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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

BCSep 02, 2025

Provincial Forest Advisory Council launches website, engagement process

The Provincial Forest Advisory Council (PFAC or the council) has launched a new website where people in British Columbia can learn about the council's work and share their input about the future of forestry in B.C. Announced in May 2025 by the Ministry of Forests, the council is an independent group of forestry experts tasked with developing recommendations for how to build a stronger, more stable forestry system that works for communities, the economy and the environment. The council's work will focus on understanding and articulating the underlying issues facing the forestry sector and the
alberta-government-pauses-ban-on-school-library-books-with-sex-content
AlbertaSep 02, 2025

Alberta government pauses ban on school library books with sex content

Alberta's education minister is directing school boards to pause a government order to remove books with explicit sexual content from libraries. Demetrios Nicolaides says in an email to school divisions and officials that they should pause any development or distribution of lists of books that are to be removed. He says the pause is in effect until further notice. A draft list from Edmonton Public Schools of books to be removed from libraries was leaked online last week. It contains more than 200 titles, including Margaret Atwood's ``The Handmaid's Tale,'' which prompted the au
female-arrested-after-stabbing-in-fort-st-john
BCSep 02, 2025

Female arrested after stabbing in Fort St John

28-year-old Kayla Breeze Trudeau has been taken into custody after a male was stabbed in a parking lot in Fort St John. On August 28, 2025, at approximately 1:46 p.m. Fort St John RCMP members responded to a report that a male had been stabbed in the chest in a parking lot near 99 Avenue and 100 Street in Fort St John, BC. Responding officers blocked 99 Avenue, investigated, and identified the female suspect who was arrested within 10 minutes of the initial call to the RCMP. The male victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Kayla Breeze Trudeau, who is known t
bc-rcmp-notifies-iio-of-incident-in-burnaby
BCSep 02, 2025

BC RCMP notifies IIO of incident in Burnaby

The BC RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident in Burnaby which has resulted in one person being taken to hospital after an officer involved shooting. On Monday, September 1, 2025, at approximately 2:51 p.m. Burnaby RCMP received a call regarding a domestic dispute at a residence in the 4300 block of Dundas Street. When the responding officer arrived, they located a suspect with an edged weapon. An interaction occurred and shots were fired by police. The victim was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. They are in serious condition.
BCSep 02, 2025

One person arrested after assault in Cranberry area

In the early morning of September 2, 2025, Powell River RCMP responded to an assault in progress on Irvine St. The male suspect fled on foot and a search involving Powell River RCMP, the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services and Air Services was initiated. Mowat Bay access was temporarily restricted to the public and the area was contained. The suspect was located in the area and he was arrested and taken into custody and will be held to appear in front of a Judge. There is no risk to public safety. All public areas in Cranberry are now open.