About 500 British Columbia workers handed layoff notices by BC Ferries are back on the payroll after the company altered staffing plans during the COVID-19 crisis.A total of 1,100 workers were due to be laid off last Saturday but the notices were rescinded for 500 regular employees as BC Ferries waits to learn if it qualifies for federal wage subsidies.A spokeswoman for the company says it could take some time to determine eligibility and even if approved, the layoffs will go ahead for 600 casual workers.Physical distancing regulations require the company to cut passenger levels by 50 per cen

A 26 year old man has been charged in a fatal shooting in Surrey a week ago. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 21 year old Pritpal Singh was found fatally shot on the front lawn of a home just after midnight on April 7th. Investigators had originally suggested it was a targeted shooting but now say they believe it was a random incident. IHIT says Robert Tomljenovic was arrested yesterday and charged today with second-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.

British Columbia has had three more deaths from COVID-19, all of them in long-term care homes, bringing the total number of fatalities in the province to 72. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, says 27 new cases of the disease have been confirmed. That brings the total number of cases of COVID-19 in B.C. to 1,517. She says 942 people have recovered from the illness.

The agency that handles transit for the Metro Vancouver area is warning of ``unprecedented cuts to service'' if it does not receive emergency funding relief from the federal and provincial governments.TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond says the company is losing $75 million every month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Desmond says TransLink has done its best to keep essential services operating, but has seen revenue cut in half since mid-March, and he warns of ``cashflow issues within weeks.''TransLink operates bus, SkyTrain, Sea Bus and West Coast Express commuter train services across Metro Vancou

British Columbia is reporting 11 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the province's total to 69. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C.'s total number of cases has increased to 1,490, up 45 from Saturday. Henry says 137 people are in hospital, with 58 of those in intensive care. She says there remains 20 long-term care facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks. Henry says a COVID-19 outbreak at the federal Mission Institution is causing concerns, with 35 positive cases and eight people now in hospital. Henry says all efforts are underway to contain the outbreak at the prison.

A new survey commissioned by the City of Vancouver is highlighting the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on its residents.The survey says nearly half of Vancouver's residents have lost their jobs or faced a reduction in working hours.Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the economic downturn could cost the city half-a-billion dollars in lost revenue.He's calling for more aid from the provincial and federal governments warning that cities will have to take drastic measures if help isn't available.

British Columbia is reporting 35 new cases of COVID-19 as well as three new deaths. The province now has 1,445 total positive tests and 58 deaths. Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry says 134 people are hospitalized, with 63 in critical care. Henry says the province is working closely with federal counterparts to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak at a federal prison in Mission, B.C. She also urged residents to stay home for the long weekend and avoid ``unnecessary travel.''

British Columbia is reporting five more deaths due to COVID-19, along with 40 new cases. That brings the provincial death toll to 55 among 1,410 confirmed cases in total. The province says 128 people are hospitalized, including 65 in intensive care. It says there have been no new outbreaks at long-term care facilities since the last update on Thursday.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified Pritpal Singh as the victim of a fatal shooting outside a Surrey home early April 7. Police say Singh was shot just after 12:40 a.m. outside a residence on 138A Street near 88 Avenue. Investigators are working with the Surrey RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services, and the B.C. Coroners Service to determine a motive. IHIT noted the case does not appear linked to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict. The shooting shook residents in the Newton neighbourhood. Parminder Gill, who lives nearby, told Connect News Tea