Provincial

The Union of B.C. Municipalities is welcoming changes to provincial borrowing rules that regulate how much money municipalities can borrow without holding a public vote.

A trio of B.C. mothers and elected officials is calling on the province to implement a provincewide standard for maternity and parental leaves for locally elected officials.

The B.C. government said the net cost of hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches in Vancouver next year could be as much as $145 million, in line with earlier projections, though gross expenses for the tournament may exceed $600 million.

The B.C. Conservatives are criticizing a government program intended to provide rent supplements for youth aging out of government care, after reports that no payments have been made under the program since February 2024. 

Pride organizations in B.C. have said this year’s festivities are a way of celebrating community and pushing back against a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. 

British Columbia’s public safety minister said the province is investing an additional $6 million dollars for police departments to target repeat violent offenders. 

The province unveiled a streamlined website Thursday where drivers can check road and weather conditions on provincial highways.

Gender and equity advocates say British Columbia’s pay transparency legislation does not go far enough to close pay equity gaps, while a business group argues the law is a useful tool that will yield progress over time.

B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the decision to stop drug coverage for a girl with a rare, fatal disease was difficult, but aligns with available clinical evidence and expert recommendations.

Premier David Eby said it is concerning that no Canadian companies bid on a B.C. Ferries contract to build four new major vessels, but he won’t intervene in the company’s decision to award the contract to a Chinese state-owned shipyard.