BC News

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…

Homeowners and businesses in rural British Columbia will soon benefit from new water meters that will help small communities save water and increase resiliency during droughts, while lowering costs for people who use less water. “Drinking water is an incredibly precious resource,” said Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities. “Small and rural communities in B.C. face higher financial and management capacity challenges, and water metering helps communities identify leaks, conserve drinking water, and keep costs down for businesses and residents.” Nineteen small, rural and First Nations communities will benefit from nearly 15,000 new automated water meters that will be installed. Provincial funding will cover up to 100% of eligible costs. By helping communities have a better understanding of the amount of water that is used, this $50-million provincial investment could help save up to 1.5 billion litres of water each year. This is the…

The Province of British Columbia has declared Friday, May 2, 2025, an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025. Eleven people were killed and dozens more injured while celebrating Filipino culture and history in a senseless attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver. As people learn more about the victims, they are also learning that the victims’ loss is felt deeply across the province. This tragedy has had profound impact on the Filipino community in B.C. and many others in Vancouver and throughout the province. The day of remembrance and mourning is an opportunity for people in British Columbia to come together, grieve the loss of innocent lives and recognize the contributions the victims made to their communities and the province. It is also a time to offer comfort to all of those impacted, including those who have lost loved ones, those recovering and those who witn…