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close menu Office of the Premier

B.C. supports collaborative marine conservation, economic development on North Coast

December 5, 2023 9:15 AM
Creating sustainable jobs and protecting the Great Bear Sea
The B.C. government is protecting vital coastal ecosystems, creating new jobs and advancing sustainable fisheries and economic opportunities in the Northern Shelf Bioregion (also known as the Great Bear Sea) in partnership with First Nations, the federal government and donors.
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First-of-its-kind, seamless addictions care available in Vancouver

December 4, 2023 10:45 AM
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close menu Agriculture and Food

Program will help B.C. food processors expand, increase production

December 6, 2023 11:30 AM
B.C. food-processing companies looking to scale up and feed more people are benefiting from a program that is helping them increase their businesses’ productivity and competitiveness by improving their facilities and equipment.
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Canada, B.C. supporting B.C. farmers with access to technology

November 24, 2023 8:30 AM
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Law protecting whistle-blowers now in force in public K-12 schools

December 1, 2023 8:45 AM
Employees will benefit from new protections when bringing forward concerns about serious wrongdoing as the scope of the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) expands to the public K-12 education sector, effective Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.
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Government taking action to protect communities against hate, violence

November 15, 2023 2:15 PM
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close menu Children and Family Development

Emergency shelter for vulnerable youth opens in Maple Ridge

December 6, 2023 2:15 PM
Youth emergency shelter opens in Maple Ridge
Vulnerable youth in need of a safe place to stay can now access 24/7 overnight accommodation services at a new Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) in Maple Ridge.
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Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations sign agreement on jurisdiction pathway

November 15, 2023 3:00 PM
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Robson Square ice rink opens for the season

December 1, 2023 10:20 AM
Robson Square ice rink opens
A tradition celebrating the holiday season brings winter fun to residents and visitors with the opening of the Robson Square ice rink.
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Better data making life better for British Columbians

November 23, 2023 9:30 AM
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close menu Education and Child Care

Thousands of new student spaces coming to B.C. schools faster

December 5, 2023 10:15 AM
Twelve new school additions will mean more student spaces as early as the 2024-25 school year in fast-growing communities across the province.
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New child care centre opens at Ralph Bell Elementary in Kamloops

December 4, 2023 11:00 AM
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New emergency management legislation, task force pave way for resilient communities

October 3, 2023 11:22 AM
A group of firefighters gather around a helicopter
People and communities in British Columbia will be better prepared for emergencies and disasters under the most comprehensive and progressive emergency management framework in Canada with the introduction of the emergency and disaster management act, and the launch of an expert task force on emergencies.
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Province supports climate-emergency project in Rossland

November 1, 2023 8:12 AM
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close menu Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

B.C. making it easier to buy zero-emission vehicles

October 24, 2023 12:45 PM
B.C. making it easier to buy zero-emission vehicles
British Columbia is accelerating its zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) targets and helping more people go electric.
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Province creating new opportunities in hydrogen economy, commercial trucking

November 16, 2023 11:15 AM
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close menu Environment and Climate Change Strategy

New plastic requirements will give people better choices

December 1, 2023 2:30 PM
The Province continues to take action to support the clean economy by preventing plastic waste and pollution.
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Day-use passes in effect at Mount Seymour Park

December 5, 2023 7:45 AM
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close menu Finance

B.C.’s economy forecast to slow in 2024, followed by steady growth

December 4, 2023 12:08 PM
B.C.’s economy forecast to slow in 2024, followed by steady growth
Private-sector forecasters expect B.C., like Canada, to see slower economic growth through 2024 due to high interest rates and a softening global economy before growing steadily in the medium term.
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Speculation and vacancy tax continues to support homes for people

December 4, 2023 11:45 AM
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close menu Forests

Province launches made-in-B.C. conservation tool, takes further action on old-growth forest

October 26, 2023 12:30 PM
Taking further action on old-growth forest
The Province is accelerating protection of B.C.’s oldest and rarest trees while benefiting communities and wildlife by launching a new $300-million Conservation Financing Mechanism – $150 million from the Province, matched by a commitment to raise an additional $150 million from the BC Parks Foundation.  
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Changes to lumber regulation will drive local manufacturing, job growth

December 4, 2023 2:45 PM
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close menu Health

Province expands health-care workforce and increases patient access

December 5, 2023 12:00 AM
Province expands health-care workforce and increases patient access
More people are getting care faster and closer to home, and the health-care workforce is better supported as the Province makes significant progress on expanding the health-care workforce and strengthening B.C.’s public health-care system.
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Province supports allied health workforce, improves patient care

December 6, 2023 1:00 PM
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close menu Housing

New regulations make EV charging requests easier in strata developments

December 6, 2023 10:30 AM
New regulations will make it easier for people living in strata developments to request electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations where they live.
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More than 1,000 new affordable homes coming for Indigenous people

December 1, 2023 10:30 AM
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close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

B.C., First Nations leaders gather to advance relationships

November 2, 2023 8:00 AM
XʷMƏƟKʷƏY̓ƏM (MUSQUEAM), SḴWX̱WÚ7MESH (SQUAMISH) AND SƏLILWƏTAɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES / VANCOUVER – First Nations leaders and provincial officials from across B.C. are coming together for the eighth B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering, working together to recognize, respect and advance government-to-government relationships.
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Annual report updates collective efforts to achieve objectives of UN Declaration

June 28, 2023 12:45 PM
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close menu Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

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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Funding supports three francophone initiatives in B.C.

November 4, 2023 5:32 PM
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close menu Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

Hundreds of clean, highly skilled jobs coming to Maple Ridge

November 14, 2023 1:52 PM
New manufacturing plant will bring hundreds of jobs to BC
A $1.05-billion partnership between E-One Moli and the governments of B.C. and Canada will bring lithium-ion battery cell production to Maple Ridge and create 450 high-quality, permanent jobs that are key to growing the province’s clean economy.
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Minister’s statement on November Labour Force Survey results

December 1, 2023 9:37 AM
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close menu Labour

Fairness coming for gig workers

November 16, 2023 1:15 PM
Taking action to improve working conditions for app-based gig workers
App-based ride-hailing and food-delivery gig workers will soon have better working conditions with new protections, including basic employment standards.
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Three reappointments made to WorkSafeBC board

December 5, 2023 8:45 AM
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close menu Mental Health and Addictions

First-of-its-kind, seamless addictions care available in Vancouver

December 4, 2023 10:45 AM
First-of-its-kind, seamless addictions care available in Vancouver
People with addiction challenges are getting better, seamless treatment and recovery care through the new Road to Recovery initiative at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.
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More supports coming to Vernon for mental-health, substance-use crises

December 1, 2023 12:30 PM
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close menu Municipal Affairs

Governments of Canada and British Columbia invest in wastewater infrastructure improvements in Kimberley

December 5, 2023 4:00 PM
From Infrastructure Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2023/12/governments-of-canada-and-british-columbia-invest-in-wastewater-infrastructure-improvements-in-kimberley.html
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More child care spaces, health-care supports for people in northern B.C.

November 28, 2023 8:30 AM
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close menu Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

Labour Market Outlook offers exciting look into the future

November 24, 2023 11:15 AM
Everyone can find their path to succeed in BC's workforce
With approximately one million job openings expected, the Labour Market Outlook and Find Your Path tool provide British Columbians with information to identify and access future educational and career opportunities in an exciting decade.
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New pilot project supports restaurant industry’s workforce development

November 30, 2023 2:00 PM
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close menu Public Safety and Solicitor General

Government supports continued research to reduce gambling-related harms

December 5, 2023 11:15 AM
The Province and the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) have renewed their investment of approximately $1.4 million in the Centre for Gambling Research at UBC, signalling a dedicated effort to reduce the potential harms associated with gambling for people in British Columbia.
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More supports coming to Vernon for mental-health, substance-use crises

December 1, 2023 12:30 PM
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close menu Social Development and Poverty Reduction

People in B.C. to benefit from healthier, stronger communities through boost to non-profits

October 30, 2023 12:30 PM
Non-Profit Recognition Day
People in B.C. will benefit from community support, arts and culture services, and support to find affordable housing, as the Province provides additional grants for non-profit organizations building healthier, more inclusive and stronger communities.
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Funding for improved public services will benefit First Nations governments, youth

November 23, 2023 3:15 PM
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close menu Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Dec. 12 proclaimed Christine Sinclair Day

December 1, 2023 9:30 AM
December 12 proclaimed Christine Sinclair Day!
Dec. 12 will be proclaimed Christine Sinclair Day in B.C. to recognize the extraordinary career and outstanding achievements in sport of the Canadian women’s soccer legend.
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Public engagement begins for new South Asian Canadian museum

November 21, 2023 9:15 AM
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close menu Transportation and Infrastructure

Modernized Simon Fraser Bridge opening this weekend

December 1, 2023 2:00 PM
Modernized Simon Fraser Bridge opening this weekend
The Simon Fraser Bridge will fully reopen this weekend, with the completion of upgrades that will extend the life of this highway connection for people in and around Prince George.
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Eight new station names announced for Surrey Langley SkyTrain

December 1, 2023 11:15 AM
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close menu Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

B.C. supports collaborative marine conservation, economic development on North Coast

December 5, 2023 9:15 AM
Creating sustainable jobs and protecting the Great Bear Sea
The B.C. government is protecting vital coastal ecosystems, creating new jobs and advancing sustainable fisheries and economic opportunities in the Northern Shelf Bioregion (also known as the Great Bear Sea) in partnership with First Nations, the federal government and donors.
  Read More

More sustainability projects support wild Pacific salmon, recreational fishing

November 24, 2023 1:45 PM
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Health

More publicly funded vaccines available through pharmacists

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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

close menu Health

Province expands health-care workforce and increases patient access

December 5, 2023 12:00 AM
Province expands health-care workforce and increases patient access
More people are getting care faster and closer to home, and the health-care workforce is better supported as the Province makes significant progress on expanding the health-care workforce and strengthening B.C.’s public health-care system.
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Province supports allied health workforce, improves patient care

December 6, 2023 1:00 PM
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Health

British Columbia News

More publicly funded vaccines available through pharmacists

https://news.gov.bc.ca/04296

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News Release

Victoria
Friday, April 12, 2013 9:00 AM

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News Release

Victoria

Friday, April 12, 2013 9:00 AM

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British Columbians can now access a wide variety of publicly funded vaccines from their local pharmacist, giving them increased access and choice, Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid announced today.

"Pharmacists are a very important and valuable component of our health-care system," said MacDiarmid. "With this expansion, eligible patients will have increased access and choice when it comes to protecting themselves and their families from diseases such as tetanus, measles and hepatitis."

Pharmacists already play a key role in providing immunizations to protect British Columbians aged five years and older from diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal pneumonia, pertussis and HPV (the virus that can lead to some cervical cancers).

The additional vaccines that pharmacists are now able to provide include:

  • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
  • Hepatitis A and B - especially at pharmacies in communities where risks of infection are high.
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria.
  • Varicella (chicken pox) and Hepatitis B - as supplements to the school-based program.
  • HPV (the virus that can lead to some cervical cancers) for women born in 1991 - 1993.
  • Pneumococcal polysaccharide, for seniors over 65 years of age, or people at increased risk of pneumococcal disease, including those with chronic diseases.
  • Meningococcal C Conjugate vaccine.
  • Pertussis vaccine.

"This expansion of available publicly funded vaccines is a positive move and makes effective use of pharmacists' extensive training and skills," said Bob Nakagawa, registrar with the College of Pharmacists of BC. "We know that vaccines help save lives and prevent illness, and by making vaccines easier and more convenient for British Columbians to receive, we will help to ensure as many people are protected as possible."

Pharmacists must undergo additional training to be authorized to give vaccines. There are now more than 2,000 pharmacists authorized to provide vaccines throughout British Columbia, with more added all the time.

Since 2009, authorized pharmacists have had access to vaccine products for sale and administration within the private payer system, and limited access to publicly funded vaccines. With this change, authorized pharmacists will be able to administer almost all publicly funded vaccines.

British Columbia's publicly funded immunization program protects British Columbians from up to 16 vaccine preventable diseases, saving countless lives and preventing illness. To learn more about B.C.'s immunization program, visit http://immunizebc.ca


Media contact:

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

https://news.gov.bc.ca/04296

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