The Professional Association of Residents of B.C. and the Health Employers Association of B.C. have ratified their agreement under the Province's Economic Stability Mandate.

Government and Cariboo Regional District officials continue to work together to address the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to test the local drinking water to determine if it is safe for locals to drink or bathe in, and to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents.

Provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall released his second report on B.C.'s opioid substitution treatment system, showing both methadone and the newer Suboxone have helped decrease mortality rates and reduce health-care costs for opioid dependent patients.

For those British Columbians and their families who are struggling with addiction, more help is on the way with a $3-million investment to expand and support a provincial addiction medicine education and research training program for clinicians, making it the largest in North America.

The Advanced Specialty Certificate in Community Care Licensing at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), a one-of-a kind program in Canada, received a boost with $600,000 in provincial funding.

Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett made the following statement in response to the mine tailing pond incident at Mt. Polley Mine:

A new patient care tower will be built at Penticton Regional Hospital following the approval by the provincial government of a business plan submitted by Interior Health.

Parliamentary Secretary for Healthy Living and Seniors Michelle Stilwell announced that eight B.C. communities will receive Age-friendly BC Recognition awards for 2014.