News by Ministry
Office of the Premier
Supports for people, businesses in 2020 helping build recovery for everyone
By taking action to support people and businesses impacted by the global pandemic, Premier John Horgan and the B.C. government have begun building a strong economic recovery that includes everyone in British Columbia.
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Advanced Education and Skills Training
Here2Talk offers students free 24-7 mental health help during the holidays
This holiday season is challenging for everyone, and post-secondary students have a free, 24-7 counselling and referral service available to them through Here2Talk.
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Mental-health supports for post-secondary students
As post-secondary students hit the books this fall, the Here2Talk mental-health counselling and referral service is available 24/7 to provide support to students who need it.
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Province invests in mass timber project for new student housing
Students attending the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in the coming years will have access to hundreds of new, affordable and environmentally friendly on-campus housing beds.
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Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
COVID-19 recovery programs to support farmers
Two new programs, and increased support for a third one, will help improve food security and build a stronger economy following COVID-19.
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Farmers Information Service opens to help farmers in the Peace
The Farmers Information Service (FIS) has opened to help farmers and other landowners in the Peace River Regional District navigate their interactions with the oil and gas industry.
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Land matching program reaches milestone
More than 100 farmers in the province have started growing crops and raising livestock on more than 2,023 hectares (5,000 acres) of farmland since 2016 through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP).
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Attorney General
Attorney general’s statement on Cullen Commission interim report
David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, has released the following statement in response to the interim report from the Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia:
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New Abbotsford Law Courts set to open
Located in one of B.C.’s fastest-growing regions, the recently completed Abbotsford Law Courts will open in the new year.
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26 lawyers appointed as Queen’s counsel
Twenty-six British Columbians are being honoured with the Queen’s counsel (QC) designation for their contributions to B.C.’s justice system through their work as lawyers.
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Children and Family Development
Fee cap keeps new child care spaces affordable
A cap on fees for new child care facilities receiving the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) will help keep new child care spaces affordable for B.C. families.
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Nominations open for Child Care Awards of Excellence
Starting Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, British Columbians can nominate early care and learning (ECL) professionals who have gone above and beyond to keep kids safe and learning despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Top baby names in British Columbia for 2020
The race for the top baby name in British Columbia in 2020 has come to a close, and Olivia once again has taken the lead for the most popular name for babies born this year.
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Citizens' Services
New directives enhance access to information
More government information is being proactively provided online to make it easier for people in B.C. to access more types of the records they need.
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Builder chosen for replacement jail, jobs coming to Nanaimo
Hundreds of local construction jobs are coming to the mid-island as Stuart Olson Construction Ltd. was selected as the design-build team for the new Nanaimo Correctional Centre.
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Education
Increased funding supports students, keeps schools safe
Budget 2020 ensures B.C.’s education system will have the highest school district operating and capital funding ever to support students.
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K-12 COVID-19 funding used to hire new staff, increase cleaning
School districts are investing in additional staff time and cleaning to keep schools safe and support student learning with the first instalment of federal funding for B.C.’s K-12 COVID-19 response.
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New Westminster students benefiting from new school
The wait is over for students in New Westminster who have begun the New Year in a new, modern, engaging and inspiring secondary school that will benefit the community now and in the future.
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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
Province doubles CleanBC home energy retrofit rebates
The Province is doubling CleanBC Better Homes retrofit rebates for select home-heating and energy-efficiency upgrades to support B.C.’s economic recovery and help British Columbians save on energy costs.
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Province increases CleanBC rebates for commercial EVs
B.C. businesses wanting to reduce air pollution and save on fuel costs can access more in provincial rebates through the CleanBC Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive (SUVI) and Commercial Vehicle Pilot (CVP) programs.
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Farmers Information Service opens to help farmers in the Peace
The Farmers Information Service (FIS) has opened to help farmers and other landowners in the Peace River Regional District navigate their interactions with the oil and gas industry.
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Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Province acquires land for 16 provincial parks, two protected areas
As more people are experiencing the benefits of outdoor recreation than ever before, there will be more opportunities to get outside through a proposed expansion to B.C.’s park system.
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Province doubles CleanBC home energy retrofit rebates
The Province is doubling CleanBC Better Homes retrofit rebates for select home-heating and energy-efficiency upgrades to support B.C.’s economic recovery and help British Columbians save on energy costs.
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New composting facility for Tla’amin Nation, qathet Regional District
A new organics processing facility will produce Class A compost, support agriculture and food security for the Tla’amin Nation, service the qathet Regional District and Powell River, and provide new jobs and economic opportunities.
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Finance
Home Owner Grant threshold set for 2021 tax year
The 2021 Home Owner Grant threshold is set at $1.625 million, ensuring the same percentage of British Columbia homeowners continue to be eligible.
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Fiscal update shows continued impact of pandemic on B.C.’s economy
The Fall 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update confirms the forecasted provincial deficit at $13.6 billion, which includes an additional $2 billion for new COVID-19 supports for British Columbians through B.C.’s Recovery Benefit and Recovery Supplement.
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SVT expands rental options for British Columbians
Data collected from the second year of the speculation and vacancy tax (SVT) year show the tax is working to increase the long-term rental housing supply.
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Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Fund helps forest sector with COVID-19 costs
The province is delivering relief to small- and medium-sized forestry businesses for the extra costs of keeping their employees and communities safe, while operating through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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High-speed internet benefits people in rural and Indigenous communities
Thousands more people in rural and Indigenous communities are benefiting from improved high-speed internet thanks to provincial investments in connectivity infrastructure projects.
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Smoke from pile burning to be visible in Summerland area
Up to 60 piles of woody debris will be burned within the Antlers Saddle Conservation Land area of Garnet Valley over the next few months to help reduce wildfire risk in the area.
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Health
Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates

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 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:
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Adding surgeries for patients: Catching up from COVID-19
As of Nov. 22, 2020, 90% of patients who had their surgery postponed during the first wave of COVID-19 were able to have their surgery completed through B.C.’s commitment to surgical renewal.
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Joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, latest updates
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 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Province returns traditional territory to Tsartlip First Nation
The Tsartlip First Nation took possession of the former Woodwynn Farm property on the Saanich Peninsula on Dec. 16, 2020, after the provincial government and Tsartlip signed a historic agreement to transfer the land to the Nation.
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More support for friendship centres benefits urban Indigenous peoples during pandemic
Indigenous peoples living in urban areas are receiving increased supports to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through new provincial funding for friendship centres throughout B.C.
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Community-led projects give voice to Indigenous women to end violence
The Province is supporting Indigenous communities and organizations to end gender-based violence through 20 unique projects that support and collaborate with Indigenous women and girls throughout B.C.
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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
Four projects benefit from French-language funding
The Province has announced that it is partnering with four non-profit organizations to support projects that directly benefit British Columbia’s francophone community.
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B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 13 British Columbians
Thirteen 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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Order of British Columbia membership terminated
David Sidoo’s membership in the Order of British Columbia was terminated on Friday, June 12, 2020.
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Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
Grant program now accessible to more B.C. businesses
The B.C. government has enhanced the Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program to make it easier for businesses to qualify and has increased support for those in the hard-hit tourism sector.
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Minister's statement on December Labour Force Survey results
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economy Recovery and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for December 2020:
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Ministers’ statement on joining the fight to support B.C.’s blueberry farmers
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, and Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, have issued the following statement in response to the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC) global safeguard investigations into the imports of blueberries.
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Labour
Temporary layoff extensions protect thousands of jobs
The Province has protected jobs and workers impacted by COVID-19 with an online variance application that simplified the process to extend temporary layoffs, resulting in the approval of more than 500 variances that protect more than 9,100 jobs across a variety of economic sectors.
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WorkSafeBC guidelines support safe reopening of businesses
As British Columbia prepares to enter Phase 2 of its economic restart plan, the Province welcomes the release of the initial set of WorkSafeBC guidelines that will help businesses and organizations develop their plans to reopen safely in the coming days and weeks.
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Engaging on successorship practices in forestry sector
The Ministry of Labour will begin a focused engagement with stakeholders about contract tendering in B.C.’s forestry sector to identify improvements that will support the long-term stability of jobs and economic recovery in the sector.
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Mental Health and Addictions
Caring for your mental health this holiday season more important than ever
Minister’s statement on illicit drug toxicity deaths report
Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s latest monthly report on illicit drug toxicity deaths for November 2020:
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New grants to help rural, remote and Indigenous communities combat overdose crisis
People living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities will have access to more supports to prevent and respond to overdoses with the announcement of $1.3 million in funding to support overdose response and awareness in communities across B.C.
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Municipal Affairs
New infrastructure funding to support COVID-19 response, recovery
The Province is accepting applications from local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit organizations for nearly $136 million in infrastructure grants to help communities develop resilience in response to COVID-19.
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Provincial grants funding community arts, culture, sports
British Columbians will benefit from a wide range of arts, cultural and sports programs for people of all ages with more than $45 million distributed to local organizations this year through provincial Community Gaming Grants.
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Extracurricular funding granted to 1,300 school advisory councils
School groups throughout the province are receiving funding to ensure extracurricular activities will be available when students can safely participate, thanks to more than $11 million in Community Gaming Grants.
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Public Safety and Solicitor General
Province expands COVID-19 enforcement measures
The Province is expanding provincial COVID-19 ticket enforcement and workplace safety measures to keep British Columbians safe, as well as mitigate the effects on health-care systems, communities and the economy in the ongoing government response to COVID-19.
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Drug toxicity deaths continue to surpass records in B.C.
In the midst of dual public health emergencies, the BC Coroners Service continues to urge extreme caution due to the increasingly toxic illicit drug supply in British Columbia.
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Province makes changes to simplify, clarify emergency orders
The Province is fine-tuning compliance and enforcement provisions for orders on face coverings, gatherings and events, and food and liquor serving premises.
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Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Poverty reduction strategy sets a solid foundation
TogetherBC: British Columbia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy 2019 Annual Report was tabled by the legislature on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, and is available to the public.
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More than five people a day dying from drug toxicity: BC Coroners Service
The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to Oct. 31, 2020, with 162 illicit drug toxicity deaths reported in October.
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New spaces open for vulnerable people in Williams Lake
To support people experiencing homelessness who need a safe, secure place to stay in Williams Lake, the Province is partnering with the Cariboo Friendship Society to open a temporary Emergency Response Centre (ERC).
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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Helping artists adapt during the pandemic
Professional artists and others who work in the arts can get more support to help with challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic though a new grant program.
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B.C. commits $105 million to support tourism sector
The Government of British Columbia is responding to the recommendations of the Tourism Task Force by creating a dedicated relief funding stream to quickly support people and businesses in B.C.’s tourism sector.
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Transportation and Infrastructure
Port investment to create jobs, spark economic recovery
People who live and work in northern B.C. will benefit from a provincial investment of $25 million that will improve and expand operations at the Port of Prince Rupert.
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New bridge coming as part of Highway 1 four-laning project
People travelling on the Trans-Canada Highway between Glacier National Park and Golden will see work start this spring to replace the bridge crossing at Quartz Creek.
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Traffic signal controllers being installed in Kamloops
Drivers can expect delays next week on Highway 1 in Kamloops as traffic controllers will be replaced at three intersections in order to provide more efficient signal timing through the busy corridor.
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