Current News Releases

1. qathet Board Addresses Increased Inflation Through CUPE 798 Wage Increases
   The wage increase for 2023 was negotiated at 2.25 percent. However, due to a sharp rise in inflation of over 6 percent, the Board decided to raise unionized staff wages to 6.9 percent, matching the BC Consumer Price Index as calculated on December 31, 2022. This increase will account for a 0.13 percent increase to the total 2023 budget.
   March 23, 2023
2. Building More Homes, Faster
   The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was in Guelph, Ontario on March 17th to launch the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a $4 billion initiative that will provide funding for local governments to fast track the creation of 100,000 new homes across Canada. Local governments are now invited to develop innovative action plans, in line with the flexible criteria, to remove barriers to building more homes, faster.
   March 22, 2023
3. Upgrades Secure Drinking Water System in Prince Rupert
   Prince Rupert’s water-distribution system delivers drinkable water to approximately 14,000 people and is a crucial community service, supporting the continued sustainability of the Port of Prince Rupert.
   March 17, 2023
4. Vancouver Wins First-Ever Partnership for Healthy Cities Award for Healthy City Dashboard at Global Summit
   The City of Vancouver is pleased to share that Vancouver is a proud recipient of a 2023 Partnership for Healthy Cities Award for its efforts to address the root causes of health inequities experienced by people in Vancouver.
   March 16, 2023
5. Stronger Services on the Way for Northern Communities
   New and expanded local services are being supported by a $2.4-million investment from the Northern Healthy Communities Fund (NHCF), which is supported by the B.C. government and administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT).
   March 16, 2023
6. City of Terrace Wins Canadian Award for Financial Reporting
   The annual financial report has been judged by impartial Canadian Review Committee members to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” designed to clearly communicate the municipality’s financial story and to motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
   March 15, 2023
7. Joint Statement by Transport Canada and the Province of British Columbia on Future of the Vancouver Island Rail Corridor
   “Canada and the Province of British Colombia acknowledge the importance of this corridor. As a result, we will begin a formal engagement process with affected First Nations on the next steps of the corridor for the mutual benefit of the province and First Nations. A partnership-driven approach represents the best way for moving forward together and achieving a collective vision for the corridor that benefits everyone.”
   March 14, 2023
8. City of New Westminster Proclaims 2023-2024 A Year of Truth for Reconciliation
   Truth-seeking will come through opportunities for City staff and the community to learn and reflect over the next 12 months, with the expectation that this truth will be applied to the City’s continued decolonization and reconciliation work.
   March 14, 2023
9. City of Abbotsford and CUPE Local 774 Ratify Agreement
   In addition to improvements in benefits and premiums, the financial terms of the new agreement include wage increases of four and one-half per cent (4.5%) in the first year, and four per cent (4%) in the second year.
   March 10, 2023
10. Businesses Given More Time to Make Outdoor Patios Permanent
    Government is extending existing temporary expanded service area (TESA) authorizations one final time until Dec. 31, 2024. TESAs have enabled thousands of liquor-licensed businesses to create new or expanded outdoor seating spaces, such as patios and sampling areas, and give customers more space to gather.
    March 10, 2023