Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums will be cut by 50% on Jan. 1, 2018, marking an important step toward improving fairness for all British Columbians, Finance Minister Carole James said today

The British Columbia government is launching a new Overdose Emergency Response Centre to combat the continuing crisis and spearhead urgent action to save lives, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Judy Darcy announced today.

Community organizations working to prevent and respond to violence against women and children will receive immediate one-time funding of $5 million to help reduce waitlists and better meet demand for vital services such as counselling, outreach and crisis support.

All British Columbians deserve to live in safe communities, free of violent crime and gang activities. As part of the work being done to combat guns and gangs, the Illegal Firearms Task Force (IFTF) has provided a report that will help government respond to public threats posed by the use of illegal firearms in B.C.

Eight B.C. companies have been recognized for their accomplishments in exporting at the 35th-annual B.C. Export Awards.

The awards were presented by the B.C. division of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, and the Government of British Columbia, and produced by Business in Vancouver

In 2015, the tourism sector:
•Employed 127,000 British Columbians;
•Paid $4.5 billion in wages and salaries;
•Supported nearly 19,000 tourism-related businesses in B.C.; and
•Contributed $7.4 billion towards the Province’s GDP.

People struggling with complex and severe mental illness and addiction will receive the care they need in a state-of-the-art mental health and addictions centre on the Riverview lands, Premier John Horgan announced today.

The British Columbia government is strengthening its support for addressing racism and promoting multiculturalism with a commitment of $250,000 to the BC Anti-racism Network and the appointment of new members to the Multicultural Advisory Council.

I would like to thank the federal government, and Justice Minister Jody Wilson Raybould in particular, for committing to provide British Columbia with additional funding to ensure refugees in our province can continue to access legal aid services for the remainder of this fiscal year.