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british-columbia-employment-minister-defends-job-growth-amid-national-decline
BCApr 04, 2025

British Columbia Employment Minister Defends Job Growth Amid National Decline

British Columbia Employment Minister Diana Gibson has defended her government's stance on the employment figures released by Statistics Canada. While acknowledging that the national job trend declined in March, she pointed out that B.C. added 5,700 jobs during the same period. Gibson highlighted that B.C. has seen an increase of 35,400 full-time jobs so far this year, the highest among all provinces. However, she stressed the importance of continuing to support the private sector, which is facing challenges due to the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Gibson also noted that B.C
premier-david-eby-meets-forestry-leaders-to-address-potential-u-s-tariffs-on-b-c-lumber
BCApr 04, 2025

Premier David Eby Meets Forestry Leaders to Address Potential U.S. Tariffs on B.C. Lumber

Premier David Eby is meeting with forestry leaders in Prince George today to discuss strategies to protect British Columbia's largest export industry from potential tariffs. Eby has raised concerns that President Donald Trump may impose additional tariffs on top of the existing 14.5 percent duty on B.C. softwood lumber. B.C.'s forestry sector is a critical component of the province's economy, contributing $17.4 billion to the GDP and providing thousands of jobs. The U.S. has long accused B.C. of subsidizing its lumber industry. According to the Business Council of B.C., if Trump imposes an ad
bc-premier-david-eby-to-meet-prime-minister-mark-carney-over-trumps-tariff-threats
BCApr 03, 2025

BC Premier David Eby to Meet Prime Minister Mark Carney Over Trump’s Tariff Threats

BC Premier David Eby announced today at a news conference in Victoria that he will meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss President Donald Trump's tariff threats against the province's softwood sector. Eby revealed that he will also meet with forest industry leaders in Prince George tomorrow. His primary concern is that Trump's rhetoric about targeting BC's softwood industry could result in job losses on both sides of the border. Notably, Eby made strong remarks about Trump, emphasizing that the longstanding relationship between the US and Canada would not be undermined by the wrong
b-c-government-faces-major-setback-as-credit-ratings-downgraded
BCApr 03, 2025

B.C. Government Faces Major Setback as Credit Ratings Downgraded

B.C.'s David Eby government is facing a significant setback. Global credit rating agencies S&P and Moody’s both downgraded British Columbia's credit rating on the same day. The agencies cited the province's growing deficit and lack of a clear plan to exit its fiscal crisis. Moody’s projected that British Columbia's deficit will widen to $14.3 billion this year, which is 31 percent higher than the estimate made by Finance Minister Brenda Bailey in last month's budget and 57 percent higher than the most recent estimate of last year's deficit. Moody’s stated that B.C.'s credit outlook
bc-government-considers-ending-ev-rebate-program-amid-budget-shortfall
BCApr 02, 2025

BC Government Considers Ending EV Rebate Program Amid Budget Shortfall

The British Columbia government may soon end its electric vehicle (EV) rebate program as part of an effort to address the budget shortfall caused by the elimination of the consumer carbon tax. Energy Minister Adrian Dix has suggested that the province is reviewing various climate programs, including the EV rebate, in response to the $1.8 billion revenue loss from the tax removal. The elimination of the carbon tax was intended to reduce the financial burden on consumers, but it has left a significant gap in government revenue, which had previously funded key climate policies under the Clean BC
b-c-residents-can-now-pay-flat-rate-for-electric-heating-and-ev-charging-at-home
BCApr 01, 2025

B.C. Residents Can Now Pay Flat Rate for Electric Heating and EV Charging at Home

B.C. residents can now opt for a flat rate for electric heating and electric vehicle charging at home, replacing the current system where rates vary depending on usage. Under the new plan, customers will no longer be charged more for using additional electricity or less for using less. BC Hydro announced that residents can apply for this fixed rate to potentially save on their monthly bills. The new system is particularly aimed at households with multiple members, where electricity costs can increase due to baseboard heating, heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging. The department stated th
b-c-government-approves-bill-to-end-its-carbon-tax-on-consumers
BCApr 01, 2025

B.C. government approves bill to end its carbon tax on consumers

British Columbians are waking to a future without a consumer carbon tax for the first time in 17 years, after the late-night approval of a bill to end the long-standing policy. The NDP government fast-tracked legislation to kill off the tax on Monday, in time to coincide with today's demise of the federal version of the tax. B.C. became the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a broad-based carbon tax in 2008. Premier David Eby says it played an important role for many years, but it became a "toxic" issue as a result of campaigns by the B.C. and federal Conservative parties. Eby sa
150kg-meth-seizures-at-vancouver-airport-bound-for-hong-kong-australia-new-zealand
BCApr 01, 2025

150kg meth seizures at Vancouver airport, bound for Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand

Border officers have announced the seizure of almost 150 kilograms of methamphetamine bound for export at Vancouver International Airport, with some of the drugs disguised as gifts or masked with vinegar and pepper to hide their smell. The Canada Border Services Agency says in a news release that six separate seizures were made between Jan. 18 and Feb. 19, with the drugs all hidden in passengers' suitcases. It says destinations were Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, with the biggest single haul of 35.7 kilograms wrapped in gift paper and hidden in two suitcases bound for Hong Kong. The age
british-columbia-to-eliminate-consumer-carbon-tax
BCMar 31, 2025

British Columbia to Eliminate Consumer Carbon Tax

The British Columbia government is moving forward with the elimination of the consumer carbon tax. The province's Finance Minister, Brenda Bailey, has introduced a bill in the legislature to remove the 17-year-old tax for the public. Additionally, the payment related to the carbon tax that people will receive in April will be the final one. It is important to note that the consumer carbon tax has been in effect in BC since 2008. Its removal will result in a loss of approximately $1.5 billion to the provincial budget.

Just In

pm-carney-defends-decision-to-invite-pm-modi-to-g7-summit
CanadaJun 06, 2025

PM Carney defends decision to invite PM Modi to G7 summit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is defending his decision to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit in Alberta later this month, as security officials investigate links between the Indian government and murder of a Canadian two years ago. Carney says that it makes sense to have India at the G7 table as one of the world's largest economies. The prime minister says the invitation was extended with a commitment to continued law enforcement discussions. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau said in 2023 that agents of the Indian government were linked to the murder of Sikh separatis
ndp-joins-sikh-community-in-condemning-modis-g7-invitation
CanadaJun 06, 2025

After WSO, NDP too condemn PM Modi's G7 invitation

On Friday, NDP critic for Public Safety and National Security Jenny Kwan and NDP critic for Foreign Affairs Heather McPherson expressed deep concern and solidarity with the Sikh community following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inappropriate invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.“This decision is profoundly troubling and deeply hurtful to the Sikh community in Canada,” said Kwan. “It is unconscionable that the government would roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Modi, whose regime has been directly implicated in
bengaluru-stampede-case-complaint-filed-against-virat-kohli
IndiaJun 06, 2025

Bengaluru stampede case: Complaint filed against Virat Kohli

A complaint has been filed against cricketer Virat Kohli at the police station in India in connection with the stampede that took place outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4. Social activist HM Venkatesh has held Kohli responsible for the accident in his complaint. 11 people died in this stampede. According to reports, no FIR has been registered against Kohli yet. So far, a case has been registered against Royal Challengers Bangalore, an event management company and the Karnataka State Cricket Association in this case and 8 officers including the Police Commissioner have be
wso-condemns-carneys-invitation-to-modi
CanadaJun 06, 2025

World Sikh Organization of Canada Condemns Carney’s Invitation to Modi

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) condemns Prime Minister Mark Carney's invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. The timing and nature of this announcement have caused outrage and pain within the Sikh community across Canada. On May 21, the WSO sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Carney urging him not to invite Prime Minister Modi (original letter follows below). WSO says, the letter detailed India’s well-documented campaign of transnational repression targeting Sikhs in Canada, including the 2023 assassination
b-c-gained-13-000-jobs-in-may
BCJun 06, 2025

B.C. gained 13,000 jobs in May

Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued a statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for May 2025. Minister's statement “Now, more than ever, it’s critical for B.C. to focus on diversifying our economy and protecting jobs for British Columbians, and we are doing that work. “This week, we announced the launch of our ease-of-doing-business review, to continue the work to cut red tape, modernize our regulatory and permitting systems, and foster innovation, as we secure B.C.’s position as the engine of Canada’s new eco