A disaster expert who led recovery teams after the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean that killed more than 230,000 people says British Columbia's climate response strategy must protect the province from future environmental events.

British Columbia has earmarked $2.1 billion to fund disaster recovery efforts and future response to the threats posed by wildfires, floods and heat waves in a budget that forecasts a $5.5−billion deficit.

Council has approved grant applications that allow it to explore plans for a new sewage system, net-zero building construction and an analysis of advancements in infrastructure, he said.

Horgan's comments came Tuesday as some provinces announced plans to remove many COVID-19 restrictions, including Saskatchewan, which is dropping its vaccine passports and won't renew its indoor mask mandate, while many of Quebec's restrictions will be gradually removed by March 14.

The new leader of the British Columbia Liberals says he's on his way to Victoria with promises that will rebuild the party and attract voters while he also seeks his own seat in the legislature.

Dramatically rising case counts of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Ontario, Quebec and around the world has British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix warning about a "time to exercise caution."

Restoration companies and contractors in British Columbia that are about to help launch a massive flood cleanup and repair effort must be aware of the risks and hazards their work could pose to employees, says the province's worker protection agency.

British Columbia is shifting into repair and recovery mode following devastating floods and landslides caused by record rains that crippled transportation links, deluged agricultural operations and forced the evacuations of thousands of people, says the province's public safety minister.

The successive storms that brutalized southern British Columbia with floods and slides caused by record amounts of rainfall were declared over on Thursday, December 2, 2021, but now the cleanup and costly rebuild lie ahead, says the public safety minister.

The federal and British Columbia governments have created a joint committee of cabinet ministers to deal with the devastation caused by flooding, while also promising to match donations given to the Canadian Red Cross.