The B.C. government says it will launch three cannabis programs over the next two years to help small and Indigenous growers compete with larger rivals.A farm-gate program would allow growers to sell their products at stores located at their production sites. Another program would allow small cannabis producers, licensed by Health Canada, to deliver cannabis directly to authorized retailers. The government did not say how it will define small producers, but says nurseries will be included in the policy. Both programs are expected to launch in 2022, a year after the province hopes to start an i

Another MLA has added her name to the list of B.C. cabinet ministers who say they won't seek re-election.Transportation Minister Claire Trevena says in a news release that after serving as the North Island's representative for 15 years, the time has come for a new challenge.Trevena joins ministers Judy Darcy, Michelle Mungall, Shane Simpson, Scott Fraser and Doug Donaldson in recently revealing plans to step away from provincial politics.Finance Minister Carole James announced in March she won't seek re-election for health reasons.

Health officials in B.C. are urging residents to think of the consequences of their actions, as they linked the growing number of COVID-19 cases to behaviour during the Labour Day long weekend. The health minister and the provincial health officer say in a joint statement that no one intends to pass the virus on to friends or family, and people need to think about how they socialize. The province says it can take up to two weeks for symptoms of COVID-19 to fully develop, and people to make sure they do not inadvertently spread the virus. The province announced 139 new cases of COVID-19 on Fri

Border officials say a man from Alaska has been charged with smuggling assault-style guns at a border crossing in British Columbia. The Canada Border Services Agency said Friday that a 33-year-old man was arrested at the Abbotsford-Huntingdon crossing on July 27 when officers seized 14 firearms. They say in a news release the weapons seized included four prohibited semi-automatic rifles, three prohibited handguns, a restricted handgun and six non-restricted long guns. The agency says Corey Kettering was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in Abbotsford provincial court on Mo

Mounties in Nanaimo are investigating a parking-lot assault on a 70 year old South Asian who was punched so hard his turban was knocked from his head. Police say the dispute happened almost a month ago, on August 20th, when the man pulled into a handicap space because his spouse has physical disabilities. The RCMP say the attacker took offence, punched the man, shouted some profanities and then ran off. Police say there's no indication the attack was racially motivated and they're looking for a Caucasian man, five-foot-seven inches tall with a slim build and dark hair.

The BC Teachers Federation hopes the Labour Relations Board can resolve teachers' concerns about COVID-related health and safety issues in schools. The BCTF has filed a submission with the board asking it to propose solutions to what the union says are ``inadequate and inconsistent'' policies aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus. Documents show the BCTF is seeking an ``expedited'' decision because union members feel ``pressured'' to work in unsafe situations and there's potential for job action by some teachers. Education Minister Rob Fleming says ``this is only week one'' and t

RCMP say they are investigating a targeted shooting in Surrey, B.C.A statement from the force says officers responded to reports of gunfire late Thursday in the Brookswood neighbourhood.A man was found suffering from gunshot wounds and remains in hospital.Staff Sgt. Joe Johal says the victim was likely the target.It's the third targeted attack this week in Metro Vancouver.Shots were fired at a man in Surrey's Newton neighbourhood on Monday but he was not hurt, and a man was fatally shot in one of three homicides in Vancouver on Wednesday.

BC is reporting a single-day record of 165 new cases of COVID-19. Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry says there has also been one death of a long-term care resident, bringing the total to 220 fatalities. Dr. Henry says there have been two new outbreaks at acute care units in the Fraser Health region. She is urging people to get ready for the coming respiratory season by keeping to their same ``safe six'' social circle and moving between different groups of six people.

Vancouver police say the latest statistics suggest an uptick in crime across the city. A report comparing numbers for the first six months of 2020 to the same period last year suggests an increase in violent crime by more than five per cent. Police noted increases in all areas of the city but they say areas including Strathcona, downtown and Yaletown recorded particularly high numbers. Deputy Chief Constable Howard Chow says police are, ``very concerned about the increase in the most serious crimes across the city.''