B.C.'s civil servants are being warned that a protest could affect government offices tomorrow. The head of the B.C. civil service has sent an email to employees saying demonstrators have vowed to ``shut down'' as many ministries as possible, just days after hundreds blocked the entrance to the B.C. legislature. Don Wright says a flexible plan has been developed in order to maintain as much service to the public as possible. But he asks government employees to ensure their safety is the first priority.

B.C. Premier John Horgan says anti-pipeline demonstrators who prevented people from entering the legislature for his government's throne speech on Tuesday need to respect the rights of others. ``Peaceful demonstration is fundamental to our success as a democracy,'' he told a news conference today. ``But to have a group of people say to others you are illegitimate, you are not allowed in here, you are somehow a sellout to the values of Canadians is just plain wrong, and I want to underline that.'' Horgan said he cancelled a news conference on Tuesday because he wanted to take 24 hours to refle

Several hundred demonstrators marched through downtown Vancouver and blocked traffic on the Granville Street bridge today after they gathered outside BC Supreme Court to announce a challenge of an injunction. The injunction allowed police to clear away blockades at Metro Vancouver ports yesterday. Lawyers say they will dispute the injunction obtained by the Port of Vancouver, arguing they were not told about the court hearing and didn't have an opportunity to dispute the port's claims in the application. Natalie Knight told those gathered outside the court that the injunction violates protest

RCMP have notified British Columbia's independent police watchdog about the death of a woman in a burning vehicle a day after she was arrested and released. Police say the woman was taken into custody at her home in North Vancouver on Tuesday after she allegedly threatened someone she knew. Mounties say in a release that the woman was to appear in court on a future date but the following day officers in Squamish, B.C., responded to a report about a vehicle engulfed in flames. The woman who'd been arrested the day earlier was found dead at the scene. The Independent Investigations Office will

British Columbia's NDP government used today's throne speech to list its accomplishments since coming to power two-and-a-half years ago, but it is also touting new funding supplements for children and youth in care that are coming in October. The speech also highlights plans to expand commuter services into the Fraser Valley, more HOV lanes and high-speed connections to Washington state. The speech, read by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin, says the government has eliminated Medical Services Plan premiums, reduced child care fees, and built thousands of affordable homes. It was delivered agai

Canadian National Railway Co. says it will be forced to close ``significant'' parts of its Canadian network unless blockades impeding its rail lines are removed. CN has halted more than 150 freight trains since Thursday evening, when demonstrators set up blockades in British Columbia and Ontario in solidarity with opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in northwestern British Columbia.

British Columbia's provincial health officer says four people diagnosed with the novel coronavirus are doing well in isolation and would be cleared of the illness after two negative tests, 24 hours apart. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the individuals in the Vancouver region are being monitored by health professionals and three of them are living in a home with others. She says those who are ill have been instructed to sleep in separate areas of the house, wear masks, not to share food and utensils, and to wash surfaces that could be infected with the virus. Henry says 371 people in the province have

Hundreds of protesters blocked the entrances to the British Columbia legislature today as demonstrations against a pipeline project continued to flare across the country. Protesters hollered "Shame'' as politicians tried to enter the building with help from security and others chanted "Shut down Canada'' and "Stand up, fight back.'' Protesters have been camping outside the legislature since Friday. Premier John Horgan's New Democrat government was set to deliver its throne speech later in the day but the traditional military salute and honour guard that typically greets the lieutenant governo

The BC legislature resumes today with a throne speech, one week before the NDP's next budget at roughly the midway point of the minority government's mandate. Premier John Horgan says the elimination of Medical Service Plan premiums, more child care options and raises in the minimum wage are among his government's achievements, but more needs to be done to improve affordability. He says the government often hears about gas prices and cellphone charges and promises those issues will be addressed in the throne speech. Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson says the NDP has been downplaying