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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

B.C. boosts payments for children in foster, kinship, out-of-care placements

March 29, 2023 12:30 PM
B.C. boosts payments for children in foster, kinship, out-of-care placements
Foster parents and others who support vulnerable children and youth will soon have more assistance with monthly costs, with an increase to payments that help cover food, clothing and transportation costs for children and youth in their care. 
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Access to post-secondary education expanded for former youth in care

March 14, 2023 10:15 AM
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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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close menu Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

Fund supports robot marine monitoring, ‘blue’ economy

March 28, 2023 10:15 AM
Fund supports robot marine monitoring, ‘blue’ economy
B.C.-based “blue” technology and innovation is creating jobs for British Columbians, building a sustainable ocean economy, cutting the cost of ocean research and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  
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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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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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close menu Finance

Safe money services protect people from money laundering

March 29, 2023 2:05 PM
Safe money services protect people from money laundering
People in B.C. can be confident that money services businesses they use will have greater oversight by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) as a new provincial regulator.
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Public registry would end hidden ownership in private businesses

March 29, 2023 1:55 PM
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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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close menu Housing

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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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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close menu Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

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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close menu Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

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

More youth with developmental disabilities get help finding work

March 29, 2023 9:30 AM
Youth with developmental disabilities will get extra help to transition from school to work
Youth with developmental disabilities will get extra help to transition from school to work through a $2-million provincial grant.   
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New training prepares more people to be community support workers

March 28, 2023 11:20 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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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

B.C. families to benefit from lower BC Hydro rates

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close menu Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

Fund supports robot marine monitoring, ‘blue’ economy

March 28, 2023 10:15 AM
Fund supports robot marine monitoring, ‘blue’ economy
B.C.-based “blue” technology and innovation is creating jobs for British Columbians, building a sustainable ocean economy, cutting the cost of ocean research and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  
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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

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B.C. families to benefit from lower BC Hydro rates

https://news.gov.bc.ca/02083

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News Release

Victoria
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 1:00 PM

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News Release

Victoria

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 1:00 PM

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[Backgrounder added May 22, 2012, updated May 24, 2012]

VANCOUVER - Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman today announced the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) has been directed by the provincial government to reduce BC Hydro's rate increases over three years by 50 per cent. This is consistent with last year's BC Hydro review.

In keeping with the Province's commitment to provide affordable electricity rates for families, the 2011-12 increase will stay at 8 per cent as previously directed by the BCUC on an interim basis and implemented by BC Hydro on May 1.

For 2012-13, rates have gone up by 7.1 per cent, allowing BC Hydro to pay down its deferral and regulatory accounts at an accelerated pace. This increase was also recommended by the BCUC and put in place on April 1, 2012. An average household has seen bills change by about $5.40 per month.

On April 1, 2013, rates will be kept to a minimum, rising by only 1.44 per cent or $1.20 for an average monthly bill.

The total rate increase over three years will be about 17 per cent, ensuring that British Columbian families pay among the lowest electricity rates in North America.

The provincial government and BC Hydro have achieved this rate reduction by lowering BC Hydro's costs and by the Province forgoing $75 million in dividends over three years.

Quotes:

Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman -

"Our government has taken major strides to keep electricity rates affordable. Keeping rates down has taken a lot of hard work by BC Hydro and the Province, and I am pleased that we're in a position to both lower rates for B.C.'s families and pay back deferral accounts at an accelerated pace."

Charles Reid, president and CEO (acting), BC Hydro -

"Our goal is to keep rates as low as possible for our customers and we are going to continue looking for opportunities to become a leaner and more efficient organization going forward so that we can keep rates low while delivering the investments in our system for future generations."

Quick Facts:

  • BC Hydro filed an amended revenue requirements application with the BCUC on Nov. 24, 2011, requesting an eight per cent rate increase for 2012 (down from 9.73 per cent), 3.91 per cent for 2013 (down from 9.73 per cent) and 3.91 per cent for 2014 (down from 9.73 per cent).
  • On an interim basis, BCUC approved an eight per cent increase effective May 1, 2011, and a 3.91 per cent rate increase effective April 1, 2012. The BCUC increased the rate rider from 2.5 per cent to five per cent, also effective April 1, 2012.
  • BC Hydro submitted more than 24,000 pages of evidence and responded to 4,200 information requests from the BCUC and customer groups during the review of its rate application.
  • Deferral and regulatory account balances will be reduced by more than $250 million by March 31, 2014, under the rate scheme announced today.
  • In August 2011, the findings of the Review of BC Hydro report were released detailing comprehensive recommendations by a provincial government panel of senior officials on BC Hydro's finances and administration.

Learn More:

Learn more about the BC Hydro Review at: www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/downloads/bchydroreview.pdf

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617

BACKGROUNDER

Direction to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC)

• This decision to direct the BCUC to reduce BC Hydro's proposed rate increases over three years by 50 per cent was not taken lightly.

• The Province's goal has always been to keep rates affordable for B.C. families.

• Families need to know how much their electricity bill will be so that they can plan their budgets. That's why we are confirming the following:

o rates increased by 7.1 per cent in April 2012, which will mean about $5.40 per month more for an average residential customer; and

o rates will increase again marginally in April 2013 by 1.44 per cent or $1.20 a month more for an average customer.

• The rate increase of 7.1 per cent for April 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013 are consistent with the interim decision of the BCUC.

• This process has already taken two years. Today's resolution not only saves time, it will save B.C. families about $2.1 million in legal fees and other costs for an oral hearing.

• BC Hydro has already spent about $1.3 million on this process and submitted more than 24,000 pages of evidence and responded to 4,200 information requests from the BCUC and customer groups during the review of its rate application.

• As a result of steps taken by BC Hydro to reduce costs, higher Powerex power trading income, and the Province's $35 million contribution, BC Hydro is in a position to lower rates.

• Directions to the BCUC is nothing new, governments have been issuing directions since the 1980s.

• Since 1981, the Province has issued 11 directions. During the 1990s, the government used legislation to establish a rate freeze which minimized the need to issue Directions.

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617

https://news.gov.bc.ca/02083

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