BC government

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in September 2023, says record numbers of new purpose-built rental homes in B.C. is one piece of proof showing that new housing polices are making a difference. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

B.C. recorded 30% increase in new rental homes in 2023

New rental numbers prove B.C.’s new housing policies are working: minister

 

A woman holds a test swab for an at-home HPV test piloted by BC Cancer. Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced Tuesday (Jan. 9) that B.C. is moving toward at-home HPV test as the primary testing method, replacing the traditional Pap test. (Courtesy of BC Cancer Facebook)

B.C. launches self-screening for HPV amid rising cervical cancer rates

New self-screening tests using HPV testing methods to become available Jan. 29

 

Environment Minister George Heyman welcomes the results of COP28, but acknowledges that could have “sent a more positive signal” through stronger language around the phasing out of fossil fuels rather than transitioning away from them. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C.’s Environment Minister welcomes COP28 agreement

But George Heyman also acknowledged it could have sent a ‘more positive signal’

 

Crews, here seen repairing repair the Bottletop Bridge on the Coquihalla Highway in late November, 2021, have officially completed their repairs on the major highway connecting B.C.’s southwest corner with the Interior. (B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure)

‘Bigger, stronger, better’: climate-ready Coquihalla repairs complete

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said ‘extraordinary’ work makes Highway 5 climate-resilient

Crews, here seen repairing repair the Bottletop Bridge on the Coquihalla Highway in late November, 2021, have officially completed their repairs on the major highway connecting B.C.’s southwest corner with the Interior. (B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure)
Crews, here seen repairing repair the Bottletop Bridge on the Coquihalla Highway in late November, 2021, have officially completed their repairs on the major highway connecting B.C.’s southwest corner with the Interior. (B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure)

‘Bigger, stronger, better’: climate-ready Coquihalla repairs complete

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said ‘extraordinary’ work makes Highway 5 climate-resilient

Crews, here seen repairing repair the Bottletop Bridge on the Coquihalla Highway in late November, 2021, have officially completed their repairs on the major highway connecting B.C.’s southwest corner with the Interior. (B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure)
B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau warns against turning the carbon tax into a ‘scapegoat’ for affordability as a new poll shows growing opposition for the provincial carbon tax. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Support for B.C.’s carbon tax fading, poll shows

But environmentalists and BC Greens warn against turning carbon tax into a ‘scapegoat’

B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau warns against turning the carbon tax into a ‘scapegoat’ for affordability as a new poll shows growing opposition for the provincial carbon tax. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Some 50 people rallied outside the provincial legislature against the provincial vaccine mandate and Bill 36.(Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Group rallies outside B.C. Legislature against health care vaccine mandate

Health Minister Adrian Dix defends mandate and provincial health officer Bonnie Henry against attack

Some 50 people rallied outside the provincial legislature against the provincial vaccine mandate and Bill 36.(Wolf Depner/News Staff)
New proposed legislation promises to speed up construction of housing and expand the use of development cost charges funding urban infrastructure. (Black Press Media file photo)

Changes promise to cut B.C. development negotiations, provide certainty

Legislation also reforms development cost charges giving municipalities more flexibility

New proposed legislation promises to speed up construction of housing and expand the use of development cost charges funding urban infrastructure. (Black Press Media file photo)
New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. passes new legislation aimed at preparing for and mitigating emergencies

New Democrats, Greens vote in favour of Bill 31, BC United, Conservatives against it

New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Feds promise $500M to ‘fast track’ old-growth, habitat protection work in B.C.

The announcement was made at a gathering of First Nations leaders in Vancouver

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
First Nations Summit Political Executive Robert Phillips says it is time for the provincial government to share the law-making pen with First Nations during the opening of the eighth meeting of the provincial cabinet and First Nations Leaders Council as part of a two-day event bringing together 1,000 delegates representing 193 First Nations and organizations. (Screencap)

First Nations leaders call on B.C. to truly share the law-making pen

Robert Phillips of First Nations Summit Political Executive says bureaucracy stands in way

First Nations Summit Political Executive Robert Phillips says it is time for the provincial government to share the law-making pen with First Nations during the opening of the eighth meeting of the provincial cabinet and First Nations Leaders Council as part of a two-day event bringing together 1,000 delegates representing 193 First Nations and organizations. (Screencap)
Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says new legislation tabled Monday (Oct. 30) promises to improve forest management, but others are still reviewing the legislation, while UBC forestry professor (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Forest permits, penalties, prescribed burns targeted in new B.C. legislation

Proposed changes get tentative approval from industry voice

Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says new legislation tabled Monday (Oct. 30) promises to improve forest management, but others are still reviewing the legislation, while UBC forestry professor (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen at the Saanich Municipal Hall on Sept. 26, announced new legislation to increase density on lots currently zoned for single-family homes. (Black Press Media file photo)

New housing legislation promises to create 130,000 homes in B.C. in 10 years

Single-family density increase coming across the province for communities over 5,000 people

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen at the Saanich Municipal Hall on Sept. 26, announced new legislation to increase density on lots currently zoned for single-family homes. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC United Leader Kevin Falcon joined by members of his caucus unveils a quartet of policies that promise to cut costs. The measures call for the elimination of the provincial carbon tax on all home heating fuels and cancelling scheduled hikes of the carbon taxes. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

BC United promises to remove provincial taxes for cars and home heating

Freezing the carbon tax also pledged as part of series of pledges aimed reducing the cost of living

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon joined by members of his caucus unveils a quartet of policies that promise to cut costs. The measures call for the elimination of the provincial carbon tax on all home heating fuels and cancelling scheduled hikes of the carbon taxes. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Premier David Eby (Monday) questioned the federal government’s decision to exclude British Columbia from energy rebates and incentives in acknowledging that Ottawa hasn’t ‘shown up in B.C.’ yet in the way that he would hope. But he also held out hope that relations would improve. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

‘Moments of frustration’: Eby says feds have not ‘shown up’ yet in B.C.

Rebate on heating oil for some Canadians but not British Columbians latest source of irritation

Premier David Eby (Monday) questioned the federal government’s decision to exclude British Columbia from energy rebates and incentives in acknowledging that Ottawa hasn’t ‘shown up in B.C.’ yet in the way that he would hope. But he also held out hope that relations would improve. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Premier David Eby, here seen earlier this month in the legislature denouncing the attacks by Hamas on Israel as well as several cases of anti-Semitism in British Columbia, Monday announced that B.C. will make Holocaust education mandatory in 2025-26. (Screencap).

B.C. to make education about Holocaust mandatory starting 2025-26

Premier announces Grade 10 students will get broadened curriculum to combat rise of antisemitism

Premier David Eby, here seen earlier this month in the legislature denouncing the attacks by Hamas on Israel as well as several cases of anti-Semitism in British Columbia, Monday announced that B.C. will make Holocaust education mandatory in 2025-26. (Screencap).
Megan Dykeman, parliamentary secretary for community development and non- profits, joined Premier David Monday (Oct. 30) in announcing $60 million in additional grants for non-profits. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. antes up another $60 million for non-profits

Vancouver Foundation will distribute the money on behalf of government

Megan Dykeman, parliamentary secretary for community development and non- profits, joined Premier David Monday (Oct. 30) in announcing $60 million in additional grants for non-profits. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C. has said that it wants the federal government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to give the same rebates to British Columbians that other provinces are about to receive. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

Left-out B.C. to put the heat on Ottawa over heating oil rebates

T0 B.C.’s surprise, Ottawa to stop collecting federal carbon tax on home heating oil everywhere else

B.C. has said that it wants the federal government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to give the same rebates to British Columbians that other provinces are about to receive. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Early childhood educators will see their median hourly wages rise by $2 to $28, starting Jan. 1, 2024. (Submitted)

B.C. early childhood educators get $2 New Year’s hourly pay lift

Increase raises the median hourly wage for ECEs to approximately $28

Early childhood educators will see their median hourly wages rise by $2 to $28, starting Jan. 1, 2024. (Submitted)
The British Columbia government is moving to protect more old-growth forests and critical habitat with a type of crowd-source funding. Premier David Eby announces legislation at a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. introduces crowd-sourcing mechanism to protect old-growth forests

Eby says the province will contribute $150M to a conservation funding mechanism

The British Columbia government is moving to protect more old-growth forests and critical habitat with a type of crowd-source funding. Premier David Eby announces legislation at a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito