Office of the Premier
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Office of the Premier
Historic B.C. legislation introduced recognizing Haida Aboriginal title
Monday, April 22, 2024 2:16 PM
A historic piece of legislation that recognizes the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii, and the first to recognize Aboriginal title in Canadian history, was introduced to the B.C. legislative assembly on Monday, April 22, 2024.
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New agritech plant anchors B.C.’s industrial blueprint
A new state-of-the-art milk production plant and more jobs in the agrifood sector are coming to the Fraser Valley to help meet growing demand for dairy products.
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Joint statement on Bill 12: B.C. to convene online safety action table
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 9:15 AM
Premier David Eby, as well as representatives from Meta, TikTok, Snap and X, has issued the following statement on Bill 12:
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Agriculture and Food
Province strengthens drought preparedness
Monday, March 18, 2024 10:11 AM
Hundreds of B.C. farmers will be better equipped to deal with drought with supports to help manage, collect and store water for crops and livestock.
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B.C. vineyards, orchards receive help to replant for changing climate
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 1:30 PM
More B.C. farmers producing grapes, cherries, tree fruit and berries will receive support to replant their vineyards, farms and orchards to make them more resilient to climate change, strengthening the province’s economy and food security.
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Collaboration builds stronger, flood-resilient Township of Langley
Friday, April 19, 2024 2:30 PM
Farmers and families in the Township of Langley will be better prepared for flooding with work underway to improve pump capacity on flood plains and irrigation systems that will strengthen the area’s food security.
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Attorney General
New legislation aims to remove systemic barriers for Indigenous, racialized people
Thursday, April 11, 2024 1:22 PM
Indigenous and racialized people in B.C. will face fewer barriers when accessing public programs and services with new legislation aimed at removing systemic racism from provincial institutions.
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B.C. acts to protect kids, school staff from disruptive protests
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 2:20 PM
New legislation will help keep kids safe and focused on their education by preventing disruptive behaviour, including aggressive protests, on school grounds.
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More options coming for people needing legal help
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 2:10 PM
People seeking legal assistance will have more choices with changes to how lawyers, notaries and other legal professionals are regulated.
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Children and Family Development
Expanded eligibility, new supports available for current, former youth in care
Thursday, April 4, 2024 12:30 PM
With an expansion of eligibility criteria, more than 9,000 current and former youth in care will have access to essential financial, housing, educational, medical and cultural supports.
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New position expedites progress on Indigenous child welfare
Thursday, March 7, 2024 11:30 AM
A new Indigenous child welfare director (ICWD) position that will help better ensure the safety, wellness, and access to community and culture for Indigenous children was brought into effect on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
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B.C. strengthens Indigenous jurisdiction in child, family services
Monday, April 8, 2024 2:08 PM
Amendments to the Adoption Act and the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) will expand the scope for joint and consent-based decision-making agreements in Indigenous child and family services and will create a full pathway for dispute resolution through the provincial courts under Indigenous law.
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Citizens' Services
Governments of Canada and British Columbia working together to bring high-speed Internet to more than 7,500 households
Thursday, April 4, 2024 11:50 AM
From Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2024/03/governments-of-canada-and-british-columbia-working-together-to-bring-high-speed-internet-to-more-than-7500-households.html
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Michael McEvoy to serve as interim information and privacy commissioner
Monday, April 1, 2024 1:00 PM
Michael McEvoy has agreed to continue serving as B.C.’s information and privacy commissioner until the appointment of a new commissioner, expected within the next few weeks.
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Most people ever connected to high-speed internet
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 8:45 AM
A new report about connectivity shows significant increases in access to high-speed internet services for people across British Columbia.
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Education and Child Care
B.C. takes action to improve literacy for students
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 10:13 AM
More support for early screening and interventions will help students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities be more successful.
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Saanich Peninsula families benefit from new ŚEŚIŚEJ Childcare Centre
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 10:26 AM
Families in the Saanich School District (SD63) are benefiting from the new ŚEŚIŚEJ Childcare Centre 84 licensed spaces that is giving children early learning experiences and allowing parents and guardians to work or pursue other opportunities.
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Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Stronger local-disaster response will keep people safer
Thursday, April 18, 2024 2:30 PM
People in approximately 100 communities will be safer during emergencies with provincial funding that will better equip local governments and First Nations to respond to emergencies.
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More than $26 million invested in disaster mitigation infrastructure improvements across British Columbia
Thursday, April 11, 2024 3:40 PM
From Infrastructure Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2024/04/more-than-26-million-invested-in-disaster-mitigation-infrastructure-improvements-across-british-columbia.html
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Turn the tide during Tsunami Preparedness Week
Friday, April 12, 2024 8:45 AM
People living in coastal B.C. communities are encouraged to get prepared for tsunamis and practise their evacuation plans during Tsunami Preparedness Week April 14-20, 2024.
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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
BC Hydro issues call for new clean electricity to power B.C.’s future
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 12:15 PM
BC Hydro has launched a call for power to ensure that people and businesses will have the clean, affordable electricity needed to power B.C.’s growing economy and create jobs throughout the province.
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New legislation ensures B.C. benefits from clean, affordable electricity
Thursday, April 11, 2024 10:25 AM
The Province has introduced legislative amendments to enable regulation of electricity service for cryptocurrency miners and also to eliminate the former government’s Standing Offer Program for purchasing power.
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Saving people money on their energy bills
Monday, April 1, 2024 9:00 AM
Beginning on Monday, April 1, 2024, people in B.C. will start saving on their energy bills with the B.C. Electricity Affordability Credit that will provide the average BC Hydro residential customer with savings of $100.
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Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Park additions boost outdoor recreation, strengthen ecosystem protection
Thursday, March 14, 2024 2:15 PM
Newly introduced legislation will expand B.C.’s parks and protected areas, strengthen biodiversity conservation and provide more opportunities for people to access outdoor recreation.
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Reducing emissions for a cleaner future for British Columbians
Thursday, March 28, 2024 8:46 AM
The Province will implement a backstop to the federal cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector to support a clean-energy future for British Columbians.
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Finance
Budget 2024: Taking action for people, families in B.C.
Thursday, February 22, 2024 1:45 PM
Budget 2024 takes on the big challenges people are facing today by helping with everyday costs, delivering more homes faster, strengthening health care and services, and building a stronger, cleaner economy.
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Climate action tax credit helps people with everyday costs
Thursday, April 4, 2024 2:30 PM
More than two million individuals and families will see more money in their bank accounts as the climate action tax credit arrives this week.
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More supports coming for women, children facing domestic violence, exploitation
Thursday, April 18, 2024 8:00 AM
Women and children facing domestic violence will have access to new culturally appropriate supports to help get them out of harm’s way and rebuild their lives as the province expands supports in several B.C. cities.
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Forests
B.C. plants its 10-billionth tree
Monday, April 15, 2024 2:45 PM
B.C. is celebrating the 10-billionth tree planted since reforestation programs began in 1930, with two billion of those trees planted in the past seven years.
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B.C. continues investments to support forest sector
Friday, April 12, 2024 1:30 PM
The Province is partnering with forestry manufacturers to build a strong forest-products sector and support good jobs in B.C. through significant capital expansion in their operations.
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B.C. works with communities to boost wildfire prevention, preparedness
Monday, April 22, 2024 9:30 AM
The Province, First Nations, local governments, municipal fire departments and FireSmart BC are coming together to help B.C. communities prepare for the wildfire season.
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Health
Launch of spring COVID-19 vaccine boosters marks end of respiratory illness season
Monday, April 8, 2024 1:30 PM
Starting Monday, April 8, 2024, people in British Columbia will have access to a free spring COVID-19 vaccine booster to maintain and extend protection for themselves and their loved ones against serious illnesses from COVID-19.
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Province takes more actions to strengthen primary care for people
Thursday, April 11, 2024 10:03 AM
Patients looking for a family physician or a nurse practitioner will be better supported, as the Province provides an update on the work already underway and introduces new digital tools for providers to improve and speed up the connection process.
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Minister’s statement on National Immunization Awareness Week
Monday, April 22, 2024 10:45 AM
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement on National Immunization Awareness Week, April 22-30, 2024:
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Housing
B.C. builders can now use mass timber in taller buildings
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 9:50 AM
Updates to the BC Building Code will benefit people in the building and housing sectors with the expanded use of mass timber in taller buildings, as well as schools, libraries and retail.
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More than 70 temporary housing units will open in Chilliwack
Monday, April 15, 2024 10:15 AM
People experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Chilliwack will soon have access to 73 temporary housing units through the Province’s Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) program.
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More priority communities selected to deliver more homes
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 11:30 AM
As part of the Province’s commitment to build more homes for people, the next set of priority communities has been identified to receive housing targets for the next five years.
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Historic B.C. legislation introduced recognizing Haida Aboriginal title
Monday, April 22, 2024 2:16 PM
A historic piece of legislation that recognizes the Haida Nation’s Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii, and the first to recognize Aboriginal title in Canadian history, was introduced to the B.C. legislative assembly on Monday, April 22, 2024.
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Haida Nation, B.C. recognize Haida Aboriginal title, a historic first in Canada
Sunday, April 14, 2024 1:50 PM
The Province of B.C. and the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) stood in HlGaagilda and signed the historic Gaayhllxid • Gíhlagalgang “Rising Tide” Haida Title Lands Agreement, a first-of-its-kind negotiated agreement recognizing Haida Aboriginal title in Haida Gwaii.
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New legislation will eliminate discriminatory barriers for First Nations
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 10:26 AM
The Province of British Columbia has introduced legislative amendments that will provide administrative changes to the ways First Nations can acquire, hold and register fee simple land in B.C., reducing discriminatory and racist barriers.
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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
Throne speech lays out vision of a stronger B.C. that works better for people
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 2:30 PM
Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin opened the final session of the 42nd Parliament by delivering the speech from the throne, laying out the B.C. government’s vision for a stronger province that works better for people.
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Province honours people providing extraordinary community service
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 11:00 AM
Twenty-one people throughout B.C. are being honoured with the Medal of Good Citizenship (MGC) for extraordinary contributions to community life.
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B.C. celebrates youth at Journée de la francophonie
Thursday, March 14, 2024 12:15 PM
The B.C. government recognized youth as part of this year’s B.C. Francophonie Day, an annual event to celebrate the social, cultural and economic contributions of francophones throughout the province.
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Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
New agritech plant anchors B.C.’s industrial blueprint
A new state-of-the-art milk production plant and more jobs in the agrifood sector are coming to the Fraser Valley to help meet growing demand for dairy products.
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Funding will strengthen rural Kootenay economies
Saturday, April 20, 2024 12:30 PM
Local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations in the Kootenay and Boundary regions will receive funding to promote economic diversification, clean-economy opportunities and infrastructure development.
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New manufacturing jobs coming to Kootenays
Friday, April 19, 2024 11:45 AM
New support for manufacturing businesses in the Kootenays will create jobs, promote the development of made-in-B.C. products and strengthen local economies and communities.
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Labour
2024 minimum wage increases confirmed
Monday, April 22, 2024 12:35 PM
Increases to the upcoming minimum wage rates for 2024 have been confirmed through an order in council, following legislative changes that ensure these wages keep pace with inflation.
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Minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s statement on Construction and Skilled Trades Month
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 9:00 AM
Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, and Janet Routledge, Parliamentary Secretary for Labour, have released the following statement in recognition of Construction and Skilled Trades Month:
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Federal, provincial and territorial labour ministers discuss key challenges facing workers in Canada
Friday, April 5, 2024 5:10 PM
From Employment and Social Development Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2024/04/federal-provincial-and-territorial-labour-ministers-discuss-key-challenges-facing-workers-in-canada.html
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Mental Health and Addictions
B.C.’s first detox services for Indigenous youth coming to Island
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 12:34 PM
Indigenous youth on Vancouver Island struggling with drug addiction will soon benefit from a first-of-its-kind treatment centre that will offer culturally relevant detox and treatment services.
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Mental-health, addiction supports for youth expand in the Interior
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 11:00 AM
Children, youth and families in Princeton and Merritt will benefit from seamless mental-health and addiction services as B.C. expands Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) teams to within the School District 58 Nicola-Similkameen boundary.
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More addictions care coming for people in the Interior
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 11:34 AM
People living with addiction can better access free treatment and recovery services and closer to home.
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Municipal Affairs
Expanding multi-language support, services for newcomers
Thursday, March 28, 2024 9:30 AM
Newcomers to British Columbia will have more help getting started in their new communities with expanded services and a new online multi-language information hub.
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Construction underway on Cowichan Sportsplex Field House
Monday, March 18, 2024 9:40 AM
From the Municipality of North Cowichan: https://www.northcowichan.ca/news/construction-underway-cowichan-sportsplex-field-house
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Capital Regional District reports on grant funding for the Electoral Areas
Friday, April 19, 2024 3:40 PM
From Capital Regional District: https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/news/article/2024/04/19/capital-regional-district-reports-on-grant-funding-for-the-electoral-areas
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Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
New legislation recognizes work of First Nations post-secondary institutes
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 10:19 AM
The work of First Nations to provide post-secondary education to their communities will be supported by ongoing funding provided under new legislation, reflecting the integral role of First Nations-mandated post-secondary institutes as a key pillar of B.C.’s post-secondary education system.
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TradeUpBC builds, enhances tradespeoples’ skills
Friday, April 5, 2024 10:15 AM
Tradespeople in British Columbia now have access to new and specialized training opportunities through TradeUpBC, an online hub that supports experienced trades professionals and employers.
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Minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s statement on Construction and Skilled Trades Month
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 9:00 AM
Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, and Janet Routledge, Parliamentary Secretary for Labour, have released the following statement in recognition of Construction and Skilled Trades Month:
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Public Safety and Solicitor General
New digital platform improves response, safety for people in crisis in Port Moody
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 10:30 AM
People experiencing a mental-health or addiction emergency in Port Moody will receive improved response from police officers with HealthIM, an innovative, evidence-based digital tool paving the way for better crisis support in B.C.
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New legislation paves the way for police reform
Thursday, April 4, 2024 10:21 AM
Changes introduced to the Police Act will improve governance and oversight of policing as part of the Province’s work to make systemic improvements to the policing and public safety landscape in B.C.
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Province reaches major milestone in Surrey police transition plan
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 12:45 PM
The Province has secured the next milestone in the Surrey police transition plan by setting a target date for the Surrey Police Service to assume policing and law enforcement in the City of Surrey.
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Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Budget 2024 supports improvements to treatment, recovery services
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 9:23 AM
The Province is significantly increasing the funding many service providers rely on to deliver thousands of registered or licensed treatment and recovery beds throughout B.C. as part of Budget 2024.
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Changes aim to help people out of poverty
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 10:20 AM
The Province is making changes to three laws so it can better help people get out of poverty.
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New non-profit network strengthens vital services in B.C.
Friday, February 9, 2024 12:15 PM
More people will benefit from stronger and better-connected services, such as health supports, housing and food security, with government funding to develop a formal B.C. non-profit network.
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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Engagement launched for Canadians of South Asian Heritages museum
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 8:45 AM
People in British Columbia now have multiple new ways to contribute to the vision for the first-of-its-kind cultural museum celebrating Canadians of South Asian heritages and their contributions to the success of the province.
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Historic water bomber destined for wildfire aviation exhibit
Thursday, March 28, 2024 12:30 PM
The Province is supporting the preservation of a historic piece of B.C.’s aviation history to ensure its story can be shared with residents and visitors for generations to come.
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Elder-in-Residence supports cultural knowledge, reconciliation
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 11:30 AM
The announcement of Roy Henry Vickers as the inaugural BC Arts Council Elder-in-Residence marks a significant step forward toward learning and promoting Indigenous knowledge within the arts community.
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Transportation and Infrastructure
Province, YVR work together to support good jobs, fight pollution
Thursday, March 21, 2024 11:50 AM
A partnership aimed at fighting pollution in the aviation sector, growing investment and supporting clean, sustainable jobs and business opportunities for people in British Columbia has been made between the B.C. government and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
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Airport improvements support services, growth for communities
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 7:00 AM
New support for B.C.’s regional airports will improve the lives of people in rural, remote and Indigenous communities by enhancing front-line services, such as firefighting and health care, while fostering economic growth.
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Public invited to learn about upcoming improvements to Ravine Way area
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 7:00 AM
People are invited to an information session about transit and active transportation-related improvement plans to the Ravine Way area.
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Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Province supports new weir to keep Cowichan River flowing
Friday, March 22, 2024 9:15 AM
B.C. is taking an important step forward in drought preparedness by supporting a new Cowichan Lake weir, ensuring the Cowichan River continues to flow and provide a safe and reliable water supply for people, businesses, the environment and wildlife.
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Province strengthens flood defences, protecting people, communities
Thursday, March 21, 2024 9:15 AM
More communities will benefit from local projects that help keep people safe during disasters and extreme-weather events.
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Province continues deer harvest to test for chronic wasting disease
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 8:30 AM
The Province continues to address chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the Kootenay Region where two deer samples tested positive for CWD earlier this year.
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