BC News

Summary Public survey on the draft Strategic Management Plan will be open from Sept. 3, 2026, until Oct. 18, 2026 The plan proposes guidelines for the management of private marine docks on Crown foreshore areas in southern Gulf Islands and southeastern Vancouver Island Feedback will help determine whether the draft approach strikes the right balance and identify opportunities for improvement __________ Public feedback on a draft strategic management plan is invited to help shape the path for private marine docks in southern Gulf Islands and southeastern Vancouver Island. The B.C. government, in consultation with First Nations and an advisory group that included representatives of waterfront property owners, dock owners, science and conservation organizations, recreation groups, tourism and economic development organizations, and local governments, has developed a draft long-term strategy to manage private docks in the area, and is seeking public input. The draft pla…

People in B.C. can remotely access court registry services through new online service. Summary - The virtual counter connects court registry staff to people anywhere in B.C. through videoconference or by phone for assistance with Provincial and Supreme Court processes. - Expert court services staff can answer questions and share a range of resources and court forms - The online service is part of the Province’s work to modernize and transform B.C.’s court systems to meet the needs of people in B.C. __________ People can receive free, convenient help and advice navigating the court system from anywhere in the province with the launch of the new virtual-counter service. The virtual counter connects people with court registry staff remotely by video or phone for help with general inquiries, court forms and other topics related to Provincial and Supreme Court processes. “Navigating the justice system can be challenging, especially for people who face barriers ac…

Summary The Order of British Columbia celebrates outstanding achievement, excellence or distinction benefiting the people of British Columbia and beyond The Medal of Good Citizenship recognizes selfless, voluntary service in one’s community Nominations will be open for these honours until April 7, 2026 __________ To celebrate service excellence, the Province invites the public to nominate outstanding individuals for the Province’s two highest honours: the Order of British Columbia and the Medal of Good Citizenship. The Order of British Columbia The Order of British Columbia represents the highest form of recognition the Province can extend to its people. The order recognizes outstanding achievement, excellence or distinction by a former or current B.C. resident whose contributions benefit the province and elsewhere. “This is a chance to celebrate excellence at every level – provincial, national and international – by lifting up the British Columbians whose work…

The Province is introducing proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act to strengthen and protect mental-health care in B.C. and improve supports for people who suffer from severe, overlapping mental-health and substance-use challenges. “When someone is so unwell they can’t make decisions about their own safety, we have a responsibility to step in with compassion and care,” said Premier David Eby. “By strengthening involuntary care and protecting the people who deliver it, we’re taking an important step to support vulnerable patients, help their families, and build a more responsive mental-health system where no one falls through the cracks.” If passed, the Province will update the act by removing Section 31(1) and replacing it with a more modern and clearer liability-protection provision. For more than 40 years, Section 31(1) has offered limited legal protection for front-line health-care workers who provide treatment to involuntary patients, under direction by psychiat…

The Province is encouraging rabbit owners in the mid-Vancouver Island area to take extra care after several wild rabbits were found dead in Cedar, showing symptoms of rabbit hemorrhagic disease. The disease has not yet been confirmed as the cause of death in these rabbits, but testing is underway and results are pending. In past years, rabbit hemorrhagic disease has been detected in feral, commercial and pet rabbits in Parksville, the Comox Valley, Nanaimo, Richmond, Delta and Vancouver. The disease is a highly contagious and often deadly disease that affects only rabbits. Symptoms can include fever, lethargy, respiratory distress, bleeding from the nose or mouth or sudden death. The virus spreads through direct contact between rabbits and indirectly through contaminated bedding, food, water, cages, clothing, footwear and vehicle tires. The disease does not pose a risk to people or other animals, including cats and dogs. However, rabbit hemorrhagic disease can be carri…

The Province is urging people in British Columbia to conserve water over the coming weeks as forecasts suggest much of the province will experience elevated drought conditions. “Saving water and responding to drought is a shared responsibility, and we know that early action can make a big difference, especially when we work together,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “The Province is doing our part to ensure communities and farmers are prepared, and we are working with large water users to reduce their water use. This is especially critical in high-risk watersheds that support fish populations or are at risk of long-term harm.” Voluntary reduction and water-conservation measures and changes in weather, including significant rainfall, can play a critical role in maintaining stream flows. In some B.C. communities, residential water use makes up as much as 70% of total use during the summer months, which is why even small changes at home …

Employers and workers are reminded that on Sunday, June 1, 2025, B.C.’s general minimum wage increases from $17.40 to $17.85 an hour. The 2.6% increase on June 1 also applies to minimum-wage rates for resident caretakers, live-in home-support workers, live-in camp leaders and app-based delivery and ride-hail services workers. The minimum agricultural piece rates for hand harvesters will increase by 2.6% on Dec. 31, 2025. The Dec. 31 annual increase to the minimum piece rates ensures crop producers will not need to adjust wages in the middle of the harvesting season. Government has made regular, gradual increases to the minimum wage to provide certainty for workers and predictability for businesses. This is the fourth year of the government's ongoing commitment to tie annual minimum-wage increases to inflation. In February 2024, government amended the Employment Standards Act so annual increases to minimum rates happen automatically, based on the previous year’s aver…