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BCDec 21, 2021

Fast-moving Omicron variant prompts additional COVID-19 measures in BC, ministry

More health measures could be coming in British Columbia one day after restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 took effect.Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are set to provide another update this afternoon on COVID-19.The Ministry of Health has reported 2,550 new cases between Friday and Sunday, pushing the total number of active infections to 5,435 _ a leap of 2,486 cases in one week.The ministry says public health is monitoring the increase as well as developments in other areas, and will outline addi
b-c-reports-2-550-new-covid-19-cases-and-3-deaths
BCDec 21, 2021

B.C. reports 2,550 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 2,550 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 228,335 cases in the province:Dec. 17-18: 911 new casesDec. 18-19: 832 new casesDec. 19-20: 807 new casesThere are 5,435 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 220,348 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 185 individuals are in hospital and 77 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 72 hours, three new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,402.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: oneNorthern Health: one
b-c-mounties-say-they-are-monitoring-protest-against-gas-pipeline
BCDec 21, 2021

B.C. Mounties say they are monitoring protest against gas pipeline

The RCMP say they are investigating allegations that protesters threatened security officials, set off flares and damaged vehicles at a drill site for the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia. The Mounties say in a statement released Monday that officers were called to the site along a forest service road near Houston on Sunday. They say anyone blocking worker access to the area is in breach of a court-ordered injunction. Opposition to the pipeline project among Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs sparked rallies and rail blockades across Canada last year. The elected council of t
rcmp-investigate-fatality-at-local-ski-resort
BCDec 20, 2021

RCMP investigate fatality at local ski resort

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP and BC Coroners Service are investigating after a Vernon man died while snowboarding at Silverstar Mountain Resort on Saturday morning.On Saturday, December 18th, 2021, at approximately 11:20 a.m., the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were notified that a snowboarder had been found unconscious in the Putnam Creek area of the mountain. The initial investigation has determined the man was snowboarding in an area of complex terrain that was closed at the time due to poor conditions. The victim, who was alone, fell into a ravine and was later discovered by a skier who noti
foreign-affairs-minister-mélanie-joly-tests-positive-for-covid-19
CanadaDec 20, 2021

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly tests positive for COVID-19

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has tested positive for COVID-19. She shared the information on Twitter. Her rapid test has ben found positive as she waits for the results of a PCR test. Mélanie Joly on Twitter: I have taken a rapid test and tested positive for #COVID19. Following public health guidelines, I am in isolation and will continue my work virtually, as I have been for a number of days, until I get the results of my PCR test. 1/3 I’m grateful for the protection that vaccines offer us and encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted. It’s the best thing we c
quebec-reports-record-4-571-covid-19-cases-as-public-health-measures-come-into-force
CanadaDec 20, 2021

Quebec reports record 4,571 COVID-19 cases as public health measures come into force

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube says the situation in his province is critical, so new restrictions are necessary. Dube has announced the complete closure of bars and casinos and says restaurants can open only between 5 and 10 pm. Schools will also close as of today and until January 10th. Quebec reported a single-day record of 4,571 new COVID-19 infections today. Ontario reported 3,784 new cases today as many newly-eligible residents 18 and up scrambled to try to book a vaccine booster shot.
man-arrested-following-a-deadly-stabbing-near-the-metrotown-mall-in-burnaby
BCDec 20, 2021

Man arrested following a deadly stabbing near the Metrotown Mall in Burnaby

Homicide investigators say a man has been arrested following a deadly stabbing near the Metrotown Mall in Burnaby yesterday morning. A statement from the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the man was picked up shortly after the attack, which was not random as the suspect and victim are known to each other. Police say there were also reports of several other ``serious offences'' in the same area at the time of the stabbing, but no one else was hurt and officers continue to investigate how all the events might be connected. The suspect in his 30s remains in custody and detectiv
b-c-extends-cap-on-food-delivery-fees
BCDec 20, 2021

B.C. extends cap on food delivery fees

The British Columbia government says it's extending the cap on fees charged by food delivery companies to help the restaurant industry through the COVID-19 pandemic. Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, says the fee cap was to expire on Dec. 31, but it's now been extended to the end of 2022. The fee charged to restaurants by food delivery companies will remain at 15 per cent, while the additional cap of five per cent has been extended for other services, such as online ordering and processing fees. The original order was put in place on Dec. 22 last year under
coquihalla-highway-reopens-to-essential-commercial-traffic
BCDec 20, 2021

Coquihalla Highway reopens to essential commercial traffic

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) has reopened between Hope and Merritt to essential commercial vehicles only following a month of extensive repairs.The highway was closed by multiple washouts on Nov. 14, 2021."The people who build and maintain roads in B.C. have a reputation second to none, and their response to the recent disaster has been remarkable," said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "Ministry teams, maintenance contractors and hundreds of workers going flat out in challenging conditions have allowed us to reopen the Coquihalla Highway today, giving B.C.’s

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b-c-launches-new-forestry-and-emergency-management-testbed-under-look-west-plan
BCDec 16, 2025

B.C. launches new forestry and emergency management testbed under Look West plan

The B.C. government has launched a new Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed aimed at helping local companies develop and scale technologies to better protect communities from wildfires, floods and other extreme weather events. The initiative is part of the province’s Look West economic plan, which focuses on strengthening domestic industries and reducing reliance on external markets. Delivered through Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace, the provincewide testbed will allow B.C. businesses to pilot technologies in real-world settings tied to wildfire and flood prevention, f
five-month-nanaimo-rcmp-probe-leads-to-drug-trafficking-and-firearm-charges
BCDec 16, 2025

Five-month Nanaimo RCMP probe leads to drug trafficking and firearm charges

A five-month investigation by Nanaimo RCMP has resulted in multiple drug and firearm-related charges against two Nanaimo residents, following the seizure of controlled substances, weapons and body armour from a local residence. Police say the investigation began in early November 2024 after general duty officers received information that a home in Nanaimo was being used to traffic illegal drugs. With assistance from the RCMP General Investigation Section and the Projects Drug Unit, officers executed a search warrant at the residence on April 17, 2025. During the search, investigators seized qu
federal-buy-canadian-procurement-rules-take-effect-prioritizing-domestic-industries
CanadaDec 16, 2025

Federal ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement rules take effect, prioritizing domestic industries

The federal government’s new ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy came into force today, marking a significant shift in how Ottawa purchases goods and services for major public projects. The policy, announced earlier this fall, is designed to give preference to Canadian-made products and Canadian workers in federal contracting. The government says the approach is aimed at strengthening domestic industries and protecting supply chains during a period of ongoing global trade uncertainty. In its first phase, the policy applies to federal contracts valued at $25 million or more. These projects
AlbertaDec 16, 2025

Inmate convicted in Edmonton prison killing was already serving life sentence for Calgary murder

A man already serving a life sentence for the murder of a Calgary caseworker has been convicted in the killing of a fellow inmate at a maximum-security federal prison in Edmonton. Brandon Newman was found guilty last week of manslaughter in the 2022 stabbing death of 33-year-old Bretton Fisher at the Edmonton Institution. Newman is currently incarcerated for the second-degree murder of Deborah Onwu, a caseworker who was stabbed 19 times at an assisted-living facility in Calgary in 2019. Court heard that tensions escalated inside the prison after Fisher confronted Newman over the earlier killin
heavy-rain-warnings-remain-in-southwest-b-c-as-flood-recovery-continues-in-fraser-valley
BCDec 16, 2025

Heavy rain warnings remain in southwest B.C. as flood recovery continues in Fraser Valley

Residents in parts of southwestern British Columbia are being warned to prepare for more heavy rainfall as cleanup efforts continue following recent flooding in the Fraser Valley. Environment Canada says up to 70 millimetres of rain could fall across areas including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley through Wednesday morning. The forecast comes as floodwaters linked to the Nooksack River in Washington state begin to recede, allowing cleanup operations to start earlier this week in several low-lying Fraser Valley communities. Provincial officials say the flood threat is not over. B.C. Emerg