New investments in the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) for sonography and cardiovascular perfusion programs will mean more graduates and better health care for people in British Columbia. Students, health-care workers and patients have been calling on government to increase sonography training across the province for years, and we are answering that call with new and expanded programs in Northern B.C., Vancouver Island and now the Lower Mainland. Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, said investing in BCIT so more students can train for dynamic an

Premier John Horgan says the province is mourning the tragic loss of life in the devastating plane crash in Iran.British Columbians are among the 63 Canadian victims on the Boeing flight that went down near Tehran minutes after takeoff, killing all 176 people on board.A Vancouver-based Iranian-Canadian organization says a Vancouver engineer, his wife and their 15-year-old son were on board the flight enroute to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.The niece of a North Vancouver couple who were award-winning doctors in Iran says they were also killed while returning from a visit with family.Horgan say

Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement about a fatal plane crash in Tehran: "This morning, British Columbians woke up to the devastating news that 176 people were killed in a plane crash in Iran. We have learned that British Columbians are among the 63 Canadians who were killed. "Our hearts and thoughts are with the families and friends of loved ones lost and the greater Iranian-Canadian community in B.C. that enriches life in our province. "As we wait for answers about what happened, we join with nations around the world that are mourning this tragic loss of life. We share in

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will work with its international partners to thoroughly investigate the cause of the plane crash in Iran that killed 63 Canadians.Trudeau says Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Transport Minister Marc Garneau are reaching out to their international counterparts.Garneau said on Twitter that Canada would offer technical assistance in the crash investigation.Trudeau is also offering his condolences to the loved ones of those who died.The Canadians were among the 176 people killed when a Ukrainian passenger plane crashed minutes afte

Transport Canada says that Air Canada has complied with U.S.-led restrictions on commercial airlines operating in the Persian Gulf region, though neither the government nor the airline has provided further information.Air Canada is the only Canadian airline affected by the ban on flights by U.S. commercial carriers operating in Iran, Iraq and over the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Iran. The airline hasn't provided details but Associated Press reported Air Canada rerouted its flight from Toronto to Dubai through Egypt and Saudi Arabia to avoid travelling over Iraq.WestJet partner Emirates Airlin

Actor Deepika Padukone on Tuesday joined students protesting against the recent violence on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. The Bollywood actor was seen standing with students as the demonstrators raised the slogan of "Jai Bhim-Jai Bhim". She did not issue any statement nor address the students. Deepika is currently in the national capital promoting her upcoming film 'Chhapaak'. More than 30 students were taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked the students and professors with sticks and rods. Several Bollywood celebrities have condemned t

A United Nations anti-racism committee is urging Canada to stop construction on three major resource projects that are set to transform British Columbia.The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination says Canada must suspend the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, Site C dam and Coastal GasLink pipeline until it obtains the approval of affected Indigenous Peoples.All three project proponents say they have the support of many First Nations but the committee says they don't have the free, prior and informed consent of all affected Indigenous groups.The committee also says it's concerne

Work has begun on the removal of an abandoned vessel near Surrey, B.C., that has been an eyesore on the Fraser River for over five years.Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan announced that an assessment of the MV Spudnik shows there's an imminent risk of pollution, hull corrosion, sinking and fire.The department says in a news release that the Canadian Coast Guard has begun work with contractor Marine Recycling Corporation to assess various options to safely dismantle and remove the former fishing vessel from the water.The 75-year-old ship has been moored at the same location on the Fraser Riv

The British Columbia Green party has announced more details about its leadership contest as Andrew Weaver officially leaves the post.The party says voting will take place, primarily online, from June 15 to 26, and it will use ranked ballots for three or more candidates or first-past-the-post for a contest of two.The party announced last month that Green legislature member Adam Olsen would be its interim leader and he stepped into the job on Monday.It also said voters aged 16 and up can vote for a candidate even if they're not a member of the party, although membership is free for those aged 2