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close menu Office of the Premier

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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close menu Advanced Education and Skills Training

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

The final countdown for new surgical centre

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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

British Columbia News

The final countdown for new surgical centre

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08689

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News Release

Kelowna
Friday, June 19, 2015 1:15 PM

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News Release

Kelowna

Friday, June 19, 2015 1:15 PM

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Today marks 100 days until the opening of the new Interior Heart and Surgical Centre, highlighted with the unveiling of a countdown clock at Kelowna General Hospital. 

“The countdown is on toward opening the new Interior Heart and Surgical Centre,” said Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna. “In just 100 days, the first patient will undergo surgery here, receiving great care much closer to friends, family - and home.”

The centre is scheduled to open for patients on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. The Province provided $296 million to the overall project and $85 million was contributed by the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District for a total of $381 million.

“Today, we are heading down the home stretch of seven years of construction at Kelowna General Hospital,” said Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson. “I know that both patients and health professionals will welcome the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre when it opens in September. This centre will help save lives in the Southern Interior.”

In addition to cardiac surgery - the first such program outside of Victoria and the Lower Mainland - the centre will include new pre-operative, day surgery and post-anaesthetic recovery bays and a cardiac surgery intensive care unit.

“This facility is the icing on the cake that is KGH,” said Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick. “It has capacity for 15 operating rooms, including two dedicated for cardiac surgery where patient-centred care will be delivered closer to home.”

The centre adds 14,120 square metres (152,000 square feet) of modern patient care space to Kelowna General Hospital. It provides for easy drop-off and pick-up from Pandosy Street with a modern design optimizing natural light. There were 11,700 cubic metres (15,303 cubic yards) of concrete poured during construction, approximately 1,530 truckloads.

“Kelowna General Hospital has been a cornerstone of our healthy community for 107 years,” said Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District chair Gail Given. “From day one of the KGH expansion, the Regional Hospital District has proudly provided financial support on behalf of all Central Okanagan residents.”

The new surgical centre was designed and constructed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

“Interior Health is committed to environmental sustainability and green buildings,” said Interior Health board chair Erwin Malzer. “By creating a healthy and healing environment for patients and health-care professionals, we are fulfilling our vision to set new standards of excellence in the delivery of health services in B.C.”   

The fourth floor, which will be home to a new maternity unit, is expected to open in spring 2016.

The Ministry of Health has developed “Setting Priorities for the B.C. Health System,” an overarching strategy to create a more sustainable health system. As part of this, a series of policy papers, including one on surgical services, was created, built on understanding patient surgical health-care needs and developing quality, sustainable and innovative delivery models to improve care.

Learn more:

For more information on the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre, visit www.interiorhealth.ca

To read the Ministry of Health’s strategic document, Setting Priorities for the BC Health System and the accompanying policy papers, please visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=EF73BCF3DE34484CB4DBA9E34092402C

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

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

Lisa Braman
Capital Projects Communications Officer
Interior Health
250 870-4791
250 801-1741 (cell)

BACKGROUNDER

Interior Heart and Surgical Centre details

Level 1:

  • 42 private pre-op and day surgery recovery bays
  • Family rooms
  • Meeting spaces for clinical teams
  • Staff rest area with access to outdoor space

Level 2:

  • 22 post-anaesthetic recovery room bays
  • Capacity for 15 operating rooms, including two dedicated for cardiac surgery
  • One hybrid operating room, scheduled to open in fall 2015. This highly specialized operating room is equipped with advanced medical imaging devices, enabling minimally invasive surgery, which is less traumatic for the patient
  • Average operating room size is 60 square metres (646 square feet), allowing for easy movement by health professionals
  • Eight cardiac surgery intensive care unit private rooms
  • Family room

Level 3:

  • Medical device reprocessing (MDR) department for decontamination, inspection, performance of necessary maintenance, assembly, disinfection/sterilization, and storage
  • More than four times larger than the old MDR with natural light throughout
  • Staff rest areas with access to outdoor covered patio

Level 4 (opening spring 2016):

  • New maternity unit
  • Neonatal intensive care unit including private and semi-private spaces
  • Five labour and delivery rooms
  • 17 inpatient beds (combination of private and semi-private rooms)
  • Two operating room assessment and recovery beds
  • Three early labour assessment beds
  • Caesarean section operating room
  • All spaces will be equipped with the latest technology including central monitoring

Media Contacts:

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

Lisa Braman
Capital Projects Communications Officer
Interior Health
250 870-4791
250 801-1741 (cell)

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08689

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