A grant that helps British Columbia homeowners offset a portion of their property tax is being raised to reflect an increase in the assessed value of their homes. The Ministry of Finance says the threshold for the 2021 homeowner grant has been set at $1.625 million, a $100,000 increase over last year. It says the increase means the same percentage of homeowners remain eligible for either the basic grant or an enhanced grant that's available to those over 65 or people with disabilities. About 92 per cent of homeowners were eligible last year. In Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Regional Dist

Vancouver Coastal Health say there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 on the cardiac ward in St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver, closing the unit to all but end-of-life visits. Although the rest of the hospital remains open. Interior Health says weekly case numbers of COVID-19 are higher, per capita, in Revelstoke than in many other areas of B.C.Interior Health says weekly case numbers of COVID-19 are higher, per capita, in Revelstoke than in many other areas of the province and it is urging residents to take steps to curb the spread of the virus. The health authority has issued a news re

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the federal government will look at just about any measure to discourage people from travelling internationally. But he says Canada doesn't want to join the short list of countries that require government approval for travel, with measures such as exit visas. He says the federal government has been crystal clear since early last year that travelling abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic is a bad idea. Starting Thursday, Canada is requiring incoming air travellers to present evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test before being allowed t

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians who have travelled abroad should not expect to collect a benefit for people who have to isolate themselves. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is making changes to the $1,000 sickness benefit. He says the program is for workers who have to quarantine because they are sick or have had close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. Trudeau says the point was never to subsidize vacations and he's frustrated and angry that non-essential travellers might have claimed the benefit. The government will revise the rules t

Canada's chief public health officer says she's concerned at how quickly Canada's COVID-19 case numbers are growing. Doctor Theresa Tam says over the past week, the number of infections has been increasing by almost 7,500 per day. She notes that it took five months for Canada to reach its first 100,000 cases, and just over two weeks to go from 500- to 600,000. Dr. Tam says this rapid accumulation of cases will continue until we can make significant progress in interrupting the spread of the virus. More than 617,000 case have been reported in Canada since the start of pandemic. At present 79,5

BC Ferries has cancelled the majority of sailings today between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver due to extreme weather. Environment Canada says a strong Pacific frontal system will bring very strong winds beginning in the late morning, with gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour. The strongest winds are expected over exposed coastal sections near the Strait of Georgia, Haro Strait and the Southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries says it doesn't take the decision lightly and will resume service as soon as it's safe to do so. BC Ferries is telling travellers to check its website after numerous aftern

Weather warnings cover most of coastal British Columbia and wind gusts topping 100 km/h are already lashing Haida Gwaii as the leading edge of a powerful storm hits the province. Wind warnings are posted for Haida Gwaii, north and central coasts, most of Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and Metro Vancouver. Environment Canada's weather office says gusts of up to 120 km/h are possible in northern regions before easing by noon while winds of 70 to 90 km/h are forecast to hit the south coast by midday. BC Ferries is telling travellers to check its website after

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales were up 53.4 per cent in the final month of 2020 compared with December 2019, hitting a new record for the month.The board says 3,093 homes were sold in December, up from 2,016 in December 2019 and slightly more than the 3,064 homes sold in November.Vancouver real estate agents sold 1,026 detached homes, a 71.3 jump from December 2019.The board says the composite home price in Vancouver ended the year at $1,047,400, up 5.4 percent from the same time last year.Board chair Colette Gerber says the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major cause

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said that the central government should regularly talk to farmers, accept their demands to revoke the new farm laws and not make it a prestige issue."Why is the central government taking four days in between every meeting with the farmers? The farmers have clarified that central government must withdraw new agricultural laws. In this cold weather, the government should talk to farmers daily and must accept their demands," Gehlot tweeted."If a government has to withdraw a law according to public sentiments, it is welcomed in democracy. The centra