B.C. is making plans to offer everyone 12+ a fall booster dose 
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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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Vancouver named FIFA World Cup 2026 official host city

June 16, 2022 2:37 PM
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British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals
British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.
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Turning the page on adult literacy with increased funding

July 25, 2022 12:00 PM
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BC Fairs launches Buy BC agriculture trivia contest

July 27, 2022 10:30 AM
BC Fairs are taking British Columbians on a journey this summer with an online Buy BC-themed trivia challenge that explores local products made in the province.
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New funding supports farmers, takes action on climate resiliency

July 27, 2022 9:00 AM
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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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New homes for women, children open in Prince George

July 14, 2022 11:45 AM
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Province seeks public input on supports for children, youth

April 20, 2022 11:15 AM
A survey about B.C’s new service approach for children and youth with support needs is now open to the public.
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Process begins to select family connections centres

May 10, 2022 4:08 PM
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Fast, reliable internet, cell coverage coming to Nass Valley

July 12, 2022 2:30 PM
More than 500 households in multiple Indigenous communities in the Nass Valley are set to benefit from a project that will bring high-speed internet and cellular coverage to the area.
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Connectivity achievements celebrated on Haida Gwaii

July 4, 2022 2:00 PM
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Four BC First Nations conclude self-government agreements regarding education

July 13, 2022 1:55 PM
Group photo of event participants and speakers. Seabird Island, BC.
From the First Nations Education Steering Committee: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/four-bc-first-nations-conclude-self-government-agreements-regarding-education-834404859.html
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Cultural learning can give students grad credit

June 30, 2022 11:35 AM
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British Columbians can access more in EV charger rebates

May 18, 2022 10:05 AM
Better rebates for EV chargers
The Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses and communities.
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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

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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B.C. strengthens actions to prepare for climate change with new strategy

June 20, 2022 1:15 PM
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Speculation and vacancy tax will help housing affordability in new communities

July 20, 2022 9:45 AM
The expansion of the Speculation and Vacancy Tax will help eliminate speculative real estate practices and turn empty units into homes for people in additional communities in B.C. struggling with housing affordability.
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B.C. enhances consumer protection for homebuyers

July 21, 2022 9:30 AM
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close menu Forests

Hupacasasth First Nation tapping trees for sticky gold

July 18, 2022 1:00 PM
Hupacasasth First Nation tapping trees for sticky gold
Using an innovative approach, the Hupacasath First Nation in Port Alberni is benefiting from nearly $112,000 in funding from the B.C. government as part of the Indigenous Forest Bioeconomy Program.
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Backcountry road closures still active for wildlife recovery

July 15, 2022 10:00 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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British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
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Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act

June 6, 2022 10:38 AM
Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act
Tahltan Central Government and the Province have entered into the first consent-based decision-making agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
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Building momentum: 2021-2022 Declaration Act Annual Report

June 30, 2022 1:00 PM
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Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour

January 20, 2022 8:00 AM
Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour
Nominations are being accepted for the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest honour.
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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

British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals
British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.
  Read More

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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B.C. expands cancer coverage for firefighters

April 22, 2022 12:30 PM
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Conservation Officer Service achieves largest-ever invasive mussels decontamination

July 9, 2022 9:00 AM
When staff at B.C.’s Invasive Mussel Defence Program were notified that a high-risk watercraft heading for the Lower Mainland appeared to be covered in invasive zebra mussels, inspectors with the Conservation Officer Service (COS) immediately took action.
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Minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s statement on federal decision about salmon farms

June 22, 2022 4:20 PM
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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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New Foundry provides mental-health, substance-use services to youth in the Tri-Cities

July 19, 2022 10:45 AM
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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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Municipalities open cooling centres as heat warnings issued throughout B.C.

July 25, 2022 3:30 PM
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Province launches e-transfer 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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Minister Blair announces over $870 million to support disaster recovery and climate resilience in British Columbia

July 18, 2022 1:12 PM
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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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Funding helps improve food security for women of colour

July 25, 2022 9:30 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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Five-lane interchange breaks ground in Richmond

July 7, 2022 10:50 AM
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Children and Family Development

Support and awareness are key to ending FASD

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Honourable Mitzi Dean

Honourable Mitzi Dean

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close menu Children and Family Development

Province seeks public input on supports for children, youth

April 20, 2022 11:15 AM
A survey about B.C’s new service approach for children and youth with support needs is now open to the public.
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Process begins to select family connections centres

May 10, 2022 4:08 PM
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Children and Family Development

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Support and awareness are key to ending FASD

https://news.gov.bc.ca/04907

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Opinion Editorial

Victoria
Friday, September 6, 2013 12:45 PM

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Opinion Editorial

Victoria

Friday, September 6, 2013 12:45 PM

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By Stephanie Cadieux
Minister of Children and Family Development

VICTORIA - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) affects an estimated nine in every 1,000 infants. And because the wide-ranging symptoms are not always visibly apparent, it is sometimes called an invisible disability. Yet those who live with FASD face life-long challenges that most of us don't ever have to worry about.

They often have difficulty finishing high school, building strong and long-lasting relationships or holding down a job.

They can be overwhelmed by day-to-day life challenges.

They often need help integrating into society.

FASD has no preferred ethnicity, gender or social class, and it exists in communities throughout the world, including yours. That's why it's so important that we, as a province, come together to support women to be healthy and have healthy pregnancies, and to recognize those who live with FASD every day of their lives.

Today, on the ninth day of the ninth month, people in British Columbia and around the world mark the day by launching awareness campaigns and holding community events to increase understanding about FASD and the dangers of drinking while pregnant.

To mark FASD Prevention and Support Month, awareness brochures and posters are featured in all 195 BC Liquor Stores throughout the province as a poignant reminder that it's everyone's responsibility to ensure babies are given a healthy start in life. Materials are available year-round in BC Liquor Stores and online, and are widely distributed to parent support agencies and other health and women's organizations throughout the province.

Government and community partnerships help ensure FASD supports are available throughout B.C. for affected children and families. These include assessment and diagnosis for children; personalized assistance and information for families; information for teachers and school district staff to help address the needs of students with FASD; prenatal and postpartum support for expectant mothers; support for at-risk mothers to promote healthy pregnancies; and a Personalized Supports Initiative that gives adults with FASD access to services.

While there is no known cure for FASD, it can be prevented through increased awareness and a shared commitment to support all women before and during pregnancy.

Please help us spread the word. Alcohol and pregnancy don't mix. There is no safe amount of alcohol, no safe type of alcohol and no safe time to drink during pregnancy.

Media Contact:

Sheldon Johnson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639

https://news.gov.bc.ca/04907

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