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close menu Office of the Premier

Upgrades secure drinking water system in Prince Rupert

March 17, 2023 9:38 AM
Upgrades secure drinking water system in Prince Rupert
The Province is providing $65 million to the City of Prince Rupert to replace crucial sections of its aging water-distribution system to ensure reliable water service for the community.
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B.C. supports stable, expanded transit services in Metro Vancouver

March 15, 2023 1:20 PM
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close menu Agriculture and Food

Historic investment in food security supports British Columbians

March 7, 2023 10:55 AM
Historic investment in food security supports British Columbians
The Province is investing more than $200 million in food security to ensure people have better access to an increased supply of affordable, local food.   
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Farmers, ranchers, processors supported by new Canada-B.C. partnership

March 15, 2023 9:00 AM
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New legislation will help protect against sharing of intimate images without consent

March 6, 2023 3:00 PM
Sharing intimate images without consent is wrong
To better protect people from the harmful effects of having their intimate images shared without their consent and improve access to justice for survivors of sexualized violence, the Province is introducing the intimate images protection act. 
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Amendments will fight disinformation, make elections more accessible

March 2, 2023 10:15 AM
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close menu Children and Family Development

Access to post-secondary education expanded for former youth in care

March 14, 2023 10:15 AM
Expanding access to post-secondary education and skills training for former youth in care
Former youth in care in B.C. of all ages will have their tuition waived for post-secondary education as government takes action to remove age requirements for the Tuition Waiver Program.
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More children will be supported with inclusive child care

February 3, 2023 8:00 AM
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close menu Citizens' Services

British Columbians will get better highway cell coverage

March 21, 2023 10:45 AM
Safer highways with expanded cell coverage
The Province is supporting new cellular projects that will enable better safety for travellers along key transportation routes across British Columbia.
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High-speed internet access coming to remote Gitanyow, Stewart

March 16, 2023 11:15 AM
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close menu Education and Child Care

B.C. launches anti-racism action plan for K-12 students

January 23, 2023 11:15 AM
B.C. launches anti-racism action plan for K-12 students
Empowering students and educators to identify and take action against racism and discrimination in British Columbia schools is the aim of a new provincial K-12 Anti-Racism Action Plan launched on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.
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Students get improved air quality in B.C. schools

March 15, 2023 2:30 PM
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Province boosts funding for communities to help tackle climate challenge

February 21, 2023 12:22 PM
Province boosts funding for communities to help tackle climate challenge
Historic provincial investments will support communities in preparing for the risk of natural disasters related to climate change, along with a new one-stop online platform to help people and communities better prepare for, mitigate and understand disaster and climate risks.
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Community emergency response enhanced by Indigenous cultural safety

February 16, 2023 8:00 AM
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New energy action framework to cap emissions, electrify the clean economy

March 14, 2023 2:50 PM
New energy action framework to cap emissions, electrify the clean economy
The Province’s new energy action framework will ensure oil and gas sector projects fit within B.C.’s climate commitments and create new opportunities for people in clean energy and technology.
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B.C., Haisla move forward on historic development project, commit to reduce emissions

March 14, 2023 1:58 PM
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close menu Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Province improves inclusion, accessibility in B.C. parks

March 22, 2023 10:45 AM
Province improves inclusion, accessibility in B.C. parks
The Province is renewing and expanding its commitment to make B.C. parks more inclusive and accessible with the release of the BC Parks Commitment to Inclusion.
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New energy action framework to cap emissions, electrify the clean economy

March 14, 2023 2:50 PM
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Budget 2023 takes action on issues that matter most

February 28, 2023 1:40 PM
Budget 2023
Budget 2023 invests in improving health and mental-health care, creating more affordable housing, growing a clean economy and delivering more help with costs – especially for families and British Columbians most affected by global inflation.
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Legislation will help close B.C.’s gender pay gap

March 7, 2023 10:20 AM
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close menu Forests

B.C. introduces new measures on old growth, innovation, forest stewardship

February 15, 2023 1:20 PM
Taking more action to care for B.C. forests
The B.C. government is launching new measures to protect more old growth by fast-tracking innovation and co-developing new local plans with First Nations to better care for B.C.’s forests.
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Updated angling fees increase streams of revenue for fisheries conservation

March 14, 2023 3:45 PM
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close menu Health

New long-term care home coming to Vancouver

March 22, 2023 9:30 AM
New long-term care home coming to Vancouver
People on the Lower Mainland will benefit from improved long-term care and community services as Providence Health Care prepares to build the new St. Vincent’s Heather long-term care home.
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Sts’ailes will receive improved access to First Nations-led primary care

March 17, 2023 12:00 PM
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Safe, new homes coming for women, children in B.C.

March 9, 2023 9:15 AM
Safe, new homes coming for women, children in B.C.
More women and children will have an affordable, safe and secure place to go, as 150 homes are either opening or are under construction in four different locations throughout the province.
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More than 130 affordable rental homes open in Langford, Victoria

February 17, 2023 11:00 AM
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close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

B.C. will formally recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

February 7, 2023 11:35 AM
B.C. will formally recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be enshrined in B.C. law to honour the strength and resilience of residential school survivors and remember the children who never came home.
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Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Province partner to create Oomiiqsu Mother Centre

November 8, 2022 2:15 PM
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Nominate an exceptional citizen for B.C.’s highest honour

January 6, 2023 9:30 AM
Nominate an exceptional citizen for B.C.’s highest honour
Nominations are being accepted for the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest honour.
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Fifteen British Columbians honoured for dedication to service

December 5, 2022 10:30 AM
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Minister’s statement on February Labour Force Survey results

March 10, 2023 8:00 AM
Minister’s statement on February Labour Force Survey results
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for February 2023:
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New legislation will reduce barriers for people

March 8, 2023 1:55 PM
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close menu Labour

B.C. will formally recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

February 7, 2023 11:35 AM
B.C. will formally recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be enshrined in B.C. law to honour the strength and resilience of residential school survivors and remember the children who never came home.
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New funds will bolster supports for workers, businesses

February 23, 2023 11:45 AM
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close menu Mental Health and Addictions

B.C. building historic treatment, recovery services for people struggling with addiction

March 2, 2023 12:15 PM
More addiction treatment and recovery spaces
People struggling with mental health and addiction will have access to more treatment and recovery beds, along with community-based aftercare services through new historic investments through Budget 2023.   
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B.C. takes action to reduce ER wait times for people in mental-health crisis

February 23, 2023 9:52 AM
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close menu Municipal Affairs

Public libraries see historic funding boost from Province

March 24, 2023 10:45 AM
Public libraries see historic funding boost from Province
Public library users in communities throughout B.C. will benefit from modernized technology, enhanced programs and services, and better access to information through $45 million in provincial funding.
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Upgrades secure drinking water system in Prince Rupert

March 17, 2023 9:38 AM
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close menu Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

More veterinarians coming for B.C. pet owners, farmers

March 23, 2023 11:15 AM
More veterinarians in B.C.
The Province is permanently doubling the number of subsidized seats for B.C. veterinary students attending the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan.
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Province cooks up new centre for tourism, culinary arts

March 21, 2023 10:30 AM
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close menu Public Safety and Solicitor General

Repeat violent offending teams strengthen public safety

March 14, 2023 10:45 AM
The Province is creating dedicated police-prosecutor-probation officer teams to help keep communities safe by focusing on repeat violent offending throughout British Columbia.
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Investment in 911 network supports safer communities

March 1, 2023 10:45 AM
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close menu Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Historic investment in food security supports British Columbians

March 7, 2023 10:55 AM
Historic investment in food security supports British Columbians
The Province is investing more than $200 million in food security to ensure people have better access to an increased supply of affordable, local food.   
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Truck-driving program helps women change gears for new careers

February 17, 2023 8:15 AM
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close menu Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Contract awarded for RBCM collections, research building

February 23, 2023 2:30 PM
Contract awarded for RBCM collections, research building
Construction will begin this summer on the Royal BC Museum’s (RBCM) collections and research building as part of a long-term plan to protect the Province’s collections that include more than seven million artifacts and the BC Archives.
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Support to host sport events will benefit B.C. athletes, tourism

March 12, 2023 1:30 PM
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close menu Transportation and Infrastructure

B.C. supports stable, expanded transit services in Metro Vancouver

March 15, 2023 1:20 PM
B.C. supports stable, expanded transit services in Metro Vancouver
The Province is taking action to address TransLink’s urgent financial needs to protect transit service levels and investment plans, while providing reliable, affordable public transit that connects people to jobs, schools and essential services, enabling the transportation authority to plan for the region’s future.
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New funding will keep ferry fares affordable

February 26, 2023 1:46 PM
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close menu Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Marine Protected Area Network partners endorse plan to protect British Columbia’s North Coast

February 5, 2023 10:45 AM
Marine Protected Area Network partners endorse plan to protect British Columbia’s North Coast
From Fisheries and Oceans Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2023/02/marine-protected-area-network-partners-endorse-plan-to-protect-british-columbias-north-coast.html
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Watershed strategy co-developed with First Nations, $100 million invested

March 6, 2023 9:15 AM
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Members of new Aboriginal women’s council announced

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Honourable Murray Rankin

Honourable Murray Rankin

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close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

B.C. will formally recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

February 7, 2023 11:35 AM
B.C. will formally recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be enshrined in B.C. law to honour the strength and resilience of residential school survivors and remember the children who never came home.
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

British Columbia News

Members of new Aboriginal women’s council announced

https://news.gov.bc.ca/01132

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News Release

Victoria
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 1:00 PM

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News Release

Victoria

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 1:00 PM

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VICTORIA -The members of the new Advisory Council on Aboriginal Women were confirmed today by Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

The council was first announced on the final day of the Collaboration to End Violence: National Aboriginal Women's Forum in June. Since June, government has been talking to Aboriginal leaders across the province to ensure that the council is representative of a broad cross-section of Aboriginal groups.

The council will provide advice to government through the minister on how to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal women in B.C. Some of the tasks for the council members include:

  • Providing advice and recommendations to government to ensure programs supporting Aboriginal women will respond to their needs, build on effective practices and success, and be supported by key partners.
  • Reviewing, revising and helping implement an engagement plan if required, such as co-hosting discussions with partners and communities.
  • Reviewing, revising and maintaining a progress report on outcomes.

The council will be chaired by leading Aboriginal women's advocate Wendy Grant-John.

The other council members bring a range of experience and knowledge from regions across B.C. and were selected from a diverse range of Aboriginal people and organizations:

  • Interior: Charlene Belleau, Esketemc First Nation
  • Northcentral: Mary Tegee, Takla Lake First Nations
  • South: Chief Kim Baird, Tsawwassen First Nation
  • Southeast: Sophie Pierre, St Mary's Indian Band
  • Island: Darlene Shackelly, Kwakiutl First Nation
  • Northeast/Métis: Paulette Flamond
  • Island/Urban: Debbie Williams, Cowichan Tribes
  • Downtown East Side: Judy Graves

Quick Facts:

  • The council will report to government through the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.
  • The council will run for a two-year term, meeting quarterly and at least twice a year with the minister.

Learn More:

For more information including the Terms of Reference for the Minister's Advisory Council on Aboriginal women, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/arrr

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Maria Wilkie
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211
250 361-7720 (cell)

BACKGROUNDER

Nov. 8, 2011 Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Biographies of council members

Wendy Grant-John (Chair)

Wendy Grant-John is a mother, grandmother, former chief of the Musqueam Nation and the first woman to be elected as vice-chief to the Assembly of First Nations. She has been working to advance Aboriginal cultural, social and political issues for more than 30 years.

Charlene Belleau

Charlene Belleau of the Esketemc First Nation is from the Interior of British Columbia. She is a former Chief of her First Nation and is currently Director of the Residential Schools Unit of the Assembly of First Nations.

Mary Tegee

Mary Tegee is from the Takla Lake First Nations in northcentral B.C. She is the Carrier Sekani Family Services Director and provides cross-cultural training to agencies and individuals who offer services to the Carrier Sekani people. She believes that community wellness depends on nurturing tradition, cultural values and the environment.

Chief Kim Baird

Chief Kim Baird is from the Tsawwassen First Nation on the Lower Mainland. Chief Baird has served as Chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation since 1999. She successfully negotiated B.C.'s first urban treaty and has the distinction of being the first Aboriginal women to address the B.C. legislature in October 2007 when the Tsawwassen Treaty legislation process was initiated.

Sophie Pierre

Sophie Pierre is the current Chief Commissioner of the B.C. Treaty Commission. She led the St. Mary's Indian Band for 30 years as elected chief and was the administrator of the Ktunaxa/Kinbasket Tribal Council for 25 years. She has also served on the boards of many major organizations, including BC Hydro and the First People's Congress.

Darlene Shackelly

Darlene Shackelly, Executive Director of the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC. Darlene is from the Kwakiutl First Nation on Vancouver Island and is a member of the Nooaitch First Nation band. She has dedicated the last 28 years to working with the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia, and has been the Executive Director for the past 10 years.

Paulette Flamond

Paulette Flamond is from Northeast B.C. Paulette currently sits on the Native Economic Development Advisory Board for the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and is currently Vice President of the B.C. Aboriginal Business Service Network Society and a Board Member of the Fort St. John Métis Society.

In 2007, she was appointed to the Northern Development Initiative Trust and in 2009 was awarded an Aurora Award of Distinction as the Aboriginal Women of the Year as well as the Economic Developer of the Year by the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers.

Debbie Williams

Debbie Williams is the Executive Director of the Hiiye'yu Lelum House of Friendship Association in Duncan on Vancouver Island, and has an urban Aboriginal focus. She also serves as the Representative to the National Association of Friendship Centres Board of Directors, an ex-officio position to the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres Executive Committee.

Judy Graves

Judy Graves has worked for many years in Vancouver's Downtown East Side. She is a City of Vancouver Housing Advocate for Vancouver's Homeless Outreach Program and has worked with the city's homeless since 1974, most recently coordinating City Hall's Tenant Assistance program, which aims to mitigate the impact of development on low-income tenants and the homeless. She has received honourary doctorates from the University of British Columbia and Corpus Christi College.

Contact:

Maria Wilkie
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211
250 361-7720 (cell)


https://news.gov.bc.ca/01132

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