The Opposition Conservatives say a new commercial rent-relief program offered by the federal government has taken too long to arrive, and there are still shortcomings in the related legislation that have yet to be fixed. Conservative small business critic Pat Kelly says December's rent is due in about a week, and today is the first day that businesses can apply for the new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy. The Conservatives are accusing the Trudeau government of circumventing the will of Parliament by failing to push off audits of small businesses that have received the federal wage subsidy. He

A base jumper is recovering from minor injuries after being rescued from the face of the Stawamus Chief in Squamish on the weekend. BC Emergency Health Services says the call came Saturday afternoon and search and rescue crews flew to the top of the mountain to begin a highly technical rope rescue in the dark. The man's sail got caught after he jumped, causing him to collide with the mountain's west face, where he was able to tie himself to a tree and call for help. Rescuers descended and reached the man, securing him in a harness before lowering him to the ground.

Fraser Health is warning of two possible exposures to COVID-19 at a gym in Burnaby and a nail salon in Langley. The health authority is warning people who were at Gritt Athletics between November 9th and 12th to self-isolate for 14 days starting the last time they were at the gym. It's warning anyone who was at Haven Nails and Spa between November 14th and 17th to do the same. There were more than 7,100 active cases in BC as of the province's last update and the latest numbers from over the weekend are expected later today.

As COVID-19 infections surge, BC's seniors advocate is calling for rapid testing of all staff at long-term care homes. Isobel Mackenzie says rapid tests that produce results within 30 minutes could help catch infected staff who aren't experiencing symptoms and who could unknowingly spread the illness. About 3.8 million of the tests that don't need to be processed in a lab recently arrived in Canada and many provincial health authorities across the country are still evaluating how to use them. BC's provincial health officer, Doctor Bonnie Henry, has said the rapid tests are not as sensitive as

Businesses struggling to pay the bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to start applying today for a long-awaited new commercial rent-relief program offered by the federal government.The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy replaces an earlier rent-support program for businesses introduced in the spring that saw little pickup because it relied on landlords to apply for help.The new program will cover up to 65 per cent of rent or commercial mortgage interest on a sliding scale based on revenue declines, with an extra 25 per cent available to the hardest-hit firms.Federal cabinet min

British Columbia health officials are urging residents to follow their latest orders to slow the spread of COVID-19 and relieve the pressure on the health-care system. The province recorded 516 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, for a total of 25,474. There are 7,122 active cases of COVID-19, with 227 people currently hospitalized. Ten new deaths were also announced, bringing the death toll to 331. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that the social restrictions and mask requirements announced Thursday are meant to keep loved ones safe

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says everyone's actions now could determine Canada's fate for generations to come. He is urging all Canadians to reduce their contacts and stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19. Grim new forecasts suggest Canada could see cases climb by 60,000 per day by year's end if socializing increases. The prime minister says his government is committed to helping businesses, and that lockdown measures are a better way to ensure long-term economic success than letting the virus run rampant. "Canada-U.S. border will remain closed until Dec. 21" Prime Minister Justin Trudea

Surrey RCMP say they have arrested a man and seized drugs they allege are related to a recent number of overdoses in the city. Mounties say they arrested a 19 year old man for possession for the purpose of trafficking in Langley, BC yesterday afternoon. Police seized multiple doses of suspected blue and purple fentanyl, crystal meth and crack cocaine. They're warning anyone who uses drugs to not use alone.

RCMP on Vancouver Island say will increase their presence around the Cowichan District Hospital as they investigate reports of multiple sexual assaults outside the building. North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP say were made aware of sexual assaults believed to have taken placed between Nov. 2 and Nov. 17 near the grounds of the hospital. Mounties say they're looking to speak to any potential victims. In the meantime, police say uniformed officers in marked police vehicles will increase their patrols of the property.