B.C. is stepping up its fight against hard-to-recycle single-use and plastic items.A new provincial regulation will cover numerous items from shopping bags and disposable food service accessories to packaging made of polystyrene foam and compostable or biodegradable plastics.The Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation will begin to come into force in December.There will be a six-month phase-in period to educate the public and businesses and allow time for businesses to use up existing inventory.

Canada is expected to close applications for temporary emergency visas offered to Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression Saturday but hasn't announced whether it plans to offer long-term refuge.Canada launched the emergency visa after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year as millions of people fled the embattled country.The visa is available to an unlimited number of Ukrainians and allows them to work and study in Canada for three years while they figure out their next steps. Those who've come to Canada using the emergency visa aren't given refugee status in Canada, and instead are consider

The B.C. government is confirming the death of a firefighter who was responding to a wildfire near Revelstoke.A statement from Premier David Eby issued late Thursday offers his condolences.Calling it a "tremendous loss for everyone involved with the BC Wildfire Service at an already challenging time," the statement goes on to say the tragedy serves as a heartbreaking reminder that firefighters are often putting their lives on the line to keep people and communities safe.The statement offers condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the unidentified crew member on behalf of all Briti

The government is taking a look at possible threats from other social-media applications, after banishing TikTok from the mobile devices of federal public servants for privacy and security reasons.Martin Potvin, a spokesman for the Treasury Board Secretariat, says the government is conducting a wider review of social-media applications on work devices and will share the results when they are available.Potvin says the government is working to improve cybersecurity in Canada by identifying threats and vulnerabilities, including from social-media platforms, to ensure the protection of systems and

Tentative deal reached to end B.C Port strike.B.C. Maritime Employer' Association says it will work with union and other partners to safely resume operations asap.It also states that the new 4 year deal is subject to ratification by both parties.No further details have been shared yet.

Canada's premiers have ended their annual three-day conference in Winnipeg with a request that Ottawa boost economic growth and trade.Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, who hosted the meeting, says the premiers have asked for a dedicated meeting with the prime minister to discuss infrastructure priorities.Stefanson says partnerships are needed to keep Canada competitive, but Ottawa must respect the unique jurisdictions of each province.She says the provinces are united in their goal of advancing infrastructure in communities and between jurisdictions, including economic trade corridors.The pr

At least 12 new evacuation orders or alerts have been issued over the last day in British Columbia as lightning storms and drought conditions add to the challenge of fighting hundreds of wildfires.The orders and alerts cover thousands of hectares of land mainly in the Prince George and Northwest fire centres. The BC Wildfire Service says just over two-thirds of the province's roughly 330 fires are raging in those two centres. Environment Canada has posted air-quality statements for much of central and northern B.C. and parts of Yukon as far north as Faro, with conditions not expected to ease f

The federal labour minster has asked mediators for terms to end the B.C. port strike within 24 hours.Seamus O'Regan issued a statement saying the scale of this disruption shows how important the relationship between the B.C. Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada is to our national interest.He says that once he has received the terms from the mediator, he will forward them to both sides and they will have another 24 hours to decide whether to ratify the principles of the deal.

Police in British Columbia are raising concerns about the rise of 3D-printed guns and other privately made firearms, saying the risks posed by the weapons that often resemble "harmless toys" may not be understood by parents or teachers.The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit has shared a photo of an array of weapons printed in colourful plastic, with names including Songbird, Biden's Bane and Macdaddy.Others appear to be replicas of commercially made guns including an AR-15 rifle and handguns by Glock and Smith & Wesson.The unit says in a news release that although a fully functional