Additional Stories

In addition to the 30 stories that are highlighted in the 2022/2023 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:

• Safer Communities
• Improved Health Care
• A Sustainable, Clean, Secure and Fair Economy
• Fostering Innovation Across Our Economy

Safer Communities

Minimum Shelter Allowance 

Updates to the Employment and Assistance Regulation and the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation have put in place a minimum shelter allowance for income, disability and hardship assistance applicants and recipients. The allowance provides funds to help persons experiencing homelessness with incidental expenses. The minimum rate for a single person is $75 per month, with the amount increasing based on the number of people in the family.

Reduced Reporting Requirements for Family Units on Assistance

The Employment and Assistance Regulation has been amended to reduce reporting requirements for family units on income assistance who have a family member who is in a special care facility, or who has persistent multiple barriers to employment. Now, instead of having to report monthly, these family units only need to report when they have earned income, or there are certain changes to their circumstances. Reduced frequency of reporting will remove a barrier for vulnerable groups on income assistance who have difficulty meeting monthly reporting requirements.

Rules Increase Safety for Young Workers

B.C. has amended the Employment Standards Regulation, to prescribe a minimum age for certain types of work that are too hazardous for younger workers. Following public and stakeholder consultations and analyses of injury data, a number of jobs within several industries were identified as too hazardous for young workers. To ensure youth can still access important apprenticeship and training opportunities, the age restrictions do not apply to industry training programs overseen by SkilledTradesBC.

Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards

The revised BC Structure Firefighter Minimum Training Standards support local governments in establishing fire services that are appropriate for their communities. The updated training standards allow fire departments to better determine and focus on appropriate skills, and training that are needed for specific communities. The clarity of the updated standards enables fire departments to better establish appropriate levels of service for the areas they serve.

Managed Alcohol Programs

Regulatory amendments now allow health authorities administering Managed Alcohol Programs (MAP) to obtain liquor more easily, ensuring health authorities can deliver health services more effortlessly to British Columbians. MAPs are evidence-based harm reduction services that support people who are experiencing harms related to alcohol use. The amendments allow MAPs to buy, sell and serve beverage alcohol without a liquor licence or permit, to help clients manage their drinking and reduce potentially hazardous behaviors, such as using non-beverage alcohol.

Modernization of Commercial Passenger Vehicle Industry

B.C. has introduced changes to the Passenger Transportation Act that will enhance safety and accessibility for B.C.’s taxi and ride-hailing industries. The amendments enable the new Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP) that will support increased availability of accessible vehicles and services in the province. People who depend on wheelchair-accessible taxis often experience longer wait times or lack of service; PTAP will help offset the extra costs that taxi owner-operators face in providing wheelchair-accessible vehicles, which will help to increase the number of accessible taxis available.

Next Step Toward Barrier-Free B.C. 

Under the new Accessible British Columbia Regulation, over 750 public-sector organizations will establish accessibility committees, plans and public-feedback mechanisms. These measures will increase transparency and allow individuals to access and understand how public sector organizations are working to remove barriers and how they can get involved. 

Improved Health Care

Student Health Fee Cancelled for People Fleeing War in Ukraine

B.C. has passed the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel International Student Health Fee Remission Regulation. This regulation removes the monthly $75 health fee for students enrolled in B.C.’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) under a study permit issued through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). B.C. enacted this regulation to support people arriving from the Ukraine who may not have the financial means to pay the fee and may be unable to work for some time.

Resident and Family Councils

People living in long-term care (LTC) homes can now provide more input into issues that affect their daily lives as the result of changes to resident and family councils. Improvements to the councils is meant to ensure a greater voice for residents and their families, and to strengthen partnerships between the councils, the Ministry of Health, health authorities and operators by ensuring opportunities for increased communication and collaboration exist. Resident and family councils are groups of people that meet regularly to promote the collective interests of residents, and to discuss issues of concern. 

B.C. Adds Additional Cancer Coverage for Firefighters

The Firefighters' Occupational Disease Regulation has been updated to expand the list of occupational diseases that firefighters are at an increased risk of developing. The changes allow a person employed as a firefighter or fire investigator to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if they contract one of these cancers. The addition of gender-specific cancers (ovarian cancer and cervical cancer) also reflects the increasing number of women firefighters and the health risks they take on in the line of duty.

A Sustainable, Clean, Secure and Fair Economy