The federal government is temporarily expanding eligibility for two COVID-19 benefit programs to aid those affected by capacity limits imposed in response to the spread of the Omicron variant.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making the announcement today as provinces tighten restrictions on businesses in response to a countrywide surge of COVID-19 cases.Last week Parliament passed the new Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, a program that grants $300 a week to anyone who can't work because of a COVID-19 lockdown.The law also includes targeted aid for businesses that are ordered close as part of a

British Columbia residents are being urged to prepare for extremely cold temperatures, power outages and slick streets as a series of winter storm and freezing rain warnings covered most of the province. The B.C. government released a statement saying strong storms would clash with cold Arctic air throughout the province between Tuesday and New Year's Day. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says it's important to carefully watch the forecast and look out for those who are most vulnerable, while Transportation Minister Rob Fleming discouraged travel that isn't necessary. The province says p

B.C. is reporting 1,308 new cases of COVID-19, including 10 new epi-linked cases, for a total of 229,643 cases in the province.There are 6,348 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 220,741 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 192 individuals are in hospital and 76 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 24 hours, one new death (Northern Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 2,403. There have been 756 cases of the Omicron variant of concern identified in B.C.:Fraser Health: 129Vancouver Coas

Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton has re-opened to non-essential travel. The winding road through Manning Park had been restricted to commercial and essential travel since severe flooding or landslides tore up parts of highways 1 and 5 last month, but with the re-opening of the Coquihalla Highway yesterday, limits have been lifted between Princeton and Hope. Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet is also open to non-essential travel but both routes, as well as the Coquihalla, Sea-to-Sky, parts of Highway 1 in eastern BC and the Malahat on Vancouver Island, could be walloped by severe wi

British Columbia is tightening public health restrictions as it also introduces enhanced rapid testing and booster shot programs to fight the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant. Starting at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios will have to close, and all seated events will be reduced to 50 per cent capacity. Indoor gatherings including weddings are being cancelled. The health orders allow restaurants and cafes to stay open, but seating will be limited to a maximum of six people at a table, and physical distancing must be followed. The new

RCMP in West Kelowna say two men are in hospital recovering from gunshot wounds. Few details have been released, but police say the two were attacked late yesterday afternoon in the parking lot of a West Kelowna hotel. Investigators believe the shootings were targeted, but haven't said if any suspects have been identified. The two men were rushed to hospital, prompting a roughly three-hour lockdown but normal operations at Kelowna General had resumed before 9 p.m. last night.

Canadian Maggie Mac Neil has won the gold medal in the women's 100 metre butterfly at the world short course swimming championships in Abu Dhabi. She did it in a Canadian record time of 55.04 seconds. Mac Neil was also part of the team that earned silver in the women's four-by-100 medley today, and yesterday she set a world record in the 50 metre backstroke. FINA on Twitter: 4 gold medals and a WR for Maggie Macneil at the World Swimming Championship 🤩"If you would have told me my first world record would be backstroke, I wouldn’t have believed you" said MacneilHow would you describ

North Vancouver RCMP is seeking public assistance in a suspicious person investigation.On November 18, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on a walking trail near Blueridge Elementary, an adult man approached a 14 year-old teenager and asked him to accompany him to help him find his dog. In a second incident the following afternoon, at approximately 4:00 p.m. on a walking trail near Seymour Heights Elementary, the same teenager reported being approached by the same man.The man is described as Caucasian, in his mid-30s, 5’7 tall, very skinny, with dark brown hair and hazel or brown eyes. Police are re

More health measures could be coming in British Columbia one day after restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 took effect.Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are set to provide another update this afternoon on COVID-19.The Ministry of Health has reported 2,550 new cases between Friday and Sunday, pushing the total number of active infections to 5,435 _ a leap of 2,486 cases in one week.The ministry says public health is monitoring the increase as well as developments in other areas, and will outline addi