14.36°C Vancouver

News

another-ward-at-vancouver-general-hospital-closed-by-covid-19-outbreak
BCMar 15, 2021

Another ward at Vancouver General Hospital closed by COVID-19 outbreak

An outbreak of COVID-19 has closed another ward at Vancouver General Hospital, while the health authority says outbreak precautions have been lifted in a separate unit. A statement from Vancouver Coastal Health says two patients have tested positive for COVID-19 on an in-patient unit in the hospital's Jim Pattison Pavilion. The unit is now closed to all admissions, transfers and most visits, but other hospital facilities, including the emergency ward, remain open. Another unit, which is also in the Jim Pattison Pavilion, remains closed after an outbreak there last month. But the health author
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

Just In

CanadaSep 11, 2026

BMO Announces $70 Billion Investment Over 10 Years in Key Canadian Sectors

Bank of Montreal (BMO), one of Canada’s major banks, has announced plans to invest $70 billion in capital over the next 10 years in sectors considered critical to the country’s economy, including critical minerals and electricity. The bank says the initiative is aimed at strengthening Canada’s economic security and long-term stability. The announcement comes as Canada continues to face economic challenges and an ongoing trade dispute with the United States. The move also aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government’s efforts to reduce Canada’s reliance on the U.S. and suppor
canada-ends-special-family-sponsorship-exemption-for-refugees
CanadaSep 11, 2026

Canada Ends Special Family Sponsorship Exemption for Refugees

Canada has quietly ended a special policy that allowed certain refugees to sponsor family members whose names were not included in their original immigration applications. Under the temporary policy, some refugees and permanent residents were able to sponsor spouses or children who had not been declared in their initial applications. The policy, introduced about seven years ago, expired on Thursday following a decision by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab. Under current Canadian immigration rules, permanent residents generally cannot sponsor family members who were not declared during the
BCSep 11, 2026

BC Anti-Gang Task Force Seizes Guns, Drugs and Cash in Fort St. John

British Columbia’s anti-gang police task force has seized a significant amount of weapons, drugs and cash during a major operation in the Fort St. John community. According to Sergeant Sarbjit Kaur Sangha of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, officers were deployed to the area at the request of local police between August 21 and September 5. During the operation, several arrests were made in connection with ongoing gang conflicts and illegal drug trafficking in the area. Police seized cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with seven firearms, including handguns, rifles and
calgary-police-lay-extortion-charges-continue-search-for-suspect
AlbertaSep 11, 2026

Calgary Police Lay Extortion Charges, Continue Search for Suspect

Calgary police have laid extortion charges against 23-year-old Kanurit Kaur, 21-year-old Tanveer Singh and a 17-year-old youth in connection with an extortion investigation. Police are searching for Singh, who is wanted on a warrant for possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. According to police, on March 25 at around 4:30 p.m., a woman received a demand for money through WhatsApp from an unknown number. The suspects appeared to have detailed information about the victim’s personal and business affairs. The caller repeatedly attempted to contact the victim and made explicit thr
canada-u-s-remain-in-contact-despite-trade-talks-breakdown-leblanc
CanadaSep 11, 2026

Canada, U.S. remain in contact despite trade talks breakdown: LeBlanc

Canada and the United States remain in contact despite the breakdown in formal trade talks, Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has confirmed. Speaking to reporters in Banff, Alberta, LeBlanc said that while Canada is not currently engaged in formal trade negotiations with Washington, communication between the two countries continues. LeBlanc said he does not have any meetings scheduled in Washington at the moment, but has spoken several times by phone with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He reiterated that Canada is ready to return to the ne