Millions toward climate resiliency, parks and forest management in B.C. budget
Millions toward climate resiliency, parks and forest management in B.C. budget
While health care, housing, public safety and affordability concerns dominated the 2023 provincial budget, B.C.'s government has dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars towards natural disasters, forest management and provincial park maintenance.
Some $1.1 billion is dedicated to fighting climate change over the next three years, including $300 million to support replacement or repair of provincial infrastructure damaged by climate emergencies; this is in addition to $750 million to help communities affected by wildfires and the November 2021 floods announced in last year’s budget.
This year’s budget dedicates $85 million over three years to increase emergency-management capacity, which includes funding for First Nations and local governments.
As part of a $250 million investment in natural resources over three years, there will be:
$101 million in operating and capital funding to preserve and expand BC Parks properties
$21 million in partnerships with First Nations to protect old growth and determine where sustainable harvesting can take place
$77 million to fast track and modernize the resource permitting process
$6 million for what’s described as a “new critical minerals strategy”
$49 million to maintain and upgrade forest service roads, for economic and recreational users alike
Over five years, $64 million will go toward the BC Wildfire Service as part of a federal-provincial cost-sharing arrangement geared toward staffing the agency year-round.
REDUCING EMMISSIONS, BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The province is touting what it describes as an unprecedented three-year investment of $100 million into transportation networks, including walking, cycling and transit.
“Research shows that behaviours will change when options for cleaner transportation are safe and convenient,” notes the 170-page budget document.
Another $40 million will continue a project to subsidize businesses, non-profits and public entities making the switch to electric vehicles through the CleanBC Go Electric Commercial Vehicle Pilot Program.
A new carbon pricing system will be announced in the spring, but a planned $15 increase to the carbon tax will go ahead on April 1, with the goal of making it $170 per tonne by 2030. Many British Columbians will qualify for an expanded offset credit also announced in the budget.
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to use procedural tools to delay passage of the federal budget in the House of Commons if the Liberals don't meet his demands.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the federal government to use whatever tools it can to reverse a decision by the Correctional Service of Canada to transfer killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to provide an update on the wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes and caused widespread property damage in several provinces.
Apple appears poised to unveil a long-rumoured headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination.
Newly released documents say the intelligence community's relationship with its key watchdog has been particularly strained over the last year due to a 'level of resistance' to scrutiny.
British Columbia Premier David Eby says his trade mission to Asia is part of an effort to grow trade and reduce the risks that come with international uncertainties.
A public meeting will give Calgarians an inside look into the exact details of an agreement in principle that could land the city a new event centre, but critics are already skeptical of the cost breakdown.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced a plan to protect iconic Prairie grasslands, considered one of the most endangered and least protected ecosystems in the country.
The federal government will be providing $1.5 million to Pride organizations across the country for increased security measures at parades and other events this year, CTV News has learned.
A public meeting will give Calgarians an inside look into the exact details of an agreement in principle that could land the city a new event centre, but critics are already skeptical of the cost breakdown.
Paul Bernardo should “rot in a maximum-security prison” for the rest of his “miserable existence,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Monday after the notorious serial killer was moved to a medium-security prison.
People in Toronto will experience poor air quality and reduced visibility due to the wildfires burning in Quebec and northern Ontario, Environment Canada said Monday.
Community Contact newspaper managing editor Egbert Gaye has died. He was 67 years old. He founded the newspaper 31 years ago to serve Montreal's English-speaking Black and Caribbean populations.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the federal government to use whatever tools it can to reverse a decision by the Correctional Service of Canada to transfer killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison.
Air quality remains a concern in regions throughout Quebec, including the Greater Montreal area which is currently under a smog warning. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued smog warnings for the Greater Montreal Area, and special air quality statements are in effect for large portions of the province due to the growing number of forest fires.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced a plan to protect iconic Prairie grasslands, considered one of the most endangered and least protected ecosystems in the country.
After a long hockey season, most kids are done with the cold rinks by spring. But for the chance to rub shoulders with a locally grown hockey superstar, you dust off the gear and skate in June.
At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in February, reeves passed a resolution asking the Water Security Agency to require those who are illegally draining to remediate their unapproved works.
At the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in February, reeves passed a resolution asking the Water Security Agency to require those who are illegally draining to remediate their unapproved works.
A wildfire that tore through homes and businesses in the Halifax area is 100 per cent contained, but a historic fire in southwestern Nova Scotia remains out of control.
The Nova Scotia government says it is investigating the theft of personal information stolen through a global privacy breach to a third-party file transfer system the province was using.
A much more seasonal week, temperature wise, is on the way for the London area. The sunshine remains but temperatures will drop a few degrees to between 20 C and 24 C — the normal for this time of year being around 24 C.
A wayward and unresponsive business plane that flew over the nation's capital Sunday afternoon caused the military to scramble a fighter jet before the plane crashed in Virginia, officials said. The fighter jet caused a loud sonic boom that was heard across the capital region.
