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BCApr 11, 2020

35 new cases and 3 new deaths reported in B.C., province also working on outbreak at a federal prison in Mission

British Columbia is reporting 35 new cases of COVID-19 as well as three new deaths. The province now has 1,445 total positive tests and 58 deaths. Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry says 134 people are hospitalized, with 63 in critical care. Henry says the province is working closely with federal counterparts to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak at a federal prison in Mission, B.C. She also urged residents to stay home for the long weekend and avoid ``unnecessary travel.''
covid-19-with-5-new-deaths-reported-total-deaths-rise-to-55-and-total-cases-to-1-410-in-b-c
BCApr 11, 2020

COVID-19: With 5 new deaths reported, total deaths rise to 55 and total cases to 1,410 in B.C.

British Columbia is reporting five more deaths due to COVID-19, along with 40 new cases. That brings the provincial death toll to 55 among 1,410 confirmed cases in total. The province says 128 people are hospitalized, including 65 in intensive care. It says there have been no new outbreaks at long-term care facilities since the last update on Thursday.
rcmp-to-enforce-quarantine-act
CanadaApr 10, 2020

RCMP to enforce Quarantine Act

The RCMP says its officers could visit homes to ensure any person entering Canada is self-isolating for 14 days.The police force says it has been asked to help enforce the Quarantine Act in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.Police can also now arrest people for violating the Act, though the RCMP says that will be a last resort.Previously they could only issue a court appearance notice or summons. Failing to comply with the Quarantine Act could lead to a fine of up to $750,000 and imprisonment for six months.
feds-not-yet-ready-to-invoke-emergencies-act
CanadaApr 10, 2020

Feds not yet ready to invoke Emergencies Act

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's schedule is about to change as the federal government continues to avoid invoking the Emergencies Act.Trudeau will be at the House of Commons on Saturday as the government attempts to pass the wage subsidy bill.The prime minister primarily has been working from home since March 12 when his wife tested positive for COVID-19.He says he will conduct his daily televised address to the country from parliament on Sunday.Trudeau calls the wage subsidy bill the largest economic measures Canada has seen since the Second World War.The bill will allow companies to get a 75
BCApr 10, 2020

Surrey shooting victim identified as 21 year old Pritpal Singh

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified Pritpal Singh as the victim of a fatal shooting outside a Surrey home early April 7. Police say Singh was shot just after 12:40 a.m. outside a residence on 138A Street near 88 Avenue. Investigators are working with the Surrey RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services, and the B.C. Coroners Service to determine a motive. IHIT noted the case does not appear linked to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict. The shooting shook residents in the Newton neighbourhood. Parminder Gill, who lives nearby, told Connect News Tea
guidelines-to-apply-for-b-c-s-rent-supplement-of-300-to-500-per-month
FeaturedApr 09, 2020

Guidelines to apply for B.C.'s rent supplement of $300 to $500 per month

Renters who are experiencing a loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for the Province's new temporary rental supplement. "This crisis is putting pressure on people across B.C. We're helping British Columbians get through this by halting evictions so renters will not lose their home. We're helping them pay rent with the new temporary rental supplement - providing direct relief on the biggest month-to-month expense for most households," said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "Together with the other provincial and federal programs, the rental supplem
b-c-lost-132-000-jobs-last-month-jobless-rate-7-2
BCApr 09, 2020

B.C. lost 132,000 jobs last month, jobless rate 7.2%

B.C. Finance Minister Carole James says the province lost 132,000 jobs last month, but it's going to get worse before it gets better due to the COVID-19 pandemic.She says the latest Statistics Canada Labour Force numbers indicate B.C.'s jobless rate rose to 7.2 per cent from 5 per cent in March.James says she expects the jobless numbers to increase over the coming weeks as they indicate the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the economy and workers and families.She says the province has introduced a $5 billion action plan to help workers, families and businesses endure the pandemic.
control-measures-critical-to-keeping-canadian-covid-19-deaths-under-22-000-health-agency-says
CanadaApr 09, 2020

Control measures critical to keeping Canadian COVID-19 deaths under 22,000, health agency says

Even with strong containment measures, as many as 22,000 Canadians could die of COVID-19 in the coming months.That's the worst-case scenario set out by federal public health officials this morning at a briefing in Ottawa.The Public Health Agency of Canada says short-term estimates are more reliable, and that up to 700 people could die by the end of next week.Officials warn that if people don't obey social distancing and self-isolation rules, the death toll could be much higher.Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says ``we cannot prevent every death but we must prevent every death that
westjet-bringing-workers-pack-on-payroll-with-help-of-wage-subsidy-program
CanadaApr 09, 2020

WestJet bringing workers back on payroll with help of wage subsidy program

WestJet says it plans to bring back nearly 6,400 employees on to its payroll with the help of Ottawa's emergency wage subsidy program.WestJet chief executive Ed Sims made the announcement in a video posted to Twitter.He says employees will be back on the company payroll once the federal government has approved the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.Air Canada made a similar announcement on Wednesday that it would use the program to bring back about 16,500 employees.Sims says it doesn't mean all the employees will be automatically coming back to work because there might not be work for them

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AlbertaNov 24, 2025

Six more UCP MLAs face recall efforts, raising questions about government majority

Six additional members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus are now the subject of recall petitions, according to Elections Alberta, marking a significant expansion of efforts to challenge sitting government lawmakers. The new approvals bring the total number of UCP MLAs under recall to nine. The most recent petitions target four cabinet ministers – Rajan Sawhney, Myles McDougall, Dale Nally and RJ Sigurdson – along with House Speaker Ric McIver and Associate Minister for Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen. Earlier this month, petitions were authorized against Education M
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CanadaNov 24, 2025

Migrant advocates urge federal government to withdraw proposed border security law

Migrant rights organizations are urging the federal government to abandon Bill C-12, legislation they warn could severely limit access to Canada’s refugee system. The proposed border security bill is currently before House of Commons committees, with clause-by-clause review scheduled at the national security committee this week. The bill features several significant changes to immigration and asylum procedures, including a provision that would prevent people who have lived in Canada for more than a year from submitting a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Groups working with
woman-injured-after-shots-fired-at-surrey-home-under-police-investigation
CanadaNov 24, 2025

Woman injured after shots fired at Surrey home under police investigation

Surrey Police Service is examining a neighbourhood in the city’s north end after a woman was hurt in a shooting outside a home late Sunday night. Officers were called around 9:11 p.m. to the 12100 block of 101B Avenue following reports of gunfire near the residence. Police say the woman, who was inside the home at the time, was taken to hospital with injuries that are not considered life threatening. Several other people were present but were not harmed. Investigators remained on site through Monday to review physical evidence and gather any available security footage. SPS reports that the m
search-continues-for-grizzly-after-bella-coola-school-group-attacked-nuxalk-nation-raises-support-funds
BCNov 24, 2025

Search continues for grizzly after Bella Coola school group attacked, Nuxalk Nation raises support funds

British Columbia conservation officers say they are continuing to search the Bella Coola Valley for the grizzly bear involved in a sudden attack on an elementary school group last week. Three students and a teacher were hospitalized on Thursday after the bear charged a group of about 20 people who had stopped for lunch during a field trip. Officials now believe the incident likely involved a mother grizzly with two cubs, a situation that can increase defensive behaviour. Conservation officers have placed traps in the area and are urging residents and visitors to avoid nearby forested trails wh
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BCNov 24, 2025

Snowfall warning in southeastern B.C. as weekend storm drenches south coast

Environment Canada is cautioning travellers in southeastern British Columbia as a winter storm brings up to 20 centimetres of snow to the Elk Valley region near the Alberta border. The agency says the heaviest bands are expected around Fernie, with conditions easing later this evening as the system moves east. The advisory stretches across Alberta’s southern boundary with the United States and into parts of southern Saskatchewan. The weather office says the snowfall is tied to a low-pressure system tracking across the Prairies, creating challenging conditions on highways frequently used by t