BCJan 30, 2020
B.C. introduces new complaint process in bid to increase trust in ICBC
Attorney General David Eby says the province is revamping the fairness office that deals with complaints against ICBC. Eby says it's no secret that people don't trust the public auto insurer and the province is making several moves aimed at changing that. He says ICBC already has a fairness office but the commissioner will now be appointed by cabinet and their recommendations, and ICBC's responses will be required to be posted publicly in plain language. Eby says individuals who accept pre-litigation payments from ICBC will also no longer be barred from later suing the Crown corporation, whic
BCJan 30, 2020
Premier John Horgan says court rulings on pipelines should be respected
Premier John Horgan has linked the battles over two major pipeline projects through British Columbia, saying once the legal fight is over, court decisions should be respected. Speaking at a news conference today in Prince George, Horgan said he accepts that the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has been approved by the courts after the province's recent defeat at the Supreme Court of Canada. In the case of Coastal GasLink's plans for a natural gas pipeline through northern B.C., he says he thinks hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en nation will come to the same realization on that project. H
BCJan 29, 2020
Caregiver and group face criminal charges in death of B.C. woman
A caregiver and the British Columbia society that contracted her services have been charged after the death of a 54-year-old woman with a developmental disability in October 2018. Coquitlam RCMP allege in a news release that the woman did not receive the ``necessaries of life,'' described as adequate food, shelter, medical attention or protection from harm. The BC Prosecution Service has approved a charge of criminal negligence causing death against 51-year-old Astrid Dahl. Dahl and the Kinsight Community Society have also been charged with failing to meet their legal duty to provide the nece
BCJan 28, 2020
BC: Province confirms the acquisition of two more school sites
Surrey families and future residents will benefit as the Province confirms the acquisition of two more school sites.
Securing the sites will help with future planning, so schools can be built more quickly.
"Our government is acting now to make sure land is in place to build new schools for students, as Surrey's population continues to grow," said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education.
"These are forward-thinking investments that will be vital to getting more students out of portables and into the positive, engaging and inspiring classrooms that they deserve."
The Government of B.C. is provid
BCJan 28, 2020
BC coroner recommends safety improvements after review of party bus death
The coroner's service is calling on the B.C. government to improve the oversight of commercial vehicles after reviewing the death of a young woman who fell from a party bus in Vancouver. 23 year old Chelsea James died on Jan. 9, 2016, after she fell against the vehicle's passenger door and it opened suddenly, causing her to tumble onto the street where she was struck by its rear tires. Coroner Cynthia Hogan says in her report released Tuesday that the bus had a long history of door malfunctions and was issued with multiple repair orders, but a provincial oversight agency allowed it to keep op
BCJan 28, 2020
Police probe homicide of 24-year-old soccer player in Maple Ridge
Police are asking the public to help further their investigation into the homicide of a 24-year-old man from Coquitlam, B.C., who is being described as a talented soccer player. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the body of Edi Bogere-Nyigwo was found on a vacant forested property on Jan. 11 in Maple Ridge. Police say he was last seen leaving his Coquitlam home at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27. Investigators say they're working to determine a motive and want those who knew Bogere-Nyigwo to come forward, adding there's nothing to suggest his killing was linked to a gang conflict. Sgt. Frank
BCJan 28, 2020
Surrey: Private instructor charged with sexual interference of two students
The RCMP say a private instructor has been charged with sexual interference after allegedly abusing two former students in Surrey, B.C. The Special Victims Unit says investigators believe there may be more alleged victims in the community and are encouraging anyone with more information to come forward. The Mounties say the investigation began last July when they received a report of sexual interference involving two victims who were youths when the incidents allegedly took place between 2010 and 2012. The incidents are alleged to have occurred at a private home in the Newton neighbourhood wh
BCJan 28, 2020
First case of Wuhan coronavirus identified in B.C.
Health officials say a case of corona virus has been identified in B.C.
But provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the first case is not unexpected.
She says a man in his 40s returned to the Metro Vancouver area last week from a trip to Wuhan, China and began showing symptoms of the virus a day or two later.
Henry says the man had already self-isolated himself so any contact was primarily limited to family members but none of them have shown symptoms and the man is recovering in isolation at home.
Health officials say the risk of spread remains low in B.C.
BCJan 28, 2020
Sonia Furstenau promises to build on progress of B.C. Greens with leadership bid
Sonia Furstenau, a Green member of the British Columbia legislature known for her fight against a contaminated-soil quarry in her community, is running for the party's leadership.
Furstenau, who represents the Cowichan Valley riding on Vancouver Island, promised at a news conference Monday to build on her party's progress and set it up for another election breakthrough.
Former leader Andrew Weaver was the lone Green member of the legislature until Furstenau and Adam Olsen joined him following the 2017 election, marking a historic moment for the party.
The three-member caucus signed a deal to s