Longshore workers along the entire Canadian and US west coast have halted work for eight hours to raise awareness of Juneteenth and show solidarity for racial equality and social justice. Juneteenth honours June 19th, 1865, when Texas slaves were told slavery in the US had been abolished, and the longshore union says marking the day continues its consistent support for anti-racist action. The shutdown began at 8 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. affecting all BC ports including Vancouver, the busiest port in Canada, Chemainus, the Ridley terminal in Prince Rupert, and Stewart. The president of

As the economic impacts of COVID-19 increase every day, BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson is calling for the NDP to immediatelyprovide a budget update that gives British Columbians an accurate picture of the state of the province’s finances. “The NDP’s budget from earlier this year isn’t accurate anymore, people deserve the truth about this budget,” said Wilkinson. “The NDP added $5-billionin extra spending in April to deal with the pandemic. Where did that money go? As we continue to reopen, people need to know where and how their money is being spent by the NDP. We don’t need

Health Minister Adrian Dix says he was told last night about what he says is an "unacceptable and racist" game played by health care workers in at least one emergency room in B.C. Dix isn't identifying the ER because he says it's still unknown if the alleged game occurred in more than one hospital but he says it involved guessing the blood alcohol level of patients, especially Indigenous patients. Dix says lawyer and B.C.'s former Children and Youth representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has agreed to investigate and make recommendations. He says the allegations are "beyond disappointing" an

The Government of British Columbia is extending the temporary rental supplement (TRS) until the end of August 2020 to continue to support renters and landlords. It will also maintain the moratorium on rent increases and evictions for non-payment of rent, while enabling other notices to end tenancy to resume. People who have already been approved for the TRS do not need to reapply. They will receive an email asking them to confirm they plan to live at the same address through July and August. New applications will also be accepted until Aug. 31 and will be eligible for a supplement for the mont

An independent school in B.C.'s Fraser Health region has suspended classes after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the person held a variety of roles at the school, including teaching. Henry says a positive COVID-19 case at a school isn't unexpected, adding that she spoke about such a possibility when schools first reopened. British Columbia announced eight new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases to 2,783. Health Minister Adrian Dix announced that staff at all 501 long term care homes in

Premier John Horgan is urging British Columbians to provide feedback on how the province should spend 1.5-billion dollars earmarked for COVID-19 recovery. Horgan says the province has been meeting with businesses, labour, First Nations and not-for-profits to get their perspective and is taking action on their ideas. But he is also urging British Columbians to take part in an online survey, provide written input or take part in a virtual town hall to make sure the recovery works for them. Finance Minister Carol James says the province has lost 314,000 jobs since February and rebuilding the eco

The province has announced 19 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 2,775. It says in a release that 185 cases remain active with 11 of those patients in hospital, including five in intensive care. There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths, leaving the total at 168. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says two new health-care facility outbreaks in the Fraser Health district are very concerning and public health teams are working hard to contain further spread.

The RCMP are investigating the death of a woman who was dropped off at a hospital in Surrey, B.C., Wednesday morning with serious injuries. Police say they received a report earlier in the day of a seriously injured woman who died despite receiving medical treatment at the hospital. The Mounties say it's not clear how the woman was injured and they are trying to figure out her movements before her death. They say they are treating the death as suspicious. The RCMP say they are also looking into whether the woman's injuries connected to an earlier investigation in the 2700 block of 168 Street.

Police have made dozens of arrests after they say 46 people refused to obey a court injunction and leave a tent encampment on Vancouver's waterfront.An email from police says the arrests happened late Tuesday afternoon as demonstrators sat on the ground and refused to leave the site near CRAB Park on federal land operated by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.Police say the 46 were taken into custody for civil contempt of court, and one person was arrested for mischief and released without charges earlier in the day.They were among more than 100 people who had been living at the site since la