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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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Post-secondary education expanding for students on the Westshore

August 3, 2022 11:00 AM
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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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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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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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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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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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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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close menu Transportation and Infrastructure

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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Health

Preliminary tests on health-care worker in Interior negative for Ebola virus disease

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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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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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Health

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Preliminary tests on health-care worker in Interior negative for Ebola virus disease

https://news.gov.bc.ca/07642

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News Release

Kelowna
Tuesday, December 30, 2014 4:30 PM

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News Release

Kelowna

Tuesday, December 30, 2014 4:30 PM

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The Ministry of Health and Interior Health are confirming that preliminary testing on a health-care worker returning from West Africa has come back negative for Ebola virus disease (EVD).

In keeping with provincial protocols, public health officials have asked the patient to remain within two hours of a designated type two facility - in this case Kelowna General Hospital - for the duration of the 21-day self-monitoring period.

On Sunday evening, the patient began to experience mild influenza-like illness, and reported those symptoms to the medical health officer. Working with provincial public health specialists, and out of an abundance of caution, Interior Health asked the patient to come into Kelowna General Hospital to get tested. While there, the patient is being cared for in an isolation room, away from other patients or staff.

Early testing is negative for Ebola and all signs point to this being a case of the flu or a similar illness - influenza is currently circulating widely in the community. However, given travel and work history, public health is following all the standard precautionary procedures, to ensure that they do not have Ebola.

Additional testing will take place over the next day or two to confirm results of early testing. The patient will remain in isolation in hospital during this time.

The risk to the public remains extremely low. Health-care workers at Kelowna General Hospital have been trained on Ebola protocols and procedures, and the facility is fully prepared to manage this patient.

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

BACKGROUNDER 

Ebola virus disease preparations in B.C.

The risk to British Columbians from Ebola virus disease (EVD) remains very low.

B.C.’s front-line response has been forged by experiences in managing the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the H1N1 outbreak in 2009. Through these experiences public health agencies developed protocols that are used to identify, isolate and treat any suspected infectious disease, like Ebola.

Infection control systems and procedures in Canadian hospitals are supported by a series of infection control guidelines used across the country, and B.C. emergency rooms and hospitals remain ready to identify, isolate and treat any suspected Ebola cases.  In addition, a number of procedures are in place to reduce the risk of travellers returning ill from West Africa, including:

  • Comprehensive procedures in place at our borders to identify sick travellers.
  • Border Services is asking all returning travellers whether or not they have been to one of the affected West African countries. Those who have are immediately referred to a quarantine officer, who further assesses whether they are at risk of Ebola.
  • Any travellers identified as being high risk are given quarantine orders, and local public health is contacted.

Also, all airlines and airport authorities are required to report ill travellers arriving on international flights to the agency’s quarantine officers.

In addition, public health officials here in British Columbia (and across Canada) are working with aid organizations such as the Red Cross, to identify health-care workers who will be travelling to West Africa to aid in the fight against Ebola there. That means that we are able to proactively work with individuals to outline conditions for return, such as remaining within two hours of a designated hospital, and self-monitoring.

B.C. Actions to Date:

  • B.C. is working very closely with federal, provincial and territorial colleagues to ensure readiness to respond to any potential cases, and B.C.’s Health Minister Terry Lake currently serves as the co-chair of the FPT Ebola Preparedness Group.
  • Dr. Perry Kendall is co-chairing a provincial task force with clinical and public health representatives from across all of the health authorities to review our protocols, and continue to prepare for a possible case.
  • The task force has prepared and distributed several important guidelines and protocols to health authorities and primary care facilities, including on personal protective equipment use in possible Ebola cases, protocols for assessment both in the community and at emergency departments and on training.
  • Each health authority has a dedicated 24/7 number for health-care facilities to contact if they encounter a potential case.
  • There are also a number of additional documents and guidelines currently under development by the task force, which will be distributed to health authorities and health care providers very shortly. These include:
    • Detailed training guidelines, including donning and doffing posters and training materials;
    • Guidance for primary health-care facilities for use when dealing with possible Ebola cases; and
    • Clinical care guidelines for managing and treating suspected or confirmed Ebola patients.
  • The Province has designated two hospitals in the province to serve as centres to treat patients confirmed with having Ebola - Surrey Memorial Hospital for adult patients, and BC Children’s Hospital for pediatric patients.
  • The ministry has been holding regular stakeholder engagement teleconferences with key groups, such as health-care unions and colleges, to keep them updated on planning and preparedness.

Learn more:

For more information on Ebola virus disease, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website at: www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/a-z/_e/Ebola/default.htm

For information on the guidelines, protocols and procedures for managing and preparing for Ebola in B.C., visit the provincial health officer website at: www.health.gov.bc.ca/pho

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

https://news.gov.bc.ca/07642

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