Provincial Government

Jane Hawkins, with her father Allan Hawkins and husband John Bogar, at a South Surrey care facility. Finding wheelchair-accessible taxis for people with mobility issues is often problematic, not just in South Surrey and White Rock but also, across B.C. and the entire country. (Tricia Weel photo)

No-show wheelchair cabs ‘rob people of enjoying special moments’: B.C. couple

Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program aims to improve service through funding, training

Jane Hawkins, with her father Allan Hawkins and husband John Bogar, at a South Surrey care facility. Finding wheelchair-accessible taxis for people with mobility issues is often problematic, not just in South Surrey and White Rock but also, across B.C. and the entire country. (Tricia Weel photo)
Province sets new standards for gender and sex data, which is intended to clarify the difference between gender and sex by providing alternative definitions. (Pixabay photo)

British Columbians will soon be able to self-identify gender on government forms

Province’s Gender and Sex Data Standards updated to be more inclusive, accurate

Province sets new standards for gender and sex data, which is intended to clarify the difference between gender and sex by providing alternative definitions. (Pixabay photo)
Harry Lali, who served as transportation minister from 1998 to 2001 and represented two rural ridings in southwestern BC during two separate periods, said in a statement issued Thursday morning that his former party has become an urban-interest party. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former B.C. NDP minister Harry Lali endorses BC United

Lali says he joining BC United because the rural B.C. lacks ‘voice’ in NDP government

Harry Lali, who served as transportation minister from 1998 to 2001 and represented two rural ridings in southwestern BC during two separate periods, said in a statement issued Thursday morning that his former party has become an urban-interest party. (Black Press Media file photo)
The mirrored, geodesic dome of Science World at the end of False Creek in Vancouver makes is a perfect location for a last light photograph. (John Enman photo)

Science World to get $20M from B.C. for leaky dome repairs

Province also announcing additional $30M for tourism projects across B.C.

The mirrored, geodesic dome of Science World at the end of False Creek in Vancouver makes is a perfect location for a last light photograph. (John Enman photo)
An environment charity is calling on the provincial government to rethink its wolf cull after the release of dozens of “disturbing” images. (B.C. government courtesy of Pacific Wild)

Wolf cull deemed inhumane after B.C. government releases ‘disturbing’ photos

Pacific Wild Alliances says images don’t align with what people would consider ethical treatment of wildlife

An environment charity is calling on the provincial government to rethink its wolf cull after the release of dozens of “disturbing” images. (B.C. government courtesy of Pacific Wild)
The province and four First Nations located in the area subject to Treaty 8 announced Friday a consensus document spelling out various initiatives to address the effects of industrial development stemming from oil and gas exploration. The orange-bounded area show the area deemed important by Blueberry River First Nation. It and the provincial government Wednesday announced a historic agreement for a land-management approach. (Screencap)

‘A bill that’s gone unpaid’: 5 B.C. First Nations receive cash, land settlements from province, feds

Longstanding claims stem from treaty signed in 1899

The province and four First Nations located in the area subject to Treaty 8 announced Friday a consensus document spelling out various initiatives to address the effects of industrial development stemming from oil and gas exploration. The orange-bounded area show the area deemed important by Blueberry River First Nation. It and the provincial government Wednesday announced a historic agreement for a land-management approach. (Screencap)
Dr. June Francis is the chair of B.C.’s Anti-Racism Data Committee, which is set to release their priorities and statistics in June 2023. (Lauren Collins/Black Press Media)

It needs to have teeth: B.C.’s anti-racism data committee readies to release priorities, stats

11-person committee meets monthly at different organizations throughout the province

Dr. June Francis is the chair of B.C.’s Anti-Racism Data Committee, which is set to release their priorities and statistics in June 2023. (Lauren Collins/Black Press Media)
FVRD Chair Jason Lum attending the UBCM Housing Summit on April 4, 2023. (UBCM video screenshot)

B.C. has to find solution for homelessness in rural areas, says regional district chair

‘Make sure it’s not a one-size-fits-all,’ Jason Lum said aboutB.C. plan for encampment teams

FVRD Chair Jason Lum attending the UBCM Housing Summit on April 4, 2023. (UBCM video screenshot)
In this file photo, BC Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference in Vancouver on March 14, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam)

Cash influx incoming: B.C. affordability credit to soon be sent to 85% of British Columbians

Individuals can receive up to $164 and $41 per child, while a family of four could get $410

In this file photo, BC Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference in Vancouver on March 14, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam)
Ra, of Vancouver, was one of the MCs for the 2022 Surrey Pride Festival at Central City Plaza on June 25, 2022. (File photo: Lauren Collins)

‘Seeing it bleed across the border’: B.C. MLA looks to protect drag performers from violence

Spencer Chandra Herbert brought forward motion following several incidents across the province

Ra, of Vancouver, was one of the MCs for the 2022 Surrey Pride Festival at Central City Plaza on June 25, 2022. (File photo: Lauren Collins)
The B.C. government is investing $214 million over three years for school districts in the province to create or expand food programs for students. (Annie Barker/The Herald)

$214M coming to B.C. school districts to create, expand food programs

The funding will be over 3 years and will be available to all 60 school districts

The B.C. government is investing $214 million over three years for school districts in the province to create or expand food programs for students. (Annie Barker/The Herald)
Houses and townhouses are seen in an aerial view in Langley, B.C. A new plan announced Monday promises to create more density in areas currently zoned single-residential. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. unveils new ‘Homes for People’ plan with goal of 108K new houses, apartment units

Homes for People plan calls for more density, legalization of secondary suites and flipping tax

Houses and townhouses are seen in an aerial view in Langley, B.C. A new plan announced Monday promises to create more density in areas currently zoned single-residential. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Sardis Library is seen on June 23, 2022. The NDP government announced on March 31, 2023 that Fraser Valley Regional Library will receive more than $2.3 million in provincial funding. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

More than $2.3 million in provincial funding coming for Fraser Valley Regional Library

‘We are providing people with the resources they need to succeed in an ever-changing world,’ says MLA

The Sardis Library is seen on June 23, 2022. The NDP government announced on March 31, 2023 that Fraser Valley Regional Library will receive more than $2.3 million in provincial funding. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
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

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)
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

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)
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 coming for B.C. outbreaks of 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