B.C.’s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund is providing more than $750,000 to nine First Nation clean-energy projects that will explore alternative energy sources and help remote Aboriginal communities reduce their reliance on diesel power generation.

The Province is providing $500,000 to encourage the development and certification of high-performance windows that will help homeowners and businesses conserve energy and reduce heating costs, and stimulate the high-performance window manufacturing industry in British Columbia.

Ten public post-secondary institutions will receive targeted funding to create short-term coding programs that give students the coding skills in demand by tech employers.

Following approval from the British Columbia Ferries Commissioner for BC Ferries to acquire a used vessel to provide direct-summer service in 2018 between Port Hardy and Bella Coola, the Government of B.C. has announced it will contribute $15 million to BC Ferries to purchase and operate this vessel.

A tentative agreement has been reached between the Province, BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association and the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) on labour succession in 27 highway maintenance service areas, ensuring job security and improved maintenance service levels on the highway network.

A $500,000 investment will establish scholarships at public post-secondary institutions that encourage women to pursue education that aligns with the needs of the growing tech sector in British Columbia.

Skilled trades students in B.C.’s rural regions will benefit from the majority of funding from a three-year, $15-million investment by the provincial government with the purchase of new trades training equipment to support youth trades programs.

Twenty-one local governments throughout the province will share over $200,000 in B.C. government planning grants to help develop plans for local infrastructure investments. This is the second phase of funding following almost $300,000 in infrastructure planning grants awarded to 31 local governments last fall.  

The BC Games Society is creating the Powering Potential Fund to support B.C.’s sport sector, thanks in part to up to $50,000 in matching funds from the B.C. government.

Following the conclusion of a successful project to test the durability and reliability of new and existing highway line paints, the ministry will be taking action to improve  line visibility throughout the province using a more durable and longer-lasting formula.