News by Ministry
Office of the Premier
Look West: Premier’s mission to India supporting good jobs for British Columbians
Premier’s, minister’s, parliamentary secretary’s statements on Black Excellence Day
Agriculture and Food
Supporting B.C.’s food security with new technology, training
B.C. companies, research institutions advance food security through smart-farming systems.
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B.C. helps farms with solutions for water storage
Farmers and communities throughout B.C. are becoming better equipped for drought with ongoing support to help improve their management, delivery and storage of water for agricultural purposes.
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Attorney General
New Indigenous court opens in Chilliwack
Providing a holistic, restorative-justice approach to sentencing, supporting reconciliation
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Minister’s, parliamentary secretary’s statement on new federal gender-based violence bill
Niki Sharma, Attorney General, has released the following statement in response to the introduction of new, proposed Criminal Code amendments by the federal government to protect victims of gender-based and intimate-partner violence:
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Premier’s, minister’s, parliamentary secretary’s statements on Black Excellence Day
Children and Family Development
Funding expands programs to prevent family violence
Families throughout B.C. will have access to new and expanded programs that support healthy relationships and prevent domestic violence, thanks to new funding that enhances community-led intervention services.
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Citizens' Services
Noah reclaims B.C.’s most popular baby name
Parents throughout British Columbia have spoken, choosing Noah as the year’s most beloved name for newborns.
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Robson Square ice rink opens for holiday season
The Robson Square ice rink is now open, and people are invited to lace up their skates and enjoy winter fun in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
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Education and Child Care
Premier’s, minister’s, parliamentary secretary’s statements on Black Excellence Day
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
People urged to remain vigilant, be prepared as flood, slide risks remain
Rainfall will intensify in next several days, increasing likelihood of flooding in low-lying areas
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Energy and Climate Solutions
Regulatory package continues work of Energy Statutes Amendment Act
On Oct. 20, 2025, government tabled the energy statutes amendment act (Bill 31), a series of regulatory and legislative measures introduced to streamline the approvals and permitting process.
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Climate Change Accountability Report shows lower emissions, more work to do
The Province has released the 2025 Climate Change Accountability Report, reaffirming its commitment to climate action and affordability while highlighting progress in cutting emissions and advancing clean energy throughout B.C.
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Environment and Parks
EAO approves Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine operations to continue to 2035
The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has approved an amendment to the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine environmental assessment certificate, authorizing the mine near Fort St. James to increase production and continue operations until 2035.
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Finance
Declaring speculation and vacancy tax means more housing available
Homeowner grant provides tax relief for British Columbians
The threshold for the provincial homeowner grant for residential properties in B.C. has been set at $2.075 million for 2026, providing modest property tax relief to eligible homeowners.
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Facilities Bargaining Association and Health Employers ratify agreement
The Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA), which represents approximately 67,500 people delivering health services throughout B.C., has ratified a new agreement reached with Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC).
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Forests
2025 a banner year for wildfire salvage
Quicker permitting, stronger partnerships for wildfire salvage means protecting forestry jobs.
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Health
Improving access to addictions care in B.C.
Access Central is helping more people in B.C. connect with addictions care through a single, streamlined phone service
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Minister’s statement on status of the decriminalization pilot program
Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has released the following statement on the status of the decriminalization pilot program:
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Province provides second report on community-based primary care services
As part of the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025 (CARGA), the Province and BC Green Caucus are releasing the second of two reports highlighting shared findings and recommendations to strengthen primary care throughout British Columbia.
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Housing and Municipal Affairs
Canada announces funding for 77 homes in Victoria
From Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsroom/news-releases/2026/canada-announces-funding-77-homes-victoria
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Canada, BC announce groundbreaking for 92 co-op homes in North Cowichan
From Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsroom/news-releases/2026/canada-announces-funding-92-co-op-homes-north-cowichan
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Helping get more homes built in North Saanich with new adviser
Newly appointed adviser will work with North Saanich to boost housing supply for people, families
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Minister’s, survivor’s statement on 10th anniversary of the Calls to Action
Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Charlene Belleau, residential school survivor and B.C. First Nations community liaison lead, have released the following statement in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s closing ceremony and the release of its final report, including the 94 Calls to Action:
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More homes coming for Indigenous people
Indigenous people in Cranbrook and Fort Nelson will soon have access to 45 affordable homes as two Indigenous-led housing redevelopments move forward.
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Minister’s statement on Louis Riel Day
Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, has issued the following statement to mark Louis Riel Day:
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Infrastructure
New Henry Hudson Elementary seismically safer, has 145 more student seats
Expanded neonatal unit improves care for infants in Kootenays
Celebrating opening of an improved neonatal intensive care unit at East Kootenay Regional Hospital
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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
Medals of Good Citizenship mark a decade of honouring selfless service
Eighteen individuals are being recognized for their exceptional contributions as the Medal of Good Citizenship marks 10 years of celebrating community service in British Columbia.
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Government supports six francophone initiatives in B.C.
Government is investing $250,000 to support six non-profit organizations in delivering initiatives that reflect the needs and priorities of British Columbia’s francophone communities.
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Jobs and Economic Growth
Boosting clean technology in the North
Projects launched in Prince Rupert could enhance port operations, boost sovereignty and defence
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Supporting B.C.’s food security with new technology, training
B.C. companies, research institutions advance food security through smart-farming systems.
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Labour
Minimum rates increase Dec. 31 for hand-harvest farm workers
The minimum piece rates for hand harvesting of specified farm crops will increase by 2.6% on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
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New job-protected medical leave in effect for workers facing serious illness, injury
Workers with a serious illness or injury can now take as many as 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period to undergo medical treatment and focus on their recovery.
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Mining and Critical Minerals
Province issues mining permit for Record Ridge magnesium mine
The Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals has approved Western High Yield Resources’ mining permit for the Record Ridge magnesium mine near Rossland.
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Province issues permit for expansion of Mount Polley mine
The Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals has approved Imperial Metal’s permit to expand its Mount Polley mine in the Cariboo region, which will extend the mine’s life by eight years, support local jobs and continue environmental monitoring as part of ongoing regulatory requirements.
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Minister’s statement on the rescue of three workers at Red Chris mine
Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, has released the following statement on the successful rescue of three workers at Red Chris mine in northwestern B.C.:
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Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Province reviews public post-secondary system to ensure long-term sustainability
The Province is launching an independent review to strengthen the public post-secondary education system and ensure it is sustainable and well-positioned to support people in British Columbia and B.C.’s economic growth.
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New Indigenous law wing supports learning Indigenous legal traditions
Students at the University of Victoria (UVic) law school now have a dedicated space to learn Indigenous laws and legal traditions with the opening of the new Indigenous law wing.
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Province invests in trades training to power B.C.’s economic future
British Columbia is boosting skilled-trades training throughout the province so people can secure family-supporting jobs created through major projects.
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Public Safety and Solicitor General
Social Development and Poverty Reduction
External review of CLBC home-sharing program completed
The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has received the final report from the external review of Community Living BC’s (CLBC) home-sharing program.
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Barriers removed for couples in B.C. receiving disability assistance
Starting Dec. 1, 2025, couples where both members receive disability assistance will receive the same support allowance as they would if they were two single people.
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New team members work on accessibility for people in B.C.
Five new members have been appointed to British Columbia’s Provincial Accessibility Committee (PAC), reinforcing the Province’s commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion for all people in British Columbia.
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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Grants offer more creativity opportunities for people
Community Gaming Grants are empowering organizations, artists and cultural workers by strengthening arts and culture programming and services to increase opportunities for people in British Columbia to participate in the arts and culture sector.
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Canadians of South Asian heritages contribute to vision for provincial museum
More than 16,000 people of South Asian heritages in British Columbia have provided input for a provincial museum that educates, preserves and celebrates the richness of Canadian South Asian histories, traditions and cultures.
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Transportation and Transit
Progress continues on Highway 97, Bastin Hill upgrades
Safety and reliability on Cariboo roads will continue to improve with the advancement of two projects focused on restoring routes damaged by washouts and landslides in 2020 and 2021.
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Contract awarded for Highway 11 Interchange Project, work begins soon
Temporary closures planned for highways 1 and 3 near Hope
Drivers are advised to plan for traffic-pattern changes along highways 1 and 3 westbound near Hope starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Temporary highway closures and detours are planned due to emergency repair work on sections of these highways affected by December flooding.
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Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Gwa’ni Land Use Planning Project moving forward
North Island project supports environmental sustainability, reconciliation, economic growth
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