British Columbia's top doctor says lifting more COVID-19 restrictions this week would not include allowing gathers beyond 50 people. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry was asked today about the possibility of restrictions being eased this week. Henry says any further openings would be on the lighter side of the scale, comparing it to adjusting a dimmer switch. But she said that would not involve increasing gatherings beyond 50 people. Restaurants, hair salons and personal services including dentist offices and physiotherapy clinics were permitted to reopen on May 19. Schools in B.C. h

As BC slowly returns to a slightly more normal routine in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, many people are beginning to travel more and that has prompted a response from bus and ferry operators. BC Ferries and TransLink want passengers to wear a non-medical grade mask while aboard, and while TransLink is strongly suggesting masks should be worn, BC Ferries has made face coverings mandatory. Starting today and continuing indefinitely, ferry passengers over the age of two without a face covering will not be permitted to board a vessel that will be at sea longer than 30 minutes. TransLink's ap

The family of a black man killed in a scuffle with Atlanta police outside a fast food drive-thru is pleading for nonviolent protests and policy changes to end future deaths in police custody. About 20 relatives of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks said at a news conference Monday that he was a loving father with a big heart. Brooks was shot late Friday as police tried to arrest for being intoxicated behind the wheel. His niece, Chassidy Evans, said the family isn't just pleading for justice, but also for change. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people joined a protest outside the Georgia Capitol, where D

The BC Supreme Court judge in Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's extradition case says she's concerned by the length of the proceedings. During a case management conference today, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes said the proposed schedules from Crown prosecutors and Meng's counsel would see the case wrap up next spring. Holmes said the court could move faster. The United States is seeking to extradite Meng, Huawei's chief financial officer, on fraud charges based on allegations she violated US sanctions against Iran, which she and the company deny. Holmes ruled last month that Meng's alle

A number of roads in northern British Columbia have been closed after heavy rain caused washouts and localized flooding on Monday. Environment Canada said the ground in the area isn't able to absorb further rainfall because it was already near the saturation point. Communities in the north Peace had received between 30 and 80 millimetres of rainfall by Monday morning. Environment Canada said the highest amounts were observed near the Rockies over communities like Hudson Hope. A further 15 to 20 millimetres was forecast before the rain is expected to end. The River Forecast Centre issued a hig

A Saskatchewan senator says RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki should resign or be removed to ensure the national police force can properly serve Indigenous communities.Sen. Lillian Dyck says Lucki has shown recently she does not fully understand systemic racism or have the knowledge and skills be the country's top policewoman.Dyck, a member of the Progressive Senate Group and the first First Nations woman named to the upper chamber, says the commissioner's departure would benefit all Canadians, including RCMP members.Lucki initially stopped short last week of endorsing Prime Minister Justin Trude

B.C. is funding eight new centres to improve mental health and substance use services for youth.Three of the centres will be within the Greater Vancouver region, including Squamish, while the others will be in Burns Lake, Williams Lake, Cranbrook, Port Hardy and the Comox Valley.Foundry centres are designed to offer those aged 12 to 24 a variety of services - from walk-in counselling to mental health, substance use and social services.Mental Health and Addictions Minister Judy Darcy says with COVID-19 and the opioid crisis continuing across the province, it's more important than ever that youn

The Liberals are putting together a plan to extend one of the key COVID-19 benefits ahead of a parliamentary showdown on Wednesday.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he'll detail later this week how the Canada Emergency Response Benefit may remain in place for people who still can't return to work.Canadians were able to access the $2,000-a-month benefit for 16 weeks, and millions are about to hit the maximum number of weeks they can claim, but still don't have jobs. The New Democrats say a plan to extend the CERB is a must for them to support a massive government spending proposal due in the H

A rural municipality in Nova Scotia will be testing a four-day work week for its employees over the next ninemonths.The nine-month pilot project begins today in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.Chief administrative officer Barry Carroll says it's the direct result of a reorganization that was necessary to deal with theCOVID-19 pandemic.Carroll says the change will see about 60 municipal employees work the same number of hours over a condensed work week, witheither Monday or Friday off.He says the move will allow municipal offices to stay open five days a week to serve the public