Office of the Premier
News by Ministry
Office of the Premier
Youth to help shape the future of B.C. through new council
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 11:00 AM
Translations
The next generation of B.C.’s leaders will have a new platform to help shape government policy and priorities through the creation of the StrongerBC Young Leaders Council.
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New plan makes it easier to switch from fossil fuels to made-in-B.C. clean electricity
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 10:30 AM
The Government of British Columbia and BC Hydro have launched BC Hydro’s new five-year electrification plan.
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Advanced Education and Skills Training
Coast Mountain College adds student housing, updated library
Thursday, October 14, 2021 12:15 PM
Media Assets
Students at the Coast Mountain College (CMTN) Terrace campus have access to more housing and improved facilities with the opening of 108 student beds and a renovated library.
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Selkirk College adds student housing in Castlegar, Nelson
Thursday, October 14, 2021 2:45 PM
Media Assets
Selkirk College students in Castlegar and Nelson will have more access to student housing as provincial funding for 148 beds in two new buildings has been approved.
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Dogwood Auditorium blossoms at Royal Roads University
Friday, October 8, 2021 10:20 AM
Media Assets
People on the Westshore have a new multi-purpose auditorium and academic space to meet growing demands for learning and event space at Royal Roads University (RRU).
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Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
Regenerative agriculture takes centre stage in new initiative
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 1:30 PM
The Government of B.C. is launching a Regenerative Agriculture and Agritech Network (RAAN) that will help farmers adopt the latest technology to increase profitability and environmental sustainability, while strengthening the provincial food system.
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Raspberry growers reap new replant funding
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 8:30 AM
New Raspberry Replant Program funding will make growers in B.C. more competitive, while increasing the bounty of raspberries in the province for fruit lovers.
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EAT DRINK LOCAL to support B.C. restaurants
Friday, October 15, 2021 8:45 AM
The fall harvest is on, and British Columbians are encouraged to make an extra effort to support local restaurants during this year’s Buy BC: EAT DRINK LOCAL campaign.
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Attorney General
New homes for seniors, families open in Valemount
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 1:00 PM
Seniors and families with low to moderate incomes in Valemount are settling into their new affordable rental homes as construction has been completed on a new 13-unit apartment building.
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Minister’s statement on Homelessness Action Week
Tuesday, October 12, 2021 7:30 AM
David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, has issued the following statement in recognition of Homelessness Action Week, Oct. 10-16, 2021:
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Construction underway on new rental housing in Vancouver
Thursday, October 14, 2021 10:45 AM
Families and individuals with middle incomes in Vancouver will soon have access to 48 new rental homes, as construction has started on a new apartment project.
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Children and Family Development
Smartphones keep youth in care connected to family, services
Thursday, October 14, 2021 9:15 AM
Over the next two months, nearly 4,000 youth in government care will receive an iPhone to help keep them connected to friends and family, and provide better access to online services, resources and opportunities.
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New resources help EASE anxiety in grade 8-12 students
Thursday, October 7, 2021 9:30 AM
High-school teachers have new classroom resources to help students manage anxiety, thanks to the launch of Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Educators (EASE) 8-12.
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Supports extended for youth from care
Thursday, September 23, 2021 3:30 PM
Eligible youth and young adults who have transitioned from government care will continue to benefit from more flexible access to the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) program, as government extends COVID-19 emergency measures to March 2022.
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Citizens' Services
Improving internet for people in Indigenous communities
Monday, August 23, 2021 10:00 AM
People within the territories of 10 First Nations will see improved internet speeds and reliability this fall as record investments from the Connecting British Columbia program continue to support improved connectivity for Indigenous peoples.
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Faster internet for Denman, Hornby islands
Thursday, August 5, 2021 9:15 AM
Faster, more reliable internet is coming to people on Denman and Hornby islands as the Connecting British Columbia program continues its work to bring world-class connectivity to rural communities on the coast.
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Amendments strengthen access to information, protect people’s privacy
Monday, October 18, 2021 1:50 PM
British Columbia is taking important steps to strengthen B.C.’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) to deliver better, more inclusive services to people, businesses and public-sector organizations.
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Education
Seamless Day Kindergarten pilot program expands
Monday, October 18, 2021 9:25 AM
Some of B.C.’s youngest learners and their families will benefit from an expansion of the Seamless Day Kindergarten pilot program as it grows from four schools to 25.
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Work begins to boost capacity at Morgan Elementary
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 7:30 AM
Students, families and staff at Surrey’s Morgan Elementary school will soon have room to grow as construction to add eight more classrooms is underway.
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Nominations open to honour excellence in B.C. education
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 8:00 AM
Translations
In recognition of World Teachers’ Day, nominations are now open for the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education.
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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
Province investing in proposed world-leading clean fuels plant in Merritt
Thursday, October 14, 2021 11:15 AM
The Province is contributing $2 million from the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund to support the engineering and design of a first-of-its-kind plant in Merritt to capture carbon dioxide and convert it to clean fuels, creating new jobs and economic opportunities in B.C.’s cleantech sector.
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Electric motorcycle company advancing clean technology
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 10:00 AM
B.C.’s Damon Motors Inc. is developing globally leading electric motorcycle technology that will advance clean transportation technology and create new jobs with support from the CleanBC Go Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization (ARC) program.
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Province launches comprehensive royalty review, releases independent assessment
Thursday, October 7, 2021 8:30 AM
The Province is launching a comprehensive review of B.C.’s decades-old oil and gas royalty system to ensure it is modernized, aligned with the government’s climate goals and provides a fair return for British Columbians.
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Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Conservation, culture at the heart of newly protected areas
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 10:35 AM
A new provincial park on southern Vancouver Island will soon be established to protect a vital ecosystem important to the Cowichan people, honouring Indigenous cultural and spiritual history, and aiding in the conservation of threatened species.
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New investments in BC Parks create more access to nature
Monday, October 4, 2021 9:30 AM
Millions of people headed out to B.C.’s provincial parks this year to experience the very best that nature has to offer.
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B.C. investing in renewable gas capture at Vancouver landfill
Monday, October 18, 2021 11:15 AM
Cleaner air, stronger communities and expanded economic opportunities will result from the latest CleanBC project, turning landfill emissions into renewable natural gas.
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Finance
Societies amendment act delivers greater flexibility, ensures transparency
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 1:50 PM
Legislation that will update and improve the legislative framework for the creation and governance of British Columbia societies has been introduced.
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Proof of vaccination for B.C. public service to increase workplace confidence, stop spread
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 11:15 AM
The B.C. government is supporting the effort to increase vaccination rates throughout the province by making COVID-19 vaccination a requirement for B.C. public service employees.
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PST refund extension saves businesses more money
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 2:45 PM
A StrongerBC program that refunds businesses the PST paid on select machinery and equipment will be extended for an additional six months.
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Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
B.C. wildfires: quick statistics
Friday, September 10, 2021 6:00 AM
The wildfire situation is continually evolving and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021.
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People asked to remain alert as fire season continues
Thursday, September 2, 2021 7:45 AM
Drought conditions and aggressive fire behaviour have contributed to this year’s extreme wildfire season.
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Wildlife management area closure expands near Okanagan Falls
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 11:00 AM
As of Oct. 15, 2021, areas within McTaggart-Cowan/nsək'łniw't wildlife management area (WMA) damaged by this year’s Thomas Creek fire have been closed to all public use.
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Health
Roll up your sleeves, B.C.: Influenza immunization prevents serious illness, deaths
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 11:25 AM
Translations
People in British Columbia are being encouraged to protect themselves and those around them against influenza this year by getting a flu shot.
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B.C. COVID-19 pandemic update
Monday, October 18, 2021 3:45 PM
Translations
As of Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, 89.2% (4,133,755) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.4% (3,865,096) received their second dose.
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COVID-19 capacity limits lifting as two-dose vaccine requirements begin
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 1:45 PM
On Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, full vaccination for everyone born in 2009 or earlier (12+) and presentation of your BC Vaccine Card will be required to access certain events, services and businesses.
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Enhancing Indigenous-led wellness supports for residential school survivors
Monday, September 27, 2021 1:15 PM
Indigenous service providers are receiving $1.5 million in provincial funding to address the urgent need for culturally safe and trauma-informed mental health and wellness supports for residential school survivors and Indigenous peoples as a result of the ongoing findings at former Indian Residential Schools.
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B.C., Blueberry River First Nations reach agreement on existing permits, restoration funding
Thursday, October 7, 2021 2:00 PM
Today, Blueberry River First Nations and the Province have reached an initial agreement that begins to support healing the land, and helps provide stability and certainty for forestry and oil and gas permit holders in Blueberry’s traditional territory in the immediate term.
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Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, B.C. reach milestone agreement to advance shared reconciliation work
Thursday, October 14, 2021 3:30 PM
Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Chief Moses Martin have signed the hisiikcumyin pathway agreement that will guide future reconciliation negotiations between B.C. and Tla-o-qui-aht on areas ranging from sustainable land stewardship to protection of cultural heritage.
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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 16 British Columbians
Monday, August 2, 2021 6:15 AM
Translations
Sixteen exceptional people will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition, Lt. Gov. Janet Austin, chancellor of the order, has announced.
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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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B.C. strengthening relationships at 2021 PNWER summit
Sunday, August 15, 2021 6:30 AM
Government and business leaders from British Columbia are participating in the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region’s (PNWER) 30th annual and first-ever hybrid summit, hosted from Big Sky, Mont., from Aug 15-19, 2021.
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Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Small Business Week kicks off; B.C. hits pandemic supports milestone
Monday, October 18, 2021 10:15 AM
Translations
Resilience, perseverance and innovation are the cornerstone of this year’s Small Business Week, Oct. 17-23.
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Province expands training opportunities for young British Columbians
Friday, October 8, 2021 10:15 AM
Translations
As many as 2,000 young British Columbians will have a chance to improve their tech skills and knowledge through the expansion of the Canadian Tech Accelerator program aimed at bringing more people into the province’s booming tech sector.
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Minister's statement on September Labour Force Survey results
Friday, October 8, 2021 8:47 AM
Translations
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for September 2021:
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Labour
Options for B.C.’s permanent paid sick leave available for comment
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 7:30 AM
Translations
British Columbians are invited to have their say on three proposed options for permanent paid sick leave shaped by their responses to the first phase of consultation.
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New rules protect young workers
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 2:30 PM
Translations
New changes to employment standards will better protect young people at work by raising the general working age in British Columbia from 12 to 16 and defining the types of jobs appropriate for those under 16.
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New health, safety rep appointed to WorkSafeBC’s board
Friday, October 15, 2021 8:30 AM
A new occupational health and safety representative, Judy Village, has been appointed to WorkSafeBC’s board of directors for a two-year term.
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Mental Health and Addictions
Funding strengthens B.C.’s system of substance-use treatment, recovery care
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 11:00 AM
Translations
A new investment in B.C.’s system of substance-use care will build up treatment and recovery services for people who need them in communities throughout the province.
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Free community counselling program helps spread hope, stop stigma
Sunday, October 10, 2021 8:30 AM
Translations
From an early age, Angela Reimer knew she wanted the kind of job where she could help people.
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B.C. improves access to addictions recovery
Tuesday, October 5, 2021 9:00 AM
People living with substance-use challenges will benefit from the Province’s renewed commitment to the BC Addiction Recovery Association (BCARA), making recovery possible and accessible.
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Municipal Affairs
Minister’s statement on Library Month
Saturday, October 2, 2021 9:45 AM
Translations
Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs, has released the following statement to mark October 2021 as Library Month:
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Communities to benefit from improved services, environmental infrastructure
Friday, October 8, 2021 9:00 AM
People in communities throughout British Columbia can look forward to better services and improved environmental infrastructure thanks to a $270-million partnership between the provincial and federal governments.
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Provincial support helps boost community literacy
Friday, September 17, 2021 10:00 AM
Translations
Children and their families throughout British Columbia will continue to benefit from local literacy programs with support from the annual Raise-a-Reader campaign Sept 17-24.
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Public Safety and Solicitor General
Grants focus on community safety: apply now
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 10:00 AM
Organizations throughout the province working on community safety initiatives are invited to apply to the 2021-22 Civil Forfeiture Crime Prevention and Remediation grant program.
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B.C. safeguards public health, retail liquor landscape
Monday, October 4, 2021 11:30 AM
Translations
The number of licensee retail stores (LRSs) in B.C. will not grow for another decade under a moratorium extension meant to protect public health and providing certainty for the liquor industry.
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Cannabis at three: B.C. grows legal industry, furthers safety
Friday, October 15, 2021 10:00 AM
The value of B.C.’s legal cannabis sector has more than quadrupled over the three years since Canada legalized non-medical cannabis.
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Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Jobs, skills-training project supports therapeutic market garden
Monday, September 27, 2021 11:00 AM
As many as eight eligible British Columbians will receive work experience and skill-enhancement courses as they develop and build a therapeutic market garden, thanks to a Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project.
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Jobs, skills training offered to male survivors of abuse
Tuesday, October 12, 2021 8:55 AM
As many as 12 eligible British Columbians will get skills training and work experience to prepare them for jobs as general construction workers and labourers.
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Early childhood education training leads to jobs in Nanaimo
Thursday, October 14, 2021 8:30 AM
Sixteen British Columbians are qualified and working as certified early childhood educators, thanks to a Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project from the Government of British Columbia.
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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
More children, youth will be able to get in the game
Saturday, September 18, 2021 10:00 AM
Translations
Thousands of children and youth will have the opportunity to be physically active through sport, thanks to the B.C. government’s historic investment in Sport BC.
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Olympian Evan Dunfee steps up his game for kids
Saturday, September 18, 2021 9:15 AM
B.C. athlete and Canadian Olympian Evan Dunfee is using his success as a bronze medal race walker to raise awareness of KidSport BC so every child can enjoy and reap the benefits of sport.
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Minister’s statement on B.C.'s Concussion Awareness Week
Monday, September 27, 2021 7:30 AM
Translations
Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, has released the following statement to recognize B.C.’s first Concussion Awareness Week from Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2021:
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Transportation and Infrastructure
Mandatory training will improve safety for commercial drivers
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 9:30 AM
Translations
Safer, more skilled commercial drivers will be travelling B.C. roads with the implementation of mandatory entry-level training (MELT) for new Class 1 commercial driver’s licence applicants.
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Kicking Horse Canyon project reaches first milestone
Friday, October 15, 2021 10:30 AM
The first concrete girders that will support the bridge deck have been installed for the new Sheep Bridge on Highway 1 in the Kicking Horse Canyon as work continues on improvements to the highway east of Golden.
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Improvements coming to intersections in Ladysmith
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 11:30 AM
Crews will soon begin work on two Ladysmith intersections to improve safety on the Trans-Canada Highway and to improve traffic flow for those travelling through the area.
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