BCJan 30, 2020
Claire Trevena's statement on additional initiatives with the taxi industry
Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, has issued the following statement outlining new government initiatives designed to benefit the passenger transportation industry and passengers: “As part of our continued efforts to ensure fairness and opportunity for those who make a living in the passenger transportation industry and the passengers they carry, I am pleased to share two additional government initiatives. “For the past several months, our government has been working with ICBC and the taxi industry to create a new insurance product option for taxi drivers. The
BCJan 30, 2020
Suspect linked to seven alleged assaults of women identified
The RCMP says it has identified a suspect linked to seven alleged assaults of women in or near Glen Park in Coquitlam, B.C. The Mounties say plainclothes investigators have identified the individual who was previously unknown to police. Cpl. Michael McLaughlin says in a news release there are ``extenuating circumstances'' involving the suspect that may have played a role in the alleged assaults. He says due to privacy concerns, the RCMP cannot go into detail about the suspect's circumstances, but public safety is its priority. The RCMP has previously said that the suspect targeted adult women
BCJan 30, 2020
Teenage girl fights off attacker on Vancouver's west side, police say
Police are warning the public about the sex assault of a teenage girl on Vancouver's west side. Vancouver police say a 17-year-old girl was walking home around 6 p.m. Tuesday. Police say an unknown man grabbed her from behind but she was able to fight him off and run away. The man is described as tall and wearing all black clothing. Police are asking anyone who was driving in the area of West 54th Avenue and Oak Street on Tuesday evening to contact police. Officers hope to track down footage from dash cams or Tesla vehicles equipped with factory video surveillance.
BCJan 30, 2020
Premier says McCallum is putting up unnecessary roadblocks to ride-hailing
Premier John Horgan says Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum is putting up unnecessary roadblocks to ride-hailing and should listen to citizens in his community who want to see competition.
The premier made the comments after the mayor alleged Uber was operating illegally in his city and threatened to issue 500 dollar tickets to drivers.
Uber has responded by filing a court injunction to block the city from issuing the fines, which it says are illegal.
The company says it holds a provincial permit to operate and Surrey has not created its own business licence for ride-hailing, so there is no bylaw t
BCJan 30, 2020
Vancouver police didn't contribute to crash that killed cab driver: watchdog
British Columbia's police oversight agency says the actions of Vancouver police did not contribute to a crash that killed a cab driver last month.The Independent Investigations Office says police reported that just before 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 29, a Car2Go smart car made off from a road check on the city's east side.The office says a short time later an officer saw the same car driving at a high speed and the officer turned around to follow the car but lost sight of it and couldn't find it again.About 10 minutes later, the office says police received a report of a collision between a cab and the
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