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close menu Office of the Premier

Premier's statement on five years of delivering results for people

July 18, 2022 10:00 AM
Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement to mark the five-year anniversary of forming a government that puts people first:
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Post-secondary education expanding for students on the Westshore

August 3, 2022 11:00 AM
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close menu Advanced Education and Skills Training

Post-secondary education expanding for students on the Westshore

August 3, 2022 11:00 AM
Post-secondary education expanding for students on the Westshore
A new collaborative post-secondary campus will be built in one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities so more students can access education close to home for in-demand jobs.
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Turning the page on adult literacy with increased funding

July 25, 2022 12:00 PM
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close menu Agriculture and Food

Pop the cork! Kelowna vineyard wins major national wine award

August 4, 2022 2:30 PM
A family-owned winery with a strong commitment to organic farming is the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards winery of the year.
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New funding supports farmers, takes action on climate resiliency

July 27, 2022 9:00 AM
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close menu Attorney General

New Kitimat homes provide safe housing for women, children

August 8, 2022 1:15 PM
Women and children leaving violence will soon have access to safe and secure homes as construction begins on a 44-unit housing development in Kitimat.
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Supportive homes for youth coming to Kamloops

August 4, 2022 1:45 PM
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close menu Children and Family Development

B.C. expands early childhood education dual-credit programs for high school students

August 4, 2022 8:00 AM
More students in grades 11 and 12 will be able to earn both high school and post-secondary credits toward careers in early childhood education with the introduction of 30 new dual-credit programs at school districts throughout B.C.
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Process begins to select family connections centres

May 10, 2022 4:08 PM
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close menu Citizens' Services

Expansion of cellular coverage makes driving safer in the Cariboo

August 9, 2022 11:30 AM
Cellular coverage is available for the community of Wells, northwest of Barkerville, bringing safer driving conditions to that section of Highway 26 and the Jack-of-Clubs rest area.
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Fast, reliable internet, cell coverage coming to Nass Valley

July 12, 2022 2:30 PM
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close menu Education and Child Care

Early childhood educator bursaries support career growth for key professionals

August 3, 2022 9:04 AM
Early childhood educator bursaries support career growth for key professionals
More early childhood educators (ECEs) are furthering their education goals with financial support from the ECE Education Support Fund.
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B.C. expands early childhood education dual-credit programs for high school students

August 4, 2022 8:00 AM
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close menu Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

Rebate improvements make electric vehicles more accessible

August 2, 2022 1:00 PM
The Province is improving accessibility to electric vehicles (EVs) by increasing maximum rebate amounts and ensuring they are going to people who need them most.
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Minister’s statement on Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference 2022

July 6, 2022 7:30 AM
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close menu Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Funding boost gives used plastics new lease on life

August 9, 2022 9:45 AM
Group photo of four people at an announcement
A $10-million investment in the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund will help grow made-in-B.C. solutions to reduce plastic pollution, create new products and increase job opportunities.
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Rebate improvements make electric vehicles more accessible

August 2, 2022 1:00 PM
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Supporting sexual-assault survivors informs work on gender-based violence

August 1, 2022 12:45 PM
As part of the Province’s work to develop an action plan to end gender-based violence, staff at the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre (VSAC) presented its trauma informed, wraparound supports and services available in Greater Victoria.
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B.C. enhances consumer protection for homebuyers

July 21, 2022 9:30 AM
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Wildfire activity in B.C. will continue through August

August 4, 2022 10:45 AM
British Columbians should remain alert to the threat of wildfire throughout August as conditions remain hot and dry.
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B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement

August 2, 2022 10:21 AM
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close menu Health

B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine

July 14, 2022 2:05 PM
B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine
Approximately 208,000 eligible infants and children in British Columbia between six months and four years of age will soon be able to receive vaccine protection against COVID-19.
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Vancouver Coastal Health welcomes back 283 hospital food-service workers

July 22, 2022 11:30 AM
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close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement

August 2, 2022 10:21 AM
shíshálh and BC to negotiate landmark shared decision-making agreement
The shíshálh Nation and the Province of British Columbia are starting negotiations on the first joint decision-making agreement to be negotiated under Section 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
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First Nations clean-energy projects funded on Vancouver Island

July 28, 2022 12:36 PM
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B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians

August 1, 2022 6:15 AM
B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians
Fourteen exceptional people will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition.
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Outstanding people recognized for service during the pandemic

March 22, 2022 2:30 PM
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close menu Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation

Minister’s statement on July’s Labour Force Survey results

August 5, 2022 8:30 AM
Minister’s statement on July’s Labour Force Survey results
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for July 2022:
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Province launching new centre for agritech innovation

July 21, 2022 9:35 AM
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B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers

May 31, 2022 8:30 AM
B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers
As of June 1, 2022, B.C.’s lowest paid workers will get a pay boost as the minimum wage increases from $15.20 to $15.65 per hour, which is the highest of any province.
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Report received on successorship, transfer of timber harvesting rights

July 28, 2022 1:00 PM
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close menu Land, Water and Resource Stewardship

B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement

August 2, 2022 10:21 AM
shíshálh and BC to negotiate landmark shared decision-making agreement
The shíshálh Nation and the Province of British Columbia are starting negotiations on the first joint decision-making agreement to be negotiated under Section 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
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Conservation Officer Service achieves largest-ever invasive mussels decontamination

July 9, 2022 9:00 AM
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close menu Mental Health and Addictions

Settlement reached with Purdue Pharma (Canada) for opioid damages

June 29, 2022 9:08 AM
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (Canada) (Purdue Canada) has agreed to a first of its kind settlement in Canada resulting from B.C.-led efforts to recover health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
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Investment enhances mental-health services in Greater Victoria

July 28, 2022 12:00 PM
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close menu Municipal Affairs

B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians

June 29, 2022 10:15 AM
B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens arriving in B.C. under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can now apply for hardship assistance from the B.C. government.
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B.C. investing in healthy northern communities

August 3, 2022 8:00 AM
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close menu Public Safety and Solicitor General

Province launches direct payment for evacuees

July 27, 2022 11:00 AM
The Province is launching upgrades to Emergency Support Services (ESS), including direct payment for evacuees to help meet their basic needs, including food and clothing.
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Survey shows significant decrease in illegal cannabis store use

August 2, 2022 8:30 AM
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Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians

July 26, 2022 11:15 AM
Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians
A new investment of $2 million will support the development and growth of British Columbia’s co-operative businesses, while expanding services for people who use them.
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Provincial funding helps grow a more food secure future

August 5, 2022 10:00 AM
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Province seeks nominees for Medal of Good Citizenship

July 28, 2022 9:30 AM
Province seeks nominees for Medal of Good Citizenship
British Columbians are encouraged to nominate their fellow citizens who have made outstanding contributions through exceptional service to their communities for this year's Medal of Good Citizenship.
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Province, viaSport partner to take abuse out of the game

July 6, 2022 2:00 PM
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Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain

July 14, 2022 10:45 AM
Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain
The first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years reached a new milestone with the release of the business case and formal approval of provincial funding for the project.
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Public invited to share input on Taylor Bridge's future

August 9, 2022 8:45 AM
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Children and Family Development

Caring for youth a community-wide effort

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Honourable Mitzi Dean

Honourable Mitzi Dean

Honourable Mitzi Dean

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Email: MCF.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Children and Family Development

B.C. expands early childhood education dual-credit programs for high school students

August 4, 2022 8:00 AM
More students in grades 11 and 12 will be able to earn both high school and post-secondary credits toward careers in early childhood education with the introduction of 30 new dual-credit programs at school districts throughout B.C.
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Children and Family Development

British Columbia News

Caring for youth a community-wide effort

https://news.gov.bc.ca/01567

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News Release

Williams Lake
Saturday, February 25, 2012 8:00 AM

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News Release

Williams Lake

Saturday, February 25, 2012 8:00 AM

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Sometimes it takes an entire community to make a difference. That's the approach being taken to prevent risky youth behaviour in Williams Lake and Anahim Lake, two of only 500 communities across the globe taking part in the Communities That Care program (CTC).

Initially funded as a pilot project by the Ministry of Children and Family Development in 2009 in response to a spike in serious crime by youth, the program has just received $80,000 from the ministry so it can continue to make a positive difference in both communities.

Communities That Care brings together community members to understand and address the issues faced by their youth such as substance abuse, violence and teen pregnancy. Communities are then able to focus on prevention efforts and target resources so they can be most effective.

The Ministry of Children and Family Development, along with the Ministry of Health, the City of Williams Lake, the community of Anahim Lake, local schools, Aboriginal leaders, Williams Lake RCMP and community agencies, have worked together to identify and understand the risk factors affecting youth in these communities.

A report surveying more than 1,200 youth in 2009 included several key findings:

  • A significant number of students are struggling with school.
  • There are serious concerns about the early age at which young people experiment with and begin using alcohol on a regular basis.
  • The community has high levels of tolerance toward anti-social behaviour.

As a result of the challenges identified, two evidence-based programs - Positive Outcomes and Roots of Empathy - were implemented in schools in the fall of 2010 and expanded to more schools in 2011. With funding in place for the year ahead, these programs will benefit more than 1,600 youth.

Minister Mary McNeil recently visited Williams Lake to meet with some of the other partners in the Communities That Care program. The Williams Lake and Anahim Lake program is one of two CTC programs funded by the ministry in B.C. The program has also been implemented in the Sea-to-Sky region.

Quotes:

Mary McNeil, Minister of Children and Family Development -

"The Communities That Care program is a great example of how governments and communities can work together to ensure that vulnerable children and youth grow up in a healthy and safe environment. These collaborative, community-based approaches are what make real differences in communities."

Donna Barnett, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA -

"The CTC program has brought everyone together to support young people to reach their potential. I'm proud of the work being done by all of the dedicated partners in Williams Lake and Anahim Lake."

Kerry Cook, mayor of

"I am so pleased that Minister McNeil was able to recently visit us in Williams Lake and see first-hand the positive results of the wonderful work Communities That Care performs, and the collaborative approach that leads to successful outcomes."

Will Van Osch, Cariboo-Chilcotin board of education chair -

"The school district is starting to see some reduction in high-risk behaviour and is encouraged with the level of community commitment to improve the prospects for youth in the district. The funding support received from the provincial government will help continue to build a better future for our youth."

Peter Bowman, principal of Sxoxomic Community School -

"The teachers use Positive Action at the beginning of the school day and they've noticed that it really focuses and grounds the kids. They actually have more instructional time in the classroom because they're spending less time on managing behaviour."

Warren Brown, Williams Lake RCMP inspector -

"One of the greatest outcomes to date of the CTC program, in addition to creating a positive learning and social environment for youth, is the strengthened and reinforced relationships amongst the community stakeholders. The program model has encouraged the community 'contributors' to speak openly, share information and ideas, and trust each others' opinions and input. This engagement has also benefitted other committees and projects."

Quick Facts:

  • CTC is a community-based, prevention-focused approach to promoting positive, healthy behaviour among youth while understanding the root causes of negative behaviour.
  • CTC focuses on bringing the community together to address six problem behaviours among youth:
  • Substance abuse
  • Delinquency
  • Violence
  • Teen pregnancy
  • School drop out
  • Depression and anxiety
  • The CTC model was developed at the University of Washington by the Social Development Research Group.
  • It promotes a data-driven approach to decision making about addressing risk factors that increase the likelihood that youth will be involved in problem behaviour.
  • The program is tailored to the needs, issues and resources of each community.

Learn More:

Communities That Care Community Profile Report: http://www.williamslake.ca/index.asp?p=1833

Positive Action Program: http://www.positiveaction.net/

Roots of Empathy Program: http://www.rootsofempathy.org/

Contacts:

Shae Greenfield
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639

Ken MacInnis
Communications Coordinator
City of Williams Lake
250 392-8488

Warren Brown, Inspector
Detachment Commander
Williams Lake RCMP
250 392-6211


https://news.gov.bc.ca/01567

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