Premier Christy Clark declared natural gas a clean energy source when used to power liquefied natural gas (LNG) extraction in Northern BC. This change will be reflected in a new regulation that will define natural gas as clean energy under certain circumstances.

Premier Clark said that the change in regulation will only apply to natural gas used to support LNG development in the north and would not change the definition of power use for the rest of the province. Further, this change will apply exclusively to power generation that meets world-leading environmental standards on emissions.

Minister of Energy Hon. Rich Coleman said that the definition of 'clean energy' would be amended to include certain kinds of natural gas-fired plants in the Clean Energy Act. Currently, the Act mandates that 93 percent of the province's electricity must be garnered from clean energy sources; thus, the Premier's proposed change allows further development of natural gas-fired plants without affecting the 93 percent commitment.

Read the BC Chamber News Release

Ongoing mediated contract talks between the BC Liberals and the BC Teachers Federation are approaching their deadline. Mediator Charles Jago has until June 30, 2012, to submit a report to government.

Education Minister George Abbott has expressed that there is a possibility that the deadline could be relaxed if progress is being made between the two parties and the potential for agreement appeared close, however, this has yet to be solidified.

In a recent speech at the BIO International Convention in Boston, Minister of Health Hon. Mike de Jong announced the BC Government will be investing $39 million into life science aimed at improving the lives of British Columbians and supporting jobs in the life science sector.

The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) will receive $29 million intended to go towards supporting the centre's five-year plan, which includes bringing new drug therapies to the market.

Genome BC will receive $10 million specifically directed to fund health-related research projects that will be determined through an internationally peer-reviewed competitive pro-cess.

Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $850 million into the life sciences sector.

This weekly report produced for the BC Chamber of Commerce by Fleishman-Hillard.  While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication as of the date of issue, events and government policies are subject to frequent change.  Therefore, the BC Chamber of Commerce and Fleishman-Hillard cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis on the information contained herein.