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)
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)
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
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, 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)
Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of the B.C. Liberals said B.C. health care system is getting worse after the release of a study that shows British Columbians waited 79 minutes to a see walk-in-clinic doctor. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. has the 2nd worst wait times for walk-in clinics across Canada: Survey

B.C. residents waited 79 minutes to see a walk-in physician in 2022

Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of the B.C. Liberals said B.C. health care system is getting worse after the release of a study that shows British Columbians waited 79 minutes to a see walk-in-clinic doctor. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said the province will take its time to develop new legislation around housing to ensure clarity. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C.’s Liberals, Greens take aim at alluded spending by Eby government

Opposition critical of Throne Speech even before having read it

Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said the province will take its time to develop new legislation around housing to ensure clarity. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C.’s Lt. Governor Janet Austin at the B.C. Legislature ahead of the annual Throne Speech on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)

B.C. government to make heavy use of spending surplus: Throne Speech

B.C. has a budget surplus of $5.7 billion

B.C.’s Lt. Governor Janet Austin at the B.C. Legislature ahead of the annual Throne Speech on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)
June 21, 2021 - The front of the BC Legislature’s Parliament building designed by architect Frances Rattenbury. Don Denton photograph

B.C. NDP expects to table more than 2 dozen new bills in spring legislature sitting

B.C. politicians return to the legislature Monday for the spring sitting

June 21, 2021 - The front of the BC Legislature’s Parliament building designed by architect Frances Rattenbury. Don Denton photograph
Canadian premiers listen to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the closing news conference at the First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa, Tuesday October 3, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

5 things to know about health-care talks Tuesday between Trudeau, premiers

The premiers have been asking for a new deal for more than two years

Canadian premiers listen to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the closing news conference at the First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa, Tuesday October 3, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld