BCNov 18, 2024
Avian flu detected in additional Abbotsford and Chilliwack flocks: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry at additional locations in two British Columbia cities.
The agency says the flu has been detected at two more premises in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, both of which have seen multiple cases since October.
The CFIA says avian influenza is not a food safety concern, and there is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit it to humans.
It says additional primary control zones, which seek to prevent the flu’s spread, will be created as requi
BCNov 12, 2024
Former B.C. premier John Horgan dies aged 65
Ambassador to Germany and former British Columbia premier John Horgan has died at the age of 65, after his third bout with cancer.
Horgan served as B.C.'s New Democrat premier for five years before stepping down in 2022, then was appointed ambassador last year.
But in June, Horgan announced he was on leave after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
BCNov 12, 2024
Rain, wind warnings issued along B.C. south coast
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning along northern sections of east Vancouver Island, with downpours expected to begin this evening as a "vigorous Pacific frontal system" moves over the coast.
It says steady rain will begin in the afternoon, intensifying in the evening and is expected to continue into Wednesday.
Total rainfall near 50 millimetres are expected in that region, and the weather office is cautioning drivers about potential washouts, flash floods and water pooling on roads.
Rainfall warnings also cover the northern sections of Metro Vancouver as well as Howe Sound, wher
BCNov 12, 2024
Highway 1 in Burnaby closed after early morning crash sends five to hospital
Mounties in Burnaby say westbound lanes of Highway 1 near the city have been shut after a multi-vehicle crash.
They say just before 3 a.m., officers responded to reports of a five-car collision on the highway, just east of the Kensington Avenue off-ramp.
Police say five people were transported to hospital, three with minor injuries and two in serious condition, and the road was immediately closed.
They say it is expected to be shut down for the rest of the morning and potentially into the afternoon.
RCMP are advising commuters to take an alternate route and are asking people to work from home
BCNov 08, 2024
Sides in B.C. port dispute to meet in bid to end lockout after talk with minister
Employers and the union representing supervisors embroiled in a labour dispute that triggered a lockout at British Columbia's ports will attempt to reach a deal when talks restart this weekend.
A spokesman from the office of federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has confirmed the minister spoke with leaders at both the BC Maritime Employers Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514, but did not invoke any section of the Canadian Labour Code that would force them back to talks.
A statement from the ministry says MacKinnon instead "asked them to return to the negot
BCNov 08, 2024
BC Restaurants Warn of Higher Food Prices Due to FWP Changes
British Columbia's restaurant industry has expressed concern over the Trudeau government's tightening of the temporary foreign worker program, saying the move will increase food prices at restaurants.
The government has banned low-wage temporary foreign workers in areas with an unemployment rate above 6 percent and raised the minimum hourly wage in BC to $34.62 for temporary workers hired under the high-wage stream. The intention is to ensure Canadian workers can find employment. However, the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association argues that restaurant sector wages cannot absorb these ch
BCNov 06, 2024
B.C.'s new cabinet to be sworn in Nov. 18 after this week's judicial recounts
British Columbia's new cabinet is set to be sworn in on Nov. 18, one month after the provincial election that gave Premier David Eby's NDP the slimmest of majorities, pending recounts.
A statement from Eby's office says the swearing-in dates of cabinet and members of the legislature have been set based on the judicial recounts in three ridings and reporting information from Elections BC.
Eby says the judicial recounts taking place Thursday and Friday will ensure every vote is counted.
After those recounts, he says B.C. residents want to see "urgent action" on priorities including affordability
BCNov 05, 2024
Walking pneumonia on the rise in parts of Canada, doctors say
Doctors say they are seeing a spike in walking pneumonia cases in parts of Canada, particularly in kids, at a time when respiratory viruses typically circulate.
Walking pneumonia is a mild form of pneumonia that often presents as a fever, cough or fatigue, but a small subset of severe cases can leave patients short of breath or with high fevers.
Dr. Earl Rubin, director of the Infectious Disease Division at Montreal Children's Hospital, says he’s noticed more cases in toddlers, which is younger than the typical school-age and young adult demographic the bacterial infection usually impacts.
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BCNov 05, 2024
Lights back on for almost all BC Hydro customers who lost power in strong winds
British Columbia's Crown utility says crews have restored power to 95 per cent of some 290,000 businesses and homes that were in the dark at some point Monday as strong winds battered coastal areas and parts of the central Interior.
BC Hydro says crews have been working around the clock to replace dozens of spans of power lines as well as power poles knocked down by toppled trees.
Environment Canada had issued now-lifted wind warnings for most of the south and central coast, including Metro Vancouver, where the weather office said gusts of wind were expected to reach speeds of up to 100 kilome