal families on Vancouver Island to M'akola Housing Society.

Premier Christy Clark released the following statement today marking Vaisakhi:

"On Vaisakhi hundreds of thousands of British Columbians join millions of people worldwide to celebrate the holiest day of the Sikh calendar.

The new Employment Program of BC will provide unemployed British Columbians with the supports and services they need to do just that - get back to work and be self-sufficient.

Canadian citizens can now take English as a Second Language courses tuition-free at 17 public post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia.

Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor Dr. Evan Adams has been appointed Deputy Provincial Health Officer, announced Minister of Health Michael de Jong, the First Nations Heath Council and the interim First Nations Health Authority.

Premier Christy Clark and Keith Mitchell, chair of the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, today named this year's recipients of the B.C. Community Achievement Awards.

Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, is confident that a free trade agreement with Japan would mean more jobs and increased exports and investment for British Columbia.

The Province is providing a grant of $500,000 to the interCultural Online Health Network (iCON), which offers health information to multicultural and Aboriginal families throughout B.C.