BCJun 17, 2020
Many arrests as Vancouver police enforce injunction against homeless camp
Police have made dozens of arrests after they say 46 people refused to obey a court injunction and leave a tent encampment on Vancouver's waterfront.An email from police says the arrests happened late Tuesday afternoon as demonstrators sat on the ground and refused to leave the site near CRAB Park on federal land operated by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.Police say the 46 were taken into custody for civil contempt of court, and one person was arrested for mischief and released without charges earlier in the day.They were among more than 100 people who had been living at the site since la
BCJun 17, 2020
Vancouver police detonate device found in backpack while investigating break-in
Vancouver police detonate device found in backpack while investigating break-in Vancouver police say they safely detonated an improvised explosive device in the city's downtown. Police say officers responding to a 911 call of a crime in progress at about 9 a.m. Tuesday saw two men allegedly trying to break into a vehicle near Thurlow and Bute streets. Police say after arresting one of the men, they found what appeared to be an explosive device in his backpack. The area was blocked off and specialists from the police department's emergency response section safely detonated the device. Const. T
BCJun 17, 2020
B.C.'s health officer says COVID-19 hikes elsewhere serve as cautionary tales
British Columbia's health minister says the province is working to set up a lab in Vancouver to determine if respirators and other equipment meet safety standards. Adrian Dix says B.C. is also rebuilding its reserve of personal protective equipment to prepare for a potential second wave of COVID-19 as it explores the possibility of locally made products. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says an increase in cases in some parts of the world suggest local measures to prevent the spread of the illness should not be relaxed too quickly. Henry says Beijing and the United States serve as c
BCJun 16, 2020
Prince Rupert: CN Rail conductor killed in an accident while working
The Teamsters Union says a CN Rail conductor has been killed in an accident just outside a rail yard in Prince Rupert. The union representing rail employees in BC says the man in his 30s died on the job while performing a switching operation yesterday. It's the second time in two weeks that a CN Rail worker has died on the job in BC. 31 year old Jas Riar was also killed during a switching incident at a rail yard in Surrey on June 1st.
BCJun 16, 2020
B.C. to cut retail liquor mark-up to help hospitality sector's COVID-19 recovery
British Columbia is planning to expand measures to support restaurants, bars and tourism operations hard hit by COVID-19 restrictions. The Ministry of Attorney General says a temporary wholesale pricing program will mean liquor licence holders can purchase beer, wine and spirits at reduced cost. The program is set to begin at the end of next month and be in place until March 31, when it will be reviewed. Restaurants, bars and pubs currently pay for liquor purchases at full retail price, which is the wholesale price, plus a retail markup set by the ministry's liquor distribution branch. The ne
BCJun 16, 2020
Dr. Henry says 'maybe' less restrictions this week, reports 36 COVID-19 cases
British Columbia's top doctor says lifting more COVID-19 restrictions this week would not include allowing gathers beyond 50 people. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry was asked today about the possibility of restrictions being eased this week. Henry says any further openings would be on the lighter side of the scale, comparing it to adjusting a dimmer switch. But she said that would not involve increasing gatherings beyond 50 people. Restaurants, hair salons and personal services including dentist offices and physiotherapy clinics were permitted to reopen on May 19. Schools in B.C. h
BCJun 15, 2020
BC Ferries and TransLink want passengers to wear a non-medical grade mask while aboard
As BC slowly returns to a slightly more normal routine in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, many people are beginning to travel more and that has prompted a response from bus and ferry operators. BC Ferries and TransLink want passengers to wear a non-medical grade mask while aboard, and while TransLink is strongly suggesting masks should be worn, BC Ferries has made face coverings mandatory. Starting today and continuing indefinitely, ferry passengers over the age of two without a face covering will not be permitted to board a vessel that will be at sea longer than 30 minutes. TransLink's ap
BCJun 15, 2020
Judge concerned over time it's taking to hear Meng Wanzhou's extradition case
The BC Supreme Court judge in Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's extradition case says she's concerned by the length of the proceedings. During a case management conference today, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes said the proposed schedules from Crown prosecutors and Meng's counsel would see the case wrap up next spring. Holmes said the court could move faster. The United States is seeking to extradite Meng, Huawei's chief financial officer, on fraud charges based on allegations she violated US sanctions against Iran, which she and the company deny. Holmes ruled last month that Meng's alle
BCJun 15, 2020
Heavy rainfall in parts of British Columbia affects travel as roads closed
A number of roads in northern British Columbia have been closed after heavy rain caused washouts and localized flooding on Monday. Environment Canada said the ground in the area isn't able to absorb further rainfall because it was already near the saturation point. Communities in the north Peace had received between 30 and 80 millimetres of rainfall by Monday morning. Environment Canada said the highest amounts were observed near the Rockies over communities like Hudson Hope. A further 15 to 20 millimetres was forecast before the rain is expected to end. The River Forecast Centre issued a hig