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wildfire-smoke-is-toxic-may-cause-health-issues-expert
BCAug 22, 2023

'Wildfire smoke is toxic, may cause health issues': Expert

Experts say that the smoke spread in Metro Vancouver due to forest fires is toxic and can cause many health problems.Burnaby's Dr. Susan Kwan says the air is full of toxins that will make it difficult for people to breathe, whether they have health problems or not.She said that air contains nitric oxide and aromatic hydrocarbons, and such elements are toxic to the body.This can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, itching, pain or irritation in the nose.Dr. Kwan says that to avoid these problems, limit your outdoor time and drink plenty of water.The smoke is expected to persist for the next
meta-responds-to-trudeau-eby-on-row-over-blocking-canadian-news
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Meta responds to Trudeau & Eby on row over blocking Canadian news

Social media conglomerate Meta has responded to criticism from both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B-C Premier David Eby on its decision to continue its ban on Canadian news content on Facebook and Instagram.Meta says in a statement that the company has been clear since February about the federal Online News Act and its effect on Canadian news content on its platforms.The statement also says Canadians can still access news by going directly to news outlets' websites and mobile apps, while Facebook continues to carry emergency information through crisis-response pages for both Kelowna and Ye
canada-considering-foreign-student-visa-cap-to-address-housing-shortage
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Canada considering foreign student visa cap to address housing shortage

The Canadian government is considering putting a cap on international student visas to deal with the housing crisis.Former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser gave this information while talking to journalists.Speaking to reporters in Charlottetown on Monday, he said capping the number of international students to ease pressure on the housing market is one of the options he should consider.It is worth noting that Canada is a popular choice for international students because it is easier to get a work permit compared to other countries.According to official data, 800,000 foreign students came to C
too-early-to-estimate-insured-losses-from-the-fires-the-insurance-bureau-of-canada
BCAug 22, 2023

'Too early to estimate insured losses from the fires' : The Insurance Bureau of Canada

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says it may not be possible to estimate insured losses from the fires currently burning in British Columbia, however, experts say that one should start processing the insurance claims as soon as possible. .Daniel Ivans of Rates dot ca says that when filing a claim, not every detail of the damage needs to be provided right now, and relevant information can be added later.The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all standard homeowners and tenant insurance policies cover fire damage, and also provide coverage to help with mass evacuation costs.
justin-trudeau-slams-meta-for-blocking-news-during-wildfires-in-canada
CanadaAug 21, 2023

Justin Trudeau slams Meta for blocking news during wildfires in Canada

In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Meta's decision to block news on its platforms in Canada.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Prince Edward Island for a cabinet retreat, where he commented on Meta that people in Canada are neither sharing nor receiving news on Facebook and Instagram.In fact, since the federal government passed its Online News Act Bill C-18 in June, Meta has blocked news on its platforms in Canada.It is worth noting that due to the wildfires, the pressure to remove the news ban on Meta is increasing.On the other han
at-least-50-buildings-lost-to-wildfire-in-west-kelowna-b-c-officials
BCAug 21, 2023

'At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna' : B.C. officials

The West Kelowna fire chief says at least 50 structures have been destroyed by the McDougal Creek fire on both sides of Okanagan Lake.Jason Brolund says the damage assessment is not complete and the status of more buildings is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.Officials, however, have said that the crew has made good progress in the last few days and no casualties have been reported in the last 24 hours.The fire is still spreading in about 11,000 hectares.Evacuation orders and alerts continue for various communities in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
feds-demand-meta-to-lift-ban-from-wildfires-news
CanadaAug 18, 2023

Feds demand Meta to lift ban from wildfires news

A Canadian government minister on Friday demanded that Meta remove a ban on domestic news from its platform so that the country's people can get information about wildfires in the West.Meta began blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada this month.Transport Minister Pablo Rodríguez said that what Meta is doing now is completely unacceptable, and that it is very wrong not to get such information to the public.They demanded that Meta withdraw the decision.A Meta spokesperson, on the other hand, said the company has activated a "Safety Check" feature on Faceb
airspace-over-kelowna-international-airport-closed-to-accommodate-crews-battle-wildfires
BCAug 18, 2023

Airspace over Kelowna International Airport closed to accommodate crews battle wildfires

Kelowna International Airport closed its airspace on Friday morning and canceled most of the flights.Flights have been canceled to make room for aerial crews battling raging wildfires burning around the city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.According to the airport's website, most flights in and out of Kelowna have been canceled till Friday afternoon.It is worth mentioning that the city of Kelowna in British Columbia has also come under the grip of wild fire.A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna city.Evacuation orders have been issued to people living in Clifton Road North, Ke
kwikwetlem-first-nation-mourns-death-of-stephanie-patterson
BCAug 18, 2023

Kwikwetlem First Nation mourns death of Stephanie Patterson

The chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation says his entire community is grieving the sudden loss of one of its councillors.Police have said Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural area in Mission, B.C. on Tuesday.Chief Ron Giesbrecht says in a statement that Patterson was a keen learner who had been passionate about helping all members of their community.He says the nation is not commenting on the arrest and second-degree murder charge of 57-year-old David Hall in relation to Patterson's murder, and is asking for privacy for her family and the community.

Just In

BCJul 10, 2026

B.C. to add 132 involuntary care beds in Surrey and Prince George

The British Columbia government has announced plans to open new involuntary care facilities in Surrey and Prince George for people living with severe mental illness, substance-use disorders and brain injuries. According to the provincial government, the renovated facilities will add a total of 132 new beds, including 60 at a new involuntary care centre in Surrey. The expansion is intended to provide specialized treatment and care for people who require intensive support. Premier David Eby said the new facilities are designed to help people stabilize and rebuild their lives during periods of ac
channi-bajwa-among-senior-congress-leaders-to-meet-bhupesh-baghel
IndiaJul 10, 2026

Channi, Bajwa among senior Congress leaders to meet Bhupesh Baghel

Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and several senior Congress leaders are scheduled to meet Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday as the party continues its organisational preparations ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. Channi confirmed the meeting in a social media post, stating that senior Congress leader and MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh will host the gathering at his residence. According to Channi, the meeting will focus on various organisational matters related to the party. According to available information, former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Sing
maninder-sidhu-announces-india-trade-mission-to-lead-team-canada-delegation
BCJul 10, 2026

Maninder Sidhu announces India trade mission, to lead Team Canada delegation

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, has announced that he will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India from Oct. 12 to 17. According to the federal government, the mission is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties while creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses in the Indian market. Sidhu said Canada and India currently share approximately $31 billion in two-way trade. He said the federal government's goal is to double that figure by 2030. He added that India remains one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, offering significant oppo
saskatchewan-man-sentenced-in-cbsa-immigration-fraud-investigation
BCJul 10, 2026

Saskatchewan man sentenced in CBSA immigration fraud investigation

A Saskatchewan man has been sentenced to a conditional sentence of two years less a day after a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation into an immigration fraud scheme. According to a CBSA news release issued Friday, Balvir Singh was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The agency said the investigation began in 2018 after border services officers across Canada noticed an unusually high number of immigration applications connected to a Saskatoon-based non-profit organization. The CBSA, working with the Government of Saskatchewan, said investigators identified foreign nationals who e
CanadaJul 10, 2026

West Vancouver's Gurinder Singh Deo arrested in France

West Vancouver resident Gurinder Singh Deo has been arrested in France, the RCMP's Pacific Region Federal Policing confirmed. Police said the 40-year-old is currently in custody in France while legal proceedings are underway to extradite him to the United States. According to the RCMP, Deo was identified in the recent joint FBI and RCMP investigation known as Operation Hard Ball. U.S. authorities have charged him in connection with a drug trafficking case, alleging he helped facilitate the movement of narcotics into Southern California through alleged links to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. U.S.