A lawyer who advised British Columbia's former Speaker about a retirement allowance that is the subject of a criminal charge says the name of then-clerk Craig James never came up in those conversations. Donald Farquhar told a B.C. Supreme Court trial for James that it was his legal opinion that all so-called table officers, who support the work of the clerk in the legislature, were eligible in 2011 for the retirement allowance, which has since been eliminated. He says he never advised then-Speaker Bill Barisoff specifically about James's eligibility. However, Farquhar says James had already a

BC's police watchdog and the Coroner's Service are investigating the death of a man following a traffic stop in Dawson Creek. The Independent Investigations Office says a member of the BC Highway Patrol arrested a driver without incident yesterday morning who was the subject of outstanding warrants. The agency says the man reportedly went into medical distress and was pronounced dead at the scene. It says it has begun investigating to determine what if any role police may have played in the death while the coroners service is working to determine the cause.

British Columbia's education minister says capacity at school-based events will be capped at 50 per cent for spectators to provide some physical distancing because proof of vaccination will not be required. Jennifer Whiteside says the measure is in contrast to the lifting of capacity limits starting at midnight for community-based gatherings, where COVID-19 vaccine passports must still be shown. Whiteside says the capacity cap applies to extracurricular events, whether they are on or off school property, and marks a return to the rules that were in effect last fall. Provincial health officer

Two-time Olympic Bronze medallist Meryeta O'Dine received a boisterous welcome as she returned to her hometown of Prince George for the first time in five months. Family members and supporters waving welcome home signs cheered yesterday as O'Dine walked through the arrivals gate at the Prince George airport. She called the greeting ``just amazing,'' saying she's looking forward to a few days of rest and maybe a trip to her favourite fast-food restaurant. The 24 year old, who finished third in the women's and mixed snowboard cross events in Beijing, is the first Olympic medallist from Prince G

On February 15th at approximately 11:00 am, New Westminster Police Department officers were called to Glenbrook Middle School for a report of indecent exposure.Staff at the school phoned the New Westminster Police Department to report that an unknown male exposed his genitals to a group of children on the school grounds. The suspect is described as a Caucasian man, between 40 to 50 years of age, standing 5’6" tall, with a medium build, balding dark hair, wearing a blue puffy jacket, dark blue jeans, and black shoes. The suspect fled across 8th Avenue and towards McBride Boulevard and the Roy

Police say a man has died after being stabbed in Abbotsford. They say an officer was flagged down Tuesday afternoon and found the 30 year old man injured. Abbotsford police say he later died in hospital and RCMP homicide investigators are taking over the case. They say a suspect had yet to be identified. Abbotsford police on Twitter: Abbotsford Police Investigating a Homicide on Simon Ave. Victim is a 30-year-old male. Investigators are in the early stages. No information to suggest the public is at risk. IHIT has been called to scene.

There has been a big development in Kiran Dhesi's murder case. Kiran's boyfriend, Harjot Singh Deo has pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter and indignity to human remains. Harjot appeared at Vancouver Supreme Court today for the hearing.Deo's lawyer stated that Deo was carrying a gun, which accidently fired. His lawyer added that thereafter Deo tried to take steps to try and hide her identity. Kiran Dhesi, a student of KPU was found dead in a burning car on August 2, 2017.The next hearing for this case is on Feburary 23rd.

British Columbia will drop capacity limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings including at sporting events, fitness centres, restaurants, bars and nightclubs starting tomorrow. People will be allowed to dance and mingle in public spaces starting at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday but masks and the COVID-19 vaccine card will still be required at organized gatherings like weddings and sports tournaments. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. isn't out of the pandemic and officials know the virus could mutate into new variants that may evade immunity that has built up. Mask requirements, t

BMO Financial Group has partnered with Surrey Hospitals Foundation with a gift of $250,000 to help further the professional development of pediatric nurses. This is the largest grant invested for pediatric nursing professional development in Fraser Health's history, and will benefit the health care of children in region. Surrey Memorial Hospital is the pediatric hub of BC as the largest provider of newborn and pediatric health care in the province, treating more than 50,000 babies and children annually. The Maternity Clinics at Jim Pattison Outpatient Care and Surgery Centre (JPOCSC) see over