Office of the Premier
News by Ministry
Office of the Premier
B.C. prepares to safely move to Step 2 of its restart plan
Monday, June 14, 2021 10:43 AM
Translations
Beginning on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, British Columbia will take the next step in safely bringing people back together, transitioning into Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, including lifting restrictions on travel within B.C.
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Supporting skilled trades workers, strengthening B.C.’s recovery
Friday, June 11, 2021 11:15 AM
Translations
The Province is launching a made-in-B.C. certification system to support higher-paying, more stable work for trades workers and to help build the foundation of a strong economic recovery.
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Old growth harvesting deferred in Fairy Creek, Walbran areas
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 2:40 PM
The Province is honouring the request of the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations and deferring old-growth harvesting in the Fairy Creek watershed and central Walbran areas in their territories.
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Advanced Education and Skills Training
Supporting skilled trades workers, strengthening B.C.’s recovery
Friday, June 11, 2021 11:15 AM
Translations
The Province is launching a made-in-B.C. certification system to support higher-paying, more stable work for trades workers and to help build the foundation of a strong economic recovery.
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Virtual town hall focuses on safe return to campus
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 1:35 PM
"Vaccination" was the word of the day as Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and her team answered questions posed by student leaders at a virtual town hall hosted by Thompson Rivers University.
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New supports for students with disabilities make education more accessible
Monday, May 31, 2021 9:00 AM
Students with disabilities enrolled at public post-secondary institutions are receiving more supports to help them succeed in their studies and train for a range of in-demand careers.
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Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
Focus on the farm a priority in COVID-19 recovery
Monday, June 14, 2021 9:00 AM
For the second consecutive year, the Province is waiving the income requirements normally required for existing B.C. farm operations when qualifying for farm classification.
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New life to be breathed into Elk and Beaver lakes
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 1:00 PM
The B.C. government will support the Capital Regional District (CRD) in moving ahead with an oxygenation system for Elk and Beaver lakes.
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Minister, parliamentary secretary’s statement on B.C. Wild Salmon Day
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 7:00 AM
Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, and Fin Donnelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture, have released the following statement in celebration of B.C. Wild Salmon Day:
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Attorney General
Families move into new affordable homes in Vancouver
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 9:00 AM
Individuals and families in Vancouver are moving into 51 new rental homes they can afford, as the Mi Casa redevelopment opens.
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Affordable housing for seniors, Indigenous Elders underway in Port Alberni
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 1:15 PM
Construction is underway on an affordable rental housing building with 48 homes for seniors and Indigenous Elders in Port Alberni.
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New commissioner, deputy commissioner appointed to BC Ferry Commission
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 1:00 PM
Eva Hage has been appointed commissioner of the BC Ferry Commission, which sets price caps on the maximum allowable annual increase in fares and approves major capital expenditures for BC Ferries.
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Children and Family Development
Indigenous children to benefit from land-based programming to promote wellness
Monday, June 14, 2021 8:30 AM
About 90 Indigenous early childhood development programs are receiving up to $100,000 each to improve wellness for over 1,700 children through land-based cultural programming.
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More licensed child care options coming to B.C. families
Thursday, June 10, 2021 8:30 AM
Families will have new options for child care on school grounds and through recreation-based programs, thanks to recent changes to the Province’s Child Care Licensing Regulation.
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Minister's response to ombudsperson on youth justice report
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 12:00 PM
Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development, has issued the following statement in response to the June 15, 2021, report from the Office of the British Columbia Ombudsperson:
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Citizens' Services
Connectivity investments help seniors benefit from technology
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 9:00 AM
People who are looking to access online education and health care services, including seniors, will soon have high-speed internet access in Shuswap and around south Kootenay Lake.
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Connectivity investments support northern economic recovery
Thursday, June 3, 2021 10:00 AM
Faster, more reliable internet is coming to people in 19 northern communities as record investments in connectivity help to position B.C. for a strong recovery from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
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Improved internet for people in Fraser Canyon communities
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 8:30 AM
People in 10 Indigenous and rural communities in the Fraser Canyon will soon be able to access a reliable high-speed internet connection, thanks to a project supported by the Connecting British Columbia program.
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Education
Moody Elementary to be replaced with modern, expanded facility
Monday, June 14, 2021 9:30 AM
Students and families are getting a new, larger and seismically safe Moody Elementary school with room for projected growth in the community, as well as new child care spaces.
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Addition at Queen Elizabeth Elementary to benefit New West families
Thursday, June 10, 2021 7:00 AM
A 325-seat addition and new child care spaces at Queen Elizabeth Elementary will provide a better learning experience for children in New Westminster.
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More licensed child care options coming to B.C. families
Thursday, June 10, 2021 8:30 AM
Families will have new options for child care on school grounds and through recreation-based programs, thanks to recent changes to the Province’s Child Care Licensing Regulation.
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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
New report shows B.C. steering toward 2040 EV infrastructure goals
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:45 AM
British Columbia is charging ahead in expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging network with more than 50% of the public fast-charging sites required to meet the province’s 2040 demand already built or underway.
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Tahltan and B.C. further their vision of shared prosperity
Thursday, June 10, 2021 10:05 AM
The Tahltan Central Government, Iskut Band Council, Tahltan Band Council and the Province have entered into a Shared Prosperity Agreement (SPA), setting the foundation to collaboratively achieve long-term comprehensive reconciliation and land-use predictability.
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Province advances low-carbon building technologies in B.C.
Monday, May 31, 2021 7:12 AM
British Columbian homes and workplaces will benefit from more made-in-B.C. solutions aimed at reducing building energy costs and pollution.
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Environment and Climate Change Strategy
BC Parks pilots plans for managing, promoting access to nature
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 8:30 AM
Better protection for the environment and new, expanded measures for British Columbians to access nature are coming to BC Parks this summer.
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B.C. releases plan to prepare for climate change, seeks public input
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:30 AM
Translations
The Province is taking action to help British Columbia prepare for the impacts of climate change and is seeking public feedback on future work as part of the draft Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy.
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Feedback points to more action to cut waste
Monday, June 7, 2021 9:00 AM
Feedback to a policy intentions paper shows broad support for adding more products to the list of items included in British Columbia’s Recycling Regulation to reduce waste and to promote a cleaner environment.
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Finance
Budget 2021 supports people now while building the foundation for strong recovery
Tuesday, April 20, 2021 2:05 PM
Translations
Budget 2021 focuses on protecting people’s health and livelihoods through the pandemic, while making investments in services, infrastructure and opportunities to support a strong recovery and a brighter future for everyone.
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BC Liquor Stores marks 100 years of service with celebration, products sale
Thursday, June 10, 2021 8:00 AM
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) and BC Liquor Stores are kicking off celebrations to mark a century of serving the Province of British Columbia.
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New BCLC board chair appointed
Friday, May 21, 2021 7:45 AM
Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance, has announced the appointment of Greg Moore as the new chair of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).
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Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Old growth harvesting deferred in Fairy Creek, Walbran areas
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 2:40 PM
The Province is honouring the request of the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations and deferring old-growth harvesting in the Fairy Creek watershed and central Walbran areas in their territories.
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New vision for sustainable forest policy puts people, communities first
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 2:22 PM
Translations
The B.C. government has set out its vision for a forestry sector that is more diverse, competitive, focused on sustainability and puts people and communities first.
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Minister’s statement on firefighter deployment to Quebec, Ontario
Friday, June 11, 2021 12:00 PM
Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has released the following statement regarding the deployment of BC Wildfire Service personnel to Quebec and Ontario:
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Health
B.C. prepares to safely move to Step 2 of its restart plan
Monday, June 14, 2021 10:43 AM
Translations
Beginning on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, British Columbia will take the next step in safely bringing people back together, transitioning into Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, including lifting restrictions on travel within B.C.
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Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 3:00 PM
Translations
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia:
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Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 3:00 PM
Translations
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia:
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Province seeks input from Indigenous peoples to shape future of reconciliation
Friday, June 11, 2021 11:53 AM
The provincial government is asking Indigenous peoples for additional feedback on the draft action plan required under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
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Indigenous children to benefit from land-based programming to promote wellness
Monday, June 14, 2021 8:30 AM
About 90 Indigenous early childhood development programs are receiving up to $100,000 each to improve wellness for over 1,700 children through land-based cultural programming.
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Province, Tahltan Nation begin talks on shared decision-making
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 11:54 AM
The Tahltan Central Government and the Province of British Columbia are starting negotiations on the first consent-based decision-making agreement ever to be negotiated under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
Premier’s statement on the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Friday, April 9, 2021 8:08 AM
Premier John Horgan issued the following statement on the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh:
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Medal of Good Citizenship recipients announced
Wednesday, March 31, 2021 9:30 AM
Translations
Fourteen people from around British Columbia will receive the Province’s Medal of Good Citizenship for their outstanding service and commitment to helping others in their communities.
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Parliamentary secretary for gender equity’s statement on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Monday, May 17, 2021 7:30 AM
Grace Lore, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, has issued the following statement recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia:
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Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
B.C. prepares to safely move to Step 2 of its restart plan
Monday, June 14, 2021 10:43 AM
Translations
Beginning on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, British Columbia will take the next step in safely bringing people back together, transitioning into Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, including lifting restrictions on travel within B.C.
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B.C. works for more diversity in tech sector
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 9:00 AM
Translations
The B.C. government is investing $15 million in the Innovator Skills Initiative (ISI) to prioritize under-represented people in the technology sector.
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Additional funding for business recovery grant to benefit thousands of businesses
Friday, June 4, 2021 10:00 AM
Translations
The Province is adding millions in additional funding to keep the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant operating until the expected start of Step 3 of BC’s Restart plan on July 1, 2021.
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Labour
New hard hat rules make workplaces more inclusive
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 12:15 PM
Translations
Workplaces in B.C. will soon be more inclusive for people who wear religious head coverings without compromising workplace safety, thanks to changes WorkSafeBC is making to B.C.’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation on safety headgear.
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Minimum wage surpasses $15/hour
Monday, May 31, 2021 7:45 AM
Translations
On June 1, 2021, B.C.’s lowest paid workers will get a pay boost, with the general minimum wage increasing to $15.20 an hour and the lower discriminatory minimum wage for liquor servers ending.
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Minister’s statement on paid sick leave for COVID-19
Friday, May 21, 2021 9:15 AM
Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement on paid sick leave for COVID-19:
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Mental Health and Addictions
New Foundry BC app transforms access to vital services for youth, caregivers
Friday, May 7, 2021 10:15 AM
Youth and their caregivers around British Columbia now have faster, easier access to mental health and substance use services and supports through the new Foundry BC app.
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Expanded supports to help families coping with mental illness
Thursday, May 27, 2021 10:15 AM
British Columbians who have family members living with serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, will benefit from expanded educational supports to help families thrive.
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Minister’s statement on lives lost to overdose in April
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 10:45 AM
Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s report on illicit drug toxicity deaths for April 2021:
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Municipal Affairs
Province supports local governments to invest in businesses, people
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 11:45 AM
Small businesses and local workers throughout British Columbia will benefit as local government purchasing dollars are invested back into communities through expansion of the British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative.
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Support for local south Island organizations delivers more vital services
Friday, May 21, 2021 3:00 PM
Translations
Not-for-profit groups that deliver social services to people and families throughout the southern Vancouver Island region are receiving support through B.C.’s Community Gaming Grants program.
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Province supports local tech companies, makes BC PNP Tech Pilot permanent
Friday, May 28, 2021 2:00 PM
Translations
The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech Pilot will become a permanent feature of the BC PNP, providing B.C.-based tech companies and offices with the continued ability to recruit international talent and support government’s work to build a strong, sustainable recovery.
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Public Safety and Solicitor General
State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 4:00 PM
Translations
The Province of British Columbia has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing health and emergency management officials to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act (EPA) to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response.
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B.C. lends support to temporary patios going permanent
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 11:30 AM
Translations
More than 2,000 temporary patios authorized to serve liquor during the COVID-19 pandemic can apply to become permanent under amended provincial liquor regulations.
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Inquest into the death of Jocelyn Nynah Marsha George to begin June 21
Monday, June 14, 2021 8:00 AM
The BC Coroners Service has rescheduled a public inquest into the death of Jocelyn Nynah Marsha George.
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Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Customer service, digital skills training offered virtually
Monday, June 7, 2021 8:00 AM
Translations
Up to 36 eligible British Columbians will get skills training, in three separate intakes, to prepare them for jobs in customer service and office administration in the Lower Mainland.
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Grant supports inclusive employment
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 1:30 PM
Employers in British Columbia are receiving support to create inclusive work environments for people with disabilities through a $4.8-million grant from the Province.
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Computer service technician training offered in Kelowna
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 8:00 AM
Translations
Up to eight eligible British Columbians will get skills training to prepare them for jobs as computer service technicians in the Okanagan.
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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
B.C. prepares to safely move to Step 2 of its restart plan
Monday, June 14, 2021 10:43 AM
Translations
Beginning on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, British Columbia will take the next step in safely bringing people back together, transitioning into Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, including lifting restrictions on travel within B.C.
Read More
BSAFE for employees means safety for everyone
Thursday, May 27, 2021 10:45 AM
The Province is launching a COVID-19 safety certificate program, called BSAFE, for workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors to increase consumer confidence as businesses start to return to more normal operations in accordance with BC’s Restart plan.
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Joint statement on resumption of travel within B.C.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 11:45 AM
Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; Brenda Baptiste, chair, Indigenous Tourism BC; Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC; Ingrid Jarrett, president and CEO, BC Hotel Association; Anthony Everett, chair of the BC Regional Tourism Secretariat; and Richard Porges, interim president and CEO, Destination BC, have released the following statement on the resumption of non-essential travel within B.C.:
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Transportation and Infrastructure
Fraser Valley residents' input sought for Highway 1 improvements
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 11:00 AM
The Province is planning for future improvements to Highway 1 between 264th Street and Whatcom Road, and public engagement is underway to help determine the full scope of the project.
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Work to reopen Telegraph Creek Road continues
Friday, June 11, 2021 7:15 AM
Drivers are advised that Telegraph Creek Road (Highway 51) remains open to light-duty passenger vehicles in both directions at timed intervals.
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Funding provides long-term certainty for northern transportation services
Friday, June 11, 2021 12:30 PM
People in northern British Columbia will continue to enjoy safe, reliable transportation options with help from new multi-year funding from the provincial and federal governments.
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