BC government

B.C. becomes the first province to sign a so-called Aging with Dignity agreement with Ottawa to allow more seniors to receive care while staying at home before transitioning toward long-term care. (Unsplash photo)

B.C. inks $733-million Aging With Dignity deal, Canada’s first

Agreement runs for 5 years, promises to help seniors age at and close to home

B.C. becomes the first province to sign a so-called Aging with Dignity agreement with Ottawa to allow more seniors to receive care while staying at home before transitioning toward long-term care. (Unsplash photo)
Global politics intruded on provincial politics Sunday afternoon once more during this pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protest outside the provincial legislature. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Global political stands come with risk and reward for local B.C. politicians

UBC’s Stewart Prest says taking a stand on global issues can distract from core duties of government

Global politics intruded on provincial politics Sunday afternoon once more during this pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protest outside the provincial legislature. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen is rejecting criticisms of proposed amendments to the Land Act, saying First Nations won’t get a veto, as claimed by critics. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. minister says land act changes don’t give First Nations veto power

Nathan Cullen said proposed amendments are designed to provide certainty

Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen is rejecting criticisms of proposed amendments to the Land Act, saying First Nations won’t get a veto, as claimed by critics. (Black Press Media file photo)
Figures from Statistics Canada show that the wholesale and retail trade lost 8,500 workers in January 2024 as the provincial unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s unemployment rate improves despite losing 2,600 jobs

Seasonal, weather-dependent industries lost jobs, while business, public administration gained jobs

Figures from Statistics Canada show that the wholesale and retail trade lost 8,500 workers in January 2024 as the provincial unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)
Megan Dykeman speaking at the provincial government announcement at SFU: Surrey in Surrey on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)

Group to develop B.C.-wide non-profit network with $650K boost from province

Vantage Point to will lead the project development

Megan Dykeman speaking at the provincial government announcement at SFU: Surrey in Surrey on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)
Premier David Eby, here seen Monday, Feb. 5, following the resignation over former post-secondary education minister Selina Robinson has denounced a death threat against her. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)

Premier Eby denounces death threat against former minister Robinson

Eby said Thursday police continue to investigate the threat against Robinson, who is said to be safe

Premier David Eby, here seen Monday, Feb. 5, following the resignation over former post-secondary education minister Selina Robinson has denounced a death threat against her. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)
The provincial government is preparing to table legislation in the spring that would curb what Premier David Eby called the "irresponsible marketing" of things like vaping and social media apps without adequate protection. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. to smoke out ‘irresponsible marketing’ for vaping, social media: Eby

Number of Canadian teens using e-cigarettes ranks among the highest in the world, says researcher

The provincial government is preparing to table legislation in the spring that would curb what Premier David Eby called the "irresponsible marketing" of things like vaping and social media apps without adequate protection. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Vancouver on Feb. 5, 2024. Eby joined Health Minister Adrian Dix at the Canadian Cancer Society in Vancouver on Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2024) for an announcement about incoming regulations against Zonnic, a type of nicotine patches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

B.C. to move nicotine pouches behind pharmacy counters

Premier David Eby pointed specifically to Zonnic, which have been available at convenience stores

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Vancouver on Feb. 5, 2024. Eby joined Health Minister Adrian Dix at the Canadian Cancer Society in Vancouver on Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2024) for an announcement about incoming regulations against Zonnic, a type of nicotine patches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
The province temporarily restricting water use for industry and forage crops in the Koksilah River watershed last summer due to drought continues. (Citizen file photo)

B.C. preparing farmers for coming summer’s potential drought

Workshops detailing tactics and supports taking place in 30 communities through February and March

The province temporarily restricting water use for industry and forage crops in the Koksilah River watershed last summer due to drought continues. (Citizen file photo)
The provincial government is promising additional support for Okanagan wine growers impacted by a shortage of grapes and a trade dispute with Alberta. (Black Press Media file photo)

Premier Eby questions Alberta’s reasoning behind trade dispute over B.C. wine

B.C. promises additional support as interprovincial wine dispute brews up

The provincial government is promising additional support for Okanagan wine growers impacted by a shortage of grapes and a trade dispute with Alberta. (Black Press Media file photo)
Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson, here seen in Vancouver in July 2023, said she will take anti-Islamophobia training after calling pre-1948 Israel “a crappy piece of land with nothing on it.” (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)

Robinson to take anti-Islamophobia training after controversial Gaza statement

Robinson continues to face calls for her resignation with protests scheduled Monday

Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson, here seen in Vancouver in July 2023, said she will take anti-Islamophobia training after calling pre-1948 Israel “a crappy piece of land with nothing on it.” (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)
B.C. Premier David Eby Friday confirmed that Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson remains in cabinet, but added that her comments about the place of Palestinians in the Middle East “crossed the line” and that she “much work to do” to “repair the harm” that her comments have caused. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)

Robinson to remain in B.C. cabinet after calling Gaza ‘a crappy piece of land’

Premier David Eby said Selina Robinson ‘crossed the line’ and has ‘some work to do’ to repair harm

B.C. Premier David Eby Friday confirmed that Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson remains in cabinet, but added that her comments about the place of Palestinians in the Middle East “crossed the line” and that she “much work to do” to “repair the harm” that her comments have caused. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)
Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, middle right, here seen speaking to renters, Wednesday announced $11 million from the provincial government for the rent bank program. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. banks an additional $11 million for immediate renter help

Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA for Vancouver West-End, announced rent bank top-up Wednesday

Vancouver-West End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert, middle right, here seen speaking to renters, Wednesday announced $11 million from the provincial government for the rent bank program. (Black Press Media file photo)
Metro Vancouver’s population could reach almost 5 million by 2046 according to a new report from StatsBC( (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

B.C.’s population could reach almost 8 million by 2046: StatsBC

B.C. society will also get older and more diverse thanks to low fertility and high immigration

Metro Vancouver’s population could reach almost 5 million by 2046 according to a new report from StatsBC( (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
The open pit copper mine Cobre Panama, run by Panamanian Mining company Minera Panama, a subsidiary of Canada’s First Quantum Minerals Ltd., stands in Donoso, Panama. The government of that country recently ordered its shutdown. Premier David Eby cited that development in making the case for B.C. as a safe and stable place for mining operations. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Abraham Teran)

B.C. offers certainty for miners not found elsewhere, says Premier Eby

Eby pointed to recent developments around Cobre Mine in Panama as evidence of B.C.’s stability

The open pit copper mine Cobre Panama, run by Panamanian Mining company Minera Panama, a subsidiary of Canada’s First Quantum Minerals Ltd., stands in Donoso, Panama. The government of that country recently ordered its shutdown. Premier David Eby cited that development in making the case for B.C. as a safe and stable place for mining operations. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Abraham Teran)
Houses are covered with snow as the downtown skyline is seen in the distance, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The province has expanded its secondary suite program to 16 regional districts, according to a news release Jan. 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

16 regional districts now included in B.C.’s secondary suite program

Pilot program introduced in 2023 to add as many as 1,000 affordable rental units per year

Houses are covered with snow as the downtown skyline is seen in the distance, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The province has expanded its secondary suite program to 16 regional districts, according to a news release Jan. 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Health Minister Adrian Dix Tuesday (Jan. 30) announced that the construction of a new cyclotron to be located at the University of British Columbia is underway. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)

New cyclotron at UBC promises to accelerate cancer diagnostics in B.C.

Machine is part of a $50.5 million investment in cancer research

Health Minister Adrian Dix Tuesday (Jan. 30) announced that the construction of a new cyclotron to be located at the University of British Columbia is underway. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)
Premier David Eby, here seen with Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside and Jonny Morris, Chief Executive Officer at Canadian Mental Health Association, says B.C. won’t follow Oregon’s plan as it plans to reverse elements of its drug decriminalization law. But B.C. will continue to monitor other jurisdictions’ responses to deaths from unregulated drugs. (Screencap)

B.C. won’t follow Oregon in drug decriminalization reversal: Eby

Province set a new record in 2023 with at least 2,511 deaths related to unregulated drugs

Premier David Eby, here seen with Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside and Jonny Morris, Chief Executive Officer at Canadian Mental Health Association, says B.C. won’t follow Oregon’s plan as it plans to reverse elements of its drug decriminalization law. But B.C. will continue to monitor other jurisdictions’ responses to deaths from unregulated drugs. (Screencap)
Premier David Eby, here seen in early November 2023, said his government is close to announcing “better cooperation” with the federal government on financial support for heat pumps as well as heating costs generally. (Screencap) (Screencap)

B.C. Premier Eby signals ‘better co-operation’ with Ottawa on heat pumps

Housing and critical infrastructure other points of discussion with federal leaders

Premier David Eby, here seen in early November 2023, said his government is close to announcing “better cooperation” with the federal government on financial support for heat pumps as well as heating costs generally. (Screencap) (Screencap)
Speaking from Ottawa Monday (Jan. 29), Premier David Eby said the provincial government is pushing for exemptions on the future cap of international students permitted to study in B.C. while toughening up rules around post-secondary institutions. (Screencap)

B.C. pushing for exemptions to Ottawa’s cap on foreign students

Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson also announced protections for foreign students

Speaking from Ottawa Monday (Jan. 29), Premier David Eby said the provincial government is pushing for exemptions on the future cap of international students permitted to study in B.C. while toughening up rules around post-secondary institutions. (Screencap)