British Columbia will soon have nearly 200 new jobs and hundreds more people trained in science and technology to enhance food security and strengthen the provincial economy.

“Our province is home to vibrant agriculture and technology sectors, and our government is standing strong to keep them safe during times of global uncertainty,” said Diana Gibson, B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “Through the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI), our government is bolstering our economy and leveraging our strengths to help local agritech and agrifood businesses bring more B.C. goods to market, advance food security and create good jobs for people by growing industry here at home.”

The 19 new projects and nine training programs represent a total investment of more than $15 million, including nearly $5 million in support from the BCCAI matched with more than $2 million cash and more than $8 million in-kind from industry. These projects will focus on helping companies scale up their technology and create more made-in-B.C. solutions with B.C. farmers and deliver more opportunities for training and upskilling, creating a stronger, more resilient agriculture industry.

“Across British Columbia, forward-thinking innovators are developing technology that is transforming agriculture in our province,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan). “By partnering with the B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation, the Government of Canada is supporting local food producers, strengthening our supply chains and growing a skilled workforce.”

The funding includes a $1.2-million project with Foxy Produce Ltd., which operates a produce store in North Vancouver and a farm in Aldergrove. Foxy Produce will test an advanced air-insulated greenhouse that is expected to cut energy costs in half.

“As a farmer and retailer, I witness first-hand the struggles British Columbians face with food security and affordability. It has become my passion to address this issue,” said Joseph Sung, CEO, Foxy Produce Ltd. “We are proud to collaborate with BCCAI on our active-air insulation greenhouse technology and rotary growing towers. This project will enable year-round growing by minimizing energy costs during the cold weather seasons, allowing for continuous and efficient crop production.”

The Foxy Produce project’s technology is expected to lead to the creation of approximately 60 jobs and to a 30% increase in revenue by creating fresh B.C.-grown food for less energy.

“Supporting our province’s food producers and agritech innovators is critical to building a sustainable, local food supply, as well as contributing to new jobs and economic growth in B.C.,” said Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture and Food. “Through our partnership with the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation, we are helping small and medium-sized businesses develop new technologies and tools to support farmers and enhance food security for British Columbians.”

Other projects supported by the BCCAI include training opportunities with partnering organizations, such as the BC Blueberry Council (BCBC) and the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), which will help food producers be more resilient to climate change and create a stronger food supply in B.C.

In addition to BCBC and UFV training, Indigenous people will receive upskilling and training opportunities in horticulture, Indigenous agriculture, drone-based mapping and business mentorship through Tea Creek, an Indigenous employment and training service based in Kitwanga.

These projects are examples of how B.C. is supporting the agritech sector so that companies can commercialize their technologies and create cleaner, more resilient and more productive agriculture, food and seafood industries.

The BCCAI is a key action of the StrongerBC Economic Plan that will help tackle climate change while contributing to a sustainable and more resilient agriculture industry for all British Columbians.

Quick Facts:

• Announced in July 2022, the BCCAI empowers small and medium businesses, producers and processors to de-risk and adopt technology solutions that build resilient supply chains and generate global solutions for food security and climate change.
• To start the BCCAI, the Province announced as much as $6.5 million over three years, while the federal government contributed as much as $10 million through Pacific Economic Development Canada (Pacifican) over five years.
• Since opening in September 2022, BCCAI has created 76 jobs and launched 32 projects with 28 agriculture businesses and 52 delivery partners.
• BCCAI has brought 19 products, services and processes to market, and trained 1,119 personnel.
• It is anticipated that the projects launched this year will upskill more than 800 people providing advanced training in areas such as horticulture, regenerative agriculture, data management and agri-business management.
• These projects are expected to lead to 194 new jobs and increased business sales growth resulting from commercialization.

Proposed amendments to consumer protection laws in B.C. will crack down on predatory sales practices and ensure people are better protected when making new purchases.

“For too long, people in B.C. have faced unfair contract terms and predatory sales practices on everyday items,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “These new amendments will better protect people from unfair business practices in an increasingly complex marketplace.”

The proposed legislative changes modernize the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (BPCPA) to reflect contemporary business practices. The amendments are designed to promote contract fairness and transparency and to strengthen consumer rights.

Key proposed changes in the legislation will:

• require businesses to provide important contract terms up front, including improved remedies for consumers related to renewal, cancellation, return and refund policies, particularly for online orders, bringing more transparency to pre-purchase contracts;
• introduce notification requirements for automatic subscription renewals and restrict significant contract changes without the customer’s consent;
• prohibit contract terms that restrict participation in class-action lawsuits, restrict consumer reviews or require private arbitration for disputes;
• ban direct sales of high-cost household products, such as air conditioners and furnaces, and prohibit offering credit as part of a direct sale, reducing the risk of predatory sales tactics;
• provide clearer pathways for consumers to cancel contracts under specified conditions; and
• give consumers the ability to use the Civil Resolution Tribunal to seek damages for a breach under the BPCPA.

“Our office hears from seniors who have fallen victim to scams and purchased an item or service they didn’t need due to high-pressure sales tactics,” said Dan Levitt, B.C. seniors advocate. “Many older British Columbians live on fixed incomes and take great care with their finances. Therefore, giving seniors and others space to review contracts in advance and prohibiting home sales will reduce the opportunities for older people to buy products and services they don’t need and can’t afford.”

The amendments were developed based on public and stakeholder engagement to ensure that B.C.’s most vulnerable consumers, including seniors, newcomers and people with lower incomes or disabilities, are aware of their rights and are protected.

The Province will continue to work with Consumer Protection BC and stakeholders to support a smooth transition to the changes and provide businesses with reasonable time to adjust their practices to meet the new requirements.

Legislation has been introduced to expand three existing provincial parks and rename two parks to recognize Indigenous connections.

Through proposed amendments to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act, Enderby Cliffs Park near Salmon Arm will be renamed Tplaqín/Enderby Cliffs Park. Maquinna Marine Park near Tofino will be renamed Nism̓aakqin Park.

Tplaqín (pronounced T-bla-qeen) means cliff in Interior Salish. The name Nism̓aakqin (pronounced nis-mock-kin) means “our land that we care for” in Nuu-chah-nulth.

“Indigenous people have been stewards of the water, land and wildlife for millennia,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “Renaming these parks to traditional Indigenous names recognizes significant cultural values and supports ongoing reconciliation with First Nations. Expanding B.C.’s parks and protected-areas system enhances protection of important ecological, recreational, cultural and historical values that make these places special.”

The proposed additions will add approximately 143 hectares to three parks:

• Naikoon Park (Haida Gwaii): 104 hectares of land that is already surrounded by the existing park. The land will provide further protection of wildlife habitat.
• Wells Gray Park (near Clearwater): 33 hectares of land to protect wetland and forest that is surrounded by the existing park on three sides;
• Cinnemousun Narrows (near Sicamous): three hectares of land and three hectares of adjacent lake shore.

As part of the amendments, Kilby Park near Harrison Mills will be formally transferred to the Province’s Heritage Branch, which has managed the park and the adjacent Kilby Historic Site since 2003.

The amendments will also remove one hectare from Naikoon Park to allow the expansion of a neighbouring cemetery and will make administrative updates to several protected-area boundary descriptions.

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has 1,050 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas covering more than 14 million hectares, or approximately 14.7% of the land base.
• The Province acquires land each year through the BC Parks Land Acquisition Program to expand parks and protected areas.
• Provincial funding for the cost for these acquisitions is often augmented by partnerships with conservation groups, individual donors and corporations.

Every year, thousands of people in B.C. leave money on the table by not claiming the benefits for which they are eligible.

It’s estimated that more than one in 10 eligible people in Canada do not file their taxes and nearly one-quarter are young people, 18-24. By filing, most people can get money back or their taxes reduced.

An estimated one in five renters don’t file their taxes, though many could receive support through B.C.’s renter’s tax credit. This provides as much as $400 for renters with adjusted incomes up to $63,000, or a partial credit for adjusted incomes up to $83,000. To claim the renter’s credit, people should fill out Form BC479 British Columbia Credits when doing income tax returns.

Depending on family income, people are automatically enrolled for many benefits and credits when they file their taxes. These include the B.C. family benefit and the climate-action tax credit.

The B.C. family benefit is deposited in eligible families’ bank accounts around the 20th of each month. The average family receives an annual total of $2,000 from the B.C. family benefit and the one-year BC Family Benefit Bonus, which lasts until June 2025. Approximately 275,000 families with children receive support through the benefit.

The climate-action tax credit for individuals and families can provide a family of four as much as $1,008 for the 2024-25 tax year. More than two million families and individuals will receive more than the 2023-24 tax year.

Help is available to find benefits and credits, and to help people prepare their taxes.

B.C.’s Benefits Connector includes information about supports, including tax credits and benefits. It also includes help for renters and homeowners, supports for business owners, and ways to save on health care, transportation and education.

For people with simple tax situations, volunteers at a free tax clinic can help with tax returns. The federal government hosts an online directory with information about where to go for help.

One in five people living on very low income don’t file their taxes, missing out on getting benefits and credits that can help. Consider visiting a free tax clinic and using the B.C. Benefits Connector to get some support in 2025.

Quick Facts:

• Canadians missed out on almost $2 billion in unclaimed benefits in 2015, according to a 2020 report published in Canadian Public Policy.
• Men are more likely than women to not file.
• It is estimated that almost one-fifth of people who have lived in Canada for less than 10 years don’t file their taxes.
• Service BC guides people through provincial programs and services.
  • Call 1 800 663-7867 for help available in more than 220 languages.

A new provincial committee has begun work to remove systemic barriers that make access to government programs and services challenging for racialized people in British Columbia.

“Undoing the legacy of racism in our government is more important now than ever,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “The work of this committee will impact all of government’s programs and services going forward. I thank the appointees for stepping up to help improve the lives of all British Columbians.”

The Provincial Committee on Anti-Racism’s first meeting is taking place in Vancouver on Wednesday, Feb. 19, and Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. The committee will continue meeting throughout the year. The committee is chaired by Hasan Alam, a lawyer with the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU). An additional 10 anti-racism advocates were selected for the committee by the Ministry of Attorney General through a public application process that identified racialized people in British Columbia with expertise in addressing systemic racism.

“This committee is the result of decades of advocacy by racialized communities to dismantle systemic racism in B.C.,” said Hasan Alam, chair of the Provincial Committee on Anti-Racism. “My fellow committee members and I are committed to ensuring the voices of those most affected by racism are heard loud and clear through meaningful engagement with marginalized communities across the province, so we can finally move toward building a more equitable and just B.C. for everyone.”

While the Anti-Racism Data Committee advises government on how data can be used to identify systemic racism, the Provincial Committee on Anti-Racism will use that information to take action toward dismantling systemic racism. In addition, the committee will:

• help develop anti-racism training standards for public bodies;
• provide input on public education and awareness strategies about anti-racism; and
• consult with public bodies and engage racialized community members on implementing the Anti-Racism Act.

“Systemic racism cannot be dismantled without us all working together,” said Jessie Sunner, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives. “We look forward to collaborating with this committee to create a B.C. where everyone has the same access to the government services and programs.”

Indigenous perspectives on the Anti-Racism Act and the action plan will be incorporated through direct government-to-government consultation and co-operation with First Nations, the First Nations Leadership Council, the Alliance of Modern Treaty Nations and Métis Nation BC. The Anti-Racism Act requires the action plan to be published by June 1, 2026.

To ensure B.C.’s food supply and food economy continues to grow in the face of U.S. tariff uncertainty, and to help farmers find new markets, a new Premier’s task force on agriculture and food economy has been formed.

“All British Columbians want reliable access to healthy and affordable food,” said Premier David Eby. “We must protect our food sources and our agricultural sector in the face of the threat of unfair and damaging tariffs. The respected industry leaders in our task force will provide the government with first-hand knowledge of how to prepare and respond to these threats, as we continue to grow our agricultural sector.”

The new task force is a result of ongoing conversations with industry and allows government to work closely with B.C.’s agriculture and food sector to increase the growth and competitiveness of B.C. products. Members will also recommend how to ensure people in British Columbia have continued access to healthy and affordable food, no matter what happens with U.S. tariffs or a trade war. The task force’s work will be guided by diverse, knowledgeable and successful leaders, including primary producers from the province’s farming sector, as well as seafood harvesters, food and beverage processors, distributors and retailers.

“B.C.’s agricultural communities have demonstrated time and again how strongly they come together and join forces in times of need,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “By including the voices of farmers, processors, retailers and distributors in this task force, we are including expertise from farm to table in building a resilient and sustainable food system that is competitive and strengthens B.C.’s economy and food supply.”

The task force will have 15 representatives from across the agriculture and food sector. It will be co-chaired by leadership from the BC Agriculture Council, which advocates on behalf of 29 member associations, and BC Food and Beverage, which represents a diverse range of processors throughout the province, along with the deputy minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

“B.C.’s agriculture sector has been a significant economic contributor and an important piece of our province’s identity for more than a century, but the long-term viability of farming faces several challenges,” said Danielle Synotte, executive director, BC Agriculture Council (BCAC). “If the economic growth potential of the sector is to be realized, we need to re-evaluate the way we see and value agriculture. The Premier’s task force is an opportunity to build a shared vision for the sector that involves innovative ideas and a shift in perspective, focusing on solutions, and BCAC is thrilled to be a partner on this very important work.”

The group will hold its first meeting next week, virtually, and is expected to meet in person on a quarterly basis over the next 12 to 18 months.

“There has never been a more important time for our industry to work collaboratively with key stakeholders and government to ensure the continued growth and competitiveness of the agriculture, processing and seafood sectors in this province,” said James Donaldson, CEO, BC Food & Beverage. “I look forward to working with the members of this task force who represent a great cross-section of leaders representing the food system in B.C.”

The task force will also provide targeted recommendations to government about key topics, such as water, land, labour, competitiveness and investment.

People on the North Shore and in neighbouring communities will soon have enhanced access to health care services in the new, modern acute care tower at Lions Gate Hospital, opening March 9, 2025.

“I’m thrilled this new hospital tower is now complete, and families in North Vancouver and beyond will have better access to high-quality health-care services, closer to home,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our government is making record investments to support growing communities, and we’re committed to delivering more hospitals, health-care centres, and other important infrastructure.”

The new six-storey tower is named after local philanthropist and businessperson Paul Myers. It has eight state-of-the-art operating rooms with a new medical device reprocessing department, as well as a pre-operative and post-operative care area, including anesthesia intervention and isolation rooms. There will be 108 beds in private patient rooms, all with ensuite washrooms.

Vancouver Coastal Health worked in collaboration with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) advisers on key aspects of the project to honour the host Nations and help create safer, welcoming and culturally appropriate spaces for Indigenous patients and families.

“It’s terrific news for people living on the North Shore and area that the new patient care tower at Lions Gate Hospital is opening to meet the needs, comfort and well-being of people receiving care,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “By investing in state-of-the-art facilities around B.C., including the new Paul Myers Tower, we are truly investing in better health outcomes for British Columbians. This is part of our commitment to strengthen B.C.’s public health-care system.”

The acute tower was designed to provide patient- and family- centred care. It features a variety of spaces to support patients, family and staff well-being, including lounges, a House of Elders office, a sacred space, additional bike storage and a rooftop garden with a walking path. Further, innovative technologies and an upgraded nurse call system, improve patient experiences and enhance safety for patients and staff.

Construction began on the project in fall 2021. The total capital cost of the project is approximately $325 million. Funding is shared between the Province, Vancouver Coastal Health and the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. Myers donated $25 million to the foundation’s $100-million campaign.

“We’re excited to care for patients in this new space,” said Jillian Morland, clinical nurse educator, Lions Gate Hospital at Vancouver Coastal Health. “The clinical spaces are larger and designed for flexibility and efficiency to better accommodate our teams. The technology upgrades, such as access to Vocera and Masimo, will enable us to deliver the highest quality care possible.”

Lions Gate Hospital provides a full range of acute-care services and many specialized services. With the 108 beds and eight operating rooms in this new tower, the Lions Gate Hospital will have a total of 329 beds, 10 operating rooms, and a variety of diagnostic services and equipment. The hospital also offers emergency and critical care, maternity, pediatrics, psychiatric, chemotherapy, cardiac care, palliative care and rehabilitative services.

This hospital will continue to serve patients from the Sea-to-Sky corridor, Sunshine Coast, Bella Bella and Bella Coola on the Central Coast, including the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil’wat, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa communities.

Quotes:

Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) –

“It is heartening to know the Paul Myers Tower in North Vancouver will soon open its doors as it will provide improved culturally informed health care for our Tsleil-Waututh Nation members and all Indigenous patients. VCH has demonstrated they are walking the path of reconciliation by engaging with us as partners to advise on how our traditional lands and waters could be reflected in the tower’s design. I’m proud to know the building will tell the story of our culture, incorporate our hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language, and hold space for Elders as they access important health services.”

Sxwixwtn, Wilson Williams, spokesperson and council member, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw –

“Through close collaboration with both the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, Vancouver Coastal Health was able to create a modern space that still reflects our values, traditions and cultures. From the façade resembling our Long Houses, to our stories and languages reflected throughout the interior and healing spaces, Paul Myers Tower is a thoughtful example of what can be accomplished when working meaningfully with First Nations to create a state-of-the-art medical facility that will benefit everyone across the North Shore community.”

Susie Chant, MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour –

“The completion of the Paul Myers Tower in North Vancouver will significantly improve health-care services for people on the North Shore. This new acute care tower will modernize community health services enabling faster, more accessible services closer to home.”

Dr. Penny Ballem, chair of the board, Vancouver Coastal Health –

“The Paul Myers Tower’s patient-centred design will improve the care experience for patients and their families and will help both present and future needs of a growing and aging population. We are grateful for the collaboration with host Nations, patients and community organizations as well as our dedicated staff and medical staff in co-creating a site that will transform the future of health care in our region and beyond.”

Judy Savage, president and CEO, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation –

“The remarkable lead gift of $25 million from North Shore Philanthropist Paul Myers inspired people to give what they could to help bring this much-needed facility to the North Shore. From official foundation events, and multi-million-dollar contributions, to community fundraisers and the proceeds from lemonade stands, every donation was essential in helping us raise $100 million toward the cost of a new medical and surgical centre and an additional $20 million to support technology transformation for the Lions Gate Hospital campus.”

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available for eligible people and businesses in the City of Maple Ridge and Township of Langley affected by flooding due to the atmospheric river from Oct. 18-20, 2024.

Following a significant event, DFA may compensate for the sudden, unexpected loss of uninsurable items that are essential. This may include building repairs to a principal residence, replacement of essential personal effects, as well as clean up and debris removal.

People can access specifics about the event and can submit their DFA application online at: https://www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance

DFA is available to homeowners, renters, business owners, farmers, corporation-owned properties and charitable organizations to cover uninsurable disaster-related losses. The program is unable to compensate for losses for which insurance was reasonably and readily available.

Applications for DFA must be submitted to the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness within 90 calendar days of the event declaration. The deadline to submit applications for this DFA event for the City of Maple Ridge and the Township of Langley is May 14, 2025.

The Province is committed to providing the necessary support and resources people need to rebuild their lives after an emergency. The DFA program has been enhanced and expanded in recent years to better support people and communities. These changes include:

• increase in maximum DFA support available per claim from $300,000 to $400,000;
• expanded eligibility for small businesses based on minimum income;
• expanded annual revenue threshold for small businesses from $1 million to $2 million so more businesses can qualify for DFA;
• expanded eligibility for the farming sector to include homes owned by corporations if the home is used as a primary residence;
• increased provincial contributions to local infrastructure recovery;
• the Province may provide a portion of the project’s estimated costs up front to help communities rebuild critical infrastructure projects faster; and
• a new online portal is available to make it easier for people and communities to apply for financial support for uninsurable losses after a disaster.

DFA was previously announced for damages from the same event for people, businesses and communities in:

• City of Port Coquitlam
• City of Coquitlam
• City of North Vancouver
• District of West Vancouver
• District of North Vancouver
• Squamish First Nation
• Village of Anmore
• City of Port Moody
• City of Surrey