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

This morning, police acting on a court order provided by the Supreme Court of British Columbia to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, cleared three access points to the Port of Vancouver. Forty-three people were arrested after they refused to abide by the court order and did not clear access to the Port after requested by police. All 43 people have been released with conditions to abide by the injunction. The entrances were cleared without any major incidents. No additional information is available at this time.

The ride hailing company Lyft is expanding its service to Richmond, New Westminster, northern Surrey and the rest of Vancouver, excluding UBC. The company says it has seen immense momentum since its app launched in Vancouver last month. Lyft initially chose to limit services to a smaller section of Vancouver, as well as rides to Vancouver International Airport and the PNE. That's changed as of today, and the company says it plans to expand to other areas of Metro Vancouver as soon as possible.

The contract for the Pattullo Bridge replacement has been awarded, creating good jobs and training opportunities for workers who will help build the toll-free crossing to better connect communities in the Lower Mainland. “People in the Lower Mainland depend on the Pattullo Bridge every day, and they deserve safe, easy, toll-free commutes,” said Premier John Horgan. “The current bridge has needed to be replaced for years, and I’m proud our government is getting it done in a way that benefits the local community with good jobs and training opportunities. This is all part of our work to

A man in his 60s was rushed to hospital with serious injuries this morning after RCMP in Merritt located a plane crashed on the tarmac at the city's airport. The unnamed man had to be cut out of the wreckage of the single seater plane and police say they don't know how long he was there before he was found. A statement from R-C-M-P says an officer checked the airport while investigating a report about a missing man, and the crash was spotted just after midnight. Police say Transport Canada is investigating while Mounties support that probe and want to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash.