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Crofton mill gets workers back on the job with provincial, federal funding

January 20, 2023 9:05 AM
Photo of mill workers 
Text reads: Support workers in Crofton
More than 100 jobs will resume at Paper Excellence’s Crofton Mill facility, resulting from a partnership and funding from the provincial and federal governments, as the mill retools to manufacture new pulp products that reduce the need for single-use plastics.
  Read More

Province, Blueberry River First Nations reach agreement

January 18, 2023 2:39 PM
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close menu Agriculture and Food

Supporting B.C. jobs, food security through agritech

January 26, 2023 11:30 AM
Four B.C. businesses that are developing solutions to help ensure the province’s food systems remain secure, resilient and sustainable are the first to receive funding through the recently launched B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI).
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Planning underway for new B.C. plant and animal health lab

January 26, 2023 9:45 AM
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New premier delivers action to expand housing supply within first days

November 21, 2022 10:43 AM
New premier delivers action to expand housing supply within first days
To help deliver more good homes for people, the Province is introducing new laws to build the homes people need, make it possible for homes that are vacant to be rented and remove discriminatory age and rental restrictions in stratas that hurt young families.
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Increased funding for Human Rights Tribunal will make justice more accessible

January 4, 2023 10:00 AM
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Operators announced for pilot family connections centres

January 5, 2023 9:30 AM
Families of children and youth with support needs can soon access supports and services through newly established pilot family connections centres in four B.C. communities.
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First rent supplements begin for youth from care in B.C.

December 21, 2022 8:30 AM
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Access to high-speed internet available in Ruth Lake, Deka Lake in time for holidays

December 22, 2022 10:00 AM
More than 700 households in the Deka Lake and Ruth Lake communities can now access quality, reliable high-speed internet with the completion of a fibre-to-the-home network.
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Streamlined registry services make B.C. businesses easier to operate

November 24, 2022 1:30 PM
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B.C. launches anti-racism action plan for K-12 students

January 23, 2023 11:15 AM
Anti-racism action plan for more inclusive schools in B.C.
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 learning in new classrooms at Dover Bay Secondary

January 18, 2023 10:00 AM
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Large-scale emergency exercise simulates Lower Mainland earthquake

February 3, 2023 2:30 PM
Large-scale emergency exercise simulates Lower Mainland earthquake
The Province and Public Safety Canada are kicking off a large-scale emergency preparedness training exercise in British Columbia with a simulated alert sent to Exercise Coastal Response 2023 participants.
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Communities benefit from disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation funding

February 3, 2023 12:10 PM
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close menu Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

Province, Blueberry River First Nations reach agreement

January 18, 2023 2:39 PM
Watch the Province and Blueberry River First Nations reach an agreement
The B.C. government and Blueberry River First Nations have reached a historic agreement that will guide them forward in a partnership approach to land, water and resource stewardship that ensures Blueberry River members can meaningfully exercise their Treaty 8 rights, and provide stability and predictability for industry in the region.
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Remote First Nations communities advance clean-energy projects

January 16, 2023 11:30 AM
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close menu Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Province, Blueberry River First Nations reach agreement

January 18, 2023 2:39 PM
Watch the Province and Blueberry River First Nations reach an agreement
The B.C. government and Blueberry River First Nations have reached a historic agreement that will guide them forward in a partnership approach to land, water and resource stewardship that ensures Blueberry River members can meaningfully exercise their Treaty 8 rights, and provide stability and predictability for industry in the region.
  Read More

Province adds more items to B.C.’s recycling system

January 6, 2023 8:30 AM
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New protections in place for homebuyers in B.C.

January 3, 2023 9:30 AM
New protections in place for homebuyers in B.C.
Homebuyers in B.C. now have better protection in the real estate market as the homebuyer protection period takes effect on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.
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Help with costs arrives for British Columbians

January 5, 2023 9:00 AM
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close menu Forests

Crofton mill gets workers back on the job with provincial, federal funding

January 20, 2023 9:05 AM
Photo of mill workers 
Text reads: Support workers in Crofton
More than 100 jobs will resume at Paper Excellence’s Crofton Mill facility, resulting from a partnership and funding from the provincial and federal governments, as the mill retools to manufacture new pulp products that reduce the need for single-use plastics.
  Read More

Province, Blueberry River First Nations reach agreement

January 18, 2023 2:39 PM
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close menu Health

Nurses receive support to join B.C.’s health system more quickly

January 9, 2023 12:46 PM
Photo of a nurse and her patient. Text reads: Helping more nurses practice in BC, faster
The Province is making it easier for internationally educated nurses to work in B.C.’s health-care system with new financial supports and a faster, more efficient assessment pathway.
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Province provides update on respiratory illness season

January 13, 2023 12:55 PM
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close menu Housing

New permitting strategy will help build homes faster

January 16, 2023 9:48 AM
New permitting strategy will help build homes faster
The Province is taking another step to tackle the housing crisis by creating a one-stop-shop approach to provincial permitting to help speed up approvals and construction to build more homes.
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New fund will protect thousands of renters in B.C.

January 12, 2023 10:45 AM
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close menu Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Province, Blueberry River First Nations reach agreement

January 18, 2023 2:39 PM
Watch the Province and Blueberry River First Nations reach an agreement
The B.C. government and Blueberry River First Nations have reached a historic agreement that will guide them forward in a partnership approach to land, water and resource stewardship that ensures Blueberry River members can meaningfully exercise their Treaty 8 rights, and provide stability and predictability for industry in the region.
  Read More

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

Crofton mill gets workers back on the job with provincial, federal funding

January 20, 2023 9:05 AM
Photo of mill workers 
Text reads: Support workers in Crofton
More than 100 jobs will resume at Paper Excellence’s Crofton Mill facility, resulting from a partnership and funding from the provincial and federal governments, as the mill retools to manufacture new pulp products that reduce the need for single-use plastics.
  Read More

New jobs fund will support employment, resilient economies

January 17, 2023 2:05 PM
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close menu Labour

Reminder to have your say about app-based ride-hailing, food-delivery work

January 3, 2023 9:00 AM
Time is running out to share your thoughts about app-based ride-hailing and food-delivery work in B.C.
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Farm workers who hand-harvest crops get rate increase Jan. 1

December 29, 2022 9:00 AM
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close menu Mental Health and Addictions

B.C. takes action to save lives, build new connections of care with drug decriminalization

January 30, 2023 10:38 AM
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The Province is taking a critical step to end the shame and stigma that prevents people with substance-use challenges from reaching out for life-saving help as B.C.’s decriminalization of people who use drugs comes into effect on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
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Richmond offers integrated mental-health, substance-use supports for young people

January 12, 2023 12:00 PM
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close menu Municipal Affairs

Province cancels student health fee for people fleeing war in Ukraine

December 19, 2022 5:15 PM
On Dec. 19, 2022, the government enacted the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel International Student Health Fee Remission Regulation.
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Grants for Lower Mainland non-profits improve arts, culture, sports access

December 8, 2022 9:24 AM
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close menu Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

B.C. trains more paramedics for emergency health care

February 2, 2023 1:30 PM
B.C. trains more paramedics for emergency health care
British Columbians will have improved access to emergency health services as the Province invests approximately $2 million into expanding paramedic training programs in communities around the province.
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Skills Roadmap helps people in the mining sector

January 20, 2023 8:00 AM
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close menu Public Safety and Solicitor General

ICBC files for no increase to basic insurance rates for two more years

December 12, 2022 10:19 AM
ICBC files for no increase to basic insurance rates for two more years
Government reforms to ICBC are paying off with affordable, steady rates and fiscal stability for people.
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Review highlights B.C.’s strong pandemic response, opportunities for enhancement

December 2, 2022 1:15 PM
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close menu Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Funding Indigenous-led non-profits a step toward reconciliation

February 3, 2023 3:35 PM
Funding Indigenous-led non-profits a step toward reconciliation
Approximately $5 million in grants have been committed to 23 Indigenous-led non-profit organizations from the Indigenous Resilience and Recovery Grant Initiative.
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Medical lab assistant training opens doors to in-demand jobs

January 30, 2023 8:30 AM
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close menu Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Fifteen British Columbians honoured for dedication to service

December 5, 2022 10:30 AM
Fifteen British Columbians honoured for dedication to service
The Government of B.C. has selected 15 British Columbians to receive the Medal of Good Citizenship for their dedication and selfless service to their communities.
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Province supports inclusive, diverse arts sector with $2.7 million

December 15, 2022 1:30 PM
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New funding supports more accessible taxis

February 1, 2023 11:15 AM
New funding supports more accessible taxis
British Columbians who use wheelchairs or have other accessibility needs will soon see more accessible taxis on the road with the launch of the Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP).
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Safety improvements ahead for Highway 5A

January 20, 2023 1:05 PM
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close menu Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Province, Blueberry River First Nations reach agreement

January 18, 2023 2:39 PM
Watch the Province and Blueberry River First Nations reach an agreement
The B.C. government and Blueberry River First Nations have reached a historic agreement that will guide them forward in a partnership approach to land, water and resource stewardship that ensures Blueberry River members can meaningfully exercise their Treaty 8 rights, and provide stability and predictability for industry in the region.
  Read More

New permitting strategy will help build homes faster

January 16, 2023 9:48 AM
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Health

PharmaCare cracks down on problem pharmacies

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Honourable Adrian Dix

Honourable Adrian Dix

Minister of Health and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs

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Nurses receive support to join B.C.’s health system more quickly

January 9, 2023 12:46 PM
Photo of a nurse and her patient. Text reads: Helping more nurses practice in BC, faster
The Province is making it easier for internationally educated nurses to work in B.C.’s health-care system with new financial supports and a faster, more efficient assessment pathway.
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Province provides update on respiratory illness season

January 13, 2023 12:55 PM
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Health

British Columbia News

PharmaCare cracks down on problem pharmacies

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08373

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News Release

Victoria
Thursday, May 7, 2015 8:30 AM

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News Release

Victoria

Thursday, May 7, 2015 8:30 AM

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PharmaCare has informed a number of Lower Mainland pharmacies that it no longer intends to do business with them, as the result of a new regulation that allows the Ministry of Health to better enforce the rules around billing PharmaCare.

The Ministry of Health intends to refuse re-enrolment as providers to PharmaCare to about 46 pharmacies in the Lower Mainland, as of June 1, 2015. The rest of the more than 1280 pharmacies in B.C. will be re-enrolled as providers to the public drug plan in good standing on the same day.

The ministry has sent letters to the affected pharmacies, to inform them of the intent to refuse enrolment and the specific reasons behind the decision. Each pharmacy has 21 days to respond as to why enrolment should be allowed; the ministry will consider each pharmacy’s response and decide whether to refuse or allow enrolment.

“The Ministry of Health takes its responsibility to protect vulnerable patients and health care dollars seriously,” said Minister of Health Terry Lake. “Until now, it could be hard for the ministry to cancel the enrolment of a pharmacy taking advantage of patients or breaking PharmaCare’s billing rules. Now we can act decisively to protect patients and taxpayers, as well as the good name of the vast majority of pharmacists.”

Once a final decision is made to refuse enrolment, the ministry will contact patients who use the affected pharmacies to let them know and give them time to transfer their prescriptions to nearby pharmacies. All of the affected pharmacies are in areas with several other pharmacy options for patients nearby.

“The college’s main priority is to ensure continuity of care and that pharmacies have the necessary information to facilitate any transfers of patient care,” said Suzanne Solven, deputy registrar of the College of Pharmacists of BC. “We are confident that pharmacy professionals will be able to provide a smooth transition for patients that move from one pharmacy to another.”

The ministry is taking these actions under its new provider regulation, which is part of the Pharmaceutical Services Act. The regulation now allows the ministry to refuse to do business with people and pharmacies that have a past history of problematic business and billing practices with PharmaCare and other public drug plans. It came into effect in December 2014.

The provider regulation sets out the roles and responsibilities for pharmacy owners, directors and managers who bill the PharmaCare program.

"We were pleased to have contributed to the development of these new regulations,” said Geraldine Vance, CEO of the BC Pharmacy Association. “We support the Minister's efforts to protect the interests of taxpayers and patients.”

The new regulation requires all pharmacies to re-enrol with PharmaCare under a new process by May 31, 2015. Under the new enrolment process, all pharmacies in B.C. will have to disclose ownership and management, and their track record as pharmacy providers.

The ministry has notified the pharmacies of its intent to refuse to enrol pharmacies for a variety of reasons.

  • Some have a past history of billing issues with PharmaCare, including audits that have recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • Others have improperly filed drug information into patient records in PharmaNet, the provincewide network that tracks all prescriptions, thereby putting patient’s health at risk.
  • Still others have apparently given false information on their enrolment applications.

PharmaCare spends about $1.1 billion a year; most of the money is paid to B.C. pharmacies as reimbursement for drugs and services. There are more than 65 million pharmacy transactions recorded in PharmaNet, the provincewide network that tracks every prescription dispensed in British Columbia.

PharmaCare is the province’s public drug plan; every British Columbian is eligible to apply. While pharmacies do not need to be enrolled in PharmaCare to operate, only enrolled pharmacies can charge medication costs and services to the public drug plan on behalf of PharmaCare clients.

Learn more:

For more information on PharmaCare’s enrolment regulation, please visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=EAEE7FB0C6964F8F9169CDE3B34034A4#current-enrollment

To learn more about PharmaCare, please visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=D1A5394E2B5F4A358A65C07D202E8955

Media Contacts:

Laura Heinze
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08373

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