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BCAug 20, 2020

Ministry mislead students in wake of exam errors: Ombudsperson

British Columbia's ombudsperson says the Education Ministry has agreed to apologize and compensate students harmed by incorrect provincial exam results last year.Jay Chalke says his investigation found the ministry's communication with students and their families to be misleading and in some cases inaccurate even after the errors were identified.The ministry posted more than 18,000 incorrect exam scores, roughly half of which were lower than they should have been.Grade 12 students intending to enter Canadian universities in the fall are often accepted based on marks that only reflect their fir
liberals-to-replace-cerb-with-new-benefit-simplified-ei-program-at-cost-of-37b
CanadaAug 20, 2020

Liberals to replace CERB with new benefit, simplified EI program at cost of $37B

The federal Liberals are rolling out a $37-billion income-support plan for workers whose earnings have crashed during the pandemic. The details released today outline what will happen to some four million workers receiving the $500 a week Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which is set to wind down starting next month. The CERB will be extended another four weeks, and a new benefit that pays $400 a week for up to 26 weeks will replace it for those ineligible for employment insurance. Anyone eligible for EI will get the same minimum for at least 26 weeks and will need to have worked 120 hours
BCAug 20, 2020

Youngster dead, woman hurt as tree falls on hiking group near Chilliwack, B.C.

A five-year-old boy has been killed in an accident involving a group of hikers on a walk east of Vancouver. RCMP in Chilliwack say a tree fell on the group Tuesday as they walked along a trail in Yarrow, 90 kilometres east of Vancouver. A statement from police says the boy had died by the time officers arrived.Cpl. Mike Rail says a 22-year-old woman was also hurt. He says she was treated in hospital for what are described as non-life-threatening injuries. The BC Coroners Service and RCMP are investigating.
us-officials-install-cable-barrier-along-canadian-border
CanadaAug 20, 2020

US officials install cable barrier along Canadian border

A cable barrier was installed along a section of the border between Washington state and Canada in an effort to curb ``dangerous criminal enterprises,'' according to a statement from the U.S. Border Patrol Wednesday.KING-TV reports the U.S.-Canada border has been closed to all non-essential travel since March to help limit the spread of the virus.The section of the border near Lynden, Wash., where the barrier is being constructed, has been used as a meeting place for families and friends during the coronavirus pandemic.The new barrier is designed to prevent vehicles either ``accidentally, or
319-covid-19-cases-reported-in-canada
CanadaAug 20, 2020

319 COVID-19 cases reported in Canada

There are 123,490 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 61,316 confirmed (including 5,729 deaths, 54,238 resolved) Ontario: 40,972 confirmed (including 2,792 deaths, 37,216 resolved) Alberta: 12,501 confirmed (including 227 deaths, 11,167 resolved) British Columbia: 4,745 confirmed (including 198 deaths, 3,749 resolved) Saskatchewan: 1,586 confirmed (including 22 deaths, 1,410 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,076 confirmed (including 64 deaths, 1,007 resolved) Manitoba: 763 confirmed (including 12 deaths, 528 resolved) Newfoundland and Labrador: 268 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 263 resolved) New Bruns
increase-in-covid-testing-centres-and-hours-as-case-count-increases-in-b-c
BCAug 20, 2020

Increase in COVID testing centres and hours as case count increases in B.C.

Testing for COVID-19 is being stepped up as the number of new cases increases in British Columbia. Health Minister Adrian Dix and deputy provincial health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson say new testing centres and extended hours of service have been added in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions. In a joint statement, they say the province can now complete 8,000 tests a day. Another 68 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the province, bringing the active cases in the province to 798. A total of 4,745 cases have been diagnosed in B.C., while 3,749 people have recovered.
police-in-new-westminster-are-applauding-a-good-samaritan-who-returned-a-wallet-with-nearly-2-300-dollars
BCAug 19, 2020

Police in New Westminster are applauding a Good Samaritan who returned a wallet with nearly 2,300 dollars

Police in New Westminster are applauding a Good Samaritan who turned in a wallet stuffed with so much cash it couldn't be closed. Police say a citizen found the wallet with nearly 2,300 dollars inside while walking down the street and brought it to police in hopes the owner could be contacted. The owner told police he'd lost the wallet while heading to the bank and was very relieved to get it back. Deputy Chief Constable Paul Hyland says it's great to get a reminder of how amazing people can be, especially when so many are negatively affected by COVID-19.
b-c-teachers-union-calls-for-smaller-classes-masks-in-back-to-school-plan
BCAug 19, 2020

B.C. teachers' union calls for smaller classes, masks in back-to-school plan

The BC Teachers' Federation says it wants smaller classes and mandatory masks whereever possible as part of the provincial back-to-school plan amid the pandemic. A statement from president Teri Mooring says the restart plan for Kindergarten to Grade 12 has made no change to classroom density and it's impossible to physical distance with 30 people in a classroom. The union also wants dedicated funding for heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and expanding mandatory mask use for children aged 10 and older. The provincial government has said masks will be required whenever student
CanadaAug 19, 2020

Raptors president Masai Ujiri files countersuit following NBA Finals scuffle

Following a TV station's release of an altercation during the NBA finals last June, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has filed a counter-suit. The Raptors say the video proves Ujiri wasn't the aggressor in a dispute with a sheriff's deputy after the team won the NBA title at Oracle Arena. Deputy Alan Strickland filed a $75,000 suit against Ujiri, the Raptors, Raptors owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and the NBA claiming he suffered physical, mental, emotional and economic injuries. Raptors coach Nick Nurse says the video is self-explanatory.

Just In

CanadaOct 30, 2025

Surrey Renames Park After Community Raises Concerns Over Historical Injustices

The City of Surrey has renamed a neighbourhood park following concerns from residents of Japanese descent about its historical namesake. Senator Reid Park, located in the city’s north end, will now be known as North Ridge Park. The change follows a review prompted by community feedback highlighting Senator Thomas Reid’s role in supporting discriminatory policies against Japanese Canadians before, during and after the Second World War. City officials said the park, originally named in the 1990s, no longer reflects Surrey’s values of inclusivity and respect. Laurie Cavan, general manager o
b-c-seeks-court-stay-in-cowichan-tribes-aboriginal-title-case-amid-concerns-from-richmond-residents
BCOct 30, 2025

B.C. seeks court stay in Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title case amid concerns from Richmond residents

Premier David Eby says the British Columbia government will ask the courts to delay implementation of a ruling that recognized Aboriginal title for the Cowichan Tribes over land in Richmond. The province is requesting a stay while the B.C. Court of Appeal reviews the landmark decision, which has raised questions about its impact on private land ownership. In August, the B.C. Supreme Court declared that the Cowichan Tribes hold Aboriginal title to about 750 acres along the Fraser River. The court found that Crown grants of private titles on that land were an unjustified infringement of Cowichan
police-investigate-shots-fired-at-surrey-business
CanadaOct 29, 2025

Police probe overnight shooting that damaged Surrey business

Police in Surrey are investigating after gunfire caused property damage to a business in the city’s South Surrey area earlier this week. Surrey Police Service (SPS) and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) say the incident was reported around 11:35 a.m. on October 28. Officers were called to a business in the 15200 block of Croydon Drive, where they confirmed that the building’s exterior had been struck by bullets. Investigators believe the shooting took place sometime between 8:30 p.m. on October 27 and 8:30 a.m. the next morning. No one was inside the business at th
drug-related-offences-rise-nationally-for-first-time-in-12-years-statcan
CanadaOct 29, 2025

Drug-related offences rise nationally for first time in 12 years – StatCan

Statistics Canada says the country’s rate of police-reported drug crime has increased for the first time in more than a decade, marking a 13 per cent jump between 2023 and 2024. The new data shows the rise was driven by higher numbers of possession and trafficking charges involving cannabis, cocaine and opioids other than heroin. Despite the recent uptick, the national rate remains well below its historical peak. The 2024 figure stood at 128 incidents per 100,000 people – down 61 per cent from a high of 330 in 2011. The Northwest Territories recorded the highest rate of drug crime last yea
bc-government-calls-emergency-meeting-with-federal-ministers
BCOct 29, 2025

BC government calls emergency meeting with federal ministers

The BC government is calling an emergency meeting with federal ministers in Vancouver next week, also known as the Forestry Sector Summit, in light of the trade dispute with the US and the recent increase in tariffs on softwood, with Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar inviting federal ministers Dominique LeBlanc and Melanie Joly to attend. The BC government intends to seek financial assistance from the federal government to help the struggling forestry sector and combat the tariffs. Parmar said that forestry for us in BC is like the auto sector and the steel sector, which the government should a