The B.C. government stepped up its efforts under the Emergency Program Act on Thursday to ensure, among other things, that goods and services are getting to those who need them. Here's a look at what is happening: A new government unit will co-ordinate the distribution of goods and services, while bylaws that restrict the delivery of goods to certain times of the day are being suspended. The province is going after the black market, banning the resale of food, medical supplies, personal protective equipment and cleaning products. Municipal bylaw officers will enforce business closures and the

The British Columbia government is taking what is says are ``unprecedented steps'' to protect supply chains for goods and services, and stop the resale of food and medical supplies.Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth issued a series of orders today to establish a unit to co-ordinate the distribution of goods and services, and he is allowing deliveries to be made at any time of the day.The resale of food, medical supplies, personal protective equipment and cleaning products has also been banned.Municipal bylaw officers will be allowed as well to enforce orders limiting the size of gatherings

Another 42 cases of COVID-19 are being reported in the province along with another death at a long-term care centre in North Vancouver. Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry says BC now has a total of 659 cases and 14 deaths. She says 64 COVID-19 patients are in hospital, including 26 in intensive care.

The British Columbia government is suspending evictions and offering a $500 monthly rebate to help renters and landlords during the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan says the government is also imposing a freeze on rent increases. Horgan says many tenants have lost their jobs and are worried they won't be able to pay their rent and they should not be forced out when health officials are telling them to stay at home. The money will be paid directly to landlords on the behalf of renters for the next four months. Horgan says while he knows $500 doesn't go a long way to covering the cost of

BC is reporting 145 new cases of COVID-19 but no new deaths. Provincial medical officer of health Dr. Bonnie Henry says that brings the total cases in the province to 617 most in the Lower Mainland. Henry says the good news is that 173 people or 28 per cent have now fully recovered. But she says cases are escalating across the province and social distancing is crucial to break chains of transmission.

Former Kelowna mayor Jim Stuart, a farmer who became a politician and oversaw a period of rapid growth in the city, has died. He was 84. Stuart was mayor from 1986 to 1996, winning election twice and being acclaimed twice. He was also an alderman, first winning a council seat in 1973. Mayor Colin Basran confirmed Stuart's death in a news release. City officials say Stuart's 30 years in office served as a bridge between Kelowna's farming origins and the mid-sized municipality it was becoming. In a statement, Basran said the city's current expansion gives him some insight into what Stuart was d

The British Columbia government is spending $5 billion to help support the province's economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan says it is a stressful time for people and businesses, and help is needed now. Horgan says the province is spending $2.8 billion on people and services, and $2.2 billion on businesses and economic recovery in the future. Horgan says the plan includes direct payments to people as well as deferment of payments. He says there will be targeted tax relief and support for renters to make sure no one is evicted because of the novel coronavirus. The British Co

Vancouver council has approved a motion giving it the power to crack down on businesses ignoring closure orders or residents defying the requirement to maintain social distancing. This morning's vote, giving the city the ability to levy 50-thousand dollar fines on businesses or slap residents with fines of up to one-thousand dollars was approved unanimously. The measures follow numerous violations in the days following last week's declaration of a local state of emergency in Vancouver, restricting shop hours or operations and limiting many public activities. Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler a

British Columbia has recorded three more deaths from COVID-19 since Saturday.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says 472 people have now tested positive for the respiratory virus. She says the three deaths were all related to long-term care facilities, including one in the Lynn Valley care centre in North Vancouver where several other deaths have occurred, and another at a care home in downtown Vancouver.Henry says of the 472 positive cases, 33 people have been hospitalized and 14 are in intensive care.She says 100 people now listed as ``recovered'' have been released from isolation.In