14°C Vancouver

News

vancouver-coastal-health-says-schools-have-low-covid-19-transmission-rates
BCJan 15, 2021

Vancouver Coastal Health says schools have low COVID-19 transmission rates

A health authority says data showing schools in the Vancouver area are a low risk for the transmission of COVID-19 supports keeping classes open. Since schools reopened in September, Vancouver Coastal Health says it hasn't recorded a significant increase in COVID-19 cases among children aged five to 17. It says school-aged children accounted for six per cent of its COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, despite representing 10 per cent of the population. Medical health officer Dr. Alex Choi says the authority wants educators, school staff, parents and students to feel reassured that
b-c-seeking-legal-advice-on-limiting-interprovincial-travel-premier-john-horgan
BCJan 14, 2021

B.C. seeking legal advice on limiting interprovincial travel: Premier John Horgan

British Columbia's premier says his government is seeking legal advice on whether it can limit non-essential travel from people out of province during the pandemic. Premier John Horgan says there is concern about people coming from other provinces or territories and spreading COVID-19. Horgan says he and other premiers across the country have made the case for Canadians to stay home during the pandemic, but people continue to travel. He says the issue has been discussed for months and it's time to determine if the government can or can't act. The issue will be discussed during the NDP governm
BCJan 14, 2021

Lawyer tells court, Klein believed he was stabbing a witch and a zombie with maggots

A lawyer for a man convicted of stabbing two high school students in Abbotsford says his client was not in control of himself at the time of the offence. Martin Peters is arguing in the BC Supreme Court that Gabriel Klein should not be held criminally responsible for the crimes. Peters said in his closing arguments that Klein believed he was stabbing a witch and a zombie with maggots coming out of its back, not two girls. Klein has testified that he was following the directions of voices in his head and believed that stabbing monsters was "just." Klein was convicted of second-degree murder an
24-years-after-reena-virks-murder-parole-board-continues-kelly-ellards-release
BCJan 14, 2021

24 years after Reena Virk's murder, parole board continues Kelly Ellard's release

The 38 year old woman convicted of murdering teenager Reena Virk near Victoria in 1997 will be allowed to continue her day parole. The Parole Board of Canada has released its ruling on Kelly Ellard, who now goes by the name of Kerry Sim. In a decision released Thursday, the board says Sim, now the mother of two young children, remains "positive and compliant" in the community and continues to have high reintegration potential. Her day parole was expanded last summer to allow her to live away from a residential facility for up to five days each week and the parole board is continuing that orde
CanadaJan 14, 2021

Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Liberal government to ease access to paid sick leave for Canadian workers

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Liberal government to ease access to paid sick leave for Canadian workers to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Singh is criticizing the lag between filing for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and receiving it, a delay he compared to applying for employment insurance. He is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to recall Parliament and legislate 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated employees through the Canada Labour Code, and to further promote the one-week, $500 benefit that is already in place. The New Democrat leader says upt
bku-chief-bhupinder-singh-mann-recuses-himself-from-sc-appointed-panel-on-farm-laws
IndiaJan 14, 2021

BKU chief Bhupinder Singh Mann recuses himself from SC-appointed panel on farm laws

Bhupinder Singh Mann, the National President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Mann) and Chairman of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), on Thursday recused himself from the 4-member committee constituted by the Supreme Court to resolve the impasse between farmers and the Centre over the new farm laws.This comes a day before the Central government is scheduled to hold the next round of talks with farmers' unions in New Delhi on Friday.Former Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, Mann said he is "thankful" to the top court for nominating him in the committee but would "sacrifice" any positio
emergency-doctors-call-for-greater-transparency-on-vaccine-rollout
CanadaJan 14, 2021

Emergency doctors call for greater transparency on vaccine rollout

The professional group for emergency doctors in Canada wants more transparency about COVID-19 vaccine distribution.The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians is calling for a clear description of who is being prioritized for the first doses and why. It also wants priority to go to those directly caring for patients who are critically ill or suspected of having COVID-19.The association says many members in areas with limited human resources have not been vaccinated, but urban providers who have less patient contact appear to have received doses.A Wednesday statement says communication ab
active-case-count-of-covid-19-cases-dips-below-5-000-in-b-c
BCJan 14, 2021

Active case count of COVID-19 cases dips below 5,000 in B.C.

British Columbia health officials say they've added a senior official to the province's immunization response team to help with the program as it gets more complex. Dr. Penny Ballem will be the executive lead and work with the health minister and other officials to ensure the province is ready for community immunization when the vaccine supply is more readily available in April. So far, 63,430 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. and officials say work is underway to align the available supply with a person's level of risk. The province is reporting 519 new cases of COVID-19 and 12
bc-born-gold-medallist-at-two-olympic-games-kathleen-heddle-dead-of-cancer-at-55
BCJan 14, 2021

BC born gold medallist at two Olympic Games Kathleen Heddle, dead of cancer at 55

A BC born gold medallist at two Olympic Games has died of cancer. Rowing Canada says Kathleen Heddle died at home in Vancouver on Monday at the age of 55. Heddle and Marnie McBean won Olympic gold medals in rowing in 1992 and 1996 and Heddle also won another gold with the women's eight in 1992. A statement issued on behalf of her family says the rower born in Trail had been battling several forms of cancer for six years. Tweet from Rowing Canada Aviron: It is with great sadness that we share this news on behalf of the family of Kathleen Heddle: https://bit.ly/3oIEX5l

Just In

WorldJun 22, 2026

Confirmed Ebola cases in eastern Congo rise to 1,003, death toll reaches 254

The number of confirmed Ebola cases in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 1,003, with approximately 254 deaths reported since the outbreak began, according to the country's Health Ministry. In a statement issued Sunday, the ministry said 100 people in Ituri province have recovered from the disease since the outbreak was declared on May 15, 2026. Another 365 patients remain hospitalized or are being treated in isolation centres. Health officials said tracing people who have come into contact with infected patients remains the biggest challenge in containing the outbreak. Accordin
montreal-police-officer-injured-after-reports-of-gunfire-in-côte-des-neiges
CanadaJun 22, 2026

Three dead, including police officer, in Montreal shooting during operation targeting armed suspect

A Montreal police officer, an armed suspect and a civilian were killed during a shooting in Montreal's Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood on Monday while police were attempting to apprehend an armed individual. A second officer was taken to hospital in critical condition. According to the Montreal Police Service, officers were carrying out an operation involving an armed suspect when a violent confrontation broke out. Police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and said the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities issued an emergency alert through
WorldJun 22, 2026

13 killed, dozens injured in explosion at Qatar LNG facility

At least 13 people were killed and 66 others injured after an explosion at Qatar's Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex on Sunday evening, according to Qatari authorities. Officials said the blast occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility and was caused by a technical malfunction. Emergency crews responded to the scene and an investigation into the incident has been launched. The explosion happened as operations at parts of the gas complex were being resumed following disruptions linked to an Iranian attack in March. Authorities have not released details about the specific sec
ottawa-reverses-course-on-some-lost-canadian-citizenship-certificate-cancellations
CanadaJun 22, 2026

Ottawa reverses course on some 'lost Canadian' citizenship certificate cancellations

The federal government has reinstated the citizenship status of some "lost Canadians" just days after ordering them to surrender newly issued citizenship certificates and return their Canadian passports. According to letters shared with The Canadian Press, several individuals who had been told earlier this month that their proof of citizenship was under review received new correspondence over the weekend confirming their citizenship claims remain valid after what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada described as a "thorough review." The department previously said that "a few dozen" peo
b-c-records-more-than-300-wildfires-so-far-this-season-most-now-extinguished
BCJun 22, 2026

B.C. records more than 300 wildfires so far this season, most now extinguished

More than 300 wildfires have been recorded in British Columbia since April 1, with most of them now extinguished, according to the BC Wildfire Service and provincial officials. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said there are currently 20 active wildfires across the province. Five of those fires were reported within the past 24 hours. According to Parmar, 14 of the active fires were caused by human activity, while four were sparked by lightning. The causes of the remaining two fires are still under investigation. Data from the BC Wildfire Service shows that 333 wildfires have been recorded in Briti