BC Gov News

The failure of the tailings storage facility (TSF) at Mount Polley mine was a wakeup call, and not just for British Columbia but for the mining industry and governments throughout Canada and around the world.

Even in today’s challenging context for the mining industry, British Columbia has an excellent story to tell – mines continue being built in this province and B.C. has double the number of people employed in mining today than it did in 2001.

BC Hydro has among the lowest hydro rates in North America, and through the 10-Year Rates Plan is keeping rates predictable and low while BC Hydro makes record capital investments into aging infrastructure to provide safe, reliable power that is 100% clean and renewable.

The Columbia River Treaty is known throughout the world as one of the most successful models of a trans-boundary water treaty. B.C. is working closely with the Government of Canada to prepare for discussions with the United States to ensure British Columbians continue to benefit from the treaty.

The changes we have made to the mining code put British Columbia at the forefront of global standards for the safety of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) at mines operating in B.C.

The Clean Energy Vehicle Program is investing in vehicle incentives, charging and fuelling infrastructure, fleet support, public outreach and education to encourage more British Columbians to drive a zero-emission vehicle and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

British Columbia and Alaska share a lot of common interests that transcend borders, and a long history of working together.

BC Hydro is investing, on average, $2 billion per year to refurbish and replace aging infrastructure and expand the electricity system to meet increasing demand for power driven by British Columbia’s growing population and economy.

Last week, the federal government began a conversation with Canadians about a national clean-fuel standard that will help Canadians meet our national greenhouse gas emissions commitments. I'm guessing 99 per cent of everyone reading this will not know that the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement a clean fuel standard is us, you and I, British Columbia.

On Aug. 4, 2014, a large and unprecedented breach occurred at the Mount Polley Mine tailings storage facility. Government took immediate steps to respond, addressing health and safety concerns and initiating three investigations.