21.21°C Vancouver

News

BCAug 16, 2021

268 wildfires burning in B.C.

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021.Fires:Since April 1, 2021:1,511 wildfires766,709 hectaresCurrently burning: 268Active fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 32Coastal: 21Kamloops: 86Northwest: 5Prince George: 60Southeast: 64Resources:Total personnel: 3,701Contract firefighters: 1,236Out-of-province personnel: 480Aircraft (rotary and fixed-wing): 213Evacuations:Evacuation orders: 74 (+13)Evacuation alerts: 119 (-1)Properties:Number of properties on order: 6,607 (+717)Number of properties on alert: 1
b-c-reports-717-new-covid-19-cases
BCAug 13, 2021

B.C. reports 717 new COVID-19 cases

B.C. is reporting 717 new cases of COVID-19, including 11 epi-linked cases, for a total of 155,079 cases in the province.There are 4,277 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 148,964 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 82 individuals are in hospital and 39 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.The new/active cases include:140 new cases in Fraser HealthTotal active cases: 821101 new cases in Vancouver Coastal HealthTotal active cases: 593376 new cases in Interior HealthTotal active cases: 2,44660 new cases in Nort
police-remind-public-open-alcohol-not-permitted
BCAug 13, 2021

Police remind public open alcohol not permitted

As we head into a warm and sunny weekend, Vancouver Police are reminding everyone that open alcohol in public places is prohibited."Generally speaking, we have seen a substantial increase in open consumption of alcohol in the downtown core, despite there being designated spaces set out by the City of Vancouver," says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD.Along the Granville Entertainment District, officers report a 607 per cent increase in liquor pour outs since June 1, compared to the same period last year, and an 84 per cent increase since 2019."The Granville Mall is a place people are congregating
6-237-properties-on-evacuation-orders-amid-268-wildfires-in-b-c
BCAug 13, 2021

6,237 properties on evacuation orders amid 268 wildfires in B.C.

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.Fires:Since April 1, 2021:1,486 wildfires660,071 hectares of area burnedWildfires burning in B.C.: 268Active fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 33Coastal: 23Kamloops: 87Northwest: 5Prince George: 60Southeast: 60Resources:Total personnel: 3,793Contract firefighters: 1,214Out-of-province personnel: 411Aircraft (rotary and fixed-wing): 205Evacuations:Evacuation orders: 56 (+1)Evacuation alerts: 108 (+3)Properties:Number of properties on order: 6,237 (+1,645)Number
BCAug 13, 2021

Heat, low humidity and wind gusts hobbling firefighting efforts in the province

BC's deputy forests minister says heat, low humidity and wind gusts are hobbling firefighting efforts in the province.Rick Manwaring says there's no rain in sight, temperatures are rising and gusty winds are expected across several parts of southern B-C.He says fire personnel usually take advantage of cooler temperatures at night to put in fire guards and take advantage of the decreased blaze behaviour.But this year, he says they haven't had much of a dip in temperatures or an increase in humidity to help them, especially in the south-central part of the province.
b-c-reports-513-new-covid-19-cases-as-active-cases-climb-to-3-834
BCAug 12, 2021

B.C. reports 513 new COVID-19 cases as active cases climb to 3,834

B.C. is reporting 513 new cases of COVID-19, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 154,362 cases in the province.There are 3,834 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 148,702 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 81 individuals are in hospital and 33 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 24 hours, one new death (Interior Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 1,779.There are eight active outbreaks in:long-term care: Holyrood Manor, Kin Village West Court, Evergreen Baptist Care Soc
three-temperature-records-set-in-b-c-in-advance-of-todays-arrival-of-scorching-conditions-forecast-for-the-region-environment-canada
BCAug 12, 2021

Three temperature records set in B.C. in advance of today's arrival of scorching conditions forecast for the region: Environment Canada

Environment Canada says three temperature records were set in the southern Interior yesterday in advance of today's arrival of scorching conditions forecast for the region. Penticton's temperature of 36.7 easily broke a record for the day set in that city 54 years ago, while a setting of 37.5 broke a 40-year-old record in Princeton and fire-ravaged Lytton was again the hot spot at 40.3 degrees edging a record set seven years ago. The weather office warns heat, coupled with humidity could make conditions from Vancouver Island to the southern and central Interior feel like the mid to high-30s o
b-c-seniors-care-staff-must-be-vaccinated-dr-bonnie-henry
BCAug 12, 2021

B.C. seniors' care staff must be vaccinated: Dr. Bonnie Henry

British Columbia will now require all people working in long-term care and assisted living facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says people living in such settings are at particular risk to COVID-19 and transmission from unvaccinated people has led to outbreaks. Dr. Henry says the deadline for workers to get vaccinated is October 12.
264-wildfires-burning-in-b-c-4-592-properties-on-evacuation-order
BCAug 12, 2021

264 wildfires burning in B.C.; 4,592 properties on evacuation order

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021.FiresWildfires currently burning in B.C.: 264Since April 1, 2021:1,472 wildfires656,445 hectares of area burnedActive fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 33Coastal: 21Kamloops: 84Northwest: 5Prince George: 58Southeast: 63ResourcesFirefighters and other personnel currently fighting the fires: 3,725Out-of-province firefighters: 439Helicopters and planes supporting ground crews: 207EvacuationsEvacuation orders: 55 (-5)Evacuation alerts: 105Properties:Number of pro

Just In

poilievre-says-conservatives-would-campaign-against-alberta-separation-referendum
CanadaMay 21, 2026

Poilievre says Conservatives would campaign against Alberta separation referendum

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he and all Conservative MPs would campaign to keep Alberta in Canada if a referendum on separation is held in the province. Poilievre said the party would take the same position in Quebec if a Parti Québécois government were elected and moved ahead with a sovereignty referendum there. The comments come as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is expected to deliver a televised address later today. Her United Conservative government is considering whether to include a question related to Alberta’s future within Canada in a series of referendums planned for
alberta-premier-to-deliver-televised-address-amid-renewed-separation-referendum-debate
AlbertaMay 21, 2026

Alberta premier to deliver televised address amid renewed separation referendum debate

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to deliver a televised address Thursday evening amid renewed political debate over a possible referendum on Alberta’s future within Confederation. The address is set to air at 6:45 p.m. on CTV, Global and Rogers television networks and will also be livestreamed on the premier’s social media channels. The appearance follows controversy at a United Conservative Party caucus committee meeting Wednesday, where members debated a motion urging Smith to call an Oct. 19 referendum on Alberta’s place in Canada. The motion, introduced by UCP member Nate
alberta-premier-danielle-smith-announces-cabinet-shuffle-amid-referendum-process
AlbertaMay 21, 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announces cabinet shuffle amid referendum process

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a cabinet shuffle Thursday, with several senior ministers receiving new portfolios as the provincial government continues work related to a proposed referendum process in the province. Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani administered the oath of office to the newly appointed ministers during a ceremony in Edmonton. Jason Nixon was appointed Alberta’s new finance minister, while Adriana LaGrange returned to the hospitals and surgical health services portfolio. Tara Sawyer was named minister of agriculture and irrigation. Nathan Neudorf was appointed mini
carney-eby-discuss-fast-tracking-major-projects-during-vancouver-meeting
CanadaMay 21, 2026

Carney, Eby discuss fast-tracking major projects during Vancouver meeting

Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia Premier David Eby held a closed-door meeting in Vancouver on Wednesday, where both leaders discussed a new co-operation agreement aimed at accelerating development projects across the province. Following the meeting, Carney said closer collaboration between federal and provincial governments would help strengthen Canada’s economy and move major projects forward more quickly. He said governments can achieve more when they work together and added that economic growth remains a priority. Earlier in the day, the prime minister addressed a business
unions-raise-concerns-over-possible-changes-to-federal-labour-laws-in-canada
CanadaMay 21, 2026

Unions raise concerns over possible changes to federal labour laws in Canada

Several Canadian unions are raising concerns over potential changes to federal labour laws being considered by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government, warning the move could limit workers’ right to strike. According to reports, the federal government circulated a discussion paper on April 17 seeking feedback from selected stakeholders, including representatives from the airline, port, railway, telecommunications and banking sectors. Union groups say they are concerned the government could expand the number of workplaces classified as “essential services,” a designation that can restri