Labour

Office of the Premier

B.C. moves to ban drug use in public spaces, taking more steps to keep people safe

April 26, 2024 1:25 PM

B.C. is taking action to make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks.
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New agritech plant anchors B.C.’s industrial blueprint

April 23, 2024 10:16 AM

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Agriculture and Food

Province strengthens drought preparedness

March 18, 2024 10:11 AM

Hundreds of B.C. farmers will be better equipped to deal with drought with supports to help manage, collect and store water for crops and livestock.
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B.C. vineyards, orchards receive help to replant for changing climate

March 13, 2024 1:30 PM

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Attorney General

New legislation aims to remove systemic barriers for Indigenous, racialized people

April 11, 2024 1:22 PM

Image of graphic with pencils in a row. Text reads: "Breaking down racial barriers to accessing services"

Indigenous and racialized people in B.C. will face fewer barriers when accessing public programs and services with new legislation aimed at removing systemic racism from provincial institutions.
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B.C. acts to protect kids, school staff from disruptive protests

April 10, 2024 2:20 PM

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Children and Family Development

Expanded eligibility, new supports available for current, former youth in care

April 4, 2024 12:30 PM

With an expansion of eligibility criteria, more than 9,000 current and former youth in care will have access to essential financial, housing, educational, medical and cultural supports.
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New position expedites progress on Indigenous child welfare

March 7, 2024 11:30 AM

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Citizens' Services

Governments of Canada and British Columbia working together to bring high-speed Internet to more than 7,500 households

April 4, 2024 11:50 AM

From Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2024/03/governments-of-canada-and-british-columbia-working-together-to-bring-high-speed-internet-to-more-than-7500-households.html
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Michael McEvoy to serve as interim information and privacy commissioner

April 1, 2024 1:00 PM

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Education and Child Care

B.C. takes action to improve literacy for students

April 16, 2024 10:13 AM

More support for early screening and interventions will help students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities be more successful.
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More spaces coming for elementary students in Burnaby

April 17, 2024 1:30 PM

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Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

Stronger local-disaster response will keep people safer

April 18, 2024 2:30 PM

Three emergency responders in yellow vests working at computers in a control room with a banner reading "building stronger local emergency response"

People in approximately 100 communities will be safer during emergencies with provincial funding that will better equip local governments and First Nations to respond to emergencies.
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More than $26 million invested in disaster mitigation infrastructure improvements across British Columbia

April 11, 2024 3:40 PM

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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

BC Hydro issues call for new clean electricity to power B.C.’s future

April 3, 2024 12:15 PM

Graphic with image showing adult and child walking into home, and an EV plugged in in the foreground.

BC Hydro has launched a call for power to ensure that people and businesses will have the clean, affordable electricity needed to power B.C.’s growing economy and create jobs throughout the province.
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New legislation ensures B.C. benefits from clean, affordable electricity

April 11, 2024 10:25 AM

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Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Working together to preserve the natural beauty of Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park

April 25, 2024 8:00 AM

A partnership between BC Parks, Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua for Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park will maintain a protective balance between supporting the growing number of people who want to visit this summer, and sustainably conserving the natural and cultural values that make the land special.
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More climate-action funding coming to communities throughout B.C.

April 18, 2024 10:30 AM

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Finance

Budget 2024: Taking action for people, families in B.C.

February 22, 2024 1:45 PM

Budget 2024 takes on the big challenges people are facing today by helping with everyday costs, delivering more homes faster, strengthening health care and services, and building a stronger, cleaner economy.
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Climate action tax credit helps people with everyday costs

April 4, 2024 2:30 PM

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Forests

B.C. plants its 10-billionth tree

April 15, 2024 2:45 PM

B.C. is celebrating the 10-billionth tree planted since reforestation programs began in 1930, with two billion of those trees planted in the past seven years.
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B.C. continues investments to support forest sector

April 12, 2024 1:30 PM

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Health

B.C. moves to ban drug use in public spaces, taking more steps to keep people safe

April 26, 2024 1:25 PM

B.C. is taking action to make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks.
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Urgent and primary care centre opens in Chilliwack

April 19, 2024 1:30 PM

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Housing

B.C. builders can now use mass timber in taller buildings

April 10, 2024 9:50 AM

Photo of interior of a mass timber building.

Updates to the BC Building Code will benefit people in the building and housing sectors with the expanded use of mass timber in taller buildings, as well as schools, libraries and retail.
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More than 70 temporary housing units will open in Chilliwack

April 15, 2024 10:15 AM

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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Historic B.C. legislation introduced recognizing Haida Aboriginal title

April 22, 2024 2:16 PM

A historic piece of legislation that recognizes the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii, and the first to recognize Aboriginal title in Canadian history, was introduced to the B.C. legislative assembly on Monday, April 22, 2024.
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Working together to preserve the natural beauty of Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park

April 25, 2024 8:00 AM

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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

Throne speech lays out vision of a stronger B.C. that works better for people

February 20, 2024 2:30 PM

Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin opened the final session of the 42nd Parliament by delivering the speech from the throne, laying out the B.C. government’s vision for a stronger province that works better for people.
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Province honours people providing extraordinary community service

January 3, 2024 11:00 AM

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Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

New agritech plant anchors B.C.’s industrial blueprint

April 23, 2024 10:16 AM

A new state-of-the-art milk production plant and more jobs in the agrifood sector are coming to the Fraser Valley to help meet growing demand for dairy products.
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Funding will strengthen rural Kootenay economies

April 20, 2024 12:30 PM

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2024 minimum wage increases confirmed

April 22, 2024 12:35 PM

Increases to the upcoming minimum wage rates for 2024 have been confirmed through an order in council, following legislative changes that ensure these wages keep pace with inflation.
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Minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s statement on Construction and Skilled Trades Month

April 2, 2024 9:00 AM

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Mental Health and Addictions

B.C. moves to ban drug use in public spaces, taking more steps to keep people safe

April 26, 2024 1:25 PM

B.C. is taking action to make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks.
Read More

Mental-health, addiction supports for youth expand in the Interior

April 17, 2024 11:00 AM

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Municipal Affairs

Expanding multi-language support, services for newcomers

March 28, 2024 9:30 AM

Newcomers to British Columbia will have more help getting started in their new communities with expanded services and a new online multi-language information hub.
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Construction underway on Cowichan Sportsplex Field House

March 18, 2024 9:40 AM

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Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

New legislation recognizes work of First Nations post-secondary institutes

April 9, 2024 10:19 AM

New legislation supports First Nations post-secondary education

The work of First Nations to provide post-secondary education to their communities will be supported by ongoing funding provided under new legislation, reflecting the integral role of First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes as a key pillar of B.C.’s post-secondary education system.
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TradeUpBC builds, enhances tradespeoples’ skills

April 5, 2024 10:15 AM

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Public Safety and Solicitor General

B.C. moves to ban drug use in public spaces, taking more steps to keep people safe

April 26, 2024 1:25 PM

B.C. is taking action to make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks.
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Province reaches major milestone in Surrey police transition plan

April 23, 2024 12:45 PM

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Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Budget 2024 supports improvements to treatment, recovery services

March 12, 2024 9:23 AM

Image: A man talks to a doctor in a treatment room. Graphic text: New funding enhances care for mental health and addiction recovery.

The Province is significantly increasing the funding many service providers rely on to deliver thousands of registered or licensed treatment and recovery beds throughout B.C. as part of Budget 2024.
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Changes aim to help people out of poverty

March 5, 2024 10:20 AM

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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Engagement launched for Canadians of South Asian Heritages museum

April 2, 2024 8:45 AM

People in British Columbia now have multiple new ways to contribute to the vision for the first-of-its-kind cultural museum celebrating Canadians of South Asian heritages and their contributions to the success of the province.
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Historic water bomber destined for wildfire aviation exhibit

March 28, 2024 12:30 PM

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Transportation and Infrastructure

Province, YVR work together to support good jobs, fight pollution

March 21, 2024 11:50 AM

A partnership aimed at fighting pollution in the aviation sector, growing investment and supporting clean, sustainable jobs and business opportunities for people in British Columbia has been made between the B.C. government and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
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Airport improvements support services, growth for communities

April 2, 2024 7:00 AM

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Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Province supports new weir to keep Cowichan River flowing

March 22, 2024 9:15 AM

B.C. is taking an important step forward in drought preparedness by supporting a new Cowichan Lake weir, ensuring the Cowichan River continues to flow and provide a safe and reliable water supply for people, businesses, the environment and wildlife.
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Province strengthens flood defences, protecting people, communities

March 21, 2024 9:15 AM

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Labour

2024 minimum wage increases confirmed

Monday, April 22, 2024 12:35 PM

Increases to the upcoming minimum wage rates for 2024 have been confirmed through an order in council, following legislative changes that ensure these wages keep pace with inflation.

Minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s statement on Construction and Skilled Trades Month

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 9:00 AM

Image of construction and trades workers facing the camera. Skilled Trades. Construction.

Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, and Janet Routledge, Parliamentary Secretary for Labour, have released the following statement in recognition of Construction and Skilled Trades Month:

Federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers discuss key challenges facing workers in Canada

Friday, April 5, 2024 5:10 PM

From Employment and Social Development Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2024/04/federal-provincial-and-territorial-labour-ministers-discuss-key-challenges-facing-workers-in-canada.html

Minimum wage increases to $17.40 an hour on June 1

Monday, February 26, 2024 1:55 PM

Translations

Minimum wage increases to $17.40 an hour on June 1

B.C.’s lowest-paid workers will get a pay raise when the general minimum wage increases from $16.75 to $17.40 per hour on June 1, 2024.

Premier’s, minister’s statement on fatal crane incident

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:59 PM

Premier David Eby and Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, have released the following statement regarding the fatal construction crane incident on Feb. 21, 2024:

WorkSafeBC’s board of directors welcomes two new members

Monday, February 5, 2024 11:05 AM

Translations

Two new directors have been appointed to WorkSafeBC’s governance board.

Minister’s statement on the Metro Vancouver transit dispute

Thursday, February 1, 2024 4:45 PM

Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement on the Metro Vancouver transit dispute:

Panel appointed to review Labour Relations Code

Thursday, February 1, 2024 8:30 AM

Translations

An independent panel has been appointed to review and provide recommendations for potential amendments to the Labour Relations Code (LRC).

Minister’s statement on Metro Vancouver transit labour dispute

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 10:30 AM

Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement regarding the Metro Vancouver transit labour dispute:

Return-to-work requirements for injured workers come into effect Jan. 1

Friday, December 29, 2023 9:30 AM

Translations

New rules to ensure workers can return to a job following a workplace injury come into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Minimum rates increase on Jan. 1 for farm workers who hand harvest crops

Thursday, December 28, 2023 9:00 AM

Translations

Minimum piece rates for hand harvesting of specified farm crops will increase by 6.9% on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.

Asbestos licensing, certification required by Jan. 1, 2024

Wednesday, December 27, 2023 9:15 AM

Translations

New rules to enhance safety for workers doing asbestos removal, transportation and disposal will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Three reappointments made to WorkSafeBC board

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 8:45 AM

Translations

Three directors have been reappointed to WorkSafeBC’s governance board.

Legislative changes will bring fairness to app-based gig workers

Monday, November 20, 2023 10:55 AM

Translations

App-based ride-hailing and food-delivery gig workers will soon have better working conditions, thanks to new legislation that was introduced.

Fairness coming for gig workers

Thursday, November 16, 2023 1:15 PM

Translations

Taking action to improve working conditions for app-based gig workers

App-based ride-hailing and food-delivery gig workers will soon have better working conditions with new protections, including basic employment standards.

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Media Contacts

Brad Spencer

Direct: 250-213-8637
Cell: 250-213-8637

Brad.Spencer@gov.bc.ca

Alternate: Carol Morrison

Direct: 250-883-2951
Cell: 250-883-2951

Carol.Morrison@gov.bc.ca

Labour

Honourable Harry Bains

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