Office of the Premier
News by Ministry
Office of the Premier
Cellphone restrictions in schools take effect as part of actions to keep kids safe, healthy
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 12:10 PM
Cellphones and other digital devices will be restricted in B.C. schools when students return to school next week as part of a series of actions to keep kids safe and healthy.
Read More
B.C. powering growth in the Fraser Valley with clean electricity
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 11:40 AM
BC Hydro will construct approximately $1 billion worth of capital projects in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Hope and Harrison Hot Springs over the next decade to upgrade and expand the electricity grid to provide clean power for homes, businesses and growing transportation needs.
Read More
Premier’s statement on Firefighters’ National Memorial Day
Sunday, September 8, 2024 7:00 AM
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Firefighters’ National Memorial Day:
Read More
Agriculture and Food
B.C. farmers getting more support to grow food using tech
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 8:45 AM
B.C. farmers are getting help with adopting new labour-saving technologies that will enhance their profitability, productivity and efficiency, while helping to improve food security in the province.
Read More
B.C. strengthens tree-fruit sector, protects growers, workers
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 11:20 AM
B.C. tree-fruit growers will benefit from three new or updated financial supports and changes to help stabilize their bottom line and overcome significant challenges posed by extreme weather, market instability and the recent closure of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative.
Read More
Automation, robotics help farmers strengthen food security
Thursday, June 13, 2024 10:15 AM
B.C. farmers are accessing new technology through federal and provincial government funding to grow their businesses and increase production to help strengthen food security in the province.
Read More
Attorney General
Nominations open for King’s Counsel designation
Monday, August 12, 2024 8:00 AM
Nominations for the honorary designation of King’s Counsel (KC) for 2024 will open on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.
Read More
Provincial court to use Cowichan Tribes laws for child and family services
Thursday, August 1, 2024 9:30 AM
Cowichan Tribes will begin using its own laws and the B.C. provincial court to resolve child and family welfare matters involving Cowichan children.
Read More
Independent Investigations Office gets new leadership
Friday, August 9, 2024 2:00 PM
Jessica Berglund has been appointed by Attorney General Niki Sharma as the new chief civilian director (CCD) of B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO).
Read More
Children and Family Development
Province takes new direction for vulnerable children, families
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 11:37 AM
Keeping children, youth and families safe and connected to the supports they need will be the focus of a new government-wide approach that reimagines how services are delivered throughout the province.
Read More
Children in care are being seen, heard, protected
Thursday, July 11, 2024 2:30 PM
More than 99% of children and youth in care are being visited by child protection workers at least once every 90 days, according to an independent third-party report.
Read More
Sts’ailes, Canada and B.C. celebrate coordination agreement to support child and family services
Friday, September 6, 2024 3:17 PM
From Indigenous Services Canada: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/sts-ailes-canada-and-b-c-celebrate-coordination-agreement-to-support-child-and-family-services-833129120.html
Read More
Citizens' Services
High-speed internet access available in Hartley Bay
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 8:00 AM
People in the village of Hartley Bay now have access to high-speed internet, unlocking reliable, faster access to digital services and economic opportunities.
Read More
New connectivity funding will benefit rural communities
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 9:30 AM
A fifth intake of the Connecting Communities BC funding program is open for project applications to increase access to high-speed internet services in rural and remote communities.
Read More
High-speed internet service available on Digby Island
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 8:15 AM
People on Digby Island now have reliable high-speed internet access, unlocking better, faster access to digital services and opportunities.
Read More
Education and Child Care
Construction begins on Burke Mountain school in Coquitlam
Thursday, August 29, 2024 10:15 AM
Two projects, including the new Burke Mountain school, will bring more than 1,000 new student seats to the fast-growing community of Coquitlam.
Read More
More spaces open for Richmond students
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 2:45 PM
Kids in Richmond will be welcomed with hundreds of new student spaces this September thanks to prefabricated expansions at two elementary schools.
Read More
Nanaimo families will benefit from new child care spaces on school grounds
Thursday, September 5, 2024 11:45 AM
Just in time for the return to school, more families in the Nanaimo region are benefiting from an initiative creating new child care spaces on school grounds.
Read More
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Public notifications and evacuation route planning will strengthen community safety
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 8:30 AM
To help keep people safe and informed during emergencies, the Province is providing funding to communities in B.C. to improve planning for emergency evacuation routes and public notifications.
Read More
Province supports search-and-rescue teams for a safer backcountry
Thursday, August 1, 2024 2:45 PM
The Province is providing nearly $6 million to the B.C. Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) so that ground search-and-rescue (GSAR) groups can continue to have the training, equipment and resources they need to help keep people safe.
Read More
Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
B.C. powering growth in the Fraser Valley with clean electricity
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 11:40 AM
BC Hydro will construct approximately $1 billion worth of capital projects in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Hope and Harrison Hot Springs over the next decade to upgrade and expand the electricity grid to provide clean power for homes, businesses and growing transportation needs.
Read More
B.C. powering growth in Richmond with clean electricity
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 9:15 AM
BC Hydro will build approximately $250 million worth of capital projects in Richmond over the next decade to upgrade and expand the electricity grid to provide clean power for homes, businesses and transportation.
Read More
Completion of Electric Highway makes EV travel possible throughout province
Friday, September 6, 2024 9:00 AM
British Columbians will soon be able to drive throughout the entire province in an electric vehicle making clean-energy options more accessible and reliable than ever.
Read More
Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Province acquires land to expand Okanagan Lake Park
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 10:15 AM
A waterfront property along Okanagan Lake will gain permanent protection so more people can enjoy outdoor recreation in B.C.’s Interior.
Read More
New projects underway to clean up another 1,900 km of B.C. shoreline
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 8:15 AM
People and wildlife in coastal communities of British Columbia will soon benefit from a cleaner coast because of new funding from the Province.
Read More
More than $89 million invested in clean economy infrastructure projects across British Columbia
Friday, September 6, 2024 2:35 PM
Finance
Public accounts show B.C. put people first amid wildfires, global challenges
Thursday, August 22, 2024 1:00 PM
The Province supported people through a record wildfire season and a global economic slowdown in 2023-24, while continuing to build the schools, hospitals and homes people need.
Read More
More help with everyday costs coming for more families
Thursday, July 18, 2024 10:10 AM
More financial relief is coming to more families through the BC Family Benefit Bonus, arriving in bank accounts starting in July.
Read More
Increased tax credit puts more money in more people’s bank accounts
Sunday, July 7, 2024 8:00 AM
More than two million families and individuals are getting more help with costs as higher Climate Action Tax Credit payments arrived in bank accounts starting Friday, July 5, 2024.
Read More
Forests
Vancouver Island Nations will have safer community access roads
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 11:15 AM
Toquaht Nation and Uchucklesaht Tribe members on the west coast of Vancouver Island will have safer access to their communities with new improvements coming to forest service roads.
Read More
New upgrades to Beaver Lodge support local recreation
Friday, August 16, 2024 11:30 AM
A popular recreational forest area in the Campbell River area is receiving some much-needed upgrades.
Read More
Minister’s statement on Canfor decision
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 6:15 PM
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, has released the following statement regarding Canfor’s recent decisions to permanently close the Plateau sawmill in Vanderhoof and the Fort St. John sawmill, as well as to curtail operations in the southern United States:
Read More
Health
Provincial health officer’s statement on ensuring children’s vaccinations are up to date
Monday, August 19, 2024 8:30 AM
Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, has issued the following statement to make sure children in B.C. are up to date on all their vaccines as part of back-to-school preparations:
Read More
Second urgent and primary care centre coming to Vernon
Friday, August 23, 2024 12:00 PM
People living in Vernon and surrounding communities will benefit from increased access to team-based care as planning progresses on a second urgent and primary care centre (UPCC).
Read More
Upgraded patient care areas opening at Royal Inland Hospital
Friday, September 6, 2024 12:45 PM
Patients in Kamloops now have improved access to services as upgrades at the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) are complete, including enhancements to the post-anesthetic recovery (PAR) unit, pediatric unit and ambulance stretcher bays.
Read More
Housing
Nearly 1,500 affordable homes protected through Rental Protection Fund
Thursday, August 22, 2024 11:25 AM
The Rental Protection Fund has helped protect 75 more affordable rental homes for people in Squamish and North Vancouver.
Read More
More temporary homes coming for people experiencing homelessness in Kelowna
Monday, August 26, 2024 9:45 AM
People experiencing homelessness in Kelowna will soon have access to as many as 60 more temporary homes with supports.
Read More
More than 70 new attainable rental homes open, underway in Gibsons
Friday, September 6, 2024 11:45 AM
More than 70 new rental homes are coming to Gibsons as families, seniors and individuals begin moving into a completed Phase 1 development and construction begins on Phase 2, a BC Builds delivered project.
Read More
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
K’ómoks First Nation, Canada, B.C. take important step to advance reconciliation by initialling draft K’ómoks Treaty
Monday, July 22, 2024 11:00 AM
Elected Chief Ken Price of the K’ómoks First Nation (K’ómoks); Gary Anandasangaree, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and Murray Rankin, B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, marked a significant milestone toward renewing their nation-to-nation relationships.
Read More
Vancouver Island Nations will have safer community access roads
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 11:15 AM
Toquaht Nation and Uchucklesaht Tribe members on the west coast of Vancouver Island will have safer access to their communities with new improvements coming to forest service roads.
Read More
Coastal First Nations, B.C. renew commitment to work together on coastal sustainability, tourism, economic development
Thursday, August 15, 2024 1:30 PM
The Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative (CFN) and the Government of British Columbia are strengthening their decades-long relationship by renewing their commitment to work together through a reconciliation agreement that builds off the success of their 2009 reconciliation protocol and 2020 Pathway to Reconciliation memorandum of understanding (MOU), to continue to benefit all those who live on the north and central coast.
Read More
Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
35 years of excellence: 12 outstanding individuals honoured
Monday, August 5, 2024 6:15 AM
Twelve individuals who exemplify excellence have been appointed to the Order of British Columbia in this special anniversary year.
Read More
People in British Columbia honoured for dedication to service
Monday, August 5, 2024 7:45 AM
Eighteen people in British Columbia are being honoured with the Province’s Medal of Good Citizenship for their extraordinary contributions to their communities.
Read More
Outstanding individuals honoured with Coronation Medal
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 3:10 PM
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was awarded to outstanding individuals in British Columbia during a ceremony with the lieutenant governor.
Read More
Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
New upgrades to Beaver Lodge support local recreation
Friday, August 16, 2024 11:30 AM
A popular recreational forest area in the Campbell River area is receiving some much-needed upgrades.
Read More
Minister’s statement on July Labour Force Survey results
Friday, August 9, 2024 9:30 AM
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for July 2024:
Read More
Minister’s statement on August Labour Force Survey results
Friday, September 6, 2024 9:50 AM
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for August 2024:
Read More
Labour
Income protection options expanded for child actors
Monday, July 8, 2024 9:00 AM
Child actors in B.C.’s recorded entertainment industry will now have a choice between two options for protecting a portion of their income.
Read More
Fair pay, basic protections coming for gig workers
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 2:15 PM
The Province has finalized regulations to provide fairness, minimum-wage measures and basic protections for app-based ride-hailing and delivery workers in British Columbia.
Read More
Flush toilets coming to B.C. construction sites
Thursday, September 5, 2024 2:15 PM
Construction workers can soon say goodbye to unsanitary portable toilets on most construction sites and say hello to cleaner flush toilets.
Read More
Mental Health and Addictions
New provincewide Opioid Treatment Access Line provides same-day access to care
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 2:30 PM
The Province has launched the Opioid Treatment Access Line to make it faster and easier for people to get life-saving medication to treat opioid-use disorder and get connected to same-day care.
Read More
Improved mental-health, addictions services available to Surrey youth
Thursday, August 22, 2024 12:15 PM
Young people struggling with mental-health and addiction challenges and their families now have easier access to a range of services under one roof as several programs relocate to a new facility.
Read More
Minister’s statement on lives lost to poisoned drugs in July
Friday, August 30, 2024 9:15 AM
Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement about the BC Coroners Service report on illicit drug toxicity deaths in July 2024:
Read More
Municipal Affairs
Water infrastructure upgrades across British Columbia
Thursday, August 22, 2024 12:26 PM
From Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2024/08/water-infrastructure-upgrades-across-british-columbia.html
Read More
New low mobility trails unveiled at Pioneer Park
Thursday, August 22, 2024 11:50 AM
From Cariboo Regional District and City of Quesnel: https://www.cariboord.ca/en/news/new-low-mobility-trails-unveiled-at-pioneer-park.aspx
Read More
Federal government transfers more than $156 million through the Canada Community-Building Fund to British Columbia
Friday, August 16, 2024 7:40 AM
From Infrastructure Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2024/08/federal-government-transfers-more-than-156-million-through-the-canada-community-building-fund-to-british-columbia.html
Read More
Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Expanded gathering place supports Indigenous culture on campus
Thursday, August 29, 2024 9:30 AM
Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) now have access to more space for ceremonial and support services with the opening of the newly expanded space in the Shq’apthut (a gathering place) building on campus.
Read More
B.C. taking action to prevent overdoses, make students safer on campus
Tuesday, September 3, 2024 11:30 AM
The Province is moving forward with new guidelines to protect students and reduce the risks and harms of toxic-drug poisonings.
Read More
More health-profession students will train at new UBC facility in Surrey
Friday, September 6, 2024 2:15 PM
More people will have the opportunity to train for in-demand careers, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists and midwives, at a new state-of-the-art University of British Columbia (UBC) facility in Surrey.
Read More
Public Safety and Solicitor General
New funding strengthens police work that combats online child exploitation
Saturday, August 24, 2024 10:00 AM
Police in B.C. will soon have more tools to enhance their efforts in protecting children online and strengthen abilities to pursue, disrupt and prosecute offenders.
Read More
Model advances public safety, connects people to services in Campbell River
Thursday, August 22, 2024 3:30 PM
People in Campbell River will be better served by a collaborative approach to complex social challenges in order to deliver faster access to services for individuals at risk of harm or victimization.
Read More
At least 192 British Columbians lost to toxic drugs in July 2024
Friday, August 30, 2024 9:00 AM
Updated reporting from the BC Coroners Service about unregulated drug toxicity deaths indicates at least 192 people died in July 2024.
Read More
Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Government taking action to help people out of poverty
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 9:15 AM
People facing complex barriers will have better access to employment opportunities with the launch of wraparound services that support the most vulnerable on their path to employment readiness.
Read More
Community funding boost makes more free, healthy food available
Thursday, August 22, 2024 9:15 AM
More people have better access to healthy and nutritious food, thanks to provincial funding that is supporting food infrastructure projects throughout British Columbia.
Read More
More supports will help youth tackle barriers to employment, education
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 9:45 AM
More young people with barriers to employment or education will have access to Foundry’s expanded employment program.
Read More
Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
People in British Columbia honoured for dedication to service
Monday, August 5, 2024 7:45 AM
Eighteen people in British Columbia are being honoured with the Province’s Medal of Good Citizenship for their extraordinary contributions to their communities.
Read More
Province provides updates for FIFA World Cup 26
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 3:15 PM
With seven matches to be played in Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup 26 tournament, the Province, City of Vancouver and BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) have updated their estimates of the costs, revenues and economic benefits for the world’s largest single sporting event.
Read More
Engagement launched for provincial Filipino cultural centre
Friday, May 31, 2024 10:30 AM
A new website and survey will provide British Columbians with opportunities to share their vision for a new provincial cultural centre dedicated to celebrating Filipino Canadians’ heritage and contributions to B.C.’s success.
Read More
Transportation and Infrastructure
Better transportation coming south of the Fraser as Surrey Langley SkyTrain approaches fall construction
Thursday, August 15, 2024 1:00 PM
Communities south of the Fraser River are one step closer to high-quality, low-cost transportation now that all three contracts have been awarded for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project.
Read More
New Highway 1 investment will get people home sooner
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 1:45 PM
Significant new funding to widen and improve Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley will relieve traffic congestion and help ease daily commutes between Langley and Abbotsford — whether by car, bus, bike or on foot.
Read More
Expect traffic pattern changes, road closures Saturday for cycling event
Friday, September 6, 2024 3:10 PM
On Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, people travelling between the Lower Mainland and Whistler can expect possible delays and closures from 5:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for the RBC GranFondo Whistler cycling event.
Read More
Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Safety prioritized as water begins to overflow Chilcotin River landslide
Monday, August 5, 2024 11:10 AM
Water has begun to overflow the landslide blocking the Chilcotin River near Farwell Canyon.
Read More
Updates to management plan provide certainty for Sunshine Coast dock owners
Thursday, August 1, 2024 11:30 AM
B.C. and shíshálh Nation are making further updates to changes proposed in the shíshálh swiya Dock Management Plan (DMP) to provide additional predictability for Sunshine Coast dock and boathouse owners.
Read More
B.C., ‘Na̲mg̲is endorse Gwa’ni land-use planning recommendations
Thursday, August 15, 2024 9:00 AM
A new collaborative approach to land-use planning on northern Vancouver Island will help protect ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation cultural values and biodiversity, while providing operational clarity for the forest industry within ‘Na̲mg̲is territory.
Read More