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wildfire-smoke-is-toxic-may-cause-health-issues-expert
BCAug 22, 2023

'Wildfire smoke is toxic, may cause health issues': Expert

Experts say that the smoke spread in Metro Vancouver due to forest fires is toxic and can cause many health problems.Burnaby's Dr. Susan Kwan says the air is full of toxins that will make it difficult for people to breathe, whether they have health problems or not.She said that air contains nitric oxide and aromatic hydrocarbons, and such elements are toxic to the body.This can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, itching, pain or irritation in the nose.Dr. Kwan says that to avoid these problems, limit your outdoor time and drink plenty of water.The smoke is expected to persist for the next
meta-responds-to-trudeau-eby-on-row-over-blocking-canadian-news
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Meta responds to Trudeau & Eby on row over blocking Canadian news

Social media conglomerate Meta has responded to criticism from both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B-C Premier David Eby on its decision to continue its ban on Canadian news content on Facebook and Instagram.Meta says in a statement that the company has been clear since February about the federal Online News Act and its effect on Canadian news content on its platforms.The statement also says Canadians can still access news by going directly to news outlets' websites and mobile apps, while Facebook continues to carry emergency information through crisis-response pages for both Kelowna and Ye
canada-considering-foreign-student-visa-cap-to-address-housing-shortage
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Canada considering foreign student visa cap to address housing shortage

The Canadian government is considering putting a cap on international student visas to deal with the housing crisis.Former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser gave this information while talking to journalists.Speaking to reporters in Charlottetown on Monday, he said capping the number of international students to ease pressure on the housing market is one of the options he should consider.It is worth noting that Canada is a popular choice for international students because it is easier to get a work permit compared to other countries.According to official data, 800,000 foreign students came to C
too-early-to-estimate-insured-losses-from-the-fires-the-insurance-bureau-of-canada
BCAug 22, 2023

'Too early to estimate insured losses from the fires' : The Insurance Bureau of Canada

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says it may not be possible to estimate insured losses from the fires currently burning in British Columbia, however, experts say that one should start processing the insurance claims as soon as possible. .Daniel Ivans of Rates dot ca says that when filing a claim, not every detail of the damage needs to be provided right now, and relevant information can be added later.The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all standard homeowners and tenant insurance policies cover fire damage, and also provide coverage to help with mass evacuation costs.
justin-trudeau-slams-meta-for-blocking-news-during-wildfires-in-canada
CanadaAug 21, 2023

Justin Trudeau slams Meta for blocking news during wildfires in Canada

In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Meta's decision to block news on its platforms in Canada.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Prince Edward Island for a cabinet retreat, where he commented on Meta that people in Canada are neither sharing nor receiving news on Facebook and Instagram.In fact, since the federal government passed its Online News Act Bill C-18 in June, Meta has blocked news on its platforms in Canada.It is worth noting that due to the wildfires, the pressure to remove the news ban on Meta is increasing.On the other han
at-least-50-buildings-lost-to-wildfire-in-west-kelowna-b-c-officials
BCAug 21, 2023

'At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna' : B.C. officials

The West Kelowna fire chief says at least 50 structures have been destroyed by the McDougal Creek fire on both sides of Okanagan Lake.Jason Brolund says the damage assessment is not complete and the status of more buildings is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.Officials, however, have said that the crew has made good progress in the last few days and no casualties have been reported in the last 24 hours.The fire is still spreading in about 11,000 hectares.Evacuation orders and alerts continue for various communities in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
feds-demand-meta-to-lift-ban-from-wildfires-news
CanadaAug 18, 2023

Feds demand Meta to lift ban from wildfires news

A Canadian government minister on Friday demanded that Meta remove a ban on domestic news from its platform so that the country's people can get information about wildfires in the West.Meta began blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada this month.Transport Minister Pablo Rodríguez said that what Meta is doing now is completely unacceptable, and that it is very wrong not to get such information to the public.They demanded that Meta withdraw the decision.A Meta spokesperson, on the other hand, said the company has activated a "Safety Check" feature on Faceb
airspace-over-kelowna-international-airport-closed-to-accommodate-crews-battle-wildfires
BCAug 18, 2023

Airspace over Kelowna International Airport closed to accommodate crews battle wildfires

Kelowna International Airport closed its airspace on Friday morning and canceled most of the flights.Flights have been canceled to make room for aerial crews battling raging wildfires burning around the city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.According to the airport's website, most flights in and out of Kelowna have been canceled till Friday afternoon.It is worth mentioning that the city of Kelowna in British Columbia has also come under the grip of wild fire.A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna city.Evacuation orders have been issued to people living in Clifton Road North, Ke
kwikwetlem-first-nation-mourns-death-of-stephanie-patterson
BCAug 18, 2023

Kwikwetlem First Nation mourns death of Stephanie Patterson

The chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation says his entire community is grieving the sudden loss of one of its councillors.Police have said Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural area in Mission, B.C. on Tuesday.Chief Ron Giesbrecht says in a statement that Patterson was a keen learner who had been passionate about helping all members of their community.He says the nation is not commenting on the arrest and second-degree murder charge of 57-year-old David Hall in relation to Patterson's murder, and is asking for privacy for her family and the community.

Just In

CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre