22.24°C Vancouver

News

BCMar 11, 2021

Lack of seatbelt use blamed as a factor in coroner's report in death of two 18 year old University students

A coroner's report released yesterday says two 18 year old University of Victoria students on a first-year field trip to Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre in the fall of 2019 died of blunt force head trauma, caused in part by a lack of seatbelt use, when the bus they were on crashed. The bus was carrying 45 students and two teaching assistants to Bamfield, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, on a class trip on September 13th, 2019, when it crashed after steering to avoid an approaching vehicle. The report says the chartered coach bus had been fitted with seatbelts, but their use by students
death-of-a-woman-in-beacon-hill-park-is-now-confirmed-a-homicide-victoria-police
BCMar 11, 2021

Death of a woman in Beacon Hill Park is now confirmed a homicide: Victoria police

Victoria police say the death of a woman whose body was found in Beacon Hill Park last week is now confirmed a homicide. Police were called to park at 6 a-m last Wednesday for a report of an unresponsive woman. Officers are hoping to find witnesses or anyone with dash-cam footage from area between 11 pm on Tuesday to 5 am Wednesday. Police say this case isn't believe to be related to the fatal fire in the park the day after the woman's body was found. Victoria Police on Twitter: The death of a woman found in Beacon Hill Park last week has been confirmed to be a homicide. VIIMCU is continuing
531-new-covid-19-cases-including-51-cases-of-variants-of-concern-reported-in-b-c
BCMar 11, 2021

531 new COVID-19 cases including 51 cases of variants of concern reported in B.C.

BC is reporting 531 new cases of COVID-19 and one additional death. Health officials say there are 4,861active cases in the province. 244 people are hospitalized with COVID-19, including 66 in intensive care. There are 51 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants of concern, for a total of 627 cases. BC Health Minister Adrian Dix says vast improvements have been made in the province's vaccine roll out since a rough start on Monday, which means they can now accelerate the pace. Health authorities first started booking appointments for people 90 years and older as well as for Indigenous people
prince-george-councillors-surprised-with-118-000-bill-want-a-word-with-cn-rail
BCMar 11, 2021

Prince George councillors surprised with $118,000 bill, want a word with CN Rail

Prince George councillors want a word with CN Rail after it upgraded a rail crossing in the city and surprised council with a 118,000 dollar bill. Councillor Cori Ramsay says the need for flashing lights, bells, gates and other security devices at the crossing is not in dispute, but she says some notice from the railway giant about the incoming bill would have been nice. Ramsay says council spends hours trying to trim its budget, and faces a "huge hit" just three months into the year as it takes more than 100,000 dollars from its contingency fund. Council's intergovernmental relations committ
full-time-school-for-some-grades-larger-social-bubbles-as-yukon-to-ease-covid-rules
BCMar 10, 2021

Full-time school for some grades, larger social bubbles as Yukon to ease COVID rules

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver says, with no new cases of COVID-19 in his territory for another week, his government is ready to revise some of the restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. Speaking at a news conference this morning, Silver says full-time, in-class learning will begin next month for Grades 10 to 12, while universities are expected to return to face-to-face learning by September. Decisions about increasing the number of social contacts are also expected this spring or summer, although exact details will depend on immunization levels that health officials hope will soo
high-covid-19-count-prompts-citywide-covid-19-vaccinations-in-prince-rupert-b-c
BCMar 10, 2021

High COVID-19 count prompts citywide COVID-19 vaccinations in Prince Rupert, B.C.

Health officials say COVID-19 outbreaks remain stubbornly frequent in one northwestern British Columbia city and are prompting a new approach to vaccinations. Northern Health, the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer say the entire community of Prince Rupert and nearby Port Edward will be immunized over the next three weeks. The first clinics for roughly 12,000 Prince Rupert-area residents begin Monday and continue until April 1. Those eligible can dial a dedicated phone line and appointments will be assigned based on age, with vaccinations for the city's oldest residents star
one-year-since-the-first-person-died-as-a-result-of-covid-19-in-b-c-182-new-cases-linked-to-variants-of-concern-reported
BCMar 10, 2021

One year since the first person died as a result of COVID-19 in B.C., 182 new cases linked to variants of concern reported

BC health officials say it's been one year since the first person in the province has died as a result of COVID-19, and since then there's been almost 1,400 other deaths. A joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is reporting 550 new cases today and another two deaths. There are almost 5,000 active cases and of those, 249 people are in hospital, 68 of them in intensive care. There's been another 182 new cases linked to variants of concern for a total of 576 cases, many of them connected to the strain first found in the United Kingdom. Mor
BCMar 09, 2021

Former nanny handed an eight year prison term for abusing elementary schoolchildren

A 33 year old former nanny on Vancouver Island has been handed an eight year prison term. Nanny is going to serve this term for abusing elementary schoolchildren in his care. Jonathan Robichaud was sentenced yesterday in BC Supreme Court in Victoria after pleading guilty last year to several charges related to three children from two Central Saanich families. In addition to the prison term, Robichaud must register as a sexual offender and abide by numerous conditions for 25 years after release, including restrictions on internet use and to stay away from places where children gather. In passi
rain-on-the-windshield-may-have-played-a-part-in-a-fiery-helicopter-crash-tsb
BCMar 09, 2021

Rain on the windshield may have played a part in a fiery helicopter crash: TSB

The Transportation Safety Board says rain on the windshield may have played a part in a fiery helicopter crash in northwestern BC last August that killed the pilot. It happened August 17th near a worksite northwest of Stewart as heavy rain swept over the area where the Aberdeen Helicopters pilot was moving a dismantled drilling rig from one site to another. The TSB says as the rain arrived, the pilot flew out of the work area and tests indicate the helicopter had no mechanical issues and was under full power when GPS co-ordinates show it hit the upper edge of a nearby mountain seconds later a

Just In

lightning-sparks-surge-in-b-c-wildfires-as-more-than-100-fires-burn-across-province
BCJul 20, 2026

Lightning sparks surge in B.C. wildfires as more than 100 fires burn across province

British Columbia is experiencing a sharp increase in wildfire activity following widespread lightning strikes across the province. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the number of active wildfires climbed from about 20 on Wednesday morning to more than 100 by the weekend. As of Monday, 102 wildfires were burning across the province, including 12 that were discovered within the previous 24 hours. The agency said approximately 40 per cent of the active wildfires are classified as out of control. Most of the fires are located in B.C.'s Southern Interior region, where firefighting efforts con
AlbertaJul 20, 2026

More than 100 volunteers, Calgary police continue search for missing autistic 11-year-old boy

More than 100 trained volunteers joined Calgary police on Sunday as the search continued for Parker, an 11-year-old autistic boy who is non-verbal and has been missing since Thursday afternoon. According to the Calgary Police Service, approximately 120 trained volunteers are assisting officers, including police dog teams and bike patrols, in search efforts across areas connected to Parker's last known movements and reported sightings. Police are also playing his favourite Disney songs from patrol vehicles in the hope the familiar music may encourage him to respond. Parker was last seen Thursda
AlbertaJul 20, 2026

Clearwater County crews clean up after tornado damages homes and blocks roads

A tornado that touched down in central Alberta on Saturday damaged homes, knocked down trees and blocked roads in parts of Clearwater County, including the Town of Rocky Mountain House. No injuries have been reported. According to Clearwater County, the tornado touched down at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday and caused significant damage in several areas. County officials said cleanup crews are working to remove debris and reopen affected roads following the storm. Environment and Climate Change Canada has said Alberta's unusually wet and stormy summer has created favourable conditions for tornado de
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

A wildfire has destroyed much of the seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, marking the second First Nation community in Ontario to suffer significant wildfire damage in less than a week. According to Chief Pauline Drake, the fire destroyed multiple buildings, personal belongings and critical infrastructure at the site. Whitewater Lake First Nation is used primarily as a seasonal camp and has no permanent residents. The community is accessible only by floatplane for about six months of the year. The latest damage follows wildfire destr
canadas-annual-inflation-rate-eases-to-2-8-in-june-as-gasoline-prices-fall
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada’s annual inflation rate eases to 2.8% in June as gasoline prices fall

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.8 per cent in June, down from 3.2 per cent in May, largely because of lower gasoline prices, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency said a decline in fuel prices helped ease overall inflation pressures. Grocery prices also continued to rise, but at a slower pace, increasing 3.9 per cent year over year in June compared with 4.3 per cent in May. Despite the slowdown, grocery inflation remained above the overall inflation rate for a 17th consecutive month, highlighting the continued impact of higher food costs on Canadian households. The Ba