BCJan 06, 2021
Man fatally shot by police in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood
A 37 year old man has died after being shot by police in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood early Tuesday. Police say in a news release paramedics called for help in response to a man who was acting aggressively and erratically at a residential building. They say the man sustained injuries after smashing his window and throwing large objects into the street before police arrived. Police say they received reports the man was chasing people on the street with a weapon, "using it in an aggressive and threatening manner." He was subsequently shot by police. Police did not provide further
BCJan 06, 2021
B.C. mink farmer decides to destroy 1,000 animals after positive COVID-19 tests
British Columbia's chief veterinarian says a mink farmer decided to euthanize the remaining 1,000 animals on his Fraser Valley operation after some of the mink tested positive for COVID-19. Dr. Rayna Gunvaldsen says the operator was not ordered by the provincial government to euthanize the animals as more tests are underway to determine the extent of the presence of COVID-19. The first farm where the virus spread to mink also had eight workers who tested positive and Gunvaldsen says both farms remain under quarantine. She says there are no other reports of COVID-19 at B.C.'s eight other mink f
BCJan 06, 2021
Higher property values in B.C. prompt increase in 2021 homeowner grant
A grant that helps British Columbia homeowners offset a portion of their property tax is being raised to reflect an increase in the assessed value of their homes. The Ministry of Finance says the threshold for the 2021 homeowner grant has been set at $1.625 million, a $100,000 increase over last year. It says the increase means the same percentage of homeowners remain eligible for either the basic grant or an enhanced grant that's available to those over 65 or people with disabilities. About 92 per cent of homeowners were eligible last year. In Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Regional Dist
BCJan 05, 2021
COVID-19 outbreak at cardiac ward in St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver
Vancouver Coastal Health say there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 on the cardiac ward in St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver, closing the unit to all but end-of-life visits. Although the rest of the hospital remains open. Interior Health says weekly case numbers of COVID-19 are higher, per capita, in Revelstoke than in many other areas of B.C.Interior Health says weekly case numbers of COVID-19 are higher, per capita, in Revelstoke than in many other areas of the province and it is urging residents to take steps to curb the spread of the virus. The health authority has issued a news re
CanadaJan 05, 2021
Starting Thursday, Canada is requiring incoming air travellers to present evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test: Dominic LeBlanc
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the federal government will look at just about any measure to discourage people from travelling internationally. But he says Canada doesn't want to join the short list of countries that require government approval for travel, with measures such as exit visas. He says the federal government has been crystal clear since early last year that travelling abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic is a bad idea. Starting Thursday, Canada is requiring incoming air travellers to present evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test before being allowed t
CanadaJan 05, 2021
Federal government is making changes to the $1,000 sickness benefit: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians who have travelled abroad should not expect to collect a benefit for people who have to isolate themselves. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is making changes to the $1,000 sickness benefit. He says the program is for workers who have to quarantine because they are sick or have had close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. Trudeau says the point was never to subsidize vacations and he's frustrated and angry that non-essential travellers might have claimed the benefit. The government will revise the rules t
CanadaJan 05, 2021
Dr. Theresa Tam concerned at how quickly Canada's COVID-19 case numbers are growing
Canada's chief public health officer says she's concerned at how quickly Canada's COVID-19 case numbers are growing. Doctor Theresa Tam says over the past week, the number of infections has been increasing by almost 7,500 per day. She notes that it took five months for Canada to reach its first 100,000 cases, and just over two weeks to go from 500- to 600,000. Dr. Tam says this rapid accumulation of cases will continue until we can make significant progress in interrupting the spread of the virus. More than 617,000 case have been reported in Canada since the start of pandemic. At present 79,5
BCJan 05, 2021
Majority of sailings between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver cancelled due to extreme weather: BC Ferries
BC Ferries has cancelled the majority of sailings today between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver due to extreme weather. Environment Canada says a strong Pacific frontal system will bring very strong winds beginning in the late morning, with gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour. The strongest winds are expected over exposed coastal sections near the Strait of Georgia, Haro Strait and the Southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries says it doesn't take the decision lightly and will resume service as soon as it's safe to do so. BC Ferries is telling travellers to check its website after numerous aftern
BCJan 05, 2021
Weather warnings in effect for most of coastal B.C. and wind gusts topping 100 km/h are already lashing Haida Gwaii
Weather warnings cover most of coastal British Columbia and wind gusts topping 100 km/h are already lashing Haida Gwaii as the leading edge of a powerful storm hits the province. Wind warnings are posted for Haida Gwaii, north and central coasts, most of Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and Metro Vancouver. Environment Canada's weather office says gusts of up to 120 km/h are possible in northern regions before easing by noon while winds of 70 to 90 km/h are forecast to hit the south coast by midday. BC Ferries is telling travellers to check its website after