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B.C. moves to increase housing supply, deliver more homes faster

September 18, 2023 9:00 AM
Creating more homes for people
New measures are coming to B.C. that will help create more housing as the Province speeds up permitting and helps build more secondary suites for rent.
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New vision connects rural B.C. to a stronger future

September 22, 2023 11:55 AM
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XY Ranch celebrates 100 years of raising livestock

August 4, 2023 1:15 PM
The Bouffioux family of Fort St. John is being honoured with a Century Farm Award, recognizing its contribution and dedication to agriculture in British Columbia since 1916. 
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B.C., Canada help farmers with climate adaptation, drought

August 2, 2023 2:00 PM
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Sixty-eight organizations receive grants to help shape anti-racism legislation

July 27, 2023 8:00 AM
Sixty-eight organizations receive grants to help shape anti-racism legislation
Racialized people can now share their perspectives in culturally safe spaces as 68 organizations across B.C. receive more than $300,000 to engage community members on the development of new anti-racism legislation.
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New chair appointed to Building Code Appeal Board

August 24, 2023 8:30 AM
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Vancouver Island camp expansion will serve more children with disabilities

July 20, 2023 10:15 AM
Vancouver Island camp expansion will serve more children with disabilities
More children and youth with disabilities will be able to go to camp thanks in part to a $7-million grant from the Province of B.C.
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Newly named SAJE supports offer youth in care a stronger path to adulthood

May 30, 2023 10:30 AM
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More grant recipients promoting BC Demographic Survey

August 25, 2023 11:15 AM
More grant recipients promoting BC Demographic Survey
More community and Indigenous groups are receiving grants to help their communities participate in the BC Demographic Survey. 
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High-speed broadband access expanded to 6 Kootenay communities

August 3, 2023 10:00 AM
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Elementary school expansion provides more classrooms for Nanaimo students

September 11, 2023 9:15 AM
École Hammond Bay Elementary
Students have more space for learning at École Hammond Bay Elementary this fall after the completion of an expansion that added 12 new classrooms to the school. 
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Child care savings make returning to school more affordable for more B.C. families

August 31, 2023 1:30 PM
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State of emergency ends, fire response continues

September 14, 2023 3:43 PM
Based on advice from emergency management and wildfire officials, British Columbia’s provincial state of emergency will expire at the end of the day on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
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Financial assistance for local governments, First Nations affected by wildfire

September 6, 2023 1:50 PM
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Electric planes, motorcycles, boats showcase B.C. clean-transportation innovation

August 2, 2023 8:30 AM
A high-tech revolution is dramatically changing how British Columbia moves people and goods in the air, on the land and over the water, supported by government funding for companies that specialize in inventing and advancing zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) technologies. 
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Columbia River Treaty talks move forward after constructive Seattle session

August 15, 2023 3:08 PM
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Province sets single-use plastic requirements

July 14, 2023 11:15 AM
Province sets single-use plastic requirements
A new provincial regulation will expand B.C.’s efforts to tackle hard-to-recycle single-use and plastic items.
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Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais guardians appointed with park ranger authority

July 25, 2023 2:30 PM
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Increased BC Family Benefit here to stay

July 18, 2023 10:15 AM
Increased BC Family Benefit here to stay
More than 285,000 families throughout B.C. will see bigger payments in their bank accounts starting this month, thanks to the permanently increased BC Family Benefit.
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Tax-credit lift puts more money in more people’s pockets

July 5, 2023 8:30 AM
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Use caution, be fire safe this long weekend

August 31, 2023 2:30 PM
Be wildfire safe this long weekend
Residents and travellers are strongly urged to use caution and remain vigilant this Labour Day long weekend as ongoing elevated drought conditions in much of British Columbia increase the potential for wildfires.
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B.C. acts to protect fish in Koksilah, Upper Cowichan rivers

August 24, 2023 11:15 AM
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Expanded travel programs benefit patients needing cancer care

September 27, 2023 3:15 PM
Improving access to cancer care
Patients around B.C., especially those living in rural and remote areas, will benefit from improved access to life-saving cancer care as the Province provides $20 million to expand medical travel support.
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Physician assistants are one step closer to joining B.C.’s health-care workforce

September 27, 2023 11:00 AM
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close menu Housing

B.C. moves to increase housing supply, deliver more homes faster

September 18, 2023 9:00 AM
Creating more homes for people
New measures are coming to B.C. that will help create more housing as the Province speeds up permitting and helps build more secondary suites for rent.
  Read More

Safe housing for women leaving violence opens in Campbell River

September 12, 2023 11:15 AM
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Annual report updates collective efforts to achieve objectives of UN Declaration

June 28, 2023 12:45 PM
Detailed reporting on progress to improve lives of Indigenous Peoples now available
B.C. is providing detailed reporting about progress to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration) through the 2022-23 Declaration Act Annual Report.
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Ts’uubaa-asatx, B.C. reach reconciliation goal

July 7, 2023 12:00 PM
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B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians

August 7, 2023 6:15 AM
B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians
Fourteen exceptional people who have made an outstanding provincial, national or international impact will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition and an official part of the Canadian Honours System.
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Submit a nomination for the Medal of Good Citizenship

July 25, 2023 9:30 AM
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B.C. supports research to protect coastal ecosystem

August 16, 2023 9:15 AM
B.C. supports research to protect coastal ecosystem
New funding for the University of Victoria’s (UVic) Experimental Ocean Climate Change Lab (EXCEL) will support research on the impact of climate change on the environment and the promotion of resilience and sustainability for B.C.’s marine sector.
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Minister’s statement on July Labour Force Survey results

August 4, 2023 8:40 AM
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Minimum wage increases to $16.75 per hour on June 1

April 5, 2023 12:30 PM
Minimum wage increases to $16.75 per hour on June 1
On June 1, 2023, B.C.'s lowest-paid workers will get a pay raise with the general minimum wage increasing from $15.65 to $16.75 an hour.
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Work continues around improved protections for app-based workers

August 3, 2023 11:15 AM
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B.C. secures measures to ensure families feel safe accessing public spaces

September 14, 2023 9:22 AM
Keeping child-focused spaces safe
To help ensure kids and families feel safe in their communities, the Province has received approval from the federal government to prohibit the possession of illegal drugs at playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks.
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New recovery beds will support healthier communities in northern B.C.

September 13, 2023 8:30 AM
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New vision connects rural B.C. to a stronger future

September 22, 2023 11:55 AM
StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities
The B.C. government has released StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities, a new vision that outlines investments to help build a brighter future for rural communities and the people who call them home.
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Children empowered with lifelong learning through reading

September 22, 2023 9:15 AM
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Provincial Tuition Waiver Program expanded to former youth in care of all ages

September 14, 2023 8:00 AM
Provincial Tuition Waiver Program expanded to former youth in care of all ages
People looking to enrol in post-secondary education, who are former youth in care, will benefit from an expansion of the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, which has launched for the fall semester.
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Expanded graduate scholarship funding will support students

August 22, 2023 12:00 PM
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Province provides support to strengthen local fire departments

September 22, 2023 11:37 AM
Three firefighters in dirty gear smile at the camera
Communities throughout British Columbia will see improved emergency response from their local fire departments as the Province provides support to strengthen community firefighting capacity.
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Supports expanding for people in mental-health, substance-use crisis

July 17, 2023 10:15 AM
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Funding will help First Nations improve quality of life, reduce poverty

September 26, 2023 11:00 AM
Funding will help First Nations improve quality of life, reduce poverty
First Nations across B.C. will benefit from a $15-million investment from the Province to the First Nation Well Being Fund.
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B.C. helps remove barriers for people with disabilities

July 27, 2023 11:15 AM
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B.C., viaSport take steps to make amateur sport safer

June 20, 2023 3:00 PM
B.C., viaSport take steps to make amateur sport safer
The Province and viaSport are improving safety in sports by continuing to provide education about safe sport, and by taking steps toward an independent complaints process for B.C.’s amateur sport sector.
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Submit a nomination for the Medal of Good Citizenship

July 25, 2023 9:30 AM
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West Fraser Road reopens after washout in 2018

August 23, 2023 11:15 AM
West Fraser Road reopens
People in the Quesnel area can now travel a recently completed new section of West Fraser Road after the old road washed out in 2018. 
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Highway 4 reopens two full lanes for travel

August 31, 2023 2:15 PM
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B.C. moves to increase housing supply, deliver more homes faster

September 18, 2023 9:00 AM
Creating more homes for people
New measures are coming to B.C. that will help create more housing as the Province speeds up permitting and helps build more secondary suites for rent.
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Public input will enhance B.C.’s first-ever coastal marine strategy

August 15, 2023 2:00 PM
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Health

Interior Heart and Surgical Centre moves ahead

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Honourable Adrian Dix

Honourable Adrian Dix

Minister of Health and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs

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Email: HLTH.Minister@gov.bc.ca

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Expanded travel programs benefit patients needing cancer care

September 27, 2023 3:15 PM
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Health

British Columbia News

Interior Heart and Surgical Centre moves ahead

https://news.gov.bc.ca/01816

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News Release

Kelowna
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:30 AM

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News Release

Kelowna

Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:30 AM

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A preferred proponent has been selected to conclude negotiations with Interior Health as part of the next step towards building the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre (IHSC) at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

The naming of Plenary Health as preferred proponent follows an extensive evaluation of the three teams that were shortlisted and invited to submit proposals to design, build, partially finance and provide facilities management services for the new centre that will permanently house the fifth provincial cardiac surgery program in B.C.

"Today we have reached an important milestone in the delivery of the new heart and surgical centre, the first ever cardiac critical care centre outside of the Lower Mainland," said Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson.

"This IHSC project is just one part of almost $1 billion of investment in health care in the region, which is bringing cardiac care and surgery programs closer to home for those living in the Southern Interior," said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick.

"Since its inception at Kelowna General Hospital, the cardiac services program has proven successful beyond initial expectations. More than 2,000 individuals have been treated with excellent recovery rates," said Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart.

The next stage in the competitive selection process is to conclude negotiations with Plenary Health - a process that is expected to culminate in a performance-based agreement by summer 2012, with the demolition activities beginning immediately thereafter. Details about the agreement and fixed project cost will be made public after the agreement has been finalized.

"With the selection of Plenary Health as preferred proponent, we are excited to be moving forward with the conclusion of negotiations for building the new heart and surgical centre," said Interior Health board chair Norman Embree. "This new centre brings us closer to our goal of developing the KGH site into a world-class health care campus that serves the entire Interior Health region."

The IHSC building includes capacity for a total of 15 operating rooms, including two dedicated cardiac operating rooms. Approximately up to 600 open heart procedures per year will be performed in the IHSC. The building will also house surgical support services, including the cardiac surgery intensive care unit, a new and expanded central sterilization reprocessing department and a pre and post operative care unit.

As part of Interior Health's commitment to environmental sustainability and green buildings, the new centre will be designed and constructed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, helping to create a healthy and healing environment for patients and health-care professionals.

A fairness adviser, Jane Shackell, QC, of Miller Thomson LLP, was appointed to oversee and monitor the entire evaluation process to ensure that it was fair and followed the requirements outlined in the request for proposals. The report of the fairness adviser concluded that the process for selecting the preferred proponent was open, fair and equitable. The fairness adviser's report will be made publicly available once completed on Partnerships BC's website at www.partnershipsbc.ca.

The Province is making record investments in health-care facilities at KGH. The IHSC building is part of the overall Interior Heart and Surgical Centre Project. The project includes the East Pandosy Clinical Support Building, as well as renovations and fit-outs of existing buildings at KGH. The project is being developed as a public-private partnership with capital funding from the province and the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District.

The IHSC building will be constructed at the corner of Pandosy Street and Rose Avenue. The existing Pandosy building will be deconstructed to make way for the new IHSC building.

Learn More:

Read more about the IHSC projects and Kelowna Vernon Hospital projects at www.buildingpatientcare.ca.

A backgrounder follows.

Media contact:

Ryan Jabs, Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Cam McAlpine
Communications
Interior Health
250 801-1741

BACKGROUNDER

Preferred proponent

Following the completion of the request for proposals stage, Plenary Health has been named as the preferred proponent to design, build, partially finance and provide facilities management services for the new Interior Heart and Surgical Centre at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

The next stage in the competitive selection process is for Interior Health to conclude negotiations with Plenary Health to reach a final, performance-based, fixed priced project agreement.

Members of Plenary Health include:

  • Plenary Group
  • HOK Architects
  • CEI Architecture Planning Interiors
  • PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
  • Johnson Controls Inc.

An evaluation committee comprised of representatives of Interior Health and Partnerships BC evaluated the request for proposals. The evaluation committee appointed four evaluation review teams, whose membership included clinicians and front-line staff and consultants with specific expertise in health-care planning and operations, design and construction and facilities operations.

These evaluation review teams assisted in the evaluation of the proposals in the following categories:

  • Clinical and technical design
  • Facilities management services
  • Financial

The overall objective of the evaluation was to select the best proposal that was affordable and met the project objectives, such as efficient hospital designs that are forward-thinking and flexible, expandable, and sustainable and create a healing environment for patients.

Media contact:

Ryan Jabs, Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887

Cam McAlpine
Communications
Interior Health
250 801-1741


https://news.gov.bc.ca/01816

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