Office of the PremierOffice of the Premier
Cellphones and other digital devices will be restricted in B.C. schools when students return to school next week as part of a series of actions to keep kids safe and healthy.
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Agriculture and FoodB.C. farmers are getting help with adopting new labour-saving technologies that will enhance their profitability, productivity and efficiency, while helping to improve food security in the province.
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Attorney GeneralNominations for the honorary designation of King’s Counsel (KC) for 2024 will open on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.
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Children and Family DevelopmentKeeping children, youth and families safe and connected to the supports they need will be the focus of a new government-wide approach that reimagines how services are delivered throughout the province.
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Citizens' Services
People in the village of Hartley Bay now have access to high-speed internet, unlocking reliable, faster access to digital services and economic opportunities.
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Education and Child Care
Two projects, including the new Burke Mountain school, will bring more than 1,000 new student seats to the fast-growing community of Coquitlam.
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Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
To help keep people safe and informed during emergencies, the Province is providing funding to communities in B.C. to improve planning for emergency evacuation routes and public notifications.
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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
BC Hydro will construct approximately $1 billion worth of capital projects in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, Hope and Harrison Hot Springs over the next decade to upgrade and expand the electricity grid to provide clean power for homes, businesses and growing transportation needs.
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Environment and Climate Change StrategyA waterfront property along Okanagan Lake will gain permanent protection so more people can enjoy outdoor recreation in B.C.’s Interior.
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FinanceThe Province supported people through a record wildfire season and a global economic slowdown in 2023-24, while continuing to build the schools, hospitals and homes people need.
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ForestsToquaht Nation and Uchucklesaht Tribe members on the west coast of Vancouver Island will have safer access to their communities with new improvements coming to forest service roads.
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HealthDr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, has issued the following statement to make sure children in B.C. are up to date on all their vaccines as part of back-to-school preparations:
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Housing
The Rental Protection Fund has helped protect 75 more affordable rental homes for people in Squamish and North Vancouver.
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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Elected Chief Ken Price of the K’ómoks First Nation (K’ómoks); Gary Anandasangaree, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and Murray Rankin, B.C. Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, marked a significant milestone toward renewing their nation-to-nation relationships.
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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
Twelve individuals who exemplify excellence have been appointed to the Order of British Columbia in this special anniversary year.
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Jobs, Economic Development and InnovationA popular recreational forest area in the Campbell River area is receiving some much-needed upgrades.
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LabourChild actors in B.C.’s recorded entertainment industry will now have a choice between two options for protecting a portion of their income.
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Mental Health and Addictions
The Province has launched the Opioid Treatment Access Line to make it faster and easier for people to get life-saving medication to treat opioid-use disorder and get connected to same-day care.
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Municipal AffairsFrom Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2024/08/water-infrastructure-upgrades-across-british-columbia.html
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Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Indigenous students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) now have access to more space for ceremonial and support services with the opening of the newly expanded space in the Shq’apthut (a gathering place) building on campus.
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Public Safety and Solicitor GeneralPolice in B.C. will soon have more tools to enhance their efforts in protecting children online and strengthen abilities to pursue, disrupt and prosecute offenders.
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Social Development and Poverty Reduction
People facing complex barriers will have better access to employment opportunities with the launch of wraparound services that support the most vulnerable on their path to employment readiness.
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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Eighteen people in British Columbia are being honoured with the Province’s Medal of Good Citizenship for their extraordinary contributions to their communities.
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Transportation and Infrastructure
Communities south of the Fraser River are one step closer to high-quality, low-cost transportation now that all three contracts have been awarded for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project.
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Water, Land and Resource StewardshipWater has begun to overflow the landslide blocking the Chilcotin River near Farwell Canyon.
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Honourable Pam Alexis
Agriculture and FoodB.C. farmers are getting help with adopting new labour-saving technologies that will enhance their profitability, productivity and efficiency, while helping to improve food security in the province.
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Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
778 676-4460
Successful applicants of the new Small Farm Business Acceleration Pilot Program are receiving funding for farm infrastructure and equipment to help them grow their farm businesses and support local food supply and rural economies.
“Farmers are vital to the local food economy throughout the province,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “Through this funding, these new and small farmers will be able to take their farming business to the next level while helping them on the path to economic recovery.”
This one-year pilot program is supporting 64 small and new farmers with diverse farm businesses throughout the province. This funding will strengthen a variety of farm growth projects to help enhance crop and livestock productivity, increase sales and diversify market channels. Buying infrastructure and equipment, like greenhouses, will support rural economic development and contribute to local food production.
In the Skeena River Valley, Farmer Cam’s Foods grows indoor greens and root crops, as well as fruit outdoors and in high tunnels. The funding from the program will help with material to increase vegetable seedlings and microgreens grown indoors, extending the planting season and increasing crop production.
“As a small producer, efficient production systems are essential to the growth of my business, but the cost of new infrastructure typically dictates the timeline,” said Cameron Bell, owner, Farmer Cam’s Foods. “The Small Farm Business Acceleration Pilot Program funding will allow us to invest in a greenhouse and other assets ahead of schedule and continue expanding food production in the Skeena Valley.”
Old Ochiltree Ranch in 150 Mile House is a 40.5-hectare (100-acre) property over 100 years old. The ranch has a small market garden, sheep and an apiary for honey. The property is certified organic, with grazing, fruit and vegetable production. To help increase the ranch’s production and extend the duration of the growing season, the funding will be used to purchase and install a geothermal greenhouse.
“This is a huge opportunity to increase the profitably of our farming business, by helping to mitigate unco-operative weather, extending the season and diversifying our production,” said Gord and Megan Flatt, owners, Old Ochiltree Ranch. “We are so grateful and excited!”
Late Bloomers Flower Farm in Burnaby grows flowers, along with a selection of pumpkins and squash, for businesses in the region. The farm aims to connect purchasers directly with the farmers who grow the products and strengthen the understanding of agricultural practices and flower production. Program funds will be used to purchase new equipment to help increase flower production for local sale in the Lower Mainland.
“Working in small-scale agriculture is not for the faint of heart. It takes drive, dedication and passion to pursue a career that strives to change how we eat, treat the planet and take better care of both animals and humans,” said Elly Rakhmetoulina, owner, Late Bloomers Flower Farm. “With a change in the family farm dynamic, most farmers today are not on land they own or working with tools or machinery they inherited. With the average age of farmers in Canada being in their mid-50s, it’s reassuring to see the Province committed to supporting younger up-and-coming farmers keeping this challenging, but important, vocation alive.”
This announcement is part of B.C.’s $10-billion COVID-19 response, which includes StrongerBC: BC's Economic Recovery Plan that protects people’s health and livelihoods while supporting businesses and communities.
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