12.29°C Vancouver

News

canadian-real-estate-association-says-home-sales-hit-record-high-in-july
CanadaAug 17, 2020

Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales hit record high in July

The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales in July hit a record high as they continued their rebound from the lows of earlier this year when the COVID-19 pandemic froze the market.CREA says the 62,355 sales in July 2020 marked the highest monthly sales figure on record, with data going back more than 40 years.Sales in July were up 30.5 per cent compared with the same month a year ago.On a month-over-month basis, sales were up 26 per cent.The jump in sales came as the number of newly listed homes climbed by 7.6 per cent in July compared with June.CREA says the actual national average
cra-expects-online-services-back-wednesday-following-cyberbreaches
CanadaAug 17, 2020

CRA expects online services back Wednesday following cyberbreaches

The Canada Revenue Agency expects online services to be fully restored by Wednesday after hackers used thousands of stolen usernames and passwords to fraudulently obtain government services.About 5,600 CRA accounts were targeted in what the federal government describes as "credential stuffing" schemes, in which hackers used passwords and usernames from other websites to access Canadians' revenue agency accounts.Officials say the RCMP is investigating the breaches.The suspension of CRA's online services comes as many Canadians are using the revenue agency's website to access financial support
constant-rise-of-covid-19-cases-in-canada
CanadaAug 15, 2020

Constant rise of COVID-19 cases in Canada

There are 121,652 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 61,004 confirmed (including 5,718 deaths, 53,598 resolved) Ontario: 40,459 confirmed (including 2,788 deaths, 36,772 resolved) Alberta: 12,053 confirmed (including 221 deaths, 10,796 resolved) British Columbia: 4,358 confirmed (including 196 deaths, 3,533 resolved) Saskatchewan: 1,541 confirmed (including 20 deaths, 1,347 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,072 confirmed (including 64 deaths, 1,007 resolved) Manitoba: 628 confirmed (including 8 deaths, 389 resolved), 15 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 268 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 263 reso
dr-theresa-tam-warning-about-new-surges-in-the-number-of-covid-19-cases
CanadaAug 14, 2020

Dr. Theresa Tam warning about new surges in the number of COVID-19 cases

Canada's chief public health officer is warning that there will be new surges in the number of COVID-19 cases heading into the fall. Dr. Theresa Tam says the federal government is planning for what she calls a ``reasonable worst-case scenario.'' But she says health officials will also ramp up prevention measures since they are also expecting the usual flu season as well as COVID-19. The health model suggests the number of cases by August 23rd could be as high as 127,000 and the number of deaths as high as 9,115. Tam says continuing to build hospital capacity, while encouraging people to follo
CanadaAug 14, 2020

ALS drug funding approved for patients in B.C.

A deal has been reached between the BC government and the maker of a drug that slows the progression of ALS symptoms. The Health Ministry says supplying patients with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, with the drug Radicava would cost about 120,000 dollars a year for each patient. The ministry says it expects as many as 183 patients will get coverage in the first year. The deal was worked out under the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance and the ministry says it meet B.C.'s cost mandate.
canada-u-s-to-extend-border-restrictions-until-sept-21
CanadaAug 14, 2020

Canada-U.S. to extend border restrictions until Sept. 21

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border will be extended another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It means the two countries will continue their mutual ban on non-essential cross-border travel until at least Sept. 21. In a tweet, Blair says officials will keep doing what's necessary to keep communities safe. A formal announcement of the extension was expected to come later. The Canada-U.S. border has been closed to so-called ``discretionary'' travel like vacations and shopping trips since the pandemic took hold of the continent in mid-March. The Unit
CanadaAug 14, 2020

Asylum seekers on front lines of COVID-19 to have chance at permanent residency

Asylum seekers working on the front-lines of the COVID-19 crisis are getting an early chance at permanent residency in Canada.Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced the program today in response to public demand that the so-called "Guardian Angels" many in Quebec be recognized for their work in the health-care sector during the pandemic.Ordinarily, asylum seekers must wait for their claims to be accepted before they can become permanent residents, but the new program waives that requirement.To apply for residency now, they must have claimed asylum in Canada prior to March 13 and have
390-covid-19-cases-reported-in-canada
CanadaAug 14, 2020

390 COVID-19 cases reported in Canada

There are 121,234 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 60,917 confirmed (including 5,715 deaths, 53,441 resolved) Ontario: 40,367 confirmed (including 2,787 deaths, 36,689 resolved) Alberta: 11,969 confirmed (including 220 deaths, 10,713 resolved) British Columbia: 4,274 confirmed (including 196 deaths, 3,500 resolved) Saskatchewan: 1,511 confirmed (including 20 deaths, 1,325 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,071 confirmed (including 64 deaths, 1,007 resolved) Manitoba: 588 confirmed (including 8 deaths, 377 resolved), 15 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 268 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 263 reso
increase-in-the-number-of-threats-made-against-the-pm-and-cabinet-ministers-rcmp
CanadaAug 13, 2020

Increase in the number of threats made against the PM and cabinet ministers: RCMP

The RCMP says there has been an increase in the number of threats made against the prime minister and cabinet ministers. From January to July 2019, protective policing opened 100 investigations into threats, while from January to last month it launched about 130 investigations. That doesn't include the investigation police launched this week into an incident where a man yelled obscenities at a staff member at Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna's Ottawa office. Ottawa MPP Lisa MacLeod was reportedly put under police protection this week when she was threatened after speaking out against

Just In

b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

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
BCSep 21, 2026

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
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
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
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
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
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
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