Government of British Columbia Archives

Getting the most out of B.C.’s challenged wood fibre base

It was in early-2023 when British Columbia Premier David Eby announced the Forest Enterprise Society of B.C. (FESBC) was to receive an additional $50 million in funding for forest enhancement projects in the province. The focus of the funding was to be on creating a higher level of wood utilization for wood fibre and wildfire…

Not Enough Being Done to Prevent Future Flooding

Living in Merritt is like living on an active volcano, says city manager, as concerns loom over flood risk Residents and municipal officials worry not enough is being done to prevent future flooding Residents of Merritt, B.C., watch a flooded street on Nov. 15, 2021. Municipal leaders in the city say they are concerned about…

Study finds Rural Connectivity Benefits People, Economy

The Kootenay Connectivity Benefits Study, released by BC Stats, finds high-speed internet connectivity expansions in rural, remote and Indigenous communities positively impacts both local and provincial economies in the short and long term. Read the Full Report Here: Kootenay Connectivity Report 2022 BC Stats conducted a study of the Kootenay Economic Region to examine the…

Increased Opportunities for Indigenous People in Forest Sector

Indigenous people looking to work in B.C.’s forest sector will have more opportunities to learn, train and develop in-demand skills through two new provincial grants. Supported by the StrongerBC Economic Plan, the Province is providing funding to the First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) for the Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program (IFSP) and an online forestry careers-matching tool…

Government Takes Action on Abbott/Chapman Report

The Government of BC has released its action plan in response to the government-commissioned, independent Abbott/Chapman report on the unprecedented 2017 wildfire and flood seasons in British Columbia. The plan outlines actions taken and underway, and identifies next steps to address the report’s 108 recommendations. It also considers recommendations from other recent reports, such as…

Website Expands Public Review of Crown Land-Use Applications

A new government website expands access to information and public engagement on applications for Crown land use in B.C. Applications for Crown land use range from recreational to industrial use. Given that 94% of B.C.’s land base is considered Crown land, the public has an important say in how it is managed. The ministry sees…

Canada, BC Support Agriculture in Indigenous Communities

The provincial and federal governments have announced a new program to assist Indigneous communities in BC interested in expanding their agricultural businesses and supporting local food security. Under this new initiative, professional and qualified business consultants with experience in building agriculture ventures are able to provide site-specific guidance on the types of crops or…

Cannabis Clarity from the BC Government

Cannabis clarity is the goal of the BC Government’s official web page on the new cannabis situation. Given that non-medical cannabis is now legal in Canada, this is a useful resource for anyone in the province unclear about the legal and health implications of the new law for British Columbians. https://cannabis.gov.bc.ca/ …

B.C. Government Invites Rural Strategy Suggestions

If you’re concerned about the future of rural B.C.’s communities and First Nations, you’ll be interested in the following invitation from B.C. Government to share your ideas and suggestions. Note that the deadline for submissions is February 28. The B.C. Government is committed to developing a new, long-term, durable Rural Development Strategy that works for…

BC Rural Dividend Program Announces Fourth Intake

Applications for funding in the fourth intake of the BC Rural Dividend program will be accepted Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, 2017, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Doug Donaldson announced today. “I encourage local governments, not-for-profit organizations and First Nations to get their applications submitted,” said Donaldson. “We’re committed to…