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Cellphone restrictions in schools take effect as part of actions to keep kids safe, healthy

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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B.C. powering growth in the Fraser Valley with clean electricity

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Agriculture and Food

B.C. farmers getting more support to grow food using tech

B.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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B.C. strengthens tree-fruit sector, protects growers, workers

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Attorney General

Nominations open for King’s Counsel designation

Nominations for the honorary designation of King’s Counsel (KC) for 2024 will open on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.
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Provincial court to use Cowichan Tribes laws for child and family services

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Children and Family Development

Province takes new direction for vulnerable children, families

Keeping 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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Children in care are being seen, heard, protected

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Citizens' Services

High-speed internet access available in Hartley Bay

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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New connectivity funding will benefit rural communities

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Education and Child Care

Construction begins on Burke Mountain school in Coquitlam

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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More spaces open for Richmond students

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Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

Public notifications and evacuation route planning will strengthen community safety

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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Province supports search-and-rescue teams for a safer backcountry

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Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation

B.C. powering growth in the Fraser Valley with clean electricity

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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B.C. powering growth in Richmond with clean electricity

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Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Province acquires land to expand Okanagan Lake Park

A 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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New projects underway to clean up another 1,900 km of B.C. shoreline

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Finance

Public accounts show B.C. put people first amid wildfires, global challenges

The 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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More help with everyday costs coming for more families

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Forests

Vancouver Island Nations will have safer community access roads

Toquaht 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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New upgrades to Beaver Lodge support local recreation

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Health

Provincial health officer’s statement on ensuring children’s vaccinations are up to date

Dr. 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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Second urgent and primary care centre coming to Vernon

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Housing

Nearly 1,500 affordable homes protected through Rental Protection Fund

The Rental Protection Fund has helped protect 75 more affordable rental homes for people in Squamish and North Vancouver.
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More temporary homes coming for people experiencing homelessness in Kelowna

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Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

K’ómoks First Nation, Canada, B.C. take important step to advance reconciliation by initialling draft K’ómoks Treaty

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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Vancouver Island Nations will have safer community access roads

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Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

35 years of excellence: 12 outstanding individuals honoured

Twelve individuals who exemplify excellence have been appointed to the Order of British Columbia in this special anniversary year.
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People in British Columbia honoured for dedication to service

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Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

New upgrades to Beaver Lodge support local recreation

A popular recreational forest area in the Campbell River area is receiving some much-needed upgrades.
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Minister’s statement on July Labour Force Survey results

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Labour

Income protection options expanded for child actors

Child 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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Fair pay, basic protections coming for gig workers

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Mental Health and Addictions

New provincewide Opioid Treatment Access Line provides same-day access to care

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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Improved mental-health, addictions services available to Surrey youth

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Municipal Affairs

Water infrastructure upgrades across British Columbia

From 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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New low mobility trails unveiled at Pioneer Park

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Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

Expanded gathering place supports Indigenous culture on campus

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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B.C. taking action to prevent overdoses, make students safer on campus

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Public Safety and Solicitor General

New funding strengthens police work that combats online child exploitation

Police 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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Model advances public safety, connects people to services in Campbell River

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Social Development and Poverty Reduction

Government taking action to help people out of poverty

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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Community funding boost makes more free, healthy food available

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Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

People in British Columbia honoured for dedication to service

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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Province provides updates for FIFA World Cup 26

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Transportation and Infrastructure

Better transportation coming south of the Fraser as Surrey Langley SkyTrain approaches fall construction

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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New Highway 1 investment will get people home sooner

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Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Safety prioritized as water begins to overflow Chilcotin River landslide

Water has begun to overflow the landslide blocking the Chilcotin River near Farwell Canyon.
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Updates to management plan provide certainty for Sunshine Coast dock owners

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Attorney General

Election Act changes modernize B.C.'s voting process

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Attorney General

Nominations open for King’s Counsel designation

Nominations for the honorary designation of King’s Counsel (KC) for 2024 will open on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.
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Provincial court to use Cowichan Tribes laws for child and family services

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Attorney General

Election Act changes modernize B.C.'s voting process

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British Columbians will experience a more efficient, faster process the next time they vote in a provincial election, as changes to the Election Act are brought into force.

The amendments, part of the most significant change to B.C.’s voting process in more than 25 years, will allow Elections BC to use machines to more quickly and accurately count paper ballots. Also known as tabulators, these machines are already used in municipal elections in B.C. and elsewhere in Canada.

In addition to the vote-counting machines, election officials will be able to use an electronic voting book to check voter information, speeding up the process for people who vote in person. This new process will also improve safeguards by making it easier for officials to check who has cast a ballot.

Ballot printers will also be added to polling stations, helping reduce the need for write-in ballots and adding convenience for voters. The printers will create custom ballots with the correct information for any British Columbian's registered electoral district, allowing voters to cast their ballots anywhere in the province.

The legislative assembly approved these changes to the Election Act in October 2019. Elections BC has now completed the necessary preparations to conduct an election under the new provisions. Other approved amendments are already in force, including the extension of the campaign period for unexpected elections and the creation of a list of future voters.

These changes were recommended in a 2018 report from B.C.’s chief electoral officer that proposed changes to improve the voting process in British Columbia.

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