With increased BC Family Benefit, more than 285,000 families throughout B.C. will see bigger payments in their bank accounts starting this month."Global inflation and higher interest rates continue to be hard on many families right now," said Grace Lore, Minister of State for Child Care. "The BC Family Benefit is one way we're helping families provide the food, clothes and opportunities their kids need to have the best start possible."The BC Family Benefit is a regular monthly payment from the provincial government. Eligibility is based on income and number of children.The benefit reaches fami

The University of British Columbia has named neuropsychologist and Carleton University leader Benoit-Antoine Bacon as its new president and vice-chancellor.The university says Bacon will take over from interim president Deborah Buszard, who has served in the role since the October 2022 exit of Santa Ono.Nancy McKenzie, chair of UBC's board of governors, says Bacon has strong leadership qualities and brings a wealth of experience to the role with a track record as a researcher, teacher, and senior administrator at major Canadian research universities.Bacon has served as president and vice-chanc

The provincial government has ordered the City of Surrey to proceed with the Surrey Police Service and recall its plan to retain the services of the RCMP as the city’s police of jurisdiction.During a press conference in Victoria on Wednesday, Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth confirmed the same in accordance in accordance with Section 2 of the Police Act.He said that this is the final decision and he fully expects the elected government in Surrey to follow the law.Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke could not be immediately reached for comment.

British Columbia port employers say the longshore workers union has given 72-hour notice of renewed strike action starting on Saturday morning.It is worth mentioning that Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Reganhad said that the strike by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada is illegal after a ruling by the Canada Industrial Relations Board.In a tweet, O'Regan says the board ordered that the union cease and desist any strike activity because it did not provide 72 hours notice. The strike that has shut down British Columbia's ports resumed Tuesday after the longshore workers uni

The Canadian Armed Forces says the first troops to help in British Columbia's wildfire fight have arrived in the province, with more soldiers, helicopters and a Hercules plane poised for deployment.The forces said in a statement that a reconnaissance team is on the ground in Prince George in central B.C. and is working with local authorities including the BC Wildfire Service to strategize.The arrival of the personnel and equipment will be welcomed by firefighters and communities, said the province's Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth."We also know we can count on the Canadian Armed Forces t

The federal government is announcing $212 million more in funding for interim housing for people claiming asylum in Canada, including about $97 million for Toronto.The city has been seeing asylum seekers and refugee claimants sleeping on the sidewalks, unable to get a space in Toronto's overwhelmed shelter system.A church in Toronto is now reportedly housing them temporarily.Officials have said that the number of asylum seekers in Toronto's shelter system grew by 500 per cent in 20 months and the city has had to turn them away from at-capacity shelters toward federal programs.Mayor Olivia Chow

British Columbia is spending $3 million to expand a program that partners health-care workers with police to respond to mental-health-related calls.Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the program aim is to connect people in crisis to the appropriate services in their community and take pressure off stretched police resources.New teams are being funded for Abbotsford, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Penticton, Vernon, Squamish, Prince Rupert and the Westshore on southern Vancouver Island.Similar programs already exist in 10 B.C. communities including Kamloops, Victoria, S

An independent scientific adviser has resigned from a Health Canada committee on pesticide management over concerns about a lack of transparency and scientific oversight.Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a health sciences professor at Simon Fraser University, stepped down as the co-chair of the Health Canada scientific advisory committee on pest control products on June 27.In his three-page resignation letter, he says he has little or no confidence that the committee can help the pesticide branch of Health Canada become more transparent or assure that Canadians are protected from toxic pesticides.The commit

B.C. is stepping up its fight against hard-to-recycle single-use and plastic items.A new provincial regulation will cover numerous items from shopping bags and disposable food service accessories to packaging made of polystyrene foam and compostable or biodegradable plastics.The Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation will begin to come into force in December.There will be a six-month phase-in period to educate the public and businesses and allow time for businesses to use up existing inventory.