14.52°C Vancouver

News

no-immediate-risk-from-2-5-million-litre-effluent-spill-from-b-c-fibreboard-plant
BCApr 19, 2024

'No immediate risk' from 2.5-million-litre effluent spill from B.C. fibreboard plant

British Columbia's Environment Ministry says a 2.5-million-litre effluent spill from a fibreboard factory in Quesnel doesn't pose any immediate risk to public safety. It says in a statement that Monday's spill from the WestPine Medium-Density Fibreboard plant into a gravel pit has been assessed and no waterways have been affected. Factory owner West Fraser says in a statement that a valve on a failed line between the factory and a pulp mill has been replaced, and the cleanup effort is complete. West Fraser spokeswoman Joyce Wagenaar says in the statement that the effluent is within B.C.'s wate
three-b-c-hunters-fined-and-banned-for-unlawfully-killing-wildlife-near-kamloops
BCApr 19, 2024

Three B.C. hunters fined and banned for unlawfully killing wildlife near Kamloops

Three men from British Columbia's Lower Mainland have been fined and banned from hunting for 10 years each for "unlawfully killing wildlife," including a deer pregnant with two fawns. On Thursday, a Kamloops provincial court judge fined one man $8,000 and his rifle and spotlights were seized, while the two others received $5,000 penalties, the BC Conservation Officer Service says in a social media post. The service says the men used spotlights while hunting at night in May 2020 to kill two deer, despite the hunting season being closed. The men were also caught with several grouse and a marmot.
b-c-celebrates-10-billion-seedlings-planted-since-1930
BCApr 16, 2024

B.C. celebrates 10 billion seedlings planted since 1930

British Columbia officials are celebrating the planting of 10 billion seedlings since reforestation efforts began nearly a century ago. A statement from the Forests Ministry says two billion of those seedlings have been planted in the last seven years. It says the 10-billionth seedling was among 305 million that were planted throughout the province last year, and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston planted a ceremonial tree in Surrey's Green Timbers Urban Forest Park to mark the milestone on Monday. Ralston says in a statement that it's easy to get lost in the large number, but there's a human stor
b-c-judge-rejects-bid-to-throw-out-ibrahim-alis-murder-conviction
BCApr 11, 2024

B.C. judge rejects bid to throw out Ibrahim Ali's murder conviction

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has rejected an application to throw out the conviction of Ibrahim Ali for the murder of a 13-year-old in Burnaby, B.C., over what his lawyers say were unreasonable delays in getting him to trial. Justice Lance Bernard made the ruling, with reasons to follow, moments after defence lawyer Kevin McCullough made his final rebuttal in the matter that could have seen Ali go free. Ali was found guilty in December of first-degree murder in the death of the girl whose body was found in Burnaby's Central Park in July 2017.
b-c-announces-one-time-430-rent-relief-benefit-to-low-income-seniors
BCApr 09, 2024

B.C. announces one-time $430 rent relief benefit to low-income seniors

The British Columbia government is granting a one-time $430 benefit to the roughly 20,000 seniors in its support program for elderly low-income renters. B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says eligible seniors don't need to apply for the payment, which will be sent out this month. Kahlon says the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program, known as SAFER, will also expand eligibility for its benefits to seniors with annual incomes up to $37,240, compared to the previous $33,000 limit. Other changes will include the possible annual review and amendment of rent ceilings, which are used to determine
b-c-launches-spring-covid-19-booster-program-targeting-vulnerable-and-unvaccinated
BCApr 09, 2024

B.C. launches spring COVID-19 booster program, targeting vulnerable and unvaccinated

British Columbia is rolling out another round of COVID-19 vaccination boosters, with invitations starting to go out Monday. Ministry of Health says people who haven't received a booster against the XBB. 1.5 Omicron variant of COVID-19 will be among those offered the free shot. Others who will be invited include adults aged 65 and older, Indigenous adults 55 and over, residents of long-term care homes and assisted-living facilities, and anyone older than six months who is "clinically extremely vulnerable." The ministry says in a statement that although the spring program is focused on those mos
toxic-drug-supply-claims-177-lives-in-b-c-in-february-coroners-service
BCApr 05, 2024

Toxic drug supply claims 177 lives in B.C. in February: Coroners Service

The BC Coroners Service says 177 people died in February due to "toxic, unregulated drugs." The service says at least 175 people have died because of the toxic drug supply in each of the last 20 consecutive months. It says the latest numbers are down 11 per cent compared with February 2023, but the province still saw an average of about six deaths per day this past February. A statement released by the Public Safety Ministry says the overdose death rate in B.C. is still "significantly elevated," with 40.1 deaths per 100,000 residents in the first two months of this year. The statement says tha
bc-hydro-wants-more-clean-power-to-help-meet-demand-clean-energy-targets
BCApr 04, 2024

BC Hydro wants more clean power to help meet demand, clean energy targets

BC Hydro is looking for more clean power to add to its grids as electricity demands are expected to increase by 15 per cent in the next six years. The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation says the Crown power utility has issued its first call in 15 years and is looking to acquire about 3,000 gigawatt hours per year. The ministry says in a statement that it would add about five per cent to its current supply, which would provide clean electricity to 270,000 homes or about a million electric vehicles per year. The added need is due to population growth, housing construction, indus
speed-limiting-devices-to-become-mandatory-on-heavy-b-c-commercial-trucks
BCApr 03, 2024

Speed limiting devices to become mandatory on heavy B.C. commercial trucks

The British Columbia Transportation Ministry says commercial trucks above a certain weight will soon be required to be fitted with technology to limit how fast they travel on provincial roadways. The ministry says the "speed-limiter devices" will be mandatory on April 5 for commercial trucks weighing more than 11,793 kilograms and if they were built after 1994. An information bulletin from the Transportation Ministry says the technology will limit vehicles fitted with the devices to 105 kilometres per hour. The ministry says the new requirement stems from amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act an

Just In

police-cleared-in-fatal-2024-shooting-of-woman-in-surrey-b-c
BCSep 26, 2025

Police cleared in fatal 2024 shooting of woman in Surrey, B.C.

British Columbia's independent police watchdog says an officer was justified in using lethal force in the fatal shooting of a woman threatening her baby.The Independent Investigations Office says in a report released Friday that on Sept. 19, 2024, the Surrey, B.C., officer shot the woman who was holding scissors to her baby's neck.The report says the situation was made worse because the woman spoke little to no English, and there were no Spanish speaking services available other than the use of Google translate.Police had responded to a call after someone reported the woman breaking things and
vpd-investigates-pedestrian-fatality
BCSep 26, 2025

VPD investigates pedestrian fatality

Vancouver Police are investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred last night, and are asking anyone with information to call police. The pedestrian, a 38-year-old man, was struck by a white Tesla at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Western Street September 25 just before 8:30 p.m. Despite life-saving attempts from first responders, the pedestrian died at the scene. The driver of the Tesla remained at the scene. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the collision. Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.
canada-not-part-of-mass-walkout-when-israel-pm-netanyahu-spoke-at-un-general-assembly
CanadaSep 26, 2025

Canada not part of mass walkout when Israel PM Netanyahu spoke at UN General Assembly

Canada was not part of a mass walkout this morning during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address as dozens of diplomats from other countries walked out of the chamber. The official presiding over the speeches had to call for order multiple times as delegations, including many from developing countries, rose to leave the room. In his speech, Netanyahu said the "disgraceful decision" by countries like Canada to recognize a Palestinian state will encour
talks-to-resume-between-b-c-government-and-its-public-service-union
BCSep 26, 2025

Talks to resume between B.C. government and its public service union

Talks are resuming between the union representing British Columbia's public service workers and the provincial government. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union, says the government has reached out to the union saying it has a new offer and negotiations will start again on Monday. Finch says union pickets will remain up. The union has been conducting escalating strike action over the last four weeks, with up to 15,000 workers conducting job actions including picketing and overtime bans. Finch told a gathering in Victoria that there has been unprecedented level
WorldSep 26, 2025

Transportation Department tightens noncitizen truck driver rules after fatal crash in Florida

The Transportation Department will immediately tighten up the requirements for non-citizens to get commercial drivers licenses after three fatal crashes this year in Florida, Texas and Alabama that officials say were caused by immigrant truck drivers who never should have received licenses. The nationwide audit of these licenses began after a fatal U-turn crash in Florida that killed two people caused by a truck driver who officials said was in the country illegally. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said also threatened to revoke $160 million in federal funding for California because inve