BC Government Caucus

Legislative Session Brings Change that Works for B.C.

VICTORIA – A Family Day holiday, new hospitals for Vancouver Island, triple-A credit ratings affirmed, new schools being built throughout the province, record employment,  a successful Asian trade mission, home tax credits for first time buyers and seniors, and $30 million worth of community recreation grants are just a few of the BC Liberal Government’s accomplishments over the past six months.

These and hundreds of more achievements were released today through the BC Government Caucus’ Website, to coincide with the final sitting of the spring 2012 legislative session.

“Our government is focused on putting families first, creating jobs and listening to British Columbians through open government,” said BC Liberal Caucus Chair and Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordon Hogg. “Over the past few months we have been hard at work in Victoria and across B.C. putting these priorities into action and delivering the services that benefit British Columbians. We’re proud that we’ve enhanced programs for seniors and children, launched skills training initiatives, and instituted family-friendly policies.”

Since the Legislature resumed sitting on February 14, 2012, approximately 30 bills have been passed by the Legislative Assembly, including the Education Improvement Act, the Provincial Sales Tax Act, the Family Day Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act, and the Pharmaceutical Services Act.

“It has been a busy, productive legislative session and we’ve accomplished a great deal – here and throughout the province.  We know that the priorities for British Columbians are their jobs and their families, and we have worked hard to reinforce those priorities during our legislative debates,” said BC Liberal House Leader Rich Coleman and MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove. “MLAs are elected to serve their constituents and I am pleased to say my government is delivering what matters most to the people. Now that the session is over, I look forward to listening to British Columbians across the province, and bringing their important ideas forward to my government colleagues.”

Direct link: http://governmentcaucus.bc.ca/springsession2012/index.html

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Backgrounder

Highlights of the BC Liberal Government’s achievements over the past six months include:

  • $22.2 million for the Nurse Practitioners for BC initiative, funding 190 nurse practitioner positions over three years
  • The official opening of the Centennial and Dr. Walter Anderson Buildings at Kelowna General Hospital
  • Announcement that AirCare will end on December 31, 2014
  • Work on Phase 2 of the Cariboo Connector is underway
  • Passage of the Education Improvement Act which includes the $195 million Learning Improvement Fund
  • A trade mission to Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines during of which 25 business deals and partnerships were signed or announced with a value surpassing half an billion dollars
  • Legislation on return to the PST introduced and passed
  • $122 million towards seismic upgrading of 14 high-priority schools
  • The first provincial partnership with ParticipACTION
  • A new RCMP contract
  • Raising the minimum wage to $10.25 an hour – a $2.25 increase from just over one year ago
  • More funding towards capital projects at BC Parks
  • B.C.’s newest statutory holiday, Family Day, passed into law and set for the second Monday of February
  • Legislation to allow TransLink to go after fare evaders and to strengthen the organization’s governance model
  • A Mines Act permit issued for the Red Chris mine in northern B.C.
  • New supportive housing in Surrey
  • Funding to help municipalities build additional bicycle lanes
  • Launched the BC Jobs Plan’s international education, natural gas, forestry, transportation, and mining and minerals sectors strategies
  • Funding to UBC to double the number of their midwife graduates
  • Implementation of the B.C. Seniors’ Home Renovation Tax Credit, worth up to $10,000
  • Lowering the cost of generic drugs through the Pharmaceutical Services Act
  • Measures to address workplace bullying
  • Modernizing B.C.’s liquor distribution system
  • New hospitals announced in the Comox Valley and in Campbell River
  • $2 million in funding towards the 2015 Women’s World Cup
  • BizPal added to 10 more communities
  • Triple-A credit ratings affirmed
  • Enhancements to the DriveABLE program to help seniors
  • Moving ahead on a new hospital on Haida Gwaii
  • A new recreation centre and hospital for Burns Lake
  • The half-way completion of the South Fraser Perimeter Road
  • New motorcycle safety laws
  • Funding to help municipalities celebrate anniversary milestones
  • Launch of the JobFest tour to connect youth to job opportunities in B.C.
  • $8 million to improve safety on the Malahat
  • The start of construction on the 216 cell expansion to the Surrey Pretrial Centre
  • New seniors’ affordable housing developments in Lillooet, Sechelt, Parksville and Nelson
  • A new wildfire facility in Valemount to assist firefighting operations in the Robson Valley
  • Grants to support new immigrants improve their English skills
  • Elimination of the jet fuel tax on international flights
  • A new mobile app to help British Columbians locate health services
  • New protection for sled dogs
  • Increasing the new housing rebate threshold and making recreation homes eligible for a provincial grant
  • British Columbia earning accolades for its open government achievements
  • Funding for transportation infrastructure in northeastern B.C.
  • New judges appointed to courtrooms
  • New support line for grandparents raising children
  • New Aboriginal training programs
  • Increasing the community gaming grant program to $135 million
  • Funding to help fruit tree growers
  • Construction contracts awarded for the Evergreen Line
  • Joint $36 million in funding towards flood mitigation
  • Export Development Workshops to help businesses sell their products and services internationally
  • Homeowner threshold grant raised to $1.285 million
  • Approval of the Nahwitti Windfarm Project on Vancouver Island
  • Appointment of the Immigration Task Force

For a more thorough list of accomplishments, please visit http://governmentcaucus.bc.ca/springsession2012/index.html