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covid-19-booking-system-picks-up-pace-in-b-c-as-those-aged-80-84-eligible-this-week
BCMar 15, 2021

COVID-19 booking system picks up pace in B.C. as those aged 80-84 eligible this week

The British Columbia government says age-based bookings for COVID-19 vaccinations are one week ahead of schedule and seniors aged 84 and older, plus Indigenous elders 65 and up, can make an appointment for a shot.The Health Ministry says those 83 and older can make an appointment Tuesday and the age eligibility drops daily until anyone 80 and older can make arrangements for a COVID-19 jab by the end of the week.Added staff at call centres across B.C. have helped speed up the process and the province says the centres are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.An estimated 100,000 people are included
b-c-has-no-deaths-in-latest-tally-but-648-new-cases-of-covid-19
BCMar 13, 2021

B.C. has no deaths in latest tally, but 648 new cases of COVID-19

Health officials are calling on British Columbians to balance the easing of some outdoor restrictions by keeping up safety measures when indoors. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say an amended order allowing 10 people who know each other to gather outside does not apply to indoor locations. They say in a release that all safety plans should continue being followed in workplaces, schools and grocery stores, for example. B.C. has recorded 648 new cases of COVID-19, including 79 that are variants of concern, the vast majority involving the one first iden
two-rcmp-officers-in-metro-vancouver-face-charges-of-assault
BCMar 13, 2021

Two RCMP officers in Metro Vancouver face charges of assault

Mounties in British Columbia say the provincial prosecution service has approved charges of assault against two Metro Vancouver officers. The allegations stem from a stolen vehicle investigation in October 2019. Police say in a news release that officers from the Surrey RCMP Auto Crime Target Team located a man allegedly driving a stolen vehicle. The release says the vehicle was stopped and the driver arrested in Richmond with the help of another RCMP officer, but the man was allegedly assaulted during the arrest. Const. John Tsonos of the Surrey detachment and Const. Mathew McGuire of Richmo
BCMar 13, 2021

Horgan supports vaccine passports for international travel but lukewarm for B.C.

Premier John Horgan says he will support requirements that ensure international travellers produce a type of COVID-19 vaccine passport, but he's not convinced people in British Columbia should provide the same evidence to attend local events. Horgan says there is an absolute need for international travellers to provide proof that they received a COVID-19 vaccine. However, he says he's unsure if the same policy should be implemented locally, for things like sports or entertainment events when they resume. The premier says the issue of vaccine certificates was a topic of discussion between Prim
unemployment-data-shows-strong-recovery-says-b-c-ndp
BCMar 12, 2021

Unemployment data shows strong recovery, says B.C. NDP

BC Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon says the latest Statistics Canada employment data shows BC has one of the strongest economies in Canada and is rebuilding after the pandemic, but the Opposition Liberals say New Democrats are "bumbling" without a plan. A statement released by Kahlon's ministry says BC created nearly 27,000 jobs last month, unemployment fell to 6.9 per cent from eight per cent in January and is now at 99.4 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. But a statement from the Liberal caucus says the only way to build well-paying post-pandemic jobs is with a sector-by-sector recovery plan that b
passenger-taken-to-hospital-via-air-ambulance-after-collision-in-abbotsford
BCMar 12, 2021

Passenger taken to hospital via air ambulance after collision in Abbotsford

Abbotsford police are investigating a serious crash that involved one vehicle leaving the roadway and entering a deep ditch. Police say emergency services responded around 2:45 pm yesterday to the collision between an SUV and a sedan-type vehicle. The passenger of the jeep was taken to hospital via air ambulance for treatment of serious injuries, while the driver of the sedan was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Abbotsford police are continuing to investigate and ask anyone who was in the area and witnessed the crash or has dash cam footage to get in touch. Abbotsford Pol
dr-bonnie-henry-is-easing-restrictions-on-outdoor-gatherings-in-b-c
BCMar 12, 2021

Dr. Bonnie Henry is easing restrictions on outdoor gatherings in B.C.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is easing restrictions on outdoor gatherings but keeping them in place for those indoors. Dr. Henry says up to 10 people will now be allowed to gather outdoors but people should stick to the same group and continue to follow public safety measures such as social distancing. She says other restrictions need to remain in place because COVID-19 is still circulating in communities, particularly in the Lower Mainland. Dr. Henry also announced bars and restaurants must stop selling liquor at 8 pm on St. Patrick's Day. B.C. reports 569 new cases of COVID-19
prices-sales-up-in-b-c-real-estate-while-inventory-down-real-estate-association
BCMar 12, 2021

Prices, sales up in B.C. real estate, while inventory down: real estate association

The British Columbia Real Estate Association says the term "blistering" describes the unprecedented number of home sales completed across the province last month. The Association says nearly 11-thousand homes changed hands in February, an 89 per cent leap over February 2020 and more than one-thousand sales higher than the previous February record, set in 2016. Prices also jumped by more than 17 per cent, making the average home in B.C. worth close to $890,000. Association chief economist Brendon Ogmundson says markets were sizzling in all areas of B-C, driven by near record sales in Metro Van
b-c-health-authority-denies-lawsuit-claim-that-racism-played-a-part-in-babys-death
BCMar 11, 2021

B.C. health authority denies lawsuit claim that racism played a part in baby's death

Health officials in northern British Columbia deny allegations they mismanaged the treatment of a pregnant Indigenous woman or used racial stereotypes that affected her care and led to the stillbirth of her daughter. Northern Health, Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace and Kitimat General Hospital dispute allegations in a civil lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court last month by Sarah Morrison and her partner Ronald Luft, alleging negligence and "deliberate racial indifference." In its response, the health authority says Morrison was past her due date and in the early stages of labour when she a

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canada-eu-to-forge-a-new-strategic-partnership-geneviève-tuts
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Canada-EU to Forge a New Strategic Partnership: Geneviève Tuts

European Union Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts has revealed that the EU and Ottawa are working toward an unprecedented strategic partnership. Her comments come ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s planned address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, next week. Carney has been invited to speak as a non-European leader. According to Tuts, the proposed trade and strategic framework will be part of the broader security and economic alliance Carney highlighted last month. She said the partnership would be distinct from the EU’s existing agreements with countries such as Switz
bc-forestry-sector-urges-urgent-action-writes-to-premier-eby
BCSep 09, 2026

BC Forestry Sector Urges Urgent Action, Writes to Premier Eby

Major organizations representing British Columbia’s forestry sector have written to Premier David Eby, calling for immediate action to address the growing crisis in the province’s forest industry. The BC Council of Forest Industries, BC Wood and the United Steelworkers jointly sent a letter to the provincial government this month, urging Premier Eby to establish a Forestry Crisis Action Group under his leadership. The groups said B.C.’s forestry sector is at a critical crossroads. While acknowledging that international trade pressures are beyond the direct control of the provincial gover
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Canada Eases Study Rules for Temporary Foreign Workers, Allows Up to 6 Months of Study Without Permit

The Canadian government has announced a temporary measure allowing eligible temporary foreign workers already in the country to study for up to six months without applying for a study permit. The initiative is aimed at helping workers upgrade their skills, obtain short-term training and pursue professional licensing while continuing to work. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the measure will particularly benefit workers in high-demand fields, including nurses, laboratory technicians and skilled tradespeople. The government says the move is intended to help addr
CanadaSep 09, 2026

Tariff War Could Push Up Prices at Canadian Retail Stores

Canadian shoppers could see higher prices at retail stores as the ongoing tariff war begins to affect newly imported goods. However, retailers say the impact may take some time to reach store shelves as businesses first work through inventory purchased before the latest tariffs came into effect. Matt Poirier of the Retail Council of Canada said products with short shelf lives or those that sell quickly are likely to see price increases first. This could be followed by slower-moving items such as ovens and washing machines as retailers replenish their stock with tariff-affected products. Canad
85-year-old-man-killed-by-stray-bullet-in-burnaby-apartment
BCSep 09, 2026

85-Year-Old Man Killed by Stray Bullet in Burnaby Apartment

An 85-year-old man was killed after being struck by a stray bullet inside his apartment in Burnaby. According to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), the body of Chang Yong Cho was found on Aug. 30 inside his apartment in the 7400 block of Kingsway. Police had received reports of a shooting in a nearby block at around 1:30 a.m. Later that day, at approximately 4 p.m., Burnaby RCMP received a call requesting a welfare check at the apartment, where Cho was found dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators said shots were fired during a dispute between a group of young people. One of t