Provincial Government

A heron brings a twig back to its nest at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve on March 18, 2015. The non-profit Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is receiving $20,000 from the provincial government through the Community Gaming Grants program. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Chilliwack-area non-profits receive community gaming grants from B.C. government

Five local organizations focused on the environment and public safety get funding

 

The provincial government has announced $3.3 million to make provincial parks mainly around Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland more accessible. Those upgrades will improve trails as well as washrooms. (Black Press Media file photo)

$3.3M earmarked to improve accessibility in provincial parks across the Lower Mainland

The money will focus on provincial parks in Metro Vancouver and Lower Mainland

 

BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau last week tabled legislation that promises to limit the use of non-disclosure agreements. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Proposed legislation would stop NDAs from being used to ‘silence’ harassment victims: Furstenau

Sonia Furstenau’s legislation comes after Canadian Bar Association criticized NDAs

 

Pam Alexis, B.C. minister of agriculture and food, said the $5 million she was announcing on March 16 in Chilliwack will protect farmers and their animals from animal diseases, which in turn will protect B.C.’s economy and food security. (Jennifer Feinberg/ The Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. creates $5M animal-disease response program to make farmers, ranchers more resilient

‘Quicker, better’ response in B.C. coming for outbreaks like avian influenza, swine fever: ag minister

Pam Alexis, B.C. minister of agriculture and food, said the $5 million she was announcing on March 16 in Chilliwack will protect farmers and their animals from animal diseases, which in turn will protect B.C.’s economy and food security. (Jennifer Feinberg/ The Chilliwack Progress)
Premier David Eby in Vancouver on March 14, 2023, announcing new framework for future oil and gas projects in B.C. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

B.C. creates new requirements for future energy and oil projects amid climate targets

Passing emissions tests and having plan to reach net-zero by 2030 part of new energy act framework

Premier David Eby in Vancouver on March 14, 2023, announcing new framework for future oil and gas projects in B.C. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Selina Robinson, B.C.’s minister of post-secondary education, announces the expansion of the province’s tuition waiver program for former youths in care at a press conference Tuesday, March 14, at Vancouver Island University. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

B.C. government expanding post-secondary tuition waiver for former youths in care

Program will be available to former youths in care of any age starting this summer

Selina Robinson, B.C.’s minister of post-secondary education, announces the expansion of the province’s tuition waiver program for former youths in care at a press conference Tuesday, March 14, at Vancouver Island University. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says all British Columbians can “likely” get a COVID-19 boosters in the fall as part of a campaign that might become an annual ritual like the a flu-vaccination campaign.

B.C. announces spring COVID-19 boosters to be available soon

Henry also added that a fall booster will likely be available for all British Columbians

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says all British Columbians can “likely” get a COVID-19 boosters in the fall as part of a campaign that might become an annual ritual like the a flu-vaccination campaign.
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

All talk and no clock? B.C. premier explains pause on Daylight Saving Time plan

British Columbians will have to forward their clocks on Sunday (March 12) at 2 a.m.

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Vancouver, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Volunteers haul trash up a steep incline from a Sweltzer Creek homeless camp under the Vedder River bridge on Jan. 29, 2023. (Streams Foundations Canada)

Provincial government creates abandoned-camp cleanup fund for Chilliwack River Valley

$200K will go to FVRD fund to cover tipping fees for garbage, removing vehicles, garbage bin rentals

Volunteers haul trash up a steep incline from a Sweltzer Creek homeless camp under the Vedder River bridge on Jan. 29, 2023. (Streams Foundations Canada)
The provincial government has tabled legislation to ensure gender-pay transparency but critics say it does not go far enough. (Pexels/Contributed)

B.C. employers will have to report pay ranges as part of gender-gap legislation

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy introduces the legislation one day before International Women’s Day

The provincial government has tabled legislation to ensure gender-pay transparency but critics say it does not go far enough. (Pexels/Contributed)
The Fraser River watershed is among the most threatened in Canada, according to the World Wildlife Foundation. The province has committed $100 million toward a permanent to fund protect watersheds. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

B.C. floats $100M to protect provincial watersheds

BC Greens Leader Sonia Furstenau calls the funding a start, but wants to see details

The Fraser River watershed is among the most threatened in Canada, according to the World Wildlife Foundation. The province has committed $100 million toward a permanent to fund protect watersheds. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)
BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau has called on government to launch a pilot project for a four-day workweek without any changes in pay. (Black Press Media file photo)

Should B.C. move to a 4-day work week? A look inside the debate

Provincial minister of labour Harry Bains says there no plans to change existing labour laws

BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau has called on government to launch a pilot project for a four-day workweek without any changes in pay. (Black Press Media file photo)
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announces B.C.’s $150-million investment to fund upgrades to province’s 911 emergency communication system during a press conference at a fire hall in the Vancouver Island community of Saanich. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

B.C. eyes $150M spend for 911 upgrades, including texting

Upgrades to provide new options for British Columbians to reach emergency services

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announces B.C.’s $150-million investment to fund upgrades to province’s 911 emergency communication system during a press conference at a fire hall in the Vancouver Island community of Saanich. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy tables her first budget in the legislative assembly at legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

What you need to know about the B.C. government’s 2023 budget

Big spending on health, community grants and ways to curb inflation

Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy tables her first budget in the legislative assembly at legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Reaction to the 2023-24 budget delivered by Finance Minister Katrine Conroy ranged from mixed to cautiously optimistic to disappointed.

Hope and fear: 2023-2024 B.C. budget draws range of reactions

A leading business voice fears the financial direction of B.C. while others see hope on housing

Reaction to the 2023-24 budget delivered by Finance Minister Katrine Conroy ranged from mixed to cautiously optimistic to disappointed.
A rental sign is seen outside a building in Ottawa, Thursday, April 30, 2020. B.C.’s NDP government followed through on a long-promised renters’ rebate on Feb. 28, 2023, in its provincial budget. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Long-awaited renters’ rebate among credits promised in B.C.’s 2023 budget

Other increases coming for families, lower-income earners

A rental sign is seen outside a building in Ottawa, Thursday, April 30, 2020. B.C.’s NDP government followed through on a long-promised renters’ rebate on Feb. 28, 2023, in its provincial budget. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A new 16-bed mental health evaluation and treatment facility has three double- and 10 single-bed rooms. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror

‘Quite remarkable’: B.C. commits close to $1 billion for mental health, addictions

Investment standout piece from $6.4-billion health-care spending promise

A new 16-bed mental health evaluation and treatment facility has three double- and 10 single-bed rooms. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
B.C. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy speaks during a news conference as students enjoy a hot lunch at Ruth King Elementary in Langford, B.C., Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)

Health care, housing and grants top B.C.’s 2023-24 Budget Day promises

Snow blanketed the provincial capital in the morning hours of B.C.’s budget…

B.C. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy speaks during a news conference as students enjoy a hot lunch at Ruth King Elementary in Langford, B.C., Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. (File photos)

Farnworth says ‘just nonsense’ Surrey policing decision delay leading to massive tax increase

‘Not a budget that I am happy to deliver,’ Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says of 17.5% tax increase

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. (File photos)
Communities across B.C. including Kelowna are still trying to understand what $1 billion worth of one-time grants for urban infrastructure means for them. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. municipalities awaiting details of $1B community grant announcement

Premier David Eby announced the grants last week to help communities deal with population growth

Communities across B.C. including Kelowna are still trying to understand what $1 billion worth of one-time grants for urban infrastructure means for them. (Black Press Media file photo)
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