BCNov 12, 2020
Interior Health alerts residents COVID surge 'becoming a concern'
 British Columbia's Interior Health authority has issued a COVID-19 alert to its residents as cases rise in the region. The authority says in a statement that it's concerned by the upward trend and frequency of new local clusters. The provincial health officer's order limiting social interactions don't apply to Interior Health, but it says in a statement that it needs the public's help to prevent further restrictions. It is asking people to avoid non-essential travel, including unnecessary visits to the Lower Mainland or other jurisdictions with surging COVID-19 cases. B.C.'s provincial court 
BCNov 11, 2020
525 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths reported in B.C.
 BC is reporting 525 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths. That brings the number of deaths linked to the pandemic to 284. The bulk of the new cases continue to be in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal heath regions. The province now has 5,133active cases of COVID-19, with 142 people in hospital, including 46 in intensive care. 
BCNov 11, 2020
Celebrate Diwali safely this year: Doug McCallum
On behalf of City Council, I want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Diwali this year. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a much-loved cultural tradition in Surrey that promotes the message of unity, warmth and joy. Like all big celebrations, Diwali is traditionally a time for family and friends to come together to enjoy food and each other’s company. This year, however, celebrations must be approached differently. With the recent sharp rise of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Vancouver a new Provincial Health Order was issued this past weekend and it is vital that Diwali celebra
BCNov 10, 2020
City of Prince George has become a victim of a significant $375,000 fraud
 RCMP say the City of Prince George has become the victim of a significant fraud. The city called police in September when staff sent two payments to a contractor for more than $700,000, but the cash was never received. Police say the money was fraudulently redirected. The Mounties say in a news release investigators worked with financial institutions to recover most of one payment, but $375,000 remains lost. They say officers are following several leads and working with international partners to identify those responsible for the sophisticated computer-based fraud. Cpl. Craig Douglass says th
BCNov 10, 2020
Vancouver biotech company getting worldwide attention for its role in helping develop a potential COVID-19 vaccine
 A Vancouver biotech company is getting worldwide attention for its role in helping develop a potential COVID-19 vaccine that pharmaceutical giant Pfizer says the vaccine could be up to 90 per cent effective. Vancouver's Acuitas Therapeutics developed lipid nanoparticles that act as the so-called delivery system for the vaccine, moving it through the body and into cells before the body breaks it down. Pfizer's ongoing study involves more than 43-thousand participants from six countries and the vaccine requires two doses taken three weeks apart. Canada has ordered 20 million doses and Ottawa is
BCNov 10, 2020
Two-thirds of Canadians would support a COVID-19 curfew if pandemic severe: Poll
More than two-thirds of Canadians say they would support a curfew if the COVID-19 pandemic became serious enough, according to a new poll.The survey by Léger and the Association for Canadian Studies found that 67 per cent of Canadians would back a temporary nighttime curfew,10 p.m. to 5 a.m., to curb viral spread in dire circumstances.However, respondents' enthusiasm varied by age, with young people less disposed to the notion.Fifty-five per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they would support a curfew, while three-quarters of those aged 55 and over endorsed it, including 80 per cent of 
BCNov 10, 2020
B.C. reports 998 new COVID-19 cases, 737 cases in Fraser Health region
 British Columbia's top doctor has clarified a public health order requiring people living in two health regions to cut back on their social interactions in order to slow the rising COVID-19 case count. The details of Dr. Bonnie Henry's latest directive on Saturday are now posted online and explain that people in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions may only socialize with those in their ``core bubble.'' The provincial webpage notes a person's core bubble consists of others who live in the same home and may also include a partner, co-parent, relative or friend who lives in a differe
BCNov 09, 2020
Rents won't climb in B.C. until at least July 2021 as province extends freeze
Effective immediately, the Province is extending the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021, under the powers of the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act. This is an interim measure to provide stability and advance notice for renters and landlords while a new cabinet is sworn in. Increases set to happen on Dec. 1, 2020, are cancelled, along with all pending increases through to July. "We know many renters are still facing income loss and even the slightest increase in rent could be extremely challenging. For that reason, we are extending the freeze on rent increases to
BCNov 09, 2020
NDP wins 57 seats in final vote count: Elections BC
 The NDP is set to lead British Columbia with a strong majority that was confirmed last night when election officials wrapped up the final mail-in vote tally. Elections BC says the NDP won 57 seats, the Liberals 28 and the Greens two at final count. One Liberal seat will undergo an automatic judicial recount because the margin was so tight. West Vancouver-Sea to Sky was projected to go Green until incumbent Liberal candidate Jordan Sturdy pulled ahead by 41 votes this weekend.