An additional $80 million in provincial funds is being made available to help farmers hit hard by drought conditions.

B.C. government officials said the money will let farmers upgrade their irrigation systems to be more efficient and to build infrastructure to improve water availability and storage.

“Last year, our province faced an unprecedented lack of rain, and this winter we’re seeing snow levels are at remarkable lows, meaning next summer might be even worse,” said Premier David Eby.

“Our government heard the call for help from farmers. This money will help build water storage and buy the equipment farmers tell us they need to keep providing the food we all depend on.”

The money comes from the Agricultural Water Infrastructure Program which launched in June 2023, with an initial $20 million.

The funds have already assisted one-hundred and eight projects, and the province expects hundreds more farmers to get support from the additional announcement.

Provincial officials said they expect these projects to help food production sustainability, while also benefiting stream flows and fish populations across B.C.

Applications for smaller-scale on-farm projects will begin in early April, while applications for larger farm projects and more complex community-based projects will open in May.

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The B.C. government is launching an at-home screening program that will test for cervical cancer.

Provincial officials said it’s the first of its kind in Canada.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally and 99 per cent of cervical cancers are caused by high-risk HPV.

“Whereas pap tests detect changes to the cells of the cervix that have been caused by HPV, HPV testing can detect the presence of high-risk types of HPV before cell changes have occurred,” said Dr. Gina Ogilvie, Tier 1 Canada research chair in global control of HPV-related diseases and prevention, University of British Columbia, and affiliate scientist, BC Cancer in a release.

“Cervix self-screening is not only more effective, but also safe and easy and will help us prevent many unnecessary deaths.”

Premier David Eby said it will make it easier to get tests as many women avoid pap tests for multiple reasons.

“This more accurate, comfortable and convenient way to test will encourage more women, and vulnerable populations like trans people, across the province to get screened, including in more rural and remote communities. By working together, we can eliminate deadly cervical cancer in B.C. in the next decade.”

Those aged 25-69 will be able to order a kit starting on Jan. 29.

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The B.C. government is stressing the importance of post-secondary education as one million new job openings are expected by 2033.

Provincial officials said the labour market outlook for 2023 shows that 75 per cent of those new jobs will require some form of post-secondary education or training.

“With nearly one million job openings on the horizon, it is essential that we are focused on building and fostering a skilled workforce for these in-demand jobs,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation in a release.

“We are investing in people and businesses by developing a skilled workforce that allows people to have good jobs in the communities they love.”

The government has also launched the Find Your Path digital tool which helps map out your education to find the best way to get into the occupation you want.

Provincial officials said they will be continuing to improve access to post-secondary education.

This includes building on the extra seats for nurses and doctors they’ve announced over the past few years.

The full labour market outlook for 2023 can be found here.

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The B.C. government is introducing new legislation to help internationally trained residents work in their field.

If approved, the legislation will target 29 professions including social work, early childhood education and veterinarians.

“Skilled professionals from around the world move to B.C. hoping to put their skills to good use, but instead face huge obstacles and an often-confusing process to get their credentials recognized,” said Premier David Eby in a release.

“With the skills shortage we have in this province, we cannot afford to leave anyone on the sidelines. That’s why we’re taking action to close the gaps in the system so people can get to work faster, fill in-demand jobs and provide much-needed services to people in B.C.”

The new legislation will require regulatory bodies to remove barriers in those 29 professions.

This includes removing redundant language testing, setting caps for maximum processing times, and requiring credential-assessment information to be available online.

The full list of professions can be found here.

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The B.C. government is looking to speed up housing developments by streamlining the permit process.

The single housing application service is a one-stop shop that will eliminate the need for multiple permitting applications across different ministries.

“People in our province deserve a decent place to live they can actually afford to rent or buy, but a chronic housing shortage and long permit approval times are frustrating that achievable goal,” said Premier David Eby in a release.

“Our government is taking action. We’re making it easier and faster to get provincial permits to build new homes, and offering financial support for people who could build a suite they can rent out at more affordable rates. We’ve got lots to do, which is why we’re focusing on initiatives like these that make a real and tangible difference for thousands of families.”

According to the B.C. government, it should reduce permit timelines by two months.

The province is also launching the secondary suite incentive program.

The pilot program is set to launch in the spring and will provide approximately 3,000 homeowners with forgivable loans of up to $40,000 to create a new secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on their property.

“We’ve heard from a lot of homeowners that they would love to create a rental suite on their property, but find the process to build and manage one confusing and time-consuming,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing.

“Our new Home Suite Home guide and secondary suite pilot program will clearly and concisely provide homeowners with the information they need to make an informed choice on whether adding a rental unit is right for them.”

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To support survivors of sexual assault, the province is updating the standards for police investigations.

The new standards will apply to every police officer in B.C.

It will require officers to work together with victim-services workers to recognize the individual’s needs when they first report a sexual assault.

There will also be supervisory oversight during investigations to ensure police are responsive, trauma-informed and impartial.

“All survivors deserve fair and empathetic treatment after they have experienced the trauma of sexual assault,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in a release.

“New policing standards and investments in sexual assault programs will empower survivors to decide how they want their case to proceed, shield them from further harm and connect them with services for a pathway to healing.”

To support this, the government is also giving annual funding for 68 new sexual assault programs.

This will include five regional sexual assault centres.

While the government hasn’t said the location for the new programs, $1,103,885 will be spread between 10 service providers in the Okanagan-Kootenay region.

The funding will start this month and the new police standards will be rolled out in 2024 to allow police and police boards to implement the requirements.

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Businesses and organizations in B.C. have until December to comply with new plastic waste regulations from the provincial government.

The regulations cover disposable food service accessories, plastic bags, food service packaging made of polystyrene foam and oxo-degradable plastics.

The B.C. government is calling it the Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation.

“Focusing on hard-to-recycle single-use and plastic items will help move B.C. to a circular economy where waste and pollution are eliminated, products and materials are kept in the economy through re-use, and natural systems are regenerated,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in a release.

Provincial officials said the requirements will start to come into effect in December, but no exact date has been given.

They said this will give businesses and the public six months to get educated on the changes.

The Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation can be viewed here.

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After increased fire activity over the weekend, the province has decided to ban all Category 1 burns across B.C. except for the Haida Gwaii region.

It will be effective today at 3 p.m. Pacific Time.

This means all campfires will be banned for the foreseeable future.

Category 2 and 3 burns were previously banned which included the use of fireworks, burn barrels and larger brush fires.

Provincial officials said fire activity was very active over the weekend.

There are 311 active wildfires burning in the province, while 115 wildfires were started over the weekend.

However, there are no evacuation alerts or orders in place in the Southeast Fire Centre.

The province is mulling over enacting a provincial state of emergency.

“While the Wildfire Act already enables all the legislative tools required for us to access resources for fighting wildfires, we continue to closely monitor wildfire and drought conditions and impacts across B.C. to determine if other measures might be required,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness in a release.

“We will continue to take actions to keep people and communities safe.”

Residents are asked to be prepared for evacuations by having grab-and-go bags ready and to reduce water use.

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The cost of replacing infrastructure to withstand climate-related disasters is a top concern for western premiers.

B.C. Premier David Eby met with other premiers in Whistler yesterday to discuss issues facing provinces in Western Canada.

Eby said wildfires and flooding are becoming more frequent and it’s causing a strain on trade routes between provinces.

He said they need to work together to find solutions on how to keep goods moving smoothly.

“The key discussion around the table in terms of barriers to trade really focused on the transportation and logistics issues of getting goods to market and making sure there is access to international markets,” said Eby.

“The discussion was very constructive. We’re going to continue to work together to identify ways that we can ensure that there are strong trade corridors.”

The premiers are calling on the federal government to boost infrastructure funding.

The conference also discussed other issues including climate change, cost of living and public safety.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane took part in the talks.

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The province is spending $7.8 million in an effort to reduce abuse in organized sports.

The money will be used to develop an independent process for reporting and responding to abuse in accredited sports organizations.

The process will be developed by the organization viaSport.

Provincial officials said implementing a third-party service provider will allow sports organizations to focus on programs, instead of managing their own complaints systems.

“Everyone deserves to have positive experiences in sport so they can benefit from the incredible power of active living, and improve physical and mental well-being,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport in a release.

“Since 2019, we have been working with viaSport to advance the safe sport culture in B.C. The sector has asked for more support, and we are now ready to take this important step to increase protection, accountability and awareness for all participants.”

According to the B.C. government, it will also make it easier for people to know where to seek help.

ViaSport will also be bolstering the PlaySafe BC program which increases awareness of accepted and expected behaviours.

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The B.C. government says prescribed safe supply drugs such as hydromorphone can’t be attributed to more overdose deaths.

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said fentanyl continues to be the driving force.

“To date, neither hydromorphone nor xylazine are present in any significant numbers. Fentanyl remains the main and most consistent and deadly driver of this public health emergency.”

The province’s prescribed safer supply policy offers alternative versions of drugs through PharmaCare instead of tainted street supplies.

B.C. representative for children and youth Jennifer Charlesworth said claims that this program is adding to the number of deaths is unfounded and causing harm.

“When public policy is being driven by fear, by polarized opinions and anecdotes it actually causes harm,” she said.

“It takes us away from understanding what’s giving rise to young people taking substances in the first place. Young people are telling us they are often using it to numb emotional pain.”

She said public policy needs to be a collaborative approach to find solutions.

“It’s important that we collectively work together to say please don’t believe everything that’s written and come back to take a look at what the data tells us, what young people or people with lived experience tell us and what do the clinicians tell us. Let’s weave that together in such a way that we’re actually making sound public policy.”

Since a public health emergency was declared in 2016 due to the overdose crisis, more than 12,000 British Columbians have died.

Death due to drug toxicity remains the leading cause of unnatural death in British Columbia. On average, six people die every day in B.C. from toxic drugs.

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To cut down on visits to a doctor’s office, the B.C. government is letting pharmacists assess and treat residents for minor ailments like pink eye or skin rashes.

Pharmacists can start prescribing and renewing medications on June 1.

The announcement was originally made on Sept. 29 but is now coming into effect.

Provincial officials said it help speed up the process of getting needed prescriptions.

Pharmacists will also be able to prescribe different types of contraception.

The service will be free to all B.C. residents with a Personal Health Number.

Provincial officials said some pharmacies may not be equipped to prescribe all conditions right away.

A full list of ailments they will be allowed to treat can be found using the link below.

MORE: Minor ailments (B.C. government)

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The B.C. government is looking to raise the number of manufacturing workers by offering short-term, paid work placements to 500 youth.

It will be open to youth aged 16 to 21 and they can earn credits towards high school graduation and apprenticeship certification.

“Manufacturing is a growing part of our economy with 49,000 new job openings coming to the sector over the next 10 years. Now is the time to introduce young people to the sector so they’re ready to fill those jobs,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation in a release.

“Today’s investment in new training opportunities will ensure youth can develop the high-demand skills they’ll need to find rewarding jobs when they are ready to begin their careers. That’s how you build a strong and sustainable economy that benefits all British Columbians.”

The province will pay eligible employers $3,500 per placement to cover onboarding and wage costs for the on-the-job training.

Provincial officials said there will be as many as 40 eligible fields and the program will start in the fall. The B.C. government hasn’t provided a date for when applications will open.

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You can expect to hear an alert on your phone tomorrow afternoon, but it’s not a real emergency.

As part of Emergency Preparedness Week, the province is testing its alert system.

The alert will go out to all compatible cell phones and also interrupt radio and tv broadcasts at 1:55 p.m. (Pacific time).

The alert message will read: “This is a TEST of the BC Emergency Alert system. This is ONLY a TEST. In an emergency, this message would provide safety information that could save your life. Click for more info: www.emergencyinfobc.ca/alert. Again, this is ONLY a TEST. No action is required.”

B.C.’s emergency notification system is used for flooding, fires, tsunamis and police alerts for civil emergencies and Amber Alerts.

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A forensic audit of BC Housing has found a significant conflict of interest involving the then-CEO and the CEO of a non-profit.

The audit focused on former BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay and Atira Women’s Resource Society CEO Janice Abbott’s relationship.

The two are married and the audit found Ramsay repeatedly interfered with decision-making regarding Atira.

One instance involved the purchasing of the Hollywood Motel in Surrey.

According to the report, the purchase price was three times the appraised value, but BC Housing provided funding to Atira to purchase the motel.

The audit had access to texts from Ramsay that showed his involvement in making sure Atira was chosen.

In one message, Ramsey told an executive committee member that the project “would be a good one for Atira” and directed them to offer it to them.

Another message to an executive committee member read “…just so long as Atira is the lead.”

The investigation found no evidence of public funds being dispersed outside of their intended purpose.

However, the auditors said they were lacking information to ensure this was the case.

There was evidence of text messages being deleted and meeting minutes being altered.

The banking records of Atira were not made available and the report did not cover Atira’s subsidiaries, Atira Property Management Inc., Atira Development Society or the Community Impact RealEstate Society.

The province will be conducting a review of Atira, which will include inspections of financial transactions and physical inspections of all Atira buildings.

This will begin tomorrow.

Last summer, Ramsay resigned as CEO of BC Housing, but Premier David Eby told the legislature today that he went to the board and encouraged them to fire Ramsay.

The audit comes with a list of 20 recommendations to improve financial oversight and prevent future conflicts of interest.

“We expect the rules to be followed. There must be strong safeguards in place to preserve the public’s trust,” said Eby in a release.

“In 2021, I ordered a review into concerns at BC Housing, which ultimately led to today’s findings. We are working with the new leadership at BC Housing to implement all 20 of the report’s recommendations to ensure that BC Housing operates effectively as we deliver housing for people.”

Some of the recommendations include creating an anonymous employee whistleblower hotline, putting a government representative on the board and changing how budget and financial reviews of housing providers are completed.

The rest of the recommendations and the full audit can be found using the link below.

MORE: Investigation of BC Housing (B.C. government)

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The B.C. government is launching a new action plan that will add thousands of tech seats and offer grants for in-demand programs.

British Columbians looking to get jobs in areas such as construction, tech, housing and clean energy will be able to apply for grants worth up to $3,500.

Provincial officials said there are over 400 eligible programs and they expect it will cover around 8,500 newly trained people over the next three years.

This will start in the upcoming September semester.

“Our economy is growing and innovating quickly,” said Premier David Eby in a release.

“Work is transforming, and we have more job openings than skilled people. That’s why we are taking action to make sure people are ready to seize new opportunities and build a good life here in B.C., and businesses are able find the people who drive our economy forward and deliver the services we all rely on.”

Provincial officials said 3,000 tech seats will be added to existing programs and early childhood education spaces will be increased by 50 per cent to meet the demand for $10 a day childcare.

“I’m hearing from businesses, small and large, that finding skilled labour is one of their biggest challenges,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation in a release.

“That’s exactly what this initiative will address. It will ensure businesses have access to a skilled and diverse talent pool, now and into the future. Good jobs are good for workers and for businesses. By working together, we can build a better future for B.C.”

The province will also be streamlining the foreign credential recognition process so people new to B.C. can enter the workforce faster.

The action plan has a $480 million price tag.

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The B.C. government is moving ahead with restrictions on the sale of the diabetes drug Ozempic to make sure British Columbians and Canadians have access.

On March 28, the province announced amendments to regulations that would allow them to restrict out-of-country sales.

They are now following through with the restriction.

British Columbians, other Canadian citizens and permanent residents will still be able to purchase Ozempic at B.C. pharmacies in person as well as online.

Non-Canadian citizens will only be able to buy it in person in a B.C. pharmacy.

Provincial officials say it will cut down on the number of mail orders heading to the United States.

In the U.S., Ozempic is a lot more expensive, but it has also been heavily marketed as a weight loss drug even though it isn’t approved for that.

The changes to regulations will allow the province to do this for other drugs as well if it becomes necessary.

B.C. government officials said a report is expected in late June that will show the effect of the regulation changes.

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With $26 million dollars in its pocket, the provincial government is looking to add 250 public electric vehicle light-duty fast-charging stations.

“British Columbians are switching to clean energy and cleaner transportation in record numbers as part of our CleanBC plan and leading Canada in the transition to zero-emission vehicles,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in a release.

“The new funding we are announcing today to expand B.C.’s public charging network will help get more EVs on the road, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and lower fuel costs for people.”

By the end of 2022, B.C. had 3,800 charging stations.

Sales of electric vehicles are also growing.

The number of registered light-duty electric vehicles rose from 5,000 in 2016 to more than 100,000 currently.

Provincial officials said they are on track to have all light-duty vehicle sales be zero-emission vehicles. They expect to reach this by 2035, five years ahead of schedule.

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On June 1, the province’s minimum wage will be raised from $15.65 to $16.75 an hour.

“Having a minimum wage that keeps up with inflation is a key step to prevent the lowest paid workers from falling behind,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour.

“These workers and their families feel the impacts of high costs much more than anyone else. We are maintaining our policy of tying the minimum wage to inflation.”

The 6.9 per cent increase matches B.C.’s average annual inflation rate in 2022.

Provincial officials said they will continue to tie annual minimum wage increases to inflation.

The increase also applies to alternate minimum wage jobs such as residential caretakers, live-in home-support workers and camp leaders.

Piece rates for 15 hand-harvested crops will also increase by 6.9 per cent starting on Jan. 1, 2024.

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The provincial government is rolling out a new staffing model for nurses that they say will help with patient care.

The main focus is on a nurse-to-patient care model, which would be the first of its kind in Canada.

Ratios will be one-to-one for critical care patients, one nurse for every two mental health patients, one-to-three for specialized care patients, and four-to-one for palliative care patients.

“This new staffing model will transform the way people are cared for by nurses as they will spend more dedicated time with patients,” said Premier David Eby in a release.

“We also know that staffing shortages and public-health crises have significantly increased the volume of work that nurses do every day. To recognize that, our supports for nurses have also significantly increased, so nurses can focus on what they do best – care for people.”

To support the model, the Ministry of Health will also be working with the Nurses’ Bargaining Association to develop a national and international recruitment strategy and retention strategy.

The government will be spending $750 million over three years to help implement the model.

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