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lifelabs-workers-launch-phased-strike-across-bc
BCFeb 21, 2025

LifeLabs Workers Launch Phased Strike Across BC

LifeLabs workers have initiated a phased strike across British Columbia, with 18 LifeLabs centres closed on the first day of the strike, Thursday. Leaders of the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) have warned that protests may escalate if the issues of wages, benefits, and working conditions are not addressed through negotiations with the US-based company. Union president Paul Finch warned that workers are prepared to expand the strike to more than 100 centres. Speaking to supporters outside Vancouver’s Cityview LifeLabs, he stated that the fight would continue until their demands are met.
b-c-lifelabs-prepares-for-rotating-closures-after-notice-of-strike
BCFeb 18, 2025

B.C. LifeLabs prepares for rotating closures after notice of strike

LifeLabs in British Columbia says some of its more than 100 centres in the province will be subject to rotating temporary closures starting on Thursday as part of job action taken by the union. The B.C. General Employees' Union, which represents about 1,200 LifeLab workers, issued a strike notice on Sunday after what it said was months of negotiations and LifeLabs' refusal to bring wages and benefits in line with the cost of living. LifeLabs, a lab testing service provider, says in a statement that as a designated essential service, it will continue to operate and do everything in its control
b-c-minimum-wage-increases-by-45-cents-per-hour-starting-june-1
BCFeb 14, 2025

B.C. minimum wage increases by 45 cents per hour starting June 1

The British Columbia government says the province's lowest-paid workers are getting a wage boost to keep pace with inflation. The Ministry of Labour says the minimum wage will increase from $17.40 to $17.85 per hour starting in June. It says the 2.6 per cent increase follows changes made last spring to the Employment Standards Act, which mandated yearly wage rises. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside says those adjustments were made last year because minimum-wage workers are most vulnerable to jumps in prices for living expenses like groceries, rent and gas. The province says the changes align
b-c-snowpack-at-72-of-normal-as-of-feb-1-after-extremely-dry-january
BCFeb 12, 2025

B.C. snowpack at 72% of normal as of Feb. 1 after 'extremely dry' January

British Columbia's latest snow and water supply bulletin says it was "extremely dry" across much of the province last month, with average snowpack measuring 28 per cent below normal as of Feb. 1. The latest snow pack figures released Tuesday come after the province started the year with a snowpack at 13 per cent below normal. The bulletin, release by from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, says last month fell within the top 10 driest Januaries across much of the province, while Abbotsford, Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Cranbrook and Chetwynd were in the top five since record-
teens-body-recovered-after-fall-through-ice-on-b-c-s-shuswap-lake
BCFeb 11, 2025

Teens body recovered after fall through ice on B.C.'s Shuswap Lake

The body of an 18-year-old man has been recovered from Shuswap Lake in British Columbia's Interior after he fell through the ice over the weekend. Police say in a statement that the RCMP's underwater recover team found the teen's body on Monday. Salmon Arm Search and Rescue, the fire department and BC Emergency Health Services were called to the scene on Saturday to help search for the man. Staff Sgt. Simon Scott, the Salmon Arm RCMP detachment commander, says the death is a heartbreaking tragedy that has deeply affected the man's family, first responders and the community. Scott says changing
b-c-government-approves-controversial-supportive-housing-project-in-richmond
BCFeb 07, 2025

B.C. Government Approves Controversial Supportive Housing Project in Richmond

The B.C. government has approved a six-storey, 90-unit supportive housing project in Richmond, sparking backlash from locals. The project, initially paused in August ahead of the October provincial election, was greenlit Thursday evening. Three Conservative MLAs from Richmond oppose the project, citing a lack of consultation with residents and issues arising from the city’s temporary modular housing sites. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon clarified that the new permanent building will be separate from the temporary housing initiative, aiming to address community concerns.
abbotsford-b-c-daycare-owner-charged-with-six-counts-of-assaulting-children
BCFeb 06, 2025

Abbotsford, B.C., daycare owner charged with six counts of assaulting children

Police say an East Abbotsford daycare owner has been charged with allegedly assaulting children in her care. Abbotsford Police say officers launched an investigation into reports that the 60-year-old had assaulted children in October. They say the alleged incidents date back to 2022 and involved children between the ages of two and six years old. They say woman was arrested on Tuesday. Police say she has since been charged with six counts of assault and has been released under court-ordered conditions including that she have no contact with any person under the age of 16. Detectives with the d
two-arrested-including-a-surrey-woman-in-catalytic-converter-theft-in-burnaby
BCFeb 05, 2025

Two arrested, including a Surrey woman, in catalytic converter theft in Burnaby

Mounties in Burnaby say two women have been arrested after stealing a catalytic converter from a van in a parking lot in the area of Brighton Avenue and Lougheed Highway. They say that on January 22nd, officers responded to reports of the women underneath the vehicle, but the pair left the scene before they arrived. The R-C-M-P say the 9-1-1 caller was able to describe their car and the women were arrested a short time later with several catalytic converters in their possession. Police say the 38-year-old from Surrey and 39-year-old from Abbotsford are expected to face numerous charges,
b-c-wildfire-crews-return-from-california-deployment-to-combat-l-a-fires
BCFeb 04, 2025

B.C. wildfire crews return from California deployment to combat L.A. fires

More than 30 firefighters from British Columbia's Wildfire Service have returned home from a deployment fighting large fires that destroyed thousands of homes around Southern California. The Ministry of Forests say the crews are part of two separate groups, the first consisting of 13 technical specialists who were deployed on Jan. 11 to support the effort to combat the Palisades wildfire in L.A. Then, on Jan. 16, the BC Wildfire Service sent another 22 front-line firefighters along with an agency representative to California. The second crew worked on front-line fire suppression and other acti
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alberta-cabinet-minister-ric-mciver-resigns-post-as-speaker-vote-looms
AlbertaMay 13, 2025

Alberta cabinet minister Ric McIver resigns post as Speaker vote looms

Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has resigned from cabinet amid speculation he will run for the vacant position of Speaker of the house. Premier Danielle Smith says she's grateful for McIver's commitment and hard work in serving Albertans. She says Tourism Minister Joseph Schow will take on McIver's portfolio on an interim basis. McIver served as municipal affairs minister under two premiers and had previous experience as transportation minister, infrastructure minister and jobs minister. He was first elected to the legislative assembly in 2012 after more than a de
carney-announces-plan-to-crack-down-on-crime
CanadaMay 13, 2025

Carney announces plan to crack down on crime

It will soon be difficult for defendants charged with car theft and human trafficking to get bail in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced today that his government is going to tighten the Criminal Code to make it difficult for defendants charged with car theft and human trafficking to get bail. Along with this, PM Carney also said that the first meeting of his cabinet will be held tomorrow. He also reiterated that income tax cuts for the middle class will be implemented from Canada Day.
open-fire-ban-in-bc-to-take-effect-may-16
BCMay 13, 2025

Open fire ban in BC to take effect May 16

A ban on open fires will take effect in BC’s Kamloops Fire Centre area starting May 16. This means that trash piles, grass or other similar materials cannot be burned in the open. Municipalities follow the BC Wildfire Service’s restrictions but can impose different restrictions based on local conditions. Anyone found violating the open fire ban can be fined $1,150, up to $10,000 depending on the offence. If convicted in court, the fine can be up to $100,000 and a year in prison. If an open fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible can be ordered to extinguish the
burnaby-hospital-calls-for-more-security-guards-after-gun-threat
BCMay 13, 2025

Burnaby Hospital calls for more security guards after gun threat

A patient threatened staff members with a gun at Burnaby Hospital on Friday night, prompting the BC Hospital Employees Union to issue a warning. According to the union, the incident occurred due to a lack of security guards. Although no one was injured during the incident, the safety of the staff has become a matter of concern. The union says that along with the recruitment of doctors and nurses in the province, it is also necessary to recruit security guards. They said that such incidents have occurred in many hospitals in this area, due to which the staff is worried about their safety.
sukhbir-badal-praises-pm-modi-for-taking-steps-against-terrorism-in-pakistan
IndiaMay 13, 2025

Sukhbir Badal praises PM Modi for taking steps against terrorism in Pakistan

Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking steps against terrorism in Pakistan. He said in a social media post that while I congratulate the countrymen, especially our armed forces, for giving a crushing defeat to the insurgents and their supporters in Pakistan. At the same time, I praise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for handling the entire situation diplomatically like a state leader. Along with this, Sukhbir Singh Badal said that I condemn some opportunistic political opponents who have never suffered the pain of war them