Canada's environment commissioner says the country is nowhere near to meeting its goal of planting two-billion trees by 2030.
The Liberals first made the massive tree-planting promise during the 2019 federal election campaign and followed through with a 10-year 3.2-billion-dollar budget for it in 2020.
However, an audit of the first two years of planting says it appears the government isn't on track to get even four per cent of the promised trees in the ground by the end of 2030.
The funding is part of an extra $2 billion allocated in this year’s federal budget to renew and expand the Oceans Protection Plan over nine years. Among the projects are plans to set up a national system for all marine pollution incidents, which includes preparing for releases of hazardous or noxious substances from ships.
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire discovered Thursday is believed to be human-caused and is just over one hectare in size. Many parts of British Columbia have experienced drought conditions this fall, in stark contrast to the torrential rains that wreaked havoc on the province one year ago.
Eby says people and small businesses in the province are feeling the squeeze of global inflation and his government is focused on helping residents most impacted by the rising costs. The one-time cost-of-living credit will be applied automatically to residents' BC Hydro bills this fall.
While the prime minister did not offer further details, the statement followed the government’s decision in the summer to send two Royal Canadian Navy frigates to the Asia-Pacific region at the same time, as a sign of Canada’s increased engagement.
One million bottles of children's medication will have been distributed to hospitals, pharmacies and retailers after next week, health officials said during a media briefing. Health Canada said production of children's acetaminophen and ibuprofen is double what it was last year, but demand is still outstripping supply.
Eby replaces New Democrat Premier John Horgan, who announced last June he was leaving office due to health concerns. The swearing-in ceremony will be conducted by Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, but not in the usual location of Government House in Victoria, and instead will be held at the Musqueam Community Centre.