Significant progress was made in B.C. airports this year to attract new direct flights. Kelowna's International Airport just welcomed the arrival of United Airlines' inaugural direct flight from Los Angeles.

With the holiday season upon us, I'd like to encourage all British Columbians to celebrate and support our province by buying local products. Whether you're choosing gifts or purchasing ingredients for Christmas baking or your holiday feast, please celebrate with B.C. foods.

Hundreds of new anglers got their feet wet for the first time at British Columbia's provincial parks during 2012. A record number of B.C. families took part in free Learn to Fish programs in provincial parks, which added value to the park visitors' already great experiences.

With the release of 'Beyond the Beetle: A Mid-Term Timber Supply Action Plan', we have outlined a clear strategy to help our forests recover from the damage done by the mountain pine beetle infestation.

Government is opening nine more locations for DriveABLE, helping to reduce travel for those drivers, including seniors, who are referred to take the functional cognitive assessment.

The B.C. government is introducing a single cutting permit procedure to make it easier for local governments, First Nations and other non-commercial organizations throughout the province to harvest timber from community forests.

The British Columbia agricultural industry will benefit from an investment in two projects to develop energy solutions that will also reduce agricultural waste, announced federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and British Columbia Agriculture Minister Don McRae.