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b-c-mental-health-minister-becomes-latest-cabinet-member-not-to-run-again
BCSep 17, 2020

B.C. mental health minister becomes latest cabinet member not to run again

British Columbia's minister of mental health and addictions says she won't seek re-election, joining a string of senior cabinet ministers who are bowing out of provincial politics. Judy Darcy, who represents New Westminster in the legislature, says in a statement that it's been an ``enormous privilege'' to serve as B.C.'s first-ever minister of mental health and addictions. She added that she's proud of the way B.C. has worked to tackle both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing overdose crisis. Before being elected as a New Democrat to represent New Westminster in 2013, Darcy worked for the C
federal-government-causing-a-covid-19-disaster-by-not-quickly-approving-rapid-testing-methods-erin-otoole
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Federal government causing a COVID-19 disaster by not quickly approving rapid testing methods: Erin O'Toole

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the federal government is causing a COVID-19 disaster by not moving more quickly to approve rapid testing methods that are already in use in other countries. O'Toole and his family were tested this morning for COVID-19 through a program for MPs, after waiting for several hours to be tested in Ottawa Wednesday and having to give up. O'Toole, his wife Rebecca and their children Mollie and Jack are all in isolation after an O'Toole staff member he was travelling with tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Demand for COVID-19 testing has skyrocketed this wee
wage-subsidy-extension-into-2021-critical-for-tourism-sector-to-survive-industry
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Wage subsidy extension into 2021 critical for tourism sector to survive: industry

A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the federal government must keep its wage-subsidy program in place well into next year for businesses with dire prospects for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the phasing out of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program could result in the loss of millions of jobs. The Coalition of Hardest Hit businesses says without the federal program covering as much as 75 per cent of wages, many tourism-related businesses simply won't survive. The president of the Hotel As
harsimrat-kaur-badal-resigns-from-union-cabinet-over-anti-farmer-legislation-capt-amarinder-singh-calls-the-deecision-a-part-of-long-chain-of-theatrics
IndiaSep 17, 2020

Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigns from union cabinet over `anti-farmer legislation'; Capt. Amarinder Singh calls the decision a part of long chain of theatrics

Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday resigned from Union Cabinet in protest against "anti-farmer ordinances and legislation".The resignation came soon after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal opposed the two farmer-related bills in the Lok Sabha. SAD is an ally of ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre and in Punjab."I have resigned from Union Cabinet in protest against anti-farmer ordinances and legislation. Proud to stand with farmers as their daughter and sister," Harsimrat Kaur Badal said in a tweet.The two bills seek to replace two ordinan
post-secondary-students-paying-for-inaccessible-services-as-they-study-online
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Post-secondary students paying for inaccessible services as they study online

The Canadian Federation of Students is crying foul over fees post-secondary institutions are charging for services and facilities students can't use. With classes having moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students aren't on campuses to visit libraries and athletic centres, if they're even open.The federation's deputy chairperson Nicole Brayiannis says the fees are an added burden on young people who have been left behind throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.The federation is calling on the federal government to provide immediate financial support for post-secondary students.Universit
BCSep 17, 2020

200-member B.C. crew off to Oregon wildfires, 200 more may be assigned: Premier

Two hundred British Columbia firefighters are heading to Oregon to help with devastating wildfires in that state.A joint statement from the premier's office and the Ministry of Forests says the firefighters and related personnel are being sent to Redmond, Ore. 'It also says discussions are underway with officials in Oregon and Washington state regarding deployment of another 200-member contingent from B.C. All the firefighters are BC Wildfire Service employees and officials say they will work separately from U.S. crews given the challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.Premier John Horgan says
b-c-government-set-to-release-plan-to-recharge-economy-after-covid-19-blow
BCSep 17, 2020

B.C. government set to release plan to recharge economy after COVID-19 blow

The British Columbia government is expected to reveal how it plans to stimulate an economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan and Finance Minister Carole James are scheduled to release details today of the $1.5-billion economic recovery plan.Last week, James announced the province's most recent financial numbers from April to June project an economic decline of 6.7 per cent for this year.She said the budget is forecast to post a deficit of almost $13 billion for the 2020-21 fiscal year.The Opposition Liberals have accused the NDP government of being too slow in respondin
fraser-health-now-reporting-covid-19-exposures-at-schools-122-new-cases-reported-in-b-c
BCSep 17, 2020

Fraser Health now reporting COVID-19 exposures at schools; 122 new cases reported in B.C.

Families with school-age children in British Columbia will soon be able to go to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control website for information about COVID-19 outbreaks and exposure events at schools. A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says the site already links to notifications from Fraser Health and other health authorities will follow. Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin, Fraser Health's interim chief medical health officer, says the new page that reports COVID-19 exposures in schools is part of an effort to correct inaccurate details on social
yoshihide-suga-named-japans-prime-minister-succeeding-abe
WorldSep 16, 2020

Yoshihide Suga named Japan's prime minister, succeeding Abe

Japan's Parliament has elected Yoshihide Suga as prime minister, replacing long-serving leader Shinzo Abe with his right-hand man. Suga bowed deeply several times when the results were announced in parliament's powerful lower house. Suga, who was chief Cabinet secretary and the top government spokesman under Abe, selected a Cabinet that is a mix of fresh faces and current or former ministers. He has promised to serve the interests of ordinary people and rural communities. Suga says he will pursue Abe's unfinished policies and that his priorities will be fighting the coronavirus and turning ar

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six-more-ucp-mlas-face-recall-efforts-raising-questions-about-government-majority
AlbertaNov 24, 2025

Six more UCP MLAs face recall efforts, raising questions about government majority

Six additional members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus are now the subject of recall petitions, according to Elections Alberta, marking a significant expansion of efforts to challenge sitting government lawmakers. The new approvals bring the total number of UCP MLAs under recall to nine. The most recent petitions target four cabinet ministers – Rajan Sawhney, Myles McDougall, Dale Nally and RJ Sigurdson – along with House Speaker Ric McIver and Associate Minister for Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen. Earlier this month, petitions were authorized against Education M
migrant-advocates-urge-federal-government-to-withdraw-proposed-border-security-law
CanadaNov 24, 2025

Migrant advocates urge federal government to withdraw proposed border security law

Migrant rights organizations are urging the federal government to abandon Bill C-12, legislation they warn could severely limit access to Canada’s refugee system. The proposed border security bill is currently before House of Commons committees, with clause-by-clause review scheduled at the national security committee this week. The bill features several significant changes to immigration and asylum procedures, including a provision that would prevent people who have lived in Canada for more than a year from submitting a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Groups working with
woman-injured-after-shots-fired-at-surrey-home-under-police-investigation
CanadaNov 24, 2025

Woman injured after shots fired at Surrey home under police investigation

Surrey Police Service is examining a neighbourhood in the city’s north end after a woman was hurt in a shooting outside a home late Sunday night. Officers were called around 9:11 p.m. to the 12100 block of 101B Avenue following reports of gunfire near the residence. Police say the woman, who was inside the home at the time, was taken to hospital with injuries that are not considered life threatening. Several other people were present but were not harmed. Investigators remained on site through Monday to review physical evidence and gather any available security footage. SPS reports that the m
search-continues-for-grizzly-after-bella-coola-school-group-attacked-nuxalk-nation-raises-support-funds
BCNov 24, 2025

Search continues for grizzly after Bella Coola school group attacked, Nuxalk Nation raises support funds

British Columbia conservation officers say they are continuing to search the Bella Coola Valley for the grizzly bear involved in a sudden attack on an elementary school group last week. Three students and a teacher were hospitalized on Thursday after the bear charged a group of about 20 people who had stopped for lunch during a field trip. Officials now believe the incident likely involved a mother grizzly with two cubs, a situation that can increase defensive behaviour. Conservation officers have placed traps in the area and are urging residents and visitors to avoid nearby forested trails wh
snowfall-warning-in-southeastern-b-c-as-weekend-storm-drenches-south-coast
BCNov 24, 2025

Snowfall warning in southeastern B.C. as weekend storm drenches south coast

Environment Canada is cautioning travellers in southeastern British Columbia as a winter storm brings up to 20 centimetres of snow to the Elk Valley region near the Alberta border. The agency says the heaviest bands are expected around Fernie, with conditions easing later this evening as the system moves east. The advisory stretches across Alberta’s southern boundary with the United States and into parts of southern Saskatchewan. The weather office says the snowfall is tied to a low-pressure system tracking across the Prairies, creating challenging conditions on highways frequently used by t