Additional Stories

In addition to the 30 stories that are highlighted in the 2023/24 Annual Report, below you will find an additional set of stories from the past year that highlight how we are making life better for British Columbians. 

On this page:

• Strengthening B.C.'s Public Health Care Systems
• Continuing to Work Towards True and Meaningful Reconciliation
• Fostering Innovation Across Our Economy
• Removing Barriers and Increasing Accessibility

Strengthening B.C.'s Public Health Care Systems

Protecting Diabetes Drug Supply in B.C.

To protect B.C.’s drug supply, the Province has implemented the Drug Schedules (Limits on Sale) Regulation to impose conditions on the sale of semaglutide diabetes drugs, including the medication Ozempic. These medications were being purchased from online B.C. pharmacies by people in the United States, leading to supply shortages for B.C. patients. The new regulation specifies that the sales of semaglutides can only be done in person, or to someone who is a citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. Since the regulation was introduced in April 2023, the number of dispenses to U.S. residents had dropped more than 99%.

Residential Tenancy Changes Provide Increased Safety

Changes to the Residential Tenancy Act and Regulation increase the safety of staff and tenants living in supportive housing. The amendments exempt supportive housing units from rules that prohibit wellness checks. These checks give staff the ability to enter a tenant’s room to confirm their health, well-being, and safety. The amendments are an important first step in acknowledging the unique needs of supportive housing providers that assist a range of people, including those living with mental illness and substance-use disorders.

Action to Prevent the Sale of Nicotine Pouches to Youth

To better protect youth from nicotine use and potential dependency, the Province amended the Drug Schedule Regulation so that nicotine pouch products can now only be sold over the counter at pharmacies in B.C. Nicotine is highly addictive, and these products are new to the Canadian market with few restrictions preventing the sale to children and youth. Consumers wishing to buy these products will now need to consult a pharmacist. Pharmacists can exercise their professional judgment, expertise, and discretion in determining whether the sale is appropriate.

Continuing to Work Towards True and Meaningful Reconciliation

Declaration Act Annual Report

Each year, government releases the Declaration Act Annual Report which details work undertaken in B.C. to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The 2022-2023 report included, for the first time, the work of the Declaration Act Secretariat created to guide and assist the Province to ensure provincial laws align with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and are developed in consultation and co-operation with Indigenous peoples. The report is featured on an accessibly designed website and includes detailed information on actions taken towards the 89-point Declaration Act Action Plan.

Accompanied Inspections Program

The Accompanied Inspection Program (AIP) is a shift to a more expansive model of engagement with Indigenous nations, grounded in a distinctions-based approach by inviting Indigenous community members to participate in oversight activities throughout a mine’s lifecycle. The AIP prioritizes a collaborative approach that expands engagement, increases trust and co-learning opportunities, supports provincial strategies, and seeks to continually improve regulatory oversight of mining in BC. In 2022/23, 44 accompanied inspections took place, setting a new record.

Haida Nation, B.C. Step Toward Reconciliation

New provincial legislation supports the Haida Nation’s inherent right of governance by recognizing the Council of the Haida Nation as the governing body. The legislation, titled the Haida Nation Recognition Act, is a result of over two decades of work and relationship building between the Haida Nation and the Province and is an incremental step towards reconciliation. As part of the 2021 GayG̱ahlda (“Changing Tide”) framework, the Province and Federal Government agreed to legislate the recognition of the inherent rights of governance and self-determination of the Haida.

Fostering Innovation Across Our Economy

Expansion of Virtual Bail Supports Safer Communities

The provincewide expansion of virtual bail is a significant step toward a more efficient justice system. With virtual bail hearings, judges, court staff, and lawyers can appear in multiple jurisdictions on the same day without the need to travel. Virtual appearances reduce the need for transport, often over long distances, increasing access to support systems in home communities and removes barriers to the justice system in more remote communities. Implementation of technology and process changes across the province have resulted in a justice system that can also better adapt to extreme disruptive events like wildfires and flooding.

Easier Method Coming for Authenticating International Documents

B.C. residents now have a quicker, less costly option to authenticate public documents. Canadian public documents that have been authenticated can now be used in the 125 member countries of the Apostille Convention without the added step of legalization by a country’s consulate. B.C. residents who need public documents authenticated for use abroad now only need to obtain a single certificate from the B.C. Authentication Program. This new process benefits international students, temporary workers, and immigrants coming into B.C., as Canada will accept an apostille certificate for foreign public documents from other member countries.

Electronic Logging Devices Will Make Roads Safer

In 2023, mandatory use of electronic logging devices (ELDs) came into effect for the trucking industry in B.C. This crucial tool to combat driver fatigue automatically tracks drivers’ time behind the wheel, reducing the likelihood of driving while tired and ensuring drivers stick to the allowable driving time in a day. The incorporation of ELDs brings the B.C. industry in line with federal regulations requiring ELDs. Improving the management of drivers’ hours of service also helps the trucking industry by digitizing this formally paper-based regulatory compliance, while combating driver fatigue and the associated risks and costs.

Low Carbon Fuels Act Amendments

Changes to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) will support the government’s work to protect the environment and reduce pollution while ensuring that the changes are equitable. The LCFS works to make fuels less polluting, to increase the adoption of low-carbon fuels, and to promote innovation in low-carbon fuel technologies. The proposed amendments will lessen the disproportional impacts on remote and rural communities through improvements to exemption criteria. They will also support the responsible expansion of low-carbon fuel requirements and create a framework for a future renewable fuel target for jet fuel.

Advanced Aerial Mapping Program Delivers Better Public Data

B.C. is collaborating with First Nations, industry, and other stakeholders to expand light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and map out more areas of the province. LiDAR is a precise survey method that produces 3D geographic information. The LidarBC program has been using this technology to map B.C. with detailed accuracy for high-resolution maps that will significantly update the province’s digital models of landscapes, buildings, and other infrastructure. The new publicly available data will support evidence-based decision making for things like emergency planning and response, management of old growth forests, and planning for climate change.

Removing Barriers and Increasing Accessibility

Public Launch of a New gov.bc.ca

B.C. recently launched a new redesigned government website. The new gov.bc.ca is based on accessibility and mobile optimization and better aligns with the government's Digital Plan. The new site is a result of extensive public feedback, surveys, and interviews. It includes improved usability, layout and navigation, better multi-language support including for right-to-left languages, and a universal territorial acknowledgement across the entire site. The new gov.bc.ca leverages government's modern technology infrastructure that improves technical agility and creates opportunities for collaboration and integration. This helps deliver on government's delivery of a better user experience and improved access to information and services.

New Requirements Expected to Protect Asbestos Workers

In January 2024, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement a formal licensing requirement for asbestos abatement employers and a training and certification requirement for anyone performing abatement work. Legislative amendments were made to bring in stricter controls for asbestos abatement work to better protect people from this harmful material. Asbestos is still a leading cause of workplace deaths in B.C. The certification requirements ensure that contractors and workers have completed safety training to a required level and have the knowledge and skills to do the work safely.

Enhancing Community Gaming Grants

BC’s Community Gaming Grants branch has streamlined the application process for not-for-profits and increased Indigenous engagement. Program changes make it easier for small organizations to apply for grants up to $10,000, saving applicants time and making it clearer how to report their financial need. The branch has also engaged organizations serving Indigenous peoples to increase the number of Indigenous-led organizations that access funding. These changes include new training for ministry staff  to better support and communicate with Indigenous applicants.

B.C. Offers Protection for People’s Intimate Images

The new Intimate Images Protection Act protects people’s rights to privacy by preventing the non-consensual sharing of intimate images on digital platforms. The law places responsibility on social media companies, online platforms, and any website to remove images shared without consent when ordered by a judge or tribunal. The new process makes it easier to get a legal decision that an intimate image was recorded or distributed without consent. By adapting our protections to the digital world, the new law protects people’s rights to privacy, dignity, and safety.

Court Rules Updates Will Improve Access to Justice

The B.C. Supreme Court and Provincial Court Family Rules have been amended to make it easier for individuals in a family law case to search for income information or locate another party. This is useful for setting up or changing child support agreements and ensuring court documents can be served. These amendments benefit divorced or separated individuals who need to establish, change, or enforce parenting arrangements when one party cannot be located or income information is not easily obtained.

Enhanced Support for British Columbians Impacted by Crime

To enhance access to support for people affected by crime in B.C., amendments to the Crime Victim Assistance Act and its associated regulation came into effect on January 1, 2024. The changes will ensure wider access to support for victims, their immediate family members, and witnesses impacted by violent crime in B.C. The changes expand eligibility for grandparents, grandchildren, and witnesses, as well as add new criminal offences to the list of those covered and significantly increase benefit rates for counselling to ensure this key service remain accessible.

New B.C. Building and Fire Codes

To enhance safety, accessibility, and climate resilience in homes, British Columbia has adopted new Building and Fire Codes. Key updates include requirements that new buildings provide one living space designed to not exceed 26 degrees, power-operated doors in all building entrances, universal washrooms, and an elevator in all large two- and three-story apartments. Living spaces that maintain safe temperatures are one measure that will help to ensure people in shared spaces have somewhere they can go to on hot days to stay cool and have protection from hot weather when temperatures rise.

Province Makes it Easier for Strata to Greenlight EV Charging Stations

Newly introduced legislation is making it easier for strata corporations and owners to install charging stations. The amendments improve access to electric vehicle (EV) charging by lowering the voting threshold for approval of installation from 75% to 50% and requiring strata to approve owners’ requests to install EV charging at their own expense. These updates make it easier for current EV owners to charge their EVs at home and enables the further adoption of EVs by reducing a common barrier to ownership.