New federal funding builds on plans for a safe back to school
Building on the Province’s $45.6-million investment to support a safe restart for B.C.’s schools, additional funding from the federal government will allow schools to expand health and safety measures, purchase more personal protective equipment (PPE) and increase capacity for remote learning. “Our province is taking the best,...
Enhanced mental health programs support a safe return to school
Students and staff will head back to school with more resources available to support mental wellness during the unprecedented school year ahead. “The excitement that normally comes with back to school may feel more uncertain this year, as many families worry about COVID-19 and keeping everyone safe,” said Judy Darcy, Minister...
Public Accounts confirm economic impacts of COVID-19
Despite strong fiscal results in the first three quarters of 2019-20, unforeseen changes in the fourth quarter due to COVID-19, including declines in tax revenues, ICBC losses and early measures to tackle the pandemic, affected the Province’s 2019-20 financial results. “While the first three quarters of 2019-20 reflected a ...
Province introduces new measures to enforce COVID-19 public safety
Police and other provincial enforcement officers are being given the ability to issue $2,000 violation tickets for owners or organizers contravening the provincial health officer’s (PHO) order on gatherings and events. They will also be able to issue $200 violation tickets to individuals not following the direction of police...
Ministry of Education will apologize and provide compensation
As a result of a BC Ombudsperson investigation, the Ministry of Education will apologize to students and compensate any students who were financially harmed by the issuance of incorrect provincial exam results in 2019. In a report released today, Course Correction: The Ministry of Education 2019 Provincial Exam Errors, the ...
State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response as the number of active cases hits a record high
The B.C. government has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response. “The vast majority of British Columbians are...
Community exposure events continue — 83 new cases
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Réka Gustafson, B.C.'s deputy provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: "Today, we are announcing 83 new cases, for a total of 4,677 cases in British Columbia. "There are 775...
K-12 operational guidelines set requirements for masks
School districts have received updated operational guidelines to help ensure a consistent provincewide approach to keep schools safe for all students, teachers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the updated health and safety guidelines, masks will be required for staff, middle and secondary students in high traffic...
Plan to safely bring K-12 students back to class full time
Enhanced safety measures and additional resources will enable most students in grades K-12 to return to school on Sept. 8, 2020, with full-time in-class learning as the province moves to Stage 2 of B.C.’s Education Restart Plan. “The classroom is an essential part of a child’s social, academic and mental development, and...
Charges laid after woman’s dog dragged by her stolen vehicle in Windermere
What started as a routine outing for a Windermere woman turned frightening, when she witnessed her dog being dragged behind her freshly stolen vehicle as it fled the downtown area late Monday afternoon. On Monday, July 27, shortly after 5:30 p.m., the Columbia Valley RCMP was advised that a Toyota Rav4 was stolen while parked...
