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BC Gov News

May 29, 2025 at 11:48 am  BC, News, Politics, Provincial

In the face of global instability, the first session of the 43rd parliament focused on growing a stronger, more self-sufficient economy that supports good-paying jobs and protecting the services British Columbians rely on.

“In this time of rapid change and disruption, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than right here in British Columbia,” said Premier David Eby. “We have everything we need to build lasting prosperity, including the abundant natural resources, clean energy and critical minerals and metals the world needs. That’s why we are taking action to leverage our strengths. B.C. will emerge from this global transition as Canada’s economic engine.”

Key actions during the spring session include:

Standing strong for B.C. and Canada: Standing up to the Trump administration by passing a new law to respond quickly to tariff threats, including by removing interprovincial trade barriers, pulling American liquor from store shelves and directing government to cancel contracts with U.S. companies and support suppliers from Canada and trusted trading partners.

Growing the economy and creating good jobs: Expediting major natural-resource and renewable-energy projects in partnership with First Nations equity owners, while passing new laws to get vital public infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, built faster and create good jobs throughout the province. Government also outlined a new vision for mining development in the northwest focused on generating tens of billions of dollars in investment and creating thousands of family-supporting jobs.

Helping people with costs: Eliminating the consumer carbon tax, while ensuring big polluters pay their fair share. Delivering a fifth ICBC rebate to drivers, while maintaining basic car insurance rates through to 2026, marking six years in a row with no increases. Seniors with low incomes are also receiving more financial help to pay their rent.

Strengthening health care: Recruiting more doctors, nurses and other health-care professionals from the United States by fast-tracking credential recognition for nurses and launching a targeted marketing campaign, while introducing legislation to prohibit employers from requiring employees who are sick to provide a doctor’s note, freeing doctors to spend more time treating patients.

This session, the B.C. government also launched the Clean Power Action Plan to harness B.C.’s clean-electricity advantage through a second call for power to power 500,000 homes, building on the first call for power that attracted $6 billion in private-sector investment. In addition, government has opened hundreds of new homes for families, delivered a relief package to tree-fruit growers and made heat pumps more affordable for low- and moderate-income households.

The legislature has passed 13 pieces of legislation this session, including two members’ bills. The Supply Bill will be introduced and passed on Thursday, May 29, 2025, bringing the total to 14 pieces of legislation. Three other bills will be considered in the fall session.

“The challenges our province and country faces are best met with a united front,” said Mike Farnworth, government house leader and Minister of Transportation and Transit. “This past session, our government has worked closely with the Green Party caucus to put B.C. first and work together on our shared priorities. We’re removing barriers to interprovincial trade, reducing everyday costs for British Columbians and addressing the shift in the global economy by leveraging our province’s many advantages.”

Learn More:

To learn more about the legislation introduced this spring, visit: 
https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/legislation

To learn more about the government’s new vision for mining development in the northwest, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PREM0059-000496

To learn more about the government’s efforts to recruit health-care workers from the U.S., visit: 
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0020-000443

To learn more about the Clean Power Action Plan, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025ECS0018-000412

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