The company behind the natural gas pipeline through traditional Wet'suwet'en territories says work on the Coastal GasLink project resumed today after a pause while hereditary chiefs, federal and provincial politicians discussed the disputed link. All sides say an agreement on rights and title lands was reached during talks that began Thursday and ended early yesterday. Hereditary Chief Woos (wahs') has called the pact a milestone. Wet'suwet'en approval is expected to take about two weeks, and details won't be released in the meantime.

A long time member of British Columbia's legislative assembly and former cabinet minister, Rich Coleman, has announced he will not seek re-election.Coleman was first elected as the B.C. Liberal MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove in 1996 and was re-elected five more times, most recently as the MLA for the newly created Langley East riding in 2017.Coleman wrote on Facebook that he chose Feb. 29 to announce the decision because it's the 24th anniversary of his original nomination as a candidate.Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson thanked Coleman, saying he was ``instrumental'' in the accomplishments of

Police in Surrey say an operation targeting distracted drivers led to the seizure of drugs, counterfeit cash and two arrests. The RCMP says when officers pulled over the driver of a Nissan Sentra yesterday afternoon for allegedly using a cell phone while driving, one passenger was spotted trying to conceal items while another ran away. Police say a search of the vehicle turned up suspected methamphetamines, drug paraphernalia and a small amount of counterfeit Canadian currency. The driver and passenger were arrested but the Mounties say the investigation continues and charges have not yet bee

Premier John Horgan says he has ``no plans'' to join talks underway today in Smithers between federal and provincial ministers and Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs. Horgan says BC's interests are represented by Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser, and Horgan was updated on the discussions last night and understands they are going well. He says the disputed natural gas pipeline crossing traditional Wet'suwet'en territory has been endorsed by 20 Indigenous communities ``from wellhead to water line,'' including elected Wet'suwet'en leaders, and he says it's up to the nation to resolve this

Coastal GasLink has agreed to a two-day pause in its activities in northwestern B.C. during talks taking place between federal government ministers and hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation. The R-C-M-P has also committed to ending patrols along a critical roadway during the discussions that are set to continue through tomorrow. The chiefs praised the moves in a statement released shortly before talks got underway this afternoon in Smithers. They say the actions provide the space needed to sit down at the table in good faith to discuss their opposition to Coastal GasLink's natura

The head of Canada's largest port says the novel coronavirus is eating into trade, and it's coming after a year that saw cargo volumes dip. Vancouver Fraser Port Authority CEO Robin Silvester says the number of cancelled sailings is on the rise as large parts of the Chinese economy are shut down due to the outbreak. Silvester says slowdowns could also severely dent trade with Korea and Japan, which together with China account for well over half of the freight volume at Canada's Pacific gateway. China cut wheat and canola shipments from Canada last year amid diplomatic tensions.

A pedestrian was hit and killed while crossing Highway 17 in Surrey last evening. Surrey RCMP say it happened at about 6 p.m. and the unidentified victim died at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and police say that person is co-operating. Police haven't said if the victim was in a marked crosswalk on the usually busy route and investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Search and rescue team members say they have been called to take part in a search for a woman missing from her home in New Westminster, east of Vancouver. The team, from Coquitlam, says in a social media post that members have been asked to assist the New Westminster Police Department in the search for Nirla Sharma. Police say the 44-year-old was last seen on Sunday as she went to bed and is believed to have left her home Monday when a family member heard the front door chime at about 4 a.m. New Westminster's major crime unit is now involved in the case and Sgt. Jeff Scott says anyone with das

A hospice society in British Columbia says it is outraged by the province's decision to stop its funding because it refuses to provide medically assisted death. Angelina Ireland, president of Delta Hospice, says there wasn't any consultation between the care facility, Fraser Health and the Health Ministry.On Tuesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said Fraser Health will stop paying $1.5 million in annual funding to the Delta Hospice Society next year after giving the organization one year's notice to end its service agreement without cause. Ireland says if the government wants to implement medic