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Province stops museum plan, will consult public on museum’s future

June 22, 2022 12:45 PM
Royal BC Museum project is stopped
The Province is halting plans announced last month to rebuild the Royal British Columbia Museum.
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Vancouver named FIFA World Cup 2026 official host city

June 16, 2022 2:37 PM
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close menu Advanced Education and Skills Training

Expanded physical therapy program coming to Surrey

June 23, 2022 10:15 AM
Expanded physical therapy program coming to Surrey
More people in Surrey and the Fraser Valley will be able to pursue careers in physical therapy at a new training space coming to Surrey.
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Investing in biomedical engineering will bolster British Columbians’ health

June 13, 2022 11:15 AM
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close menu Agriculture and Food

B.C. ramps up support for agritech

June 24, 2022 8:30 AM
Two Vancouver-based agritech businesses are paving the way for stronger food security through B.C.’s Agritech Ramp-Up Pilot Program (Ramp-Up) with robotics and technology to support B.C.’s agriculture sector.
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Agriculture advisory group to help create more resilient food supply

June 14, 2022 8:30 AM
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close menu Attorney General

Settlement reached with Purdue Pharma (Canada) for opioid damages

June 29, 2022 9:08 AM
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (Canada) (Purdue Canada) has agreed to a first of its kind settlement in Canada resulting from B.C.-led efforts to recover health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
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Province seeks people to join anti-racism committee, help dismantle systemic racism

June 24, 2022 10:00 AM
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close menu Children and Family Development

Province seeks public input on supports for children, youth

April 20, 2022 11:15 AM
A survey about B.C’s new service approach for children and youth with support needs is now open to the public.
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Process begins to select family connections centres

May 10, 2022 4:08 PM
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More Cariboo communities connected to high-speed internet

June 23, 2022 9:00 AM
More than 1,200 households in 15 communities, including four First Nations communities, have access to high-speed internet services in the Cariboo, thanks to the installation of new fibre to the home.
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Province seeks people to join anti-racism committee, help dismantle systemic racism

June 24, 2022 10:00 AM
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close menu Education and Child Care

Expansion of $10 a day child care to benefit thousands more B.C. families

June 20, 2022 12:02 PM
Expansion of $10 a day child care to benefit thousands more B.C. families
Applications are being accepted from child care providers to join the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program this year, which will enable them to offer low-cost child care, making life more affordable for thousands more families in B.C.
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Nisga’a students will benefit from new gymnasium

June 20, 2022 2:30 PM
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close menu Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

British Columbians can access more in EV charger rebates

May 18, 2022 10:05 AM
Better rebates for EV chargers
The Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses and communities.
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B.C. supports EV adoption from purchase through repair

June 1, 2022 12:55 PM
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B.C. strengthens actions to prepare for climate change with new strategy

June 20, 2022 1:15 PM
B.C. strengthens actions to prepare for climate change with new strategy
People in British Columbia will be better protected from the impacts of wildfires, flooding and extreme heat through the actions included in the new Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy.
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Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act

June 6, 2022 10:38 AM
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close menu Finance

Heat pump demand heats up in northern B.C.

June 20, 2022 11:52 AM
Heat pumps are more affordable than ever in B.C. with a provincial sales tax (PST) exemption and the launch of a new incentive to help people switch to the cleaner, energy-efficient technology that works in warm and cold climates.
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Rating agencies validate B.C.’s financial plan to support people, businesses

June 10, 2022 11:23 AM
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close menu Forests

Historic investments help B.C. prepare for wildfire season

June 3, 2022 9:15 AM
Historic investments help B.C. prepare for wildfire season
British Columbians can expect cooler and wetter conditions in June, which means the fire hazard is anticipated to remain low through the early summer, as shown in the BC Wildfire Service’s latest seasonal outlook.
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Province launches public engagement on strengthening Great Bear Rainforest

June 9, 2022 9:00 AM
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Construction begins on redeveloped Burnaby Hospital

May 30, 2022 11:10 AM
Construction begins on redeveloped Burnaby Hospital
People in one of the fastest-growing communities in B.C. are one step closer to expanded patient care as construction begins on the redevelopment of Burnaby Hospital.
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BC Cancer launches lung-screening program

May 25, 2022 11:15 AM
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close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act

June 6, 2022 10:38 AM
Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act
Tahltan Central Government and the Province have entered into the first consent-based decision-making agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
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B.C. invests in First Nations language, arts, culture and heritage revitalization

June 14, 2022 1:15 PM
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close menu Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour

January 20, 2022 8:00 AM
Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour
Nominations are being accepted for the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest honour.
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Outstanding people recognized for service during the pandemic

March 22, 2022 2:30 PM
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close menu Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation

Significant partnership with Japan to better support transportation infrastructure

June 16, 2022 1:30 PM
Significant partnership with Japan to better support transportation infrastructure
A new agreement signed between the Province of B.C. and the group Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN) will help deliver innovative and clean solutions for future transportation projects and priorities.
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Tŝilhqot’in Nation will benefit from forest-to-frame project

June 22, 2022 10:46 AM
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close menu Labour

B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers

May 31, 2022 8:30 AM
B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers
As of June 1, 2022, B.C.’s lowest paid workers will get a pay boost as the minimum wage increases from $15.20 to $15.65 per hour, which is the highest of any province.
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B.C. expands cancer coverage for firefighters

April 22, 2022 12:30 PM
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close menu Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

Watershed restoration creates a healthier future for B.C.

April 21, 2022 11:15 AM
Watershed restoration creates a healthier future for B.C.
An ongoing effort to restore watersheds and wetlands in the province is creating a healthier future for British Columbians by mitigating the impacts of climate change on communities, strengthening ecosystems and securing quality drinking water.
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Minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s statement on federal decision about salmon farms

June 22, 2022 4:20 PM
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close menu Mental Health and Addictions

Settlement reached with Purdue Pharma (Canada) for opioid damages

June 29, 2022 9:08 AM
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (Canada) (Purdue Canada) has agreed to a first of its kind settlement in Canada resulting from B.C.-led efforts to recover health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
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New Foundry will provide services to youth in northeastern B.C.

June 14, 2022 12:30 PM
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close menu Municipal Affairs

B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians

June 29, 2022 10:15 AM
B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens arriving in B.C. under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can now apply for hardship assistance from the B.C. government.
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Summer Reading Club will keep kids and families reading

June 27, 2022 12:15 PM
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close menu Public Safety and Solicitor General

Joint statement on the first anniversary of the Lytton wildfire

June 30, 2022 8:00 AM
First anniversary of the Lytton wildfire
Premier John Horgan and Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, have released the following statement marking one year since the Lytton wildfire:
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Toxic drug supply continues to devastate communities throughout B.C.

June 9, 2022 10:00 AM
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close menu Social Development and Poverty Reduction

B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians

June 29, 2022 10:15 AM
B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens arriving in B.C. under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can now apply for hardship assistance from the B.C. government.
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Network helps people with disabilities focus on mental, physical wellness

June 3, 2022 8:30 AM
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close menu Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Vancouver named FIFA World Cup 2026 official host city

June 16, 2022 2:37 PM
Vancouver named FIFA World Cup 2026 official host city
FIFA has confirmed that Vancouver has been chosen as an official host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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Grants help youth in and from government care get in the game

May 30, 2022 12:30 PM
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Permanent repairs begin soon to Coquihalla and Highway 1

June 16, 2022 8:00 AM
Permanent repairs begin soon to Coquihalla and Highway 1
Permanent repairs to flood-damaged sections of the Coquihalla (Highway 5) and Highway 1 will soon be underway, protecting the safe movement of people and goods in British Columbia.
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Major progress on Kicking Horse Canyon Project in first year of construction

June 8, 2022 9:00 AM
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Advanced Education and Skills Training

FACTSHEET: Changes to ESL programs

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Honourable Anne Kang

Honourable Anne Kang

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close menu Advanced Education and Skills Training

Expanded physical therapy program coming to Surrey

June 23, 2022 10:15 AM
Expanded physical therapy program coming to Surrey
More people in Surrey and the Fraser Valley will be able to pursue careers in physical therapy at a new training space coming to Surrey.
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Investing in biomedical engineering will bolster British Columbians’ health

June 13, 2022 11:15 AM
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British Columbia News

FACTSHEET: Changes to ESL programs

https://news.gov.bc.ca/06999

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Factsheet

Thursday, September 18, 2014 10:00 AM

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Factsheet

Thursday, September 18, 2014 10:00 AM

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Government's priority is to ensure immigrants continue to access English language training to succeed, find jobs and help the Province meet labour market demands in a growing economy.

The Province has been working with public post-secondary institutions to develop a long-term strategy for the delivery of English as a Second Language (ESL) training since learning in 2012 of the federal government's decision to fund and administer ESL programs for immigrants.

Here are some facts on ESL programming in British Columbia:

  • Under the Canada-BC Immigration Agreement, the Province used funding from the federal government to deliver a range of services to help immigrants get settled in British Columbia, including English language training. This funding was distributed by the Province to community-based, not-for-profit agencies, school districts and public post-secondary institutions.
  • Under the agreement, public post-secondary institutions in B.C. delivered English language training, tuition-free, to 9,000 students in 2013/14.
  • As a result of the changes, the Ministry of Advanced Education lost more than $22 million in federal funding that flowed from the Agreement.
  • Effective April 1, 2014, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) continues to fund English language programming through agreements with service delivery organizations such as not-for-profit agencies and post-secondary institutions. A map of CIC immigrant services is available at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/map/bc.asp
  • As a result of the federal changes to ESL delivery, B.C. public post-secondary institutions were informed that their base operating grants would be reduced significantly. 
  • There are now four public post-secondary institutions in B.C. with English language training contracts with CIC - Vancouver Community College, Douglas College, North Island College, and Northwest Community College.
  • The greatest impact affects Greater Vancouver, where Vancouver Community College provides 46% of the ESL training in the B.C. public post-secondary sector; Camosun College on Vancouver Island provides 14.5%. 
  • Decisions about impacts on faculty and staff will be made at each institution.
  • The Ministry of Advanced Education, working with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and CIC, provided $17.2 million in one-time funding to public post-secondary institutions for ESL in 2014/15. It was distributed as follows:
  • Vancouver Community College $7.92 million
  • Camosun College $2.42 million
  • Douglas College $1.55 million
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University $1.36 million
  • University of the Fraser Valley $844,000
  • Langara College $776,000
  • Capilano University $568,000
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology $532,000
  • Okanagan College $353,000
  • Vancouver Island University $218,000
  • Thompson Rivers University $196,000
  • North Island College $125,000
  • Northern Lights College $117,000
  • Selkirk College $83,000
  • College of New Caledonia $77,000
  • College of the Rockies $36,000
  • Northwest Community College $7,400
  • According to the 2013 B.C. Developmental Student Outcomes Survey of former ESL students at public post-secondary institutions:
  • 96% said their ESL courses helped them achieve their most important goal (for example to prepare for further study, use English better in daily life, or improve their employment situation).
  • 94% said they were satisfied with their ESL courses.
  • 92% of those who took further studies said they were very well or somewhat prepared by their ESL courses.

Media contact:

Stacey McGaghey-Jones
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

https://news.gov.bc.ca/06999

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