News by Ministry
Office of the Premier
New cabinet ready to deliver on the priorities of British Columbians
Premier David Eby has appointed a new cabinet that is ready to listen to British Columbians and deliver on the core challenges people are facing – a team that combines years of experience and fresh perspectives from outside of government.
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Premier’s statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Transgender Day of Remembrance:
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Agriculture and Food
B.C. farmers getting more support to grow food using tech
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.
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B.C. strengthens tree-fruit sector, protects growers, workers
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.
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B.C. farmers get help building more resilient, sustainable practices
Farmers and ranchers are receiving additional assistance to prepare for, adapt to and lessen the impacts of climate change so they can better protect their farms and livestock and continue growing food for people in B.C.
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Attorney General
Groups targeting racism can now apply for grants
Community-based organizations across B.C. can now apply for grants to support projects that tackle racial inequity and foster inter-cultural understanding in the province.
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B.C. releases progress report on online safety efforts
The Province has published a progress report that summarizes an effort that brought together government and technology companies to find new ways to help people, especially kids and young adults, have safe experiences online.
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B.C. appoints two new judges to Provincial Court
The Government of British Columbia has appointed two new judges to the Provincial Court to support consistent and timely access to justice.
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Children and Family Development
Province takes new direction for vulnerable children, families
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.
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New accord on child well-being signed by First Nations Leadership Council, Province
The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) and the Province have signed a child well-being accord that recommits how the parties work together to support First Nations children and families.
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Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations reach historic agreement with Canada and British Columbia to support First Nations-led child and family services
From Indigenous Services Canada: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/gwa-sala-nakwaxda-xw-nations-reach-historic-agreement-with-canada-and-british-columbia-to-support-first-nations-led-child-and-family-services-896454858.html
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Citizens' Services
Rural connectivity benefits people, economy
A new report by BC Stats has found that connecting underserved rural and remote communities to high-speed internet brings significant economic benefits to people throughout British Columbia.
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Government collaboration will further enhance cybersecurity
As part of British Columbia’s ongoing work to protect government information systems, the Province is entering an agreement with the Government of Canada to enhance collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre).
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High-speed internet service available on Digby Island
People on Digby Island now have reliable high-speed internet access, unlocking better, faster access to digital services and opportunities.
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Education and Child Care
Further expansion of $10-a-day child care will benefit B.C. families
Starting on Oct. 1, 2024, applications will be accepted from child care providers to join the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program, which will create more low-cost child care options for families throughout B.C.
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Province approves two more Langley schools, addition opens for students
Funding for a new secondary and middle school, on top of a recently completed school addition, will provide approximately 3,000 student spaces for families in the growing Langley community.
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Construction underway for New Westminster elementary school expansion
Students and families of Queen Elizabeth Elementary will benefit from more classrooms with an addition now under construction.
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Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
B.C. improving community resilience through climate adaptation
To better protect people and improve community defences against climate change, the Province is providing funding to communities across British Columbia for disaster risk resilience and climate-adaptation projects.
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Public notifications and evacuation route planning will strengthen community safety
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.
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Emergency alert test coming to cellphones, TV, radio
At 1:55 p.m. (Pacific time) on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, a test of the National Public Alerting System will occur to improve public safety in the event of an emergency.
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Energy and Climate Solutions
BC Hydro receives strong response to call for clean electricity to power economy
BC Hydro has received a strong response to its call for new renewable power-generation projects while it continues to build out and strengthen B.C.’s electricity grid, creating jobs and supporting clean growth in communities such as Vancouver.
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Retrofitting buildings will save people money on energy bills
The Province has launched a new program to support whole-building retrofits for apartments, condominums and co-ops, helping make homes more comfortable and reducing energy bills.
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Minister’s statement on the restart of operations at Quintette Mine in Tumbler Ridge
Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, has released the following statement in celebration of the restart of operations at Quintette Mine in Tumbler Ridge:
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Environment and Parks
Thousands of New EV Chargers Across Canada Will Support Canadians’ Green Transportation Choices
From Natural Resources Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2024/09/thousands-of-new-ev-chargers-across-canada-will-support-canadians-green-transportation-choices.html
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B.C. funding new ways to reduce plastic waste in communities
More B.C. businesses and organizations are receiving funding to provide innovative solutions to recycle and reuse plastic while supporting jobs for people throughout British Columbia.
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Check BC Parks website before visiting Juan de Fuca park
Parts of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park are closed due to recent heavy rain, wind and flooding in the south coast region, which caused significant damage to several areas and infrastructure throughout the park.
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Finance
Province commits to early pensions for wildfire fighters
B.C. is negotiating earlier pensions for wildland firefighters helping align their benefits with those of other public-safety occupations while they protect communities from increasingly challenging wildfire activity.
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Enhanced support available for intimate partner, sexual violence survivors
More survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual violence will soon have access to more accessible support and counselling services.
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Delegation heads to California to promote, grow B.C.’s film, TV industry
A delegation from British Columbia is arriving in Los Angeles to highlight the advantages of partnering with the film and TV industry on Canada’s West Coast and to explore the benefits of staging productions in B.C.
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Forests
Province commits to early pensions for wildfire fighters
B.C. is negotiating earlier pensions for wildland firefighters helping align their benefits with those of other public-safety occupations while they protect communities from increasingly challenging wildfire activity.
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Sustainable forest-sector manufacturing jobs coming
New support for forest-sector manufacturers throughout the province will create jobs, strengthen local economies and promote the transition to high-value, made-in-B.C. forestry products.
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B.C. presents strong, unified front in Washington softwood hearings
Senior representatives from the British Columbia Lumber Trade Council (BCLTC) and officials from the Government of British Columbia met in Washington, D.C., this week for four days of critical hearings for the long-standing softwood lumber dispute.
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Health
Better patient care, more nurses coming to B.C.
Patients will experience improved care and nurses will experience a stronger health-care system as the Province and BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) have now established nurse-to-patient ratios for the majority of hospital settings.
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B.C. connecting thousands of people to family doctors quicker than ever
More than 248,000 people have been connected to a family doctor or nurse practitioner since the Health Connect Registry launched provincewide in July 2023.
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First presumptive positive case of H5 avian influenza detected in B.C.
An individual in British Columbia has tested presumptive positive for avian influenza (also known as bird flu) caused by the H5 influenza virus, the first detection of avian influenza due to the H5 virus in a person in B.C.
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Housing and Municipal Affairs
Partnership between MST Nations, Province will help thousands own their first home in Vancouver
Thousands of first-time home buyers will have the opportunity to purchase a home at an initial 40% below market value at the Heather Lands in Vancouver, made possible through an innovative financing initiative envisioned by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) (MST) Nations delivered in partnership with the Province.
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More than 1,600 new homes on the way for Indigenous people
Indigenous people on and off reserve in B.C. will have access to approximately 1,600 new affordable rental homes through partnerships between the Province, through BC Housing, and Indigenous non-profit housing providers.
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Indoor shelter spaces opening for winter
People experiencing homelessness in British Columbia will have access to warm, safe indoor spaces as winter weather arrives.
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Partnership between MST Nations, Province will help thousands own their first home in Vancouver
Thousands of first-time home buyers will have the opportunity to purchase a home at an initial 40% below market value at the Heather Lands in Vancouver, made possible through an innovative financing initiative envisioned by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) (MST) Nations delivered in partnership with the Province.
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Funding supports community healing in northern B.C.
Indigenous women and girls in northern B.C. will receive increased community-led support through $1 million from the Giving Voice project.
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Funding supports community healing on Vancouver Island
Indigenous women and girls on Vancouver Island will receive increased community-led support through $1 million from the Giving Voice project.
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Infrastructure
Contract awarded for final phase of Kicking Horse Canyon Project
The contract to design and build the fourth and final phase of the Kicking Horse Canyon Project near Golden has been finalized and formally awarded to Kicking Horse Canyon Constructors (KHCC).
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Watch for deer: rutting season is here
Drivers are advised to be watchful of deer, elk and moose while travelling along roads and highways throughout B.C., as rutting season increases these animals’ activity.
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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
Outstanding individuals honoured with Coronation Medal
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was awarded to outstanding individuals in British Columbia during a ceremony with the lieutenant governor.
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35 years of excellence: 12 outstanding individuals honoured
Twelve individuals who exemplify excellence have been appointed to the Order of British Columbia in this special anniversary year.
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Books of condolences available for former premier John Horgan
Members of the public are invited to share messages of sympathy in memory of John Horgan, British Columbia’s 36th premier.
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Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
Sustainable forest-sector manufacturing jobs coming
New support for forest-sector manufacturers throughout the province will create jobs, strengthen local economies and promote the transition to high-value, made-in-B.C. forestry products.
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New manufacturing jobs coming to Lower Mainland
New support for manufacturing businesses in the Lower Mainland will create jobs and promote the development of made-in-B.C. products while strengthening local economies and communities.
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New manufacturing jobs coming to the Kootenays
New support for manufacturing businesses in the Kootenays will create jobs, promote the development of made-in-B.C. products, and strengthen local economies and communities.
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Labour
Fair pay, basic protections coming for gig workers
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.
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Flush toilets coming to B.C. construction sites
Construction workers can soon say goodbye to unsanitary portable toilets on most construction sites and say hello to cleaner flush toilets.
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Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
More health-profession students will train at new UBC facility in Surrey
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.
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B.C. taking action to prevent overdoses, make students safer on campus
The Province is moving forward with new guidelines to protect students and reduce the risks and harms of toxic-drug poisonings.
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New micro-credential program helps boost B.C. rural, remote economic development
A new micro-credential program at North Island College (NIC) will help people living in rural and Indigenous communities build relevant skillsets to foster economic growth in their communities.
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Public Safety and Solicitor General
Province launches secure care for people with brain injury, mental illness, severe addiction
The Province is taking action to make sure people with long-term concurrent mental-health and addiction challenges get secure and dignified care by opening highly secure facilities for people under the Mental Health Act throughout the province, as well as secure treatment within BC Corrections.
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Intervention circle offers culturally sensitive supports, enhances safety in Witset
The Witset First Nation is implementing an intervention circle to provide culturally appropriate supports for people at risk of entering the justice system and help build a stronger, safer and healthier community.
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People urged to be prepared, stay safe this Halloween
As Halloween approaches, the Province is reminding parents and caregivers to be on alert and check all candy and treats their kids receive to ensure no cannabis products were accidently handed out.
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Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Government taking action to help people out of poverty
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.
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Community funding boost makes more free, healthy food available
More people have better access to healthy and nutritious food, thanks to provincial funding that is supporting food infrastructure projects throughout British Columbia.
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Provincial exemption means people in B.C. will keep full Canada Disability Benefit
British Columbia continues to take action to help people with the cost of living by deciding that people receiving disability assistance can keep all of the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).
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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Province continues support for fairs, festivals, events
B.C.-based events are receiving more government support for sustained recovery in response to calls from this sector for help.
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Historic water bomber destined for wildfire aviation exhibit
The Province is supporting the preservation of a historic piece of B.C.’s aviation history to ensure its story can be shared with residents and visitors for generations to come.
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Delegation heads to California to promote, grow B.C.’s film, TV industry
A delegation from British Columbia is arriving in Los Angeles to highlight the advantages of partnering with the film and TV industry on Canada’s West Coast and to explore the benefits of staging productions in B.C.
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Transportation and Transit
Hundreds of new homes, amenities near transit coming to Surrey
Hundreds of new homes and space for amenities such as grocery stores and child care near transit are coming soon as plans for the future site of the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project move forward.
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Riding, rolling, strolling toward healthier communities
Communities throughout British Columbia are invited to make active transportation an even better option for people to get around.
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Debris, downed trees prompt travel advisory for Vancouver Island highways
A significant fall storm is impacting Vancouver Island. Downed power lines, debris and fallen trees have resulted in multiple highway closures on the island.
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Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
New self-registration system for Sunshine Coast dock, boathouse owners goes live
A new self-registration system is now available for private dock and boathouse owners in the marine area of the shíshálh swiya, offering a simple way to secure temporary authorization for existing structures.
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Ministers’ statement on new partnership to better protect bears, communities
George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, have released the following statement about a new partnership between the Province and the Grizzly Bear Foundation aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflicts and enhancing the well-being of grizzly and black bears in the province:
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B.C., ‘Na̲mg̲is endorse Gwa’ni land-use planning recommendations
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.
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