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BCMay 26, 2020

Man arrested after random, unprovoked incident in Chinatown

Vancouver police have made an arrest in what they say was a random, unprovoked incident in Chinatown on the weekend. Police say two Asian women were sitting inside a parked vehicle on Saturday when a man yelled obscenities at them and then smashed a window of the vehicle with a chisel. Sergeant Aaron Roed says the incident was particularly concerning considering the rash of anti-Asian crime and incidents seen in Vancouver recently. A suspect was arrested but released on an undertaking to appear which requires him to report to court on a future date.
BCMay 26, 2020

B.C. expands sexual assault survivor services with $10 million emergency program

The British Columbia government has announced a three-year, $10 million grant program to provide swift access to compassionate and comprehensive care for survivors of sexual assault. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging times and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, is known to increase during periods of crisis. He says the grant program will provide funds to front-line organizations across the province, including those working in Indigenous communities. Ending Violence Association of B.C. will administer the program to help orga
BCMay 26, 2020

Stabbing on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, two people taken to hospital

Two people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a stabbing on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Constable Tania Visintin says officers were called at around 6 am to a report of a multiple stabbing. She says the two victims are expected to survive. No arrests have been made but investigators say there is no threat to the public. They say the stabbings appear to be isolated. Hastings Street just east of Main Street remains closed. Visintin says police will update the traffic situation via social media as conditions change.
premier-john-horgan-is-welcoming-pm-justin-trudeaus-promise
BCMay 26, 2020

Premier John Horgan is welcoming PM Justin Trudeau's promise

Premier John Horgan is welcoming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promise to work with the provinces to give workers 10 days of paid sick leave. Horgan has called for a paid sick leave program to prevent people from feeling financial pressure to work while ill during the COVID-19 pandemic. He says the virus affects every part of the country so he's glad to see the federal government has committed to working with the provinces to provide a national response. Sick leave pay was a key demand of the federal NDP to gain their support for a motion to limit sittings and votes in the House of Commons
bc-has-had-12-new-cases-of-covid-19-in-the-last-two-days
BCMay 26, 2020

BC has had 12 new cases of COVID-19 in the last two days

BC has had 12 new cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in the last two days, for a total of two thousand five hundred and 30 cases. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says four more people have died for a death toll of one hundred and 61. The latest community outbreak involves five workers at Nature's Touch, a frozen fruit processing plant in Abbotsford. Henry says there have been no cases of workers passing on COVID-19 through packaging and the food supply is safe.
vancouver-looks-at-slow-streets-to-create-space-for-pedestrians-amid-pandemic
BCMay 25, 2020

Vancouver looks at slow streets to create space for pedestrians amid pandemic

Vancouver looks at slow streets to create space for pedestrians amid pandemic Vancouver is considering plans to repurpose 50 kilometres of roadway in an effort to create more space for restaurant patios, lines outside of businesses, walking and cycling. The city says the so-called ``slow streets'' will have signs and barriers telling people to drive slowly and use the streets for local access only. It says the plans include expediting the permitting process for outdoor patios to give room to serve people as they maintain physical distancing requirements. A news release from the city says 12 k
BCMay 22, 2020

Vancouver Police report 'staggering' increase in Anti-Asian hate crimes

Anti-Asian racism has spiked since COVID-19 forced B.C. into a state of emergency in March and Vancouver police say that has driven an increase in overall hate crimes. Howard Chow, the department's deputy chief constable for operations, says investigators have opened 29 files involving anti-Asian racism since March, compared with four over the same time period last year. Chow says there have been 77 hate-associated police files in 2020 and another 10 active files from April and May that could later be classified as hate crimes. Deputy Chief Const. Laurence Rankin says the alleged offences ran
low-profits-few-customers-in-post-pandemic-recovery-says-b-c-business-survey
BCMay 22, 2020

Low profits, few customers in post-pandemic recovery says B.C. business survey

A survey of British Columbia businesses finds barely one quarter believe they can open and operate profitably as the province gradually eases COVID-19 restrictions. More than 1,300 member businesses of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of British Columbia were asked about the second phase of B.C.'s restart plan. A statement from the board of trade says 26 per cent expect to open and operate at a profit while 75 per cent worry about attracting customers. Other concerns include a lack of cash to meet expenses or new safety standards and th
second-wave-of-covid-19-could-sweep-back-into-bc-12-more-cases-reported
BCMay 22, 2020

"Second wave of COVID-19 could sweep back into BC", 12 more cases reported

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says chances are that a second wave of COVID-19 could sweep back into BC along with other colds and flu in the fall. Dr. Henry says they've been watching a similar pattern elsewhere and because the virus hasn't been wiped out in the province, there is potential for it to rapidly take off. She says in South Korea the virus spread to hundreds of people through nightclubs. 12 new COVID-19 cases reported Twelve more people have tested positive for the virus in BC for a total of 2,479, while2,020 have fully recovered. Three more people have died, bri

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B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
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B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
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BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
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CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
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BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in