Provincial Government

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)
People can expect to see their family benefit and the bonus cost-of-living payment as a deposit or cheque through the Canada Revenue Agency alongside the federal Canada Child Benefit program. (Black Press file photo)

Low and moderate-income B.C. families to get second family benefit boost

A family with two children can receive up to $350 more than usual from Jan. to Mar.

People can expect to see their family benefit and the bonus cost-of-living payment as a deposit or cheque through the Canada Revenue Agency alongside the federal Canada Child Benefit program. (Black Press file photo)
A cat at Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven. (Sarah Sovereign Photography)

Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven gets provincial government grant

Money from the Community Gaming Fund is earmarked to pay for heat pumps and solar panels

A cat at Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven. (Sarah Sovereign Photography)
Bailey Road from Chilliwack River Road to Matheson Road will see a new sidewalk and bike lane installed, thanks to $500,000 in ‘active transportation’ funding from the province. (City of Chilliwack webmap)

More than $1M for active transportation around Chilliwack will bring bike lanes, sidewalks

Tzeachten First Nation, City of Chilliwack, and FVRD projects in latest round of provincial funding

Bailey Road from Chilliwack River Road to Matheson Road will see a new sidewalk and bike lane installed, thanks to $500,000 in ‘active transportation’ funding from the province. (City of Chilliwack webmap)
MLA John Rustad in Victoria May 17, 2018. Photography by John Lehmann

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad crosses the floor to B.C. Conservatives

Rustad was kicked out of BC Liberal caucus for views questioning climate change

MLA John Rustad in Victoria May 17, 2018. Photography by John Lehmann
Ross Aikenhead is putting the provincial goverment on notice he can no longer make himself available to undertake cleanups in the Chilliwack River Valley. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress screenshot)

Chilliwack volunteer puts B.C. minister on notice he’s no longer available for garbage cleanups

Why are volunteers left to clean messes that trained professionals should be dealing with?

Ross Aikenhead is putting the provincial goverment on notice he can no longer make himself available to undertake cleanups in the Chilliwack River Valley. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress screenshot)
Environmentalists praise the creation of a new conservancy area in the Incomappleux Valley near Revelstoke. (Photo courtesy of Paul Zizka)

1 down, 168 to go: Environmentalists call for province to protect 30% of land by 2030

Wilderness Committee calls for additional steps for province to protect 30% of land base by 2030

Environmentalists praise the creation of a new conservancy area in the Incomappleux Valley near Revelstoke. (Photo courtesy of Paul Zizka)
Premier David Eby at Shxwhá:y Village in Chilliwack on Feb. 10, 2023 speaking about $5 million in provincial money for flood protection. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. Premier David Eby in Chilliwack to announce $5 million in flood protection funding

At-risk communities of Sqwá, Shxwhá:y, and Chilliwack to see immediate action on erosion with riprap

Premier David Eby at Shxwhá:y Village in Chilliwack on Feb. 10, 2023 speaking about $5 million in provincial money for flood protection. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)
Premier David Eby, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Anne Kang, and mayor Brenda Locke at an announcement for local government infrastructure in Surrey on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)

Province pledges one-time grants totalling $1B for B.C. cities, regional districts

Premier David Eby announced the funding Friday morning in Surrey

Premier David Eby, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Anne Kang, and mayor Brenda Locke at an announcement for local government infrastructure in Surrey on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)
New funding will help almost 50 communities across prepare for climate-change related effects like increased flooding. (File photo by Don Bodger)

49 B.C. communities receive funds for projects to curb climate-change disasters

Almost $24 million comes from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund

New funding will help almost 50 communities across prepare for climate-change related effects like increased flooding. (File photo by Don Bodger)