BC government

A combination of dried-out forests, potentially strong winds and lightning could make for a “very challenging” fire season in 2023, which has already turned to be unprecedented in many ways, provincial officials said Thursday (June 8) during a news conference. (Black Press Media file photo)

Officials warn of ‘very challenging’ fire season ahead in B.C.

Large ‘chunks’ of B.C.’s interior already find themselves in ‘desert-like conditions’

 

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, here seen in 2022, acknowledged problems with parts of B.C.’s safe supply program, but defended it during a news conference Monday in Victoria. (Chad Hipolito/ Canadian Press)

Bonnie Henry to review B.C.’s safe supply program

Henry acknowledged issues with Hydromorphone prescriptions, but defended overall program

 

Premier David Eby said B.C.’s economy is doing well overall in pointing to labour shortages. But he acknowledged that some sectors are struggling following the release of a report critical of higher costs caused by government policies. Eby rejected calls for changes to the Employers Health Taxes, but added that government is working with the forestry sector and parts of the tourism/hospitality sector. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Report questions B.C.’s Employer Health Tax, but Eby says no plans for change

Eby promises support for struggling sectors after release of report critical of government

 

Premier David Eby said concerns about security and changing environmental norms in Asia promise significant opportunities for British Columbia. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Premier David Eby brings home promises of economic opportunity from Asia trip

Japan and South Korea ‘feel a huge level of urgency’ around energy, critical minerals, Eby says

Premier David Eby said concerns about security and changing environmental norms in Asia promise significant opportunities for British Columbia. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Starting Thursday (June 1, 2023), British Columbians can claim up to $1,400 toward their purchases of E-bikes depending on their incomes without having to scrap their cars. (Black Press Media file photo)

New B.C. e-bike rebate program hits the road but not without some bumps

Environment minister acknowledged technical glitches during the launch

Starting Thursday (June 1, 2023), British Columbians can claim up to $1,400 toward their purchases of E-bikes depending on their incomes without having to scrap their cars. (Black Press Media file photo)
This was the aftermath of a 2021 explosion at CFB Comox after crews had hit a gasline. According to the 2022 annual report from the Technical Safety BC, it was one of two serious gas-related explosions caused by unattentive crews. (Photo courtsey of Technical Safety BC)

Climate change is threatening technical safety, says B.C.’s regulator

Phil Gothe, lead executive officer at Technical Safety BC, says regulator investigated 81 incidents

This was the aftermath of a 2021 explosion at CFB Comox after crews had hit a gasline. According to the 2022 annual report from the Technical Safety BC, it was one of two serious gas-related explosions caused by unattentive crews. (Photo courtsey of Technical Safety BC)
The provincial government has made B.C. the first province in Canada to offer free prescription contraceptives to all women. Starting June 1, participating pharmacists will be able to write prescriptions for contraceptives as well as for 21 minor ailments. (Photo credit: Pixabay)

B.C. pharmacists to treat minor ailments, prescribe contraception as of June 1

Covered minor ailments include allergies, acne, cold sores, pink eye and shingles among others

The provincial government has made B.C. the first province in Canada to offer free prescription contraceptives to all women. Starting June 1, participating pharmacists will be able to write prescriptions for contraceptives as well as for 21 minor ailments. (Photo credit: Pixabay)
Peachland Watershed after mass logging. (Interior Watershed Task Force/Contributed to Black Press Media)

B.C. grassroots group calls for change to forest management in watersheds

The IWTF is forming to help change the way the logging industry works

Peachland Watershed after mass logging. (Interior Watershed Task Force/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Grocery clerks and food service staff will be among the 150,000 British Columbians getting a pay raise when the minimum wage increases on June 1 to to $16.75 from $15.65. (Contributed)

B.C.’s minimum wage to go up to $16.75 on June 1

Prominent labour economist Jim Stanford defends scheduled increase among cost concerns

Grocery clerks and food service staff will be among the 150,000 British Columbians getting a pay raise when the minimum wage increases on June 1 to to $16.75 from $15.65. (Contributed)
E-bikes, here seen at Vernon’s Sun Country Cycle, will be subject to a new provincial rebate program June 1. Some eligible British Columbians could get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike purchase. (Contributed)

New provincial program rings up to $1,400 in rebates for e-bikes

Most British Columbians, however, will only be eligible for $350 rebate

E-bikes, here seen at Vernon’s Sun Country Cycle, will be subject to a new provincial rebate program June 1. Some eligible British Columbians could get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike purchase. (Contributed)
The ChatGPT app is displayed on an iPhone in New York, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Premier David Eby acknowledged concerns around AI, but sees more light than shadow when it comes to the effects of artificial intelligence. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Richard Drew)

AI opens up ‘incredible opportunities’ for B.C.: Eby

He acknowledged AI’s potential for ‘disruption’ as BC Greens calls for AI task force

The ChatGPT app is displayed on an iPhone in New York, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Premier David Eby acknowledged concerns around AI, but sees more light than shadow when it comes to the effects of artificial intelligence. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Richard Drew)
B.C. Premier David Eby talks with the media in Langford on May 25 alongside NDP candidate for the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection Ravi Parmar. Eby will lead a trade delegation to Asia starting May 27. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Eby says Asia trade mission a way to ‘protect’ B.C. from geopolitical tensions

Stops on trade tour include Japan, South Korea and Singapore

B.C. Premier David Eby talks with the media in Langford on May 25 alongside NDP candidate for the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection Ravi Parmar. Eby will lead a trade delegation to Asia starting May 27. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
FILE - Health minister Adrian Dix promises that new cancer centre in Kamloops will be operational in 2027. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Dix promises new cancer centre in Kamloops

Health minister says it could cost between $200M and $300M, and would be operational in 2027

FILE - Health minister Adrian Dix promises that new cancer centre in Kamloops will be operational in 2027. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
An AbCellera Biologics Inc. scientist pipettes cell culture reagents in a biosafety cabinet at an AbCellera laboratory. The company plans an expansion of its Vancouver facilities with a total cost of $701 million with Ottawa and Victoria putting $300 million toward the project. B.C.’s share is $75 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, AbCellera Biologics Inc.)

Vancouver biotech company plans $701M expansion, with $300M coming from government

AbCellera recognized globally in 2020 when it launched the first antibody trial to fight COVID-19

An AbCellera Biologics Inc. scientist pipettes cell culture reagents in a biosafety cabinet at an AbCellera laboratory. The company plans an expansion of its Vancouver facilities with a total cost of $701 million with Ottawa and Victoria putting $300 million toward the project. B.C.’s share is $75 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, AbCellera Biologics Inc.)
Katie Maslechko will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Rental Protection Fund designed to protect the affordability of existing rental buildings. (Photo courtesy of BC Non-Profit Housing Association)

B.C. rental protection fund worth $500M anticipates start in late June

New CEO Katie Maslechko sees fund having ‘ripple effect’ on community housing

Katie Maslechko will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Rental Protection Fund designed to protect the affordability of existing rental buildings. (Photo courtesy of BC Non-Profit Housing Association)
A new report from Moody’s Investor Service gives B.C. the best possible credit rating, but also warns of higher costs connected to fires and floods. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. maintains top AAA credit rating in latest assessment

But Moody’s also warns of higher costs connected to climate change and trade interruptions

A new report from Moody’s Investor Service gives B.C. the best possible credit rating, but also warns of higher costs connected to fires and floods. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service)
Jessica Michalofsky spoke to supporters at Lakeside Park in Nelson on May 21 before beginning her month-long run to Victoria to increase awareness of the need for a safe and regulated supply of drugs. Michalofsky’s son Aubrey died of a toxic drug overdose in August of last year. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

‘First-time users are dying’: B.C. mom runs across province advocating for safe drug supply

Jessica Michalofsky’s 25-year-old son died of drug poisoning in August, 2022

Jessica Michalofsky spoke to supporters at Lakeside Park in Nelson on May 21 before beginning her month-long run to Victoria to increase awareness of the need for a safe and regulated supply of drugs. Michalofsky’s son Aubrey died of a toxic drug overdose in August of last year. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
FILE - Union of British Columbia Municipalities president Jen Ford speaks at the 2022 convention on Sept. 16, 2022. Ford welcomes Premier David Eby’s promises to help municipalities around drug use in public spaces as more communities are looking at their options, but she’s urging speed.(UBCM/Flickr)

UBCM president welcomes Eby’s support on public drug-use issue, but urges speed

Whistler Coun. Jen Ford says ‘there is not one solution that works for everyone’

FILE - Union of British Columbia Municipalities president Jen Ford speaks at the 2022 convention on Sept. 16, 2022. Ford welcomes Premier David Eby’s promises to help municipalities around drug use in public spaces as more communities are looking at their options, but she’s urging speed.(UBCM/Flickr)
Several communities in British Columbia are 'child care deserts" according to a new report from the Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives. Vancouver is one of the worst child-care deserts in Canada with 2.4 spaces for every 10 children below school age. (Stock image metrocreative)

Several B.C. areas among the worst ‘child-care deserts’ in Canada: report

Vancouver has 2.4 licensed child-care spaces for 10 children not yet in kindergarten

Several communities in British Columbia are 'child care deserts" according to a new report from the Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives. Vancouver is one of the worst child-care deserts in Canada with 2.4 spaces for every 10 children below school age. (Stock image metrocreative)
Kanaka Bar Indian Band in Lytton is among the recipients of funding through the Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Partnership Program. It is distributing more than $1.1 million to 15 First Nations projects designed to improve food security and food sovereignty. (Black Press Media file photo) Kanaka Bar Indian Band in Lytton is among the recipients of funding through the Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Partnership Program. It is distributing more than $1.1 million to 15 First Nations projects designed to improve food security and food sovereignty. Kanaka Bar Indian Band sign, no date. (Black Press Media file photo)

Indigenous-led projects get $1.1M to grow food security

15 projects get boost from Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Partnership Program

Kanaka Bar Indian Band in Lytton is among the recipients of funding through the Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Partnership Program. It is distributing more than $1.1 million to 15 First Nations projects designed to improve food security and food sovereignty. (Black Press Media file photo) Kanaka Bar Indian Band in Lytton is among the recipients of funding through the Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Partnership Program. It is distributing more than $1.1 million to 15 First Nations projects designed to improve food security and food sovereignty. Kanaka Bar Indian Band sign, no date. (Black Press Media file photo)