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BCSep 16, 2020

Protesters claim slowing down of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project

Just a day after the CEO of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project said the 12.6-billion dollar development was on time and on budget, protesters are claiming they've slowed it down. Demonstrators occupying a grove of trees in Burnaby say in a statement that they have prevented Trans Mountain from working in that area, pushing the project's completion date to 2023. CEO Ian Anderson says the pipeline, which more than triples the amount of bitumen moving from the Edmonton-area to port in Burnaby, has overcome many hurdles and will wrap up by 2022. A spokesman for the protesters says cour
cn-says-bridge-repairs-underway-near-hope-b-c-after-60-cp-freight-cars-derailed
EnglishSep 16, 2020

CN says bridge repairs underway near Hope, B.C., after 60 CP freight cars derailed

CN Rail says work is now underway to recover the 60 freight cars that derailed off a bridge Monday about 100 kilometres east of Vancouver. A statement from the company says the damaged cars from the Canadian Pacific train are being removed from the site and repair work is underway on the bridge near Hope, B.C. The CP freight train was hauling potash, a non-hazardous, potassium-rich type of salt, when the cars left the bridge, dumping some of the material into a nearby creek. No one was hurt and CN says the spill is contained and water monitoring is continuing, while remediation work begins wi
if-forced-holding-an-election-would-not-be-an-irresponsible-act-pm-trudeau
CanadaSep 16, 2020

If forced, holding an election would not be an irresponsible act: PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making clear he doesn't want to be on the campaign trail this fall. At the same time, Trudeau says holding an election campaign, if one was forced on Canadians, would not be an irresponsible act. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is warning Canadians that we aren't immune as countries in Europe and elsewhere see a steady rise in new COVID-19 infections. Trudeau says we've come too far to give up now. He is urging Canadians to follow public health guidelines and stay vigilant. Trudeau is wrapping up a two-day cabinet retreat today. Cabinet meetings included talk of
BCSep 16, 2020

BC's inflation rate stayed static in August at 0.2%

Lower prices for gas and air travel helped push the cost of living down last month, keeping inflation pegged at 0.1 per cent across Canada in August, the same as July. BC's rate also stayed static in August at 0.2%, identical to the July setting. The cost of living in Victoria edged down to 0.1 per cent in August from 0.3 % in July but inflation in Vancouver remained in negative territory at -0.2 up from -0.3 per cent the month earlier. Sluggish inflation means the Bank of Canada will hold its interest rate at 0.25% the lowest possible, in hopes people will borrow and spend, propelling the cos
b-c-nurses-will-be-able-prescribe-drugs-in-od-fight
BCSep 16, 2020

B.C. nurses will be able prescribe drugs in OD fight

Registered and psychiatric nurses in British Columbia will be able to prescribe safer drugs for people at risk of overdose under a new public health order. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry's order comes as B.C. experiences a record number of monthly overdose deaths with border closings during the COVID-19 pandemic being blamed for putting more toxic drugs on the streets. Henry says new nursing standards will be introduced, along with training, education and access to expert consultation.More than 5,000 people have fatally overdosed in B.C. since the province declared a public health
some-parts-of-b-c-enjoy-better-air-quality-but-southern-regions-still-affected
BCSep 16, 2020

Some parts of B.C. enjoy better air quality but southern regions still affected

Smoky skies have cleared slightly in parts of British Columbia but Environment Canada is maintaining air quality statements for the entire southern third of the province.For the first time in days, the weather office lifted smoky skies bulletins for all areas north of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Thompson regions.But it says wildfire smoke carried north from blazes in Washington state, Oregon and California is expected to continue blanketing southern B.C. at least until later this week.The province's air quality health index reflected a brief improvement in conditions early Wednes
consumer-price-index-in-august-hits-0-1-per-cent-statistics-canada-says
CanadaSep 16, 2020

Consumer price index in August hits 0.1 per cent, Statistics Canada says

Statistics Canada says the consumer price index in August was up 0.1 per cent compared with a year ago.The annual inflation rate was unchanged from the year-over-year increase of 0.1 per cent in July. The average economist estimate had been for a year-over-year increase of 0.4 per cent for August, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv. Gasoline prices remained down 11.1 per cent compared to August 2019, following a 14.9 per cent decline recorded in July.Excluding gasoline from the inflation calculations, the consumer price index rose by 0.6 per cent in August. Prices, though, wer
about-3-000-people-in-b-c-under-covid-19-monitoring-97-new-positive-cases
BCSep 16, 2020

About 3,000 people in B.C. under COVID-19 monitoring, 97 new positive cases

BC is reporting 97 new cases of COVID-19 and no additional deaths, leaving the death toll at 219. Heath officials say a new outbreak has been detected at the Opal retirement residence in Vancouver, meaning 11 long-term care or assisted-living facilities have ongoing outbreaks. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry say in a joint statement that the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has ticked up to 63. There are 1,590 active cases in BC, while 3,000 people remain under active monitoring by public health workers after exposure to known cases.
WorldSep 15, 2020

Hurricane Sally crawling towards northern Gulf Coast, Alabama Gov. urges people to flee low-lying areas

The US National Hurricane Center says parts of Alabama and the Florida panhandle could see historic flooding when hurricane Sally makes landfall near the Alabama-Mississippi state line sometime today or early tomorrow. The Category 1 storm is crawling toward the northern Gulf Coast at just three kilometres per hour. Forecasters say some places could be inundated with almost two metres of water. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is urging residents near Mobile Bay and low-lying areas near rivers to evacuate if conditions still permit a safe escape from Hurricane Sally.

Just In

threat-prompts-brief-lockdown-at-nanaimo-high-school
BCDec 11, 2025

Threat prompts brief lockdown at Nanaimo high school

A Nanaimo high school was placed under a precautionary lockdown Wednesday afternoon after school staff were alerted to a threat directed at a student. The incident at Nanaimo District Secondary School began around 2:30 p.m., prompting administrators to activate established safety procedures. Nanaimo RCMP officers responded immediately and remained on site while classrooms were secured. Police and school officials said the lockdown lasted roughly 30 minutes, and students and staff were released shortly after 3 p.m. once officers determined there was no ongoing risk. The district says students w
vancouver-police-seize-loaded-rifle-and-drugs-during-downtown-eastside-arrest
BCDec 11, 2025

Vancouver Police seize loaded rifle and drugs during Downtown Eastside arrest

Vancouver Police say a loaded rifle and several other weapons were taken off the street this week after officers arrested a man suspected of trafficking drugs in the Downtown Eastside. The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near East Hastings and Columbia Street, an area where frontline police and community workers have long raised concerns about violence linked to the drug trade. According to the Vancouver Police Department, members of the Beat Enforcement Team were on routine patrol around 2:35 p.m. on December 9 when they arrested a 32-year-old Surrey resident outside a residential build
donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age