The federal and provincial governments announced an enhancement to the Canada-BC Housing Benefit (CBCHB) that will provide additional support for survivors of gender-based violence. The federal government is investing nearly $37 million over four years, with the Province of B.C. providing an equal cost match.

This enhancement will help survivors of gender-based violence, including women and their children and 2SLGBTQI+ people, transition to secure and maintain rental housing in the private market. The benefit is expected to support nearly 1,700 individuals or households during the critical time of vulnerability and need experienced by those leaving violence, experiencing homelessness or with severe core housing need. This recognizes that individuals exiting violence may be experiencing financial abuse or face barriers to accessing other types of benefits because of complex family situations.

Funding will be provided directly to qualifying households by BC Housing, identified through referrals from non-profit housing providers, agencies and organizations that work with those who are leaving gender-based violence or applicants who have applied to BC Housing’s Registry. The benefit amount is $600 on average per month per household, and is determined based on income, family size and the rent the household pays in the private market, which is subject to program maximums based on household size.

The CBCHB for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence will follow the same terms and conditions as the existing CBCHB. While this federal CBCHB funding is specifically for survivors of gender-based violence, B.C., like other provinces and territories that have partnered with the federal government to deliver the program, will have the flexibility to use its cost-matching to support ending gender-based violence or other priorities and programs to assist the vulnerable population with direct-to-household affordability assistance.

Quotes:

Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities –

“Ensuring survivors have access to safe, affordable housing is key to breaking the cycle of violence. This investment will provide nearly 1,700 families affected by gender-based violence with a place to call home. By offering stability, it empowers survivors to rebuild their lives free from fear.”

Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs –

“Access to housing and supports is vital for the safety and wellbeing of everyone, especially survivors of gender-based violence. The new rent assistance will provide critical financial relief, helping people cover their monthly rent and maintain housing. By easing the burden of rent, we help provide people the stability they need, enabling communities to thrive and get stronger.”

Jennifer Blatherwick, B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity –

“Supporting survivors of gender-based violence, including women, children and 2SLGBTQIA+ people experiencing or at risk of violence, is a priority of the provincial government. This investment in rent assistance provides much-needed support for people affected by violence and those struggling to secure housing, aiding them as they take their next steps toward safety and stability. Through this, we help strengthen the foundation for healthier and more resilient communities in B.C.”

Quick Facts:

• The federal government announced in November 2017 that it would invest $2 billion in a new Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) as part of the National Housing Strategy (NHS). Provinces and territories are cost-matching this funding for a total $4 billion investment over eight years, starting in 2020-21.
• The CHB aims to reduce housing need for some of Canada’s most vulnerable by providing funding directly to households in need to help them afford their housing costs.
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) worked with provinces and territories to create 13 CHB initiatives, one for each jurisdiction. These initiatives were co-developed based on a series of federal themes and are tailored to prioritize populations that are in housing need in each jurisdiction. Provinces and Territories are delivering the CHB in their jurisdictions.
• The CHB for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is an enhancement to the already existing CHB.
• Budget 2021 included an additional $315.4 million over seven years for the CHB to provide financial assistance for low-income women and children leaving violence. However, the landscape of violence prevention has shifted since then with the introduction and subsequent endorsement and support of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (Action Plan) in November 2022.
• The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence defines gender-based violence as that which is “based on gender norms and unequal power dynamics, perpetrated against someone based on their gender, gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender. It may take many forms, including physical, economic, sexual, as well as emotional (psychological) abuse.” This may include intimate partner violence and human trafficking.
• The NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and people with lived experience of housing need.
• Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan was released in December 2023. The action plan reports on vital work underway across government to address gender-based violence. Initiatives were developed in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous partners, and with advice from community service providers and advocates.

Families and children will soon benefit from a new child care centre with 36 licensed child care spaces in downtown Kamloops.

“Creating new child care spaces takes dedication, collaboration and perseverance,” said Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for child care. “The people behind this project put in tremendous effort to bring it to life. Their hard work helps ensure more families in Kamloops have access to affordable and high-quality child care.”

The Province partnered with the City of Kamloops to create new child care spaces through an investment of more than $416,000 from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. The fund is jointly supported by provincial investments and federal funding provided under the 2021-22 to 2025-26 Canada-British Columbia Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

“These additional spots are a game-changer for families in Kamloops,” said Jenna Sudds, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “Affordable child care is a necessity, and we will keep working to make it a reality for more families in British Columbia and across the country.”

The new centre includes 12 infant-toddler spaces and 24 spaces for children from age three to kindergarten.

“The YMCA is thrilled to be engaging with the City of Kamloops to open a new and much-needed child care facility for families in Kamloops,” said Lynette Mikalishen, director, child care service, YMCA BC. “We are prepared to bring our wealth of experience, highly trained staff, unique curriculum and community passion to providing a safe and comfortable environment where children can learn and grow.”

Since 2018, ChildCareBC-accelerated space-creation programs have helped fund more than 40,000 new licensed child care spaces in B.C., with more than 23,000 spaces open and providing care for children. Funding new child care spaces is part of the Province’s ChildCareBC plan to build access to affordable, quality and inclusive child care as a core service for families.

Premier David Eby has issued the following statement in response to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump:

“We didn’t ask for this fight the president has brought to Canada and to British Columbia. I’ll tell you this — we’re not going to shrink from it.

“Effective immediately, BC Liquor Stores will be pulling all red-state liquor products off the shelf and will not order any more. Here at home, the government, including Crown corporations and health authorities, will be buying Canadian first, then non-U.S. products. This is something that we can’t do ordinarily because of trade agreements with the United States. Finally, we’re going to make sure support is in place so B.C. businesses can pivot to global and domestic markets.

“The federal government has committed that the revenues from counter tariffs announced this morning will be redistributed to businesses and individuals to provide support. We’ll make sure that that happens. As a province, we’ll fill in the blanks wherever there is an area that isn’t being addressed by Ottawa.

“We’re having conversations today that we never thought we would have. Today is our chance as Canadians, and as British Columbians, to send a message. At the grocery store, buy B.C., buy Canadian. If you have a choice about where to travel, avoid the United States. Visit somewhere in Canada or elsewhere in the world.

“This threat to our sovereignty has brought out a sense of pride, a sense of courage and a sense of solidarity among all Canadians.

“We’re big enough to stand on our own two feet. This is a moment for us to take an attack and turn it into a source of strength for ourselves as a province and as a country. We are tough. We are resilient. We are exceptional.

“Together, we’ll ensure that Canada remains the true north, strong and free. We will meet this moment with dignity and with courage. We are resolute in our willingness to stand up for what we believe, to partner with people who share our values around the world, and to lead the way in a moment of great uncertainty and, for some people, significant fear. People need Canada right now, they need British Columbia right now and we’ll be there to deliver for them. We’re going to fight and we’re going to win.”

The Government of British Columbia has appointed four new Provincial Court judges to support access to justice.

The new judges are:

• Ariana Ward (effective March 28, 2025);
• James Henry (effective March 21, 2025);
• Brian Dybwad (effective March 21, 2025); and
• Mylene de Guzman (effective March 28, 2025).

Ariana Ward has practised law for 27 years. Born in Iran, Ward moved to the United States before immigrating to Canada. After completing law school, she became Crown counsel. Since 1996, Ward has worked in almost every area of the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS). From 2008-17, she worked for the BCPS as weekend bail Crown. Since 2018, she has worked as trial counsel. Committed to Indigenous reconciliation, she has been counsel in North Vancouver’s Indigenous sentencing court. Ward’s contributions to the legal community include judging in the UBC Moot Court program and working as a sessional instructor at Douglas College where she taught an Introduction to Criminal Justice, Indigenous People and the Law course.

James Henry was called to the B.C. bar in May 1996. He has been working as Crown counsel since 2017. For 20 years before that, he worked as defence counsel in Surrey and the Fraser Valley. He is Métis on his grandfather’s side of the family, and is a member of and served on the board of directors of the Nova Metis Heritage Association. In 2020, he joined the Indigenous Prosecution Service Resource Group. In 2022, he was appointed as administrative Crown counsel overseeing the scheduling of more than 50 prosecutors in the Surrey office.

Brian Dybwad is a member of the Tsetault-Gitxsan Nation on his mother’s side, and his father is Norwegian. He is a hereditary Chief, with the name Skawill, which translates to big rock in the middle of the river. He graduated from University of Victoria in 1998 and was called to the B.C. bar in 2010.  He has primarily practised as a lawyer on north Vancouver Island. In private practice, between 2010 and 2018, he focused on criminal defence, family law and child-protection matters. Between 2018 and 2022, he was the managing lawyer for the Parents Legal Centre in Campbell River. From July 2022, he has held managing lawyer positions at Legal Aid BC. From 2015-17, he was the president of the Campbell River Bar Association, member at large at the British Columbia Law Institute, and in 2022 and 2024 was elected as a bencher of the Law Society of British Columbia.

Mylene de Guzman was born in the Philippines. She immigrated to Ontario where she attended the University of Windsor and obtained her law degree in 1995. Articling at Greig, Skagen & Kennedy, she has worked as a family law lawyer in New Westminster and the Fraser Valley for most of her career. She obtained her accreditation as a family law mediator and arbitrator in 2015. She devotes 20% of her practice to alternative dispute resolutions. She is on the roster of Access Pro Bono lawyers, participating in legal clinics and conducting mediations. De Guzman is also a member of Amici Curiae Friendship Society, participating as a guest speaker and lecturer for legal clinics. She has worked as a volunteer in the legal community, taking on executive roles, including president of the New West Bar Association in 2022. She is the first vice-president of the Canadian Bar Association.

These judicial appointments are made by considering various factors, such as the court’s requirements, the diversity of the judiciary and the candidates’ areas of expertise. The appointments show the Province’s continued dedication to ensuring fair access to justice for everyone in British Columbia.

Quick Facts:

• The process to appoint judges involves the following steps:
  • Interested lawyers apply, and the Judicial Council of B.C. reviews the candidates.
  • The council is a statutory body made up of the chief judge, an associate chief judge, other judges, lawyers and members from outside the legal profession.
  • The council recommends potential judges to the attorney general, with the final appointment made through a cabinet order-in-council.
• Although judges and judicial justices are located in a judicial region, many use technology, such as videoconferencing, for court proceedings.
• Judges travel regularly throughout the province to meet changing demands.

The provincial government has released Budget 2025: Standing Strong for B.C., a measured plan to protect jobs and the public services people rely on, while preparing British Columbia’s economy to withstand the unpredictable impacts of unjustified tariffs.

“With uncertainty on the horizon, it is prudent to protect the essentials and prepare for what comes next by investing in our greatest resource, the people of British Columbia,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance. “While our economy is built to withstand the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs relatively better than most other provinces, the impact would still be significant. Our budget prepares us to carefully navigate these uncharted waters so we can put people first and support businesses as we build a stronger, more self-sufficient future.”

Budget 2025 manages B.C.’s finances and invests in critical public services to meet growing demand. It provides $9.9 billion more in operating funding over three years, including $7.7 billion in new funding for health care, education and social services. The budget also includes $4 billion in annual contingencies to address unpredictable costs, including a new collective bargaining mandate, pressures on critical services and for emerging needs, such as potential tariff response measures.

The budget provides $4.2 billion to respond to growing demand for health-care services, improve access to primary care, continue hiring health-care workers, reduce wait times at emergency departments and hospitals, and open and operate new and renovated hospitals and facilities. It also provides funding to support addictions treatment and recovery programs.

To address health-care needs throughout the province, $15.5 billion in capital funding is provided over the fiscal plan to help build and upgrade hospitals, long-term care facilities and cancer centres.

Budget 2025 provides $370 million over three years to support students in the K-12 education system, including hiring additional teachers, special-education teachers, teacher psychologists and counsellors. The budget also invests $4.6 billion over the fiscal plan in capital funding to build and upgrade schools.

Funding is increasing for services for children and youth with support needs, children and youth in care and adults with developmental disabilities.

“In times of uncertainty, we will be there for British Columbians. We are continuing to invest in the services people rely on to take care of their families, get the care they need, when they need it, and provide a good future for everyone across the province,” Bailey said. “Our government is focused on building an economy that creates the wealth that is needed to deliver more jobs with bigger paycheques and protect our public services in the face of the threat of unjustified tariffs.”

Growing a stronger and more diverse economy will help protect people from instability outside B.C.’s borders, with investments that will bring good-paying jobs to the province as part of sustainable industries.

Budget 2025 invests $30 million over three years to support high-quality jobs through the Integrated Marketplace Initiative’s work to accelerate innovation in B.C., and boosts tax credits for the province’s film sector and home-grown interactive digital media and video game industry.

It includes funding of $95 million in critical highway and bridge maintenance over three years to help people and goods move safely across the province, with another $47 million over the fiscal plan to support BC Transit networks outside of the Lower Mainland.

Capital funding of $15.9 billion over three years will support transit, infrastructure and highway improvements to connect communities throughout the province.

Total capital investments of $59.9 billion over the fiscal plan are anticipated to support 180,000 good-paying direct and indirect jobs over three years.

People continue to deal with the challenge of daily costs, especially when it comes to finding a home they can afford. Budget 2025 commits an additional $318 million over three years to BC Builds as part of the Province’s goal of delivering thousands more rental homes for middle-income people.

B.C. remains focused on making sure people, not speculators, can find affordable housing by increasing the Speculation and Vacancy Tax to 3% for foreign owners and untaxed worldwide owners, and 1% for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The number of lower-income working families receiving help with their monthly rent payment will nearly double as part of $375 million in additional funding for rental support programs over three years.

With this increase, the average supplement families receive under the Rental Assistance Program will rise from $400 to $700 per month. An additional 1,600 seniors will receive rental support through the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, with average supplements growing by 30%. This is the second increase to funding for SAFER recipients in the past year.

Stronger-than-expected returns on investments means ICBC can provide another $110 rebate this year to help personal and commercial drivers with costs amid an uncertain economic climate.

The Province is investing $325 million over three years to support safer communities.

This includes $235 million in justice and public safety programs for people to get timely access to justice, a new program to fight vandalism and other property crime, increased police funding and more police officer training seats.

Budget 2025 provides additional funding to expand HEART and HEARTH programs to help more people living outdoors access housing and better support services so the Province can work with communities to help people move indoors and close down encampments.

“We can’t leave our future to the whims of unpredictable forces beyond our borders,” Bailey said. “This is our opportunity to stand up for B.C. families, workers and communities to build a stable and sustainable economy for years to come.”

Budget 2025 presents declining deficits from $10.9 billion in 2025-26 to $10.2 billion in 2026-27 and $9.9 billion in 2027-28.

Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, has released the following statement on Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day:

“Today, we recognize the incredible dedication of search and rescue volunteers and the sacrifices they have made while serving people in British Columbia.

“Our province is fortunate to have some of the most skilled, passionate and selfless search and rescue volunteers in the world. Together, the BC Search and Rescue Association, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, and PEP Air have saved the lives of thousands of people. They are heroes.

“Search and rescue volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing their time and expertise to help people throughout British Columbia. While much of their work happens far from public view, their impact is felt across the entire province. They are the lifelines in our greatest moments of need, and we are incredibly grateful for their dedication. To all those volunteering on search and rescue teams, on behalf of all British Columbians, thank you. We are forever grateful.

“It takes a remarkable kind of person to be a search and rescue volunteer: someone who is driven, courageous and has an unwavering commitment to helping others. These search and rescue missions can come with an incredible cost. Since 1967, there have been 17 search-and-rescue volunteers who have lost their lives while serving British Columbians. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

“Today, on Search and Rescue Memorial Day, I would like to invite all British Columbians to reflect on those heroic volunteers who lost their lives in the pursuit of safety for others, their loves ones, and their service to the people of our province.”

Surrey, BC – Surrey City Council is taking a decisive step in addressing ongoing governance concerns within the Metro Vancouver Board by unanimously approving a motion to withdraw from the Metro 2050 Regional Growth Strategy. Councillor Pardeep Kooner tabled the motion at Monday’s Regular Council Meeting, driven by significant apprehensions around the efficacy and equity of regional strategies that do not align with Surrey’s priorities.

“Today, we are standing up for the interests of Surrey residents,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “The Metro 2050 strategy imposes unfair costs and expectations on our community, which do not reflect the unique needs of our growing city or Surrey Council’s vision for our city. It’s time for us to take action, ensuring that local governance truly serves our residents.”

Coun. Kooner’s motion cites several critical issues with the Metro 2050 plan, including a misalignment between the strategies contained within it and the city’s own vision, along with a lack of emphasis on fostering healthy human settlements that make efficient use of public resources.

“This motion focuses on fairness and equity, as Metro 2025 places an undue burden on our residents while failing to deliver equivalent benefits,” stated Kooner. “The City of Surrey is dedicated to ensuring that our residents have access to the services and resources they rightfully deserve, without facing an unreasonable financial strain.”
Surrey Directors on the Metro Vancouver Board have been raising the issue of cost, equity, accountability, governance and scope creep of MVRD.

“Surrey and some other cities, predominantly South Fraser, have stressed that MVRD move to delivering the core functions of water, sewer and solid waste cost effectively, keeping taxpayers at the forefront of decision-making,” noted Mayor Locke. “To address this, it is my intention to coordinate a South Fraser Summit to bring Mayors, Council members and Senior Management together. This summit will determine next steps in ensuring regional service and corresponding costs to our taxpayer are fairly allocated. By working collaboratively, I hope we can bring greater balance, transparency and equitable service delivery by MVRD to all of our communities, in particular South of the Fraser River, without unfair financial strain on our residents.”

Surrey staff have been directed to organize this summit, aiming for constructive discussions that will lead to more equitable regional governance.

Surrey, B.C. – The City of Surrey is celebrating the completion of major road construction for the 152 Street Road Upgrades project. The project involved raising and widening of 152 Street between the Nicomekl and Serpentine Rivers to improve public safety and the movement of people, goods and services on this major north-south route.

“Improving roads is an essential part of maintaining safe and connected communities,” said Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament for Surrey-Newton, on behalf of the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “The completion of the 152 Street Road Upgrades project is great news for the community and will provide improved and reliable transportation infrastructure for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. By reducing congestion and adding active transportation options, we are lowering our greenhouse gas emissions, while creating healthier communities.”

The new road was widened from 2 to 4 vehicle lanes to reduce congestion and traffic delays on this busy corridor. The road also includes a multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians, and improvements to transit and bus shelters to provide access to more sustainable transportation options.

“With over 30,000 trips a day, 152 Street is a key corridor connecting communities within Surrey while linking to major highways,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “Widening the road will ensure residents can get to where they are going efficiently. The project also includes raising the road to make 152 Street resilient to extreme weather events including atmospheric rivers to keep our community safe. I would like to thank the Government of Canada and TransLink for helping make this project possible.”

While the road is open to the public, the twinning of the Nicomekl River Bridge crossing is still under construction and anticipated to be complete this summer.

“TransLink’s $14 million investment to upgrade 152 Street and the Nicomekl River Bridge helps to encourage active transportation, improve access to transit, and expand the Major Road Network in a rapidly growing area,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “Projects like these highlight the importance of TransLink’s Local Government Funding Program, which invests over $100 million each year to improve transportation infrastructure, but requires a new sustainable funding model to continue next year.”

The project is part of the first phase of implementation of Surrey’s award winning Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy (CFAS) to build community resilience to coastal flooding and sea level rise.

The project cost $44M and is funded in part by TransLink and the Government of Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

Surrey, B.C. – The City of Surrey is proud to announce that it has been selected as the host city for the 2026 Curling Canada Mixed Doubles Championship. From Mar. 21-27, 2026, Canada’s top mixed doubles teams will compete for the national title, with the winning team going on to represent Canada at the 2027 World Mixed Doubles Championship.

“We are thrilled to host the 2026 Curling Canada Mixed Doubles Championship in Surrey,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “This is a major event for our city, and we look forward to welcoming athletes from across Canada. With the exceptional talent and skill on display at this tournament, fans will be in for a treat as teams compete for the honour of being National Champions. I would like to thank the members of the Cloverdale Curling Club for the tremendous work they did to bring this prestigious event to Surrey.”

The event will take place at the Cloverdale Curling Club, a state-of-the-art facility that will provide an exceptional experience for both players and fans alike. The 2026 Championship will showcase the dynamic and fast-paced mixed doubles format, which combines skill, strategy, and teamwork. In addition to the thrilling on-ice action, the Championship will feature a variety of activities for spectators, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.

“The City of Surrey and the Cloverdale Curling Club worked extremely hard on their bid for the 2026 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship that Curl BC was proud to support, and we’re very excited to see that work rewarded,” said Scott Braley, Chief Executive Officer of Curl BC. “There is a dedicated and passionate curling community in the Surrey region that I know will support this event, both as volunteers and fans, and it will be a memorable experience for everyone.”

Surrey’s welcoming, accessible, and award-winning facilities make it a premier destination for hosting sporting events. The City’s Sport Tourism Strategy has been developed to advance the City of Surrey as a leader in the Sport Tourism industry, maximizing economic benefits and sport development opportunities.