The B.C. government is declaring a provincial state of emergency to support the provincewide response to the ongoing wildfire situation.Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, made the declaration on July 20, 2021, based upon the recommendation from the BC Wildfire Service and Emergency Management BC. The declaration will be in effect starting July 21, 2021.The state of emergency is initially in effect for 14 days once issued and may be extended or rescinded as necessary. The state of emergency applies to the whole province and ensures federal, provincial and local res

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents (PGP) Program is unique in the world. It gives families the chance to reunite here, providing them the opportunity to thrive in this country. Family reunification plays a significant role in attracting, retaining and integrating immigrants who contribute to our success as a country.Building on the success of the PGP Program in recent years, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will invite a record number of people to apply under the 20

The entire town of Oliver is on evacuation alert and nearly 200 properties between Oliver and Osoyoos are evacuated as a new wildfire threatens parts of the south Okanagan. The Inkaneep Creek blaze broke out yesterday afternoon and charred seven square kilometres of bush within hours, prompting evacuation orders from both the Osoyoos Indian Band and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. The regional district has also issued a state of local emergency covering Oliver and the evacuated areas and ``strongly advises'' residents currently on alert to be ready to leave on very short notice

Evacuation orders have been lifted for all but one building in Kelowna, B.C., as crews have dismantled what remained of a crane that collapsed, killing five people. A statement issued by Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says residents and businesses at six addresses can return. It says site engineers and utility inspectors have completed infrastructure and safety inspections but property owners are urged to do their own checks to ensure customers and residents are safe as they go back. The statement says another building directly across the lane from the construction site where the crane

First Nations with former Indian Residential School and Indian Hospital sites in or near their communities can now access the B.C. residential school response fund, with the added support of two newly appointed First Nations liaisons."I acknowledge the trauma that Indigenous peoples continue to experience as a result of the colonial legacy of residential schools, and I grieve with the families and communities as we grapple with recent findings and the findings yet to come," said Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. "We know it's going to take time, technical reso

58% of respondents to an online survey by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies say travellers should be required to show a document that proves they are immunized against COVID-19. The poll suggests 48 per cent of Canadians support the total reopening of the Canada-US border at the end of August. Leger executive vice-president Christian Bourque says Canadians are divided on the issues of requiring travellers to show proof of vaccination and re-opening the borders. The online poll of 1,529 adult Canadians was carried out July 16th to 18th, and it cannot be assigned a margin of error

The RCMP says it has notified the Independent Investigations Office of BC after someone was taken to hospital with a dog bite. The Mounties say police received a report of a person yelling and screaming for days on Quadra Island Sunday. They say the incident occurred when responding officers encountered someone who appeared to be holding a weapon and refused to leave a trailer. RCMP say the person suffered a dog bite after a police service dog was deployed and received first aid at the scene before being transported to hospital.

A group made up primarily of retired military officers and diplomats is looking for volunteers to welcome and help integrate any former Afghan interpreters and their families who end up being evacuated to Canada. Calls are growing to protect those who worked with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan from Taliban retaliation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Hamilton today that many Afghans put their lives at risk to support Canadians.Trudeau says this is something his government takes very seriously and that it is working diligently and aggressively on its plan. Some Canadian vet

Canada's deputy public health officer says almost 80 per cent of Canadians 12 and over have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Howard Njoo says over 57 per cent of Canadians are fully vaccinated with two doses. He says that number is steadily increasing, with many people intending to get vaccinated. Njoo says with fall and back-to-school approaching, it's a call to arms to get the shot and protect yourself and others.