B.C. takes action to save lives, build new connections of care with drug decriminalization The Province is taking a critical step to end the shame and stigma that prevents people with substance-use challenges from reaching out for life-saving help as …
News
New Permitting Strategy will help build homes faster
The Province is taking another step to tackle the housing crisis by creating a one-stop-shop approach to provincial permitting to help speed up approvals and construction to build more homes. Quick Facts: Current authorizations related to homebuilding in B.C. require multiple provincial permit applications spanning different ministries with …
BC Family Benefit Enhancements
Payments for January through March 2023 will get a boost of up to $175 more per child. If you’re registered for the Canada Child Benefit, you’re automatically registered for the BC Family Benefit. The B.C. family benefit provides a tax-free monthly payment …
New Protections in place for Homebuyers
Homebuyers in B.C. now have better protection in the real estate market as the homebuyer protection period took effect on Jan. 3, 2023. Creating a mandatory three-business-day period to give homebuyers more time to secure financing or arrange home inspections is the …
New fund will protect thousands of renters in B.C
The Rental Protection Fund will provide one-time capital grants to non-profit housing organizations so they can purchase affordable residential rental buildings and ownership co-operatives listed for sale to protect the renters who are living there and safeguard those rental units …
The RTB is getting a major boost
Government is taking action to speed up and strengthen residential tenancy dispute resolution. The RTB receives a high volume of applications. Waiting times for dispute resolution remain long. This new investment of as much as $15.6 million over three years is a …
ICBC files for no increase to basic insurance rates for more than two years
Government reforms to ICBC are paying off with affordable, steady rates and fiscal stability for people. ICBC is filing an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for no increase to basic insurance rates for the next two years, which …
More internationally educated family doctors
More family doctors will be available to take patients and treat people as the Province expands a program that trains internationally educated doctors, so they can get licensed to practise in British Columbia. The Province is expanding the Practice Ready Assessment program, …
New SFU Medical School moving forward
A new medical school on the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Surrey campus is taking a significant step forward with the hiring of an interim dean and provincial funding to support its development. A key action in the recently released health human …
Families in B.C getting ahead as child care fees reduced
Increased reductions in child care fees of up to $550 more per child per month took effect on Dec. 1, 2022, and are helping approximately 69,000 families with the cost of child care. This is in addition to the savings of …