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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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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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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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Anti-racism data legislation becomes law

June 3, 2022 8:00 AM
Anti-racism data legislation becomes law
Indigenous and Black people, and people of colour, are another step closer to having better access to government programs and services as the historic Anti-Racism Data Act is enshrined in B.C. law.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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B.C. receives exemption to decriminalize possession of some illegal drugs for personal use

May 31, 2022 11:15 AM
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Text reads: Helping reduce drug stigma through decriminalization
British Columbia is taking a critical step toward reducing the shame and fear associated with substance use as the federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health announced the granting of a three-year exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to remove criminal penalties for people who possess a small amount of certain illicit substances for personal use.
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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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Ukrainians fleeing violence get immediate MSP coverage

April 25, 2022 1:30 PM
Ukrainians fleeing violence get immediate MSP coverage
Displaced Ukrainians arriving in B.C. with visas issued under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) will now have access to date-of-arrival Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage.
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Pandemic relief funds help libraries adapt to changing needs

May 17, 2022 12:30 PM
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New funding helps prepare for Lytton rebuild

June 23, 2022 1:30 PM
The Province is committing $21 million to help re-establish essential infrastructure and services, and sustain ongoing municipal and community-led recovery efforts.
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Toxic drug supply continues to devastate communities throughout B.C.

June 9, 2022 10:00 AM
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Funding helps immigrants fight food insecurity, get connected

June 8, 2022 1:15 PM
People facing food insecurity in B.C. will benefit from new government funding for community-based programs.
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Network helps people with disabilities focus on mental, physical wellness

June 3, 2022 8:30 AM
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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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ARCHIVED: Natural Gas Development

OPINION EDITORIAL - British Columbia's natural gas supports long-term prosperity

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OPINION EDITORIAL - British Columbia's natural gas supports long-term prosperity

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08535

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  • LNG in BC

By Minister Rich Coleman
Minister of Natural Gas Development

VICTORIA - British Columbia has a large, growing supply of natural gas to support economic growth for decades to come, contrary to a report released recently by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which used incomplete data.

Today, British Columbia has almost 3,000 trillion cubic feet of natural gas available. In technical terms, this is known as the 'gas-in-place.'

The author of the CPPA report, however, refers to "gas reserves", which is a subset of "gas-in-place".

Technically, "gas reserves" is estimated at 42.3 trillion cubic feet. This is the recoverable portion British Columbia's total resource base at a certain time, and to suggest it is the total "gas-in-place" misrepresents the facts.

British Columbia's "gas-in-place" today is almost 3,000 trillion cubic feet, derived from a geological assessment by the provincial government, the BC Oil and Gas Commission and Canada's National Energy Board. Using a conservative estimate, if industry recovered 30 per cent of the "gas-in-place" over the long-term, it would harvest well over 800 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, which is approximately 20 times more natural gas than the recent CCPA report suggests.

That's a substantial amount of gas when you consider only 1.5 trillion cubic feet was produced in the province last year.

To help illustrate the point, if you think of the gas industry as one gas station, you would only have capacity to fill a couple of hundred cars with one tanker of fuel, when in fact, the industry is a network of wells, pipelines, refineries and gas stations which has actually helped to fuel our economy for approximately 100 years.

Just a decade ago, British Columbia was on the verge of reaching peak production from conventional natural gas sources and technology could only recover some of the total available gas. Shale gas - also known as an unconventional gas - was underground in abundance, but it was inaccessible.

Today, with the advent of new technology, production and productivity has improved drastically and industry is able to recover much more gas than they could decades ago. As time progressed, we put strict rules in place to govern industry and ensure it is rigorously monitored and as safe as possible.

Now, some of the world's most promising resource areas are found in B.C. That's why the province is at the forefront of building a new LNG industry. Large, global companies are proposing to invest billions of dollars in B.C. because we have a vast supply of natural gas to sustain exploration and energy trade for hundreds of years, not because our long-term prospects look bleak as the aforementioned CCPA report implies.

I wanted to take this opportunity to assure you that B.C. can and will continue to support a growing natural gas sector for hundreds of years, and we will do so responsibly.

To find a more accurate forecast on the natural gas industry, visit the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission's website at: www.bcogc.ca/lng-forecast-scenario-0

The forecast details a number of exploration and production facts including figures on water usage.

For instance, the natural gas industry used 5.3 million cubic metres of water for hydraulic fracturing in 2013. During the same timeframe, Metro Vancouver used 365 million cubic metres of treated water. In fact, water used for hydraulic fracturing represents but a small percentage of the province's annual runoff.

The forecast also shows approximately 2,100 wells being drilled in 2019 if five LNG export plants were in production in B.C., and fewer each year after that. By using well pads, we can keep the total number of wells drilled to a minimum.

Our research shows a promising supply of natural gas which puts British Columbia in an excellent position to develop a new global industry. We have the resource in place to support a growing natural gas sector for hundreds of years, and we are committed to doing it responsibly.

Liquefied natural gas development wasn't an overnight aspiration for B.C. It was and remains a long-term commitment to build on an existing resource. And, the time has come to capitalize on what has historically been a stranded resource to create jobs and future prosperity for British Columbians.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08535

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