11.34°C Vancouver

News

proposed-two-week-quarantine-for-anyone-travelling-to-vancouver-island-may-not-be-the-best-way-to-proceed-premier-horgan
BCNov 19, 2020

Proposed two-week quarantine for anyone travelling to Vancouver Island may not be the best way to proceed: Premier Horgan

British Columbia Premier John Horgan says a proposed two-week quarantine for anyone travelling to Vancouver Island may not be the best way to proceed. Horgan was commenting on a proposal from Dr. Richard Stanwick, the chief medical officer for Vancouver Island, on limiting the potential spread of COVID-19 through mandatory quarantines. The premier says he will let provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry determine whether the plan should be implemented, but he says a quarantine plan may not be the right approach. Dr. Stanwick says in an interview that roughly half of the COVID-19 cases on V
potential-vaccine-news-brightens-dark-day-marked-by-rising-covid-19-cases-deaths
CanadaNov 18, 2020

Potential vaccine news brightens dark day marked by rising COVID-19 cases, deaths

Ontario's health minister on Wednesday suggested Canada could start receiving millions of doses of COVID-19 as soon as January, providing a glimmer of hope on an otherwise dark day marked by rising cases and death counts in many provinces. Christine Elliott said in question period that the country is set to get four million doses of the Pfizer vaccine between January and March as well as two million doses of Moderna's vaccine. She said in question period that 1.6 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 800,000 of the Moderna vaccine are destined for Ontario. "Really exciting" that Canada is w
security-health-experts-to-lead-review-of-pandemic-warning-system
CanadaNov 18, 2020

Security, health experts to lead review of pandemic warning system

Health Minister Patty Hajdu is tapping a former national security adviser to lead a probe into whether Canada's pandemic warning system fell down just before COVID-19 reared up. Margaret Bloodworth will chair a three-member review panel studying what went wrong with the Global Public Health Intelligence Network. She will be joined by former deputy public health officer Dr. Paul Gully, and Mylaine Breton, Canada Research Chair in Clinical Governance on Primary Health Care at Universite de Sherbrooke in Quebec. The network, known commonly as GPHIN, was created more than two decades ago and help
vancouver-mayor-moves-to-decriminalize-simple-possession-of-illicit-drugs
BCNov 18, 2020

Vancouver mayor moves to decriminalize simple possession of illicit drugs

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says he's preparing to table a motion that would see city council vote on decriminalization of possession of illicit drugs for personal use. He says the city has been at the forefront of drug policy change and it could become the first jurisdiction in Canada to make such a move. After tabling the motion next week, Stewart says he'll write to federal officials requesting an exemption under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that would end at the city's boundaries. The mayor says there have been more than 1,500 overdose deaths in Vancouver since the
vancouver-council-approves-plan-that-could-set-fees-to-drive-into-the-downtown-core
BCNov 18, 2020

Vancouver council approves plan that could set fees to drive into the downtown core

Vancouver council approves plan that could set fees to drive into the downtown core. Vancouver city council has approved a Climate Emergency Action Plan that could see a levy placed on all vehicles entering the downtown core. Green Coun. Pete Fry says in a social media post that council voted in favour of the plan Tuesday night. It's said to be part of a drive to make Vancouver one of the greenest cities in the world. Another section of the plan proposes a carbon pollution surcharge on gas or diesel vehicles. The entire strategy is not slated to take effect until at least 2025 and meetings wi
BCNov 18, 2020

COVID-19 transmission rates for essential service drivers who have to cross the US border are low

The head of the BC Trucking Association says COVID-19 transmission rates for essential service drivers who have to cross the US border are low. Dave Earle says workers and their employers are doing everything they can reduce the risk of exposing their families when they come home. He says they've had to adapt by doing things like packing their own food to minimize interactions south of the border. Earle adds everyone understands the importance of keeping the supply chain going, so enhanced screening protocols are also in place.
ottawa-to-keep-boeing-max-aircraft-grounded-for-now-despite-us-decision
CanadaNov 18, 2020

Ottawa to keep Boeing Max aircraft grounded for now, despite US decision

Canada will not immediately follow the U.S. in allowing the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to return to Canadian airspace.Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said in a statement Wednesday that Canada will impose different requirements than the U.S. before it lifts the grounding orders for the plane, including additional procedures on the flight deck and pre-flight and differences in training for flight operators.Garneau added that he expects Transport Canada's validation process to conclude very soon.His remarks followed a U.S. announcement allowing the Boeing 737 MAX to fly again once the company ma
all-canadians-should-avoid-international-travel-pm-justin-trudeau
CanadaNov 18, 2020

All Canadians should avoid international travel: PM Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says all Canadians should avoid international travel, even as some remain set on heading south for the winter. Trudeau says the pandemic is resurgent across large swaths of the United States, including in the south, and says Canadians are safest at home. However, he says the choice is in the hands of individuals, and suggests those who do make the trip get comprehensive health and travel insurance and make sure that regional health-care facilities in the places they're going to are not overwhelmed. PM Trudeau warns young people of the seriousness of virus Prime
deadliest-day-in-b-c-s-covid-19-pandemic-11-new-deaths-and-more-than-700-cases-reported
BCNov 18, 2020

Deadliest day in B.C.'s COVID-19 pandemic, 11 new deaths and more than 700 cases reported

British Columbia has reached new COVID-19 highs with 11 more deaths and 717 new cases. It's the first time new cases have surged over 700 and it has pushed the total case count to 23,661. The 11 deaths is also the largest daily toll and brings the total number of deaths in the province to 310. Almost 11,000 people are under active public health monitoring because they've had contact with someone who tested positive, while 16,469 people are considered recovered.

Just In

surrey-medical-school-welcomes-first-class-as-b-c-expands-family-doctor-training
BCAug 05, 2026

SFU Medical School Welcomes First 48 Students to Address B.C.'s Doctor Shortage

Simon Fraser University's new medical school in Surrey, B.C., has officially welcomed its first class of 48 students, marking a major milestone in the province's efforts to tackle the ongoing shortage of family doctors and primary care providers. The inaugural group began orientation on Wednesday and will follow an accelerated, year-round medical program that allows students to earn their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in three years instead of the traditional four. The first graduates are expected to begin residency training as early as 2029. B.C. Premier David Eby described the new school as
BCAug 05, 2026

Vancouver home sales fall nearly 10% in July, erasing June gains

Home sales across the Vancouver region slowed again in July, falling nearly 10 per cent from a year earlier and wiping out the gains recorded in June. According to Greater Vancouver Realtors, a total of 2,061 residential properties were sold last month, down 9.8 per cent compared with July 2025. Sales were also 18.6 per cent below the region's 10-year seasonal average. Andrew Lis, Chief Economist and Vice-President of Data Analytics at Greater Vancouver Realtors, said the real estate market has followed a pattern of "one step forward and one step back" over the past several years, with the Jun
indian-origin-hiker-missing-on-vancouver-island-massive-search-operation-underway
CanadaAug 05, 2026

Indian-origin hiker missing on Vancouver Island, massive search operation underway

An Indian-origin man has gone missing while hiking in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island, prompting an extensive search operation involving helicopters, search dogs and specialized rescue teams. According to RCMP, 25-year-old Keshav Jindal was last seen hiking on Mount Albert Edward on the afternoon of Aug. 3. He has not been seen or heard from since. RCMP said Jindal is approximately 5-foot-7 in height. Comox Valley Search and Rescue spokesperson Paul Berry said Jindal was hiking toward the summit with a companion when the two became separated along the trail. He failed to return
westjet-resumes-normal-operations-after-flight-attendant-strike
CanadaAug 05, 2026

WestJet resumes normal operations after flight attendant strike

Canada's second-largest airline, WestJet, has announced that it has fully resumed normal operations following disruptions caused by a flight attendant strike. The airline said it is back to its regular schedule and is continuing to rebook passengers whose flights were cancelled over the weekend. According to WestJet, all scheduled flights on Wednesday are operating without disruption. The airline also thanked customers for their patience as it worked to restore services throughout the week. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that after more than 900 flights were cancelled between S
trump-says-us-iran-talks-made-very-good-progress-raising-hopes-of-easing-tensions
WorldAug 05, 2026

Trump says US-Iran talks made "very good" progress, raising hopes of easing tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump has said his administration's day-long talks with Iran on Tuesday were "very good," raising fresh hopes that the five-month-long conflict could soon move toward a resolution. Following Trump's remarks, oil prices fell across Asian markets while stock markets rallied, reflecting growing investor optimism. Markets are anticipating a possible agreement that could help restore shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies. Trump has previously warned that failure to reach a deal with Iran could lead to large-scale military act