Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says securing the release of two Canadians facing spying charges in China isn't just another consular issue. She calls it a foreign policy priority for the Trudeau government. Freeland today also demanded that China reinstate consular access for both Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls word of the charges disappointing. He says Canada is doing everything it can both publicly and in back channels to put pressure on China to release the two men who've been held since December of 2018.

Longshore workers along the entire Canadian and US west coast have halted work for eight hours to raise awareness of Juneteenth and show solidarity for racial equality and social justice. Juneteenth honours June 19th, 1865, when Texas slaves were told slavery in the US had been abolished, and the longshore union says marking the day continues its consistent support for anti-racist action. The shutdown began at 8 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. affecting all BC ports including Vancouver, the busiest port in Canada, Chemainus, the Ridley terminal in Prince Rupert, and Stewart. The president of

As the economic impacts of COVID-19 increase every day, BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson is calling for the NDP to immediatelyprovide a budget update that gives British Columbians an accurate picture of the state of the province’s finances. “The NDP’s budget from earlier this year isn’t accurate anymore, people deserve the truth about this budget,” said Wilkinson. “The NDP added $5-billionin extra spending in April to deal with the pandemic. Where did that money go? As we continue to reopen, people need to know where and how their money is being spent by the NDP. We don’t need

Health Minister Adrian Dix says he was told last night about what he says is an "unacceptable and racist" game played by health care workers in at least one emergency room in B.C. Dix isn't identifying the ER because he says it's still unknown if the alleged game occurred in more than one hospital but he says it involved guessing the blood alcohol level of patients, especially Indigenous patients. Dix says lawyer and B.C.'s former Children and Youth representative Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has agreed to investigate and make recommendations. He says the allegations are "beyond disappointing" an

The Government of British Columbia is extending the temporary rental supplement (TRS) until the end of August 2020 to continue to support renters and landlords. It will also maintain the moratorium on rent increases and evictions for non-payment of rent, while enabling other notices to end tenancy to resume. People who have already been approved for the TRS do not need to reapply. They will receive an email asking them to confirm they plan to live at the same address through July and August. New applications will also be accepted until Aug. 31 and will be eligible for a supplement for the mont

China has charged two detained Canadians with spying today, further escalating tensions between the two countries. Chinese prosecutors say Michael Kovrig was charged on suspicion of spying for state secrets. They say Michael Spavor was charged on suspicion of spying for a foreign entity and illegally providing state secrets. The charges were announced by China's highest prosecutor's office in brief social media posts. Both men have been held since December 2018 in a move seen as an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. They have been in Chinese prisons

Mortal remains of fallen soldier Naib Subedar Satnam Singh, who had lost his life fighting Chinese troops in Galwan Valley, were brought to his native place in Punjab's Gurdaspur on June 18. 20 Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 16 after violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops. Chinese side also suffered casualties in the clash. Family and friends of Naib Subedar Satnam Singh paid homage to the late jawan in Punjab's Gurdaspur and remembered him as a "hero" who lost his life to safeguard the borders of the country. In Patiala, family and friends

There are 100,220 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. Quebec: 54,383 confirmed (including 5,340 deaths, 22,754 resolved) Ontario: 32,917 confirmed (including 2,553 deaths, 28,004 resolved) Alberta: 7,579 confirmed (including 152 deaths, 6,938 resolved) British Columbia: 2,783 confirmed (including 168 deaths, 2,425 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,061 confirmed (including 62 deaths, 997 resolved) Saskatchewan: 708 confirmed (including 13 deaths, 636 resolved) Manitoba: 297 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 293 resolved), 11 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 261 confirmed (including 3 deaths,

An independent school in B.C.'s Fraser Health region has suspended classes after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the person held a variety of roles at the school, including teaching. Henry says a positive COVID-19 case at a school isn't unexpected, adding that she spoke about such a possibility when schools first reopened. British Columbia announced eight new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths on Thursday, bringing the total number of cases to 2,783. Health Minister Adrian Dix announced that staff at all 501 long term care homes in