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liberals-looking-to-extend-covid-19-benefits-ahead-of-parliamentary-showdown
CanadaJun 15, 2020

Liberals looking to extend COVID-19 benefits ahead of parliamentary showdown

The Liberals are putting together a plan to extend one of the key COVID-19 benefits ahead of a parliamentary showdown on Wednesday.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he'll detail later this week how the Canada Emergency Response Benefit may remain in place for people who still can't return to work.Canadians were able to access the $2,000-a-month benefit for 16 weeks, and millions are about to hit the maximum number of weeks they can claim, but still don't have jobs. The New Democrats say a plan to extend the CERB is a must for them to support a massive government spending proposal due in the H
trans-mountain-pipeline-restarts-after-light-crude-spills-in-abbotsford
FeaturedJun 15, 2020

Trans Mountain pipeline restarts after light crude spills in Abbotsford

Trans Mountain says oil is flowing again through its pipeline after as much 190,000 litres of light crude spilled from a pumping facility in Abbotsford, B.C. A statement from the Crown-owned company says the pipeline was restarted Sunday afternoon. The line was shut down early Saturday when an alarm was triggered at the Sumas pump station. An investigation continues but Trans Mountain linked the cause to a fitting on a 2.5 centimetre pipe, and says the oil was contained, recovered and slated for disposal. A statement posted late Sunday by the Environment Ministry says Trans Mountain's is co-o
premier-says-defunding-police-simplistic-but-b-c-will-review
BCJun 12, 2020

Premier says defunding police 'simplistic' but B.C. will review

British Columbia's premier says calls for defunding police are a simplistic approach to a complex problem. John Horgan says police are increasingly burdened with a range of challenges in areas including homelessness, mental health and addiction which need more funding. He says it's inappropriate to expect law enforcement to take on those issues as they deal with public safety concerns. Horgan says he envisions expanding the capacity for communities to ensure they're not asking police for more than they're capable of delivering. He says defunding issues arising from George Floyd's police-involv
scheer-wants-champagne-trudeau-to-explain-ministers-two-chinese-mortgages
CanadaJun 12, 2020

Scheer wants Champagne, Trudeau to explain minister's two Chinese mortgages

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer wants Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne to explain how his holding two mortgages with a Chinese bank doesn't compromise his ability to deal with the People's Republic. Scheer wants Champagne to appear before the special House of Commons committee on Canada-China relations and he says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to justify the cabinet appointment there too. Scheer says Champagne is Canada's top diplomat and China's communist leaders can use the $1.2 million he owes on two London properties to the Bank of China as leverage at a time of
new-video-shows-rcmp-tackling-punching-alberta-chief-during-arrest
CanadaJun 12, 2020

New video shows RCMP tackling, punching Alberta chief during arrest

New video has emerged of the violent arrest of a prominent chief of a northern Alberta First Nation. The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation says the RCMP dash-camera video was released publicly as part of a court application to get criminal charges against Chief Allan Adam stayed. The 12-minute video, posted by several media outlets, shows an officer approaching Adam's truck outside a casino in Fort McMurray, Alta., early in the morning of March 10. The RCMP have said Adam's truck had expired plates and the video shows Adam getting in and out of the vehicle, aggressively removing his coat and us
b-c-marks-sixth-consecutive-day-with-no-new-covid-19-deaths
BCJun 11, 2020

B.C. marks sixth consecutive day with no new COVID-19 deaths

British Columbia is marking the sixth day in a row with no additional deaths due to COVID-19. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the death toll is still 167 and there have been no new community or health-care outbreaks identified since Wednesday. She says 14 more people have tested positive for the disease, bringing the total to 2,694. There are 183 active cases, including 13 people in hospital with five in intensive care. Henry says 2,344 people have recovered so far. Health Minister Adrian Dix says the situation in B.C. is not necessarily typical, since cases of COVID-19 a
vancouver-mayor-wants-b-c-premier-to-review-policing-across-province
BCJun 11, 2020

Vancouver mayor wants B.C. premier to review policing across province

Vancouver's mayor wants the B.C. government to conduct a review of policing across the province.Kennedy Stewart says city council can do little to change policing in Vancouver and the provincial government could override any potential decision.The comments come after the Vancouver Police Board asked council to rescind a one per cent budget cut last week.The board says George Floyd's death in Minneapolis has led to large scale protests that will affect the police department's budget.The mayor's announcement comes after the organizers of the Vancouver Pride Parade said all police and corrections
opposition-parties-reject-emergency-covid-19-aid-bill
CanadaJun 10, 2020

Opposition parties reject emergency COVID-19 aid bill

Opposition parties have refused to give unanimous consent to speedily pass the Trudeau government's latest emergency legislation.They have also rejected the government's bid to split the bill in two, to allow promised benefits for Canadians with disabilities to go ahead.Those benefits are now in limbo, along with other measures in the bill.The bill includes a proposed expansion of the wage subsidy program to include seasonal workers and some additional businesses, as well as proposed penalties for fraudulently claiming the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.It also proposes changes to the CERB
no-covid-19-deaths-for-the-fourth-day-in-a-row-in-b-c
BCJun 10, 2020

No COVID-19 deaths for the fourth day in a row in B.C.

BC has had no COVID-19 deaths for the fourth day in a row. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says she's grateful that the number of infections is trending downward. However, she says the COVID-19 pandemic is still a major problem and will be in communities for some time. She says many regions are seeing a resurgence in cases and yesterday was the highest single day for new cases around the world with 136,000 people newly diagnosed. Ten more people were diagnosed with the virus in BC for a total of 2,669. The death toll in BC remains at 167 people.

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quebec-premier-open-to-return-of-u-s-wines-if-trade-gains-are-made
CanadaAug 10, 2026

Quebec premier open to return of U.S. wines if trade gains are made

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says the province could allow U.S. wines to return to liquor store shelves, but only if there are gains for Quebec and Canada in ongoing trade discussions with the United States. Fréchette said she wants to see reductions in tariff barriers affecting key Quebec sectors, including forestry, aluminum and manufacturing, before considering a return of American wine products to provincial liquor stores. The Quebec government previously directed the province’s liquor board to stop selling U.S. products in response to tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald T
BCAug 10, 2026

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the
BCAug 10, 2026

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Drivers in Delta should expect overnight closures on Highway 99 as crews install new bridge girders for the 78th Street overpass. The closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, and Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work will begin with lane restrictions before the highway is fully closed in each direction. Southbound lane closures are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with a full southbound closure at 8 p.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a full northbound closure at 9 p.m. The closures will affect Highway 99 between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges. The highway is expected
BCAug 10, 2026

Canadian Armed Forces on standby as B.C. wildfires displace thousands in Okanagan

The Canadian Armed Forces have been placed on standby to assist communities affected by wildfires in British Columbia, as thousands of residents in the Okanagan region have been forced from their homes. Defence Minister David McGuinty said military assistance will be deployed once the B.C. government makes a formal request for troops to operate on the ground. McGuinty said the provincial government submitted a formal request over the weekend through Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. Federal assistance has since been approved to help provide accommodation and temporary shelter fo
vancouver-police-seek-public-help-identifying-suspect-in-kitsilano-assault
BCAug 10, 2026

Vancouver police seek public help identifying suspect in Kitsilano assault

Vancouver police are asking the public to help identify a man accused of assaulting a 73-year-old man in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood on July 31. According to Vancouver Police Department, officers were called after the two men became involved in a verbal altercation. Police allege the suspect had been yelling at passersby before the victim approached him and asked him to stop and leave the area. Investigators allege the suspect then pushed the victim to the ground. The 73-year-old suffered head injuries in the incident, police said. Police describe the suspect as a Caucasian man with