15.36°C Vancouver

News

b-c-reports-first-case-of-south-african-covid-19-strain-four-now-from-the-u-k
BCJan 15, 2021

B.C. reports first case of South African COVID-19 strain, four now from the U.K.

British Columbia's provincial health officer expressed concern as she reported the first South African strain of COVID-19 uncovered in the province. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the person who contracted the South African variant had not travelled or had contact with anyone who did. She says officials are investigating where this person might have picked up the virus. Another person has also tested positive for the British variant of the virus, bringing that total to four cases, all connected to travel. Dr. Henry says there doesn't appear to have been any community spread of those infections. Offici
b-c-seeking-legal-advice-on-limiting-interprovincial-travel-premier-john-horgan
BCJan 14, 2021

B.C. seeking legal advice on limiting interprovincial travel: Premier John Horgan

British Columbia's premier says his government is seeking legal advice on whether it can limit non-essential travel from people out of province during the pandemic. Premier John Horgan says there is concern about people coming from other provinces or territories and spreading COVID-19. Horgan says he and other premiers across the country have made the case for Canadians to stay home during the pandemic, but people continue to travel. He says the issue has been discussed for months and it's time to determine if the government can or can't act. The issue will be discussed during the NDP governm
24-years-after-reena-virks-murder-parole-board-continues-kelly-ellards-release
BCJan 14, 2021

24 years after Reena Virk's murder, parole board continues Kelly Ellard's release

The 38 year old woman convicted of murdering teenager Reena Virk near Victoria in 1997 will be allowed to continue her day parole. The Parole Board of Canada has released its ruling on Kelly Ellard, who now goes by the name of Kerry Sim. In a decision released Thursday, the board says Sim, now the mother of two young children, remains "positive and compliant" in the community and continues to have high reintegration potential. Her day parole was expanded last summer to allow her to live away from a residential facility for up to five days each week and the parole board is continuing that orde
CanadaJan 14, 2021

Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Liberal government to ease access to paid sick leave for Canadian workers

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Liberal government to ease access to paid sick leave for Canadian workers to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Singh is criticizing the lag between filing for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and receiving it, a delay he compared to applying for employment insurance. He is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to recall Parliament and legislate 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated employees through the Canada Labour Code, and to further promote the one-week, $500 benefit that is already in place. The New Democrat leader says upt
emergency-doctors-call-for-greater-transparency-on-vaccine-rollout
CanadaJan 14, 2021

Emergency doctors call for greater transparency on vaccine rollout

The professional group for emergency doctors in Canada wants more transparency about COVID-19 vaccine distribution.The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians is calling for a clear description of who is being prioritized for the first doses and why. It also wants priority to go to those directly caring for patients who are critically ill or suspected of having COVID-19.The association says many members in areas with limited human resources have not been vaccinated, but urban providers who have less patient contact appear to have received doses.A Wednesday statement says communication ab
active-case-count-of-covid-19-cases-dips-below-5-000-in-b-c
BCJan 14, 2021

Active case count of COVID-19 cases dips below 5,000 in B.C.

British Columbia health officials say they've added a senior official to the province's immunization response team to help with the program as it gets more complex. Dr. Penny Ballem will be the executive lead and work with the health minister and other officials to ensure the province is ready for community immunization when the vaccine supply is more readily available in April. So far, 63,430 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. and officials say work is underway to align the available supply with a person's level of risk. The province is reporting 519 new cases of COVID-19 and 12
donald-trump-impeached-for-historic-second-time-10-republicans-vote-in-favour-of-impeachment
WorldJan 13, 2021

Donald Trump impeached for historic second time; 10 Republicans vote in favour of impeachment

A majority of members of the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Donald Trump on a single count of inciting an insurrection. The historic vote, which included 10 Republicans voting in favour with a handful of votes still outstanding, makes Trump the first president in American history to be impeached a second time. It may also be the swiftest such proceeding in the history of Congress, coming just one week after a horde of angry Trump supporters stormed Capitol Hill. Several Republicans, including third-ranking House Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, voted with their Democr
air-canada-reduces-first-quarter-capacity-by-25-per-cent-cuts-1-700-jobs
CanadaJan 13, 2021

Air Canada reduces first-quarter capacity by 25 per cent, cuts 1,700 jobs

Air Canada says it will cut 1,700 jobs as it scales down flights for the first quarter of 2021.The 25 per cent reduction in service will also affect 200 employees at Air Canada's Express carriers, the company said Wednesday morning. With the reduction, Air Canada's capacity in the first quarter of 2021 will be about 20 per cent of its capacity during the first quarter of 2019, the company says.Lucie Guillemette, Air Canada's executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement that increased travel restrictions by federal and provincial governments have had an immediate
british-columbia-reports-446-new-covid-19-infections-and-nine-more-deaths
BCJan 13, 2021

British Columbia reports 446 new COVID-19 infections and nine more deaths

British Columbia health officials say staying active and connected is important for physical and mental well-being despite the challenges of COVID-19. In a news release Tuesday, they say people have learned and adapted to the changing pandemic. The advice to stay active comes as officials reported 446 new COVID-19 cases and nine more deaths. Health officials also reported a new health-care facility outbreak at Mount St. Joseph's Hospital. The total number of COVID-19 infections in the province now stands at 58,553 with 1,019 deaths. To date, 62,294 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in B

Just In

premier-danielle-smith-welcomes-agreement-between-calgary-and-stampede-event-operators
AlbertaJun 29, 2026

Premier Danielle Smith Welcomes Agreement Between Calgary and Stampede Event Operators

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has welcomed an agreement reached between the City of Calgary and Stampede event operators over noise restrictions during this year's Calgary Stampede. Under the new deal, the city has agreed to allow slightly higher sound levels than those originally proposed, although they will still remain below last year's limits. In return, event organizers have accepted a condition requiring live music to end by midnight each night. Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis played a key role in resolving the dispute. He brought together
b-c-premier-david-eby-begins-first-trade-mission-to-china
BCJun 29, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby Begins First Trade Mission to China

British Columbia Premier David Eby has embarked on his first official trade mission to China, aiming to reduce the province's dependence on the United States and double trade with non-U.S. markets over the next decade. China is B.C.'s second-largest trading partner, and during the trip Eby will meet with government and business leaders in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Before departing, the premier said he is hopeful the visit will lead to positive discussions about removing China's current tariffs on B.C. seafood exports. Eby is now scheduled to return to British Col
CanadaJun 29, 2026

Federal Government Relaunches Green Home Retrofit Program in B.C. and Other Provinces

The federal government has announced the relaunch of its Green Home Retrofit Program with $500 million in funding, expanding support to British Columbia and three other provinces. The program will help more than 35,000 households receive free energy-efficient home upgrades, including heat pumps, insulation, and air sealing improvements. Previously available only to homeowners, the program has now been expanded to include low-income renters, allowing more Canadians to benefit from energy-saving upgrades. The renewed initiative is being launched in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and
AlbertaJun 29, 2026

Pro-Separatist Billboard Sparks Alberta Independence Rally in Taber

A pro-separatist billboard in the southern Alberta town of Taber became the focal point of a rally supporting Alberta's independence on Sunday. Despite strong winds and heavy rain, about 150 people attended the demonstration organized by the group Cruise to Alberta Independence. The guest of honour was Cory Morgan, who paid for the controversial billboard and refused to remove it despite an order from the Town of Taber, which declared it a public nuisance. Morgan said the billboard has been paid for until Tuesday and will likely be taken down afterward. However, he argued that the town's acti
AlbertaJun 29, 2026

24-Year-Old Woman Killed in Crash Near Banff National Park

A 24-year-old woman from Camrose, Alberta, has died following a single-vehicle crash near the entrance to Banff National Park. According to the RCMP, officers responded to reports of the collision on Highway 1 early Sunday morning. When emergency crews arrived at the scene, they found the woman deceased. Police have not released the victim's identity, and no further details about the cause of the crash have been made public. Mounties said they extend their condolences to the woman's family and friends during this difficult time.