BC Government Ministry News

Office of the Premier

Premier's statement on Harold Long: Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement on the passing of former Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Harold Long.; 10:30 AM 05/22/2013
Premier Christy Clark's statement on Yom Ha'atzmaut: Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement today celebrating the 65th anniversary of Israel's independence, Yom Ha'atzmaut:; 5:30 PM 04/15/2013
Premier's statement on tragedy at Boston Marathon: Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement following an explosion in Boston:; 2:51 PM 04/15/2013

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

First Nations partnerships surpass Jobs Plan goals: Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Ida Chong recognized government's success in signing 18 non-treaty agreements with First Nations, surpassing goals set out in the BC Jobs Plan.; 2:00 PM 04/13/2013
Province and bands of the Nlaka'pamux Nation agree to share metal mine revenue: New revenue-sharing agreements ensure 14 member bands of the Nlaka'pamux Nation will benefit from the expansion of the Highland Valley Copper Mine (HVC).; 11:45 AM 04/13/2013
Mine revenue-sharing agreements benefit First Nations and the Cariboo: Two new revenue-sharing agreements will enable two Williams Lake-area First Nations to benefit from the expansion of the Mt. Polley mine.; 3:15 PM 04/11/2013

Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology

B.C. investing in graduate students: The B.C. government is providing $900,000 for graduate student scholarships at the province's four research-intensive universities.; 8:45 AM 04/15/2013
New community care licensing officer program at JIBC: The Justice Institute of British Columbia will develop and deliver a new training program for community care licensing officers to support and improve monitoring of private and public community care facilities throughout British Columbia.; 8:30 AM 04/15/2013
Post-secondary institutions capital investment: Government is providing more than $46 million in routine capital funding this fiscal year for public universities, colleges and institutions through Budget 2013.; 8:00 AM 04/12/2013

Agriculture

All signs point to more customers at Vernon Farmers' Market: Since its inception in 1980, the Vernon Farmers' Market has been a staple for families and lovers of fresh and local foods.; 11:45 AM 04/15/2013
'Buy Local' funding supports Hardbite from seed to chip: Naturally Homegrown Foods Limited will promote their line of B.C. grown and hand-cooked potato chips with the help of $100,000 in funding from the B.C. government's Buy Local program.; 10:00 AM 04/15/2013
'Buy local' funds on its way to Pitt Meadows family farm: A third-generation family business that has been operating in Pitt Meadows since the 1930s is the latest recipient to receive 'Buy Local' program funding.; 11:00 AM 04/13/2013

Children and Family Development

Stand up and stop violence against women: British Columbians can stand together during the week of Apr. 14-20 to condemn all acts of violence against women as the B.C. government proclaims Prevention of Violence against Women Week.; 10:00 AM 04/14/2013
B.C. proclaims child sexual abuse prevention week: April 14-20 is Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Week in British Columbia.; 8:30 AM 04/13/2013
New funding to speed up adoptions for children in care: A new online adoption education program and training for social workers in effective recruitment techniques will help children in care find permanent homes faster.; 10:30 AM 04/12/2013

Citizens' Services and Open Government

High speed Internet service reaches the Lil'wat Nation: The 900 people living in the Lil'wat Nation subdivision of Xet'olacw, near Mount Currie, can finally pull the plug on their old dial-up Internet service now that high-speed broadband has finally reached the community.; 1:00 PM 04/03/2013
High-speed Internet blossoms in Cherryville: High-speed Internet service is coming to Cherryville, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the government of B.C.; 10:16 AM 03/27/2013
Diamond Jubilee Medal presented: The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal was presented to Dr. Ruth Williams, CEO of the All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO), in recognition of her exceptional achievements and distinguished service to her fellow citizens.; 11:30 AM 03/26/2013

Community, Sport and Cultural Development

Whistler's Official Community Plan approved: Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett says after three years of work on the part of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, he is approving its Official Community Plan.; 5:33 PM 04/15/2013
Seniors' drop-in centre to benefit from gaming grant: A $60,000 Community Gaming Grant provided to the Senior Citizens Club of Fernie and District will help the club upgrade and buy much-needed equipment for their facility.; 12:01 PM 04/15/2013
New Nordic trails one step closer in Fernie: A $25,000 Community Gaming Grant will help the Fernie Nordic Society begin the process of mapping and designing new trails in the Elk Valley.; 12:00 PM 04/15/2013

Education

School district profiles: Find out more about your school district.; 12:08 PM 04/15/2013
New Ecole des Pionniers on the drawing board: A just-signed $22.8-million project agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF) lays the groundwork for a replacement for École des Pionniers in Port Coquitlam.; 10:45 AM 04/13/2013
Provincial support revives Nisga'a elementary school: Nathan Barton Elementary will be revitalized with mechanical and electrical system upgrades, thanks to $2.2 million from the B.C. government.; 10:30 AM 04/13/2013

Energy, Mines and Natural Gas

Affordable housing breaks ground in Kamloops: A partnership between the government of B.C., River City Seniors Society and Mayfair Developments will create 20 new apartments for low-to-moderate income seniors in Kamloops.; 1:45 PM 04/15/2013
Support for housing stability in northern communities: The B.C. government is providing $135,000 in additional support to the Community Development Institute.; 10:50 AM 04/12/2013
On-Bill Financing Pilots to be expanded next year: Through a regulation, the Province is expanding the on bill financing pilots to Vancouver Island and Kelowna, beginning in January 2014.; 4:16 PM 04/11/2013

Environment

Preventing human-wildlife conflicts is easy: It is the time of year when bears come out of hibernation and other wildlife become more active in British Columbia.; 6:00 AM 05/24/2013
Temporary measures support long weekend safety at Sombrio Beach: For the second year in a row, the gravel access road from Highway 14 to the parking lot at the Sombrio Beach trailhead will be temporarily closed to help prevent unauthorized activities, like large parties and vandalism, over the Victoria Day long weekend. long weekend.; 8:30 AM 05/15/2013
Celebrate the long weekend in a BC Park: The Victoria Day long weekend is a busy one for Discover Camping, the Province's camping reservation system, but many BC Parks still offer first-come, first-served campsites for visitors without reservations.; 11:49 AM 05/13/2013

Finance

Online guide helps B.C. businesses make PST transition: B.C. business owners or those starting a business will benefit from the new Small Business Guide to PST.; 9:00 AM 04/15/2013
PST accounting, reporting review available for business: Businesses can sign up now to have a government PST specialist review their accounting and reporting systems to ensure their systems are properly set up to comply with provincial sales tax laws.; 11:00 AM 04/14/2013
Multiculturalism Grants help celebrate diversity: The B.C. government is providing $291,950 in one-time grants to support 102 multicultural organizations through the B.C. Gaming Grant Program.; 3:25 PM 04/12/2013

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Valemount Glacier Resort proposal information session: Those interested in learning more about the Valemount Glacier Resort Interim Agreement and local and provincial government review processes are invited to attend an information session.; 10:30 AM 05/23/2013
Nicola Lake to approach flooding levels: It is anticipated that the heavy rainfall experienced over the past 48 hours will cause the streamflow in creeks and rivers feeding Nicola Lake to increase and remain high for at least another two weeks.; 9:00 AM 05/23/2013
Weekend enforcement successful in Campbell River area: Natural resource officers from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations joined forces with Ministry of Environment conservation officers and the RCMP to patrol recreation sites in the Campbell River area over the weekend.; 11:00 AM 05/22/2013

Health

Royal Inland Hospital Redevelopment moves forward: Royal Inland Hospital's redevelopment has moved forward today with the approval of the business case for a new Clinical Services Building.; 1:00 PM 04/15/2013
Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment moves ahead: The government of B.C. is proceeding with the business case for the first phase in the redevelopment of Royal Columbian Hospital.; 9:30 AM 04/15/2013
Licensed practical nurses now part of new bargaining structure: Government has enacted legislation allowing licensed practical nurses to be in the same bargaining structure as registered nurses.; 9:15 AM 04/15/2013

Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

B.C. Francophonie Day focuses on resources for families: The B.C. government is enhancing its support for francophone families with additional resources in French. Education Minister Don McRae, Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid and Justice Minister and Attorney General Shirley Bond shared the good news with students and stakeholders at the B.C. Parliament Buildings today.; 1:15 PM 03/14/2013
Review of Draft Multicultural Strategic Outreach Plan: On Feb. 28, 2013, Premier Christy Clark asked John Dyble, Deputy Minister to the Premier, Cabinet Secretary and head of the BC Public Service, to conduct a review of the draft Multicultural Strategic Outreach Plan to ensure that no government resources were inappropriately used, nor violations of the Public Service Act (Public Service Standards of Conduct) committed.; 1:51 PM 03/01/2013
"Pillars" of B.C. honoured by Premier Clark: Premier Christy Clark presented 85 British Columbians with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of their leadership to B.C. communities.; 3:37 PM 01/31/2013

Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training

Times of India Film Awards generates economic benefits for B.C.: The Province of British Columbia is providing the following preliminary estimates of immediate economic benefit to B.C. as a result of the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA).; 3:30 PM 04/15/2013
Skills and Training Plan sets the stage for 2013: In September 2012, the government launched a Skills and Training Plan to expand and align skills training programs with economic opportunities throughout the province to ensure British Columbia has a workforce with the right skills, in the right places, at the right times.; 3:21 PM 04/15/2013
B.C. auto industry focuses on safety and sustainability: Government has invested $100,000 in a Labour Market Partnerships Program agreement with the Automobile Retailers Association (ARA) and its automotive industry partners to undertake labour market research to identify the future labour needs of the sector.; 3:15 PM 04/15/2013

Justice

BC Coroners Service confirms identities of victims of boating incident: KELOWNA - The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identities of two men who died following a boating incident at Kalamalka Lake on May 21, 2013.; 11:20 AM 05/24/2013
BC Coroners Service confirms identity of scuba diver: KELOWNA - The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died in a scuba diving incident in Kootenay Lake near Kaslo on May 18, 2013.; 3:50 PM 05/23/2013
BC Coroners Service identifies motor vehicle incident victim: The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a male who died after a motor vehicle incident near Trail on May 3, 2013.; 2:30 PM 05/22/2013

Social Development

Community partnerships offer work experience, training & research: British Columbians are benefitting from a better understanding of local labour market circumstances as well as training and relevant work experience thanks to $1.3 million in funding for community-driven projects; 10:00 AM 04/13/2013
Laying the foundation for more integrated services: The B.C. government continues to move forward on implementing the 12-point plan for improving services for people with developmental disabilities.; 1:45 PM 04/09/2013
Employment Program of BC celebrates one-year milestone: Minister of Social Development Moira Stilwell, M.D. is marking the one-year anniversary of the Employment Program of BC.; 12:15 PM 04/03/2013

Transportation and Infrastructure

Mufford overpass moves ahead to reduce congestion: Construction will soon start on the Mufford/64th Ave at Highway 10 project to improve road safety and reduce the response time of emergency vehicles.; 9:15 AM 04/13/2013
Original and new plaques unveiled for Port Mann Bridge: The two finishing touches on the new Port Mann Bridge - a 1964 commemorative plaque from the original bridge and a new plaque to mark the opening of the new crossing - were unveiled in a ceremony on the old bridge.; 10:45 AM 04/11/2013
South Fraser Perimeter Road turns trash to treasure: An abandoned landfill has been transformed into prime industrial land and is now home to a local business in Delta.; 9:45 AM 04/10/2013