British Columbians are waking to a future without a consumer carbon tax for the first time in 17 years, after the late-night approval of a bill to end the long-standing policy. The NDP government fast-tracked legislation to kill off the tax on Monday, in time to coincide with today's demise of the federal version of the tax. B.C. became the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a broad-based carbon tax in 2008. Premier David Eby says it played an important role for many years, but it became a "toxic" issue as a result of campaigns by the B.C. and federal Conservative parties. Eby sa

The death toll from the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar has surpassed 2,700, with thousands more injured, Myanmar media reported Tuesday. The head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, told a forum in the capital, Naypyitaw, that 2,719 people have now been found dead, with 4,521 others injured and 441 missing, the Western News online portal reported. With many areas hit by Friday’s earthquake still not reached by rescue crews, those numbers are still expected to rise.

Border officers have announced the seizure of almost 150 kilograms of methamphetamine bound for export at Vancouver International Airport, with some of the drugs disguised as gifts or masked with vinegar and pepper to hide their smell. The Canada Border Services Agency says in a news release that six separate seizures were made between Jan. 18 and Feb. 19, with the drugs all hidden in passengers' suitcases. It says destinations were Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, with the biggest single haul of 35.7 kilograms wrapped in gift paper and hidden in two suitcases bound for Hong Kong. The age

Calgary police say a massage therapist has been handed three more sexual assault charges on top of the one he already had. Donald Patrick Harris was charged earlier this month after a matter involving a client in January, where he allegedly touched the victim in a sexual manner without consent. Police say more victims have since come forward, leading to more charges against the 46-year-old man who had been working at Parkview Massage and Wellness. Investigators are reminding the public that there is no time limit on reporting sexual assault and that victims are to report it, even if

The by-elections for Punjab's Ludhiana West assembly constituency are expected to be held in May, prompting the AAP to intensify its election campaign. According to reports, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and party leader Arvind Kejriwal will be campaigning in Ludhiana for three days, starting tomorrow. Sanjeev Arora, AAP’s candidate for the Ludhiana West seat and current Rajya Sabha member, shared that Kejriwal will hold a rally against drugs in Ludhiana's Ghumar Mandi on April 2. He added that both Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, along with the entire state leadership, wil

Amid Canada’s ongoing housing crisis, Liberal Leader Mark Carney has announced plans to build approximately 500,000 new homes per year and establish a new housing agency called Build Canada Homes. This agency will serve as a developer overseeing the construction of affordable homes across the country if Carney’s government returns to power. Carney stated that his government would double the number of homes built, which he believes will help lower housing prices. It’s important to note that house prices in Canada have risen significantly in recent years, with the average price of a home

Surrey property and road taxes are set to increase, with the city considering a 2.8 percent property tax hike and a one percent road levy increase. Mayor Brenda Locke stated that this would likely be the smallest property tax increase Surrey has ever experienced. The mayor emphasized that the city’s construction and amenities are crucial in these uncertain times, which is why efforts were made to keep the tax increase as low as possible. Mayor Locke also announced that the public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal until April 11. After that, it will be reviewed by the Fina

The British Columbia government is moving forward with the elimination of the consumer carbon tax. The province's Finance Minister, Brenda Bailey, has introduced a bill in the legislature to remove the 17-year-old tax for the public. Additionally, the payment related to the carbon tax that people will receive in April will be the final one. It is important to note that the consumer carbon tax has been in effect in BC since 2008. Its removal will result in a loss of approximately $1.5 billion to the provincial budget.

British Columbians could see a drop in gas prices starting April 1 as Premier David Eby's government introduces legislation in the legislature today to eliminate the consumer carbon tax. The move is expected to reduce gas prices by approximately 17 cents per liter and save residential natural gas consumers around $30 per month. However, passing the bill in the legislature on time may prove challenging. The BC Greens have expressed reluctance to support the bill without a replacement climate plan, while the BC Conservative Party has stated it will only support the bill if it does not further b