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BCJul 15, 2025

More heat pump rebates on the way; now open for renters, condo owners

More British Columbians will benefit from a heat pump this summer with the B.C. government’s launch of a new program to reduce energy use, lower energy bills and improve comfort for income-qualified apartment renters and condo owners. The Better Homes Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate will provide rebates up to $5,000 to support the purchase and installation of high-performance electric heat pumps in individual suites in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). “Nearly a third of homes in B.C. are in multi-unit residential buildings,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy
federal-court-of-appeal-to-hear-arguments-in-b-c-ostrich-farm-avian-flu-case
BCJul 15, 2025

Federal Court of Appeal to hear arguments in B.C. ostrich farm avian flu case

The B.C. ostrich farmers who lost dozens of birds in an outbreak of avian flu last winter will be heading to the Federal Court of Appeal on Tuesday as they try to stop the remainder of their herd from being culled. Universal Ostrich Farm near Edgewood, B.C., was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to cull approximately 400 birds after an outbreak of the highly contagious avian flu was discovered on the farm in December. The CFIA maintains a "stamping out" policy, which includes the destruction of animals and the disinfection of the premises, as defined by the World Organization of A
crime-stoppers-takes-unusual-step-of-accepting-anonymous-tips-from-victims-of-extortion-related-crimes
BCJul 15, 2025

Crime stoppers take unusual step of accepting anonymous tips from victims of extortion- related crimes

Since issuing an appeal a month ago for information on the recent extortion-related shootings largely centred in Surrey, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers has taken the unusual step of deciding to accept tips from extortion victims, which is a break from its usual policy. “Normally, we don’t accept tips from crime victims themselves as they may be in immediate need of help and should call 9-1-1 or the police directly,” says Linda Annis, Executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. “However, in this instance we’ve to decided to relax that and accept information from targets of e
WorldJul 15, 2025

Indian nurse Nimisha Priya's execution postponed

In the case of Indian-origin nurse Nimisha Priya, who is facing the death penalty in Yemen, sources in the Indian Ministry of External Affairs have informed that the local administration of Yemen has postponed her execution scheduled for July 16, 2025 for the time being. After the execution, Nimisha's family had appealed to the Indian government to intervene in the matter. After this, the government had assured the family of all possible help. According to reports, Indian officials were in touch with the prison administration and the prosecution office of Yemen, which follows Islamic Shari
inflation-rises-to-1-9-in-june-as-vehicle-price-hikes-accelerate
CanadaJul 15, 2025

Inflation rises to 1.9% in June as vehicle price hikes accelerate

Statistics Canada says the pace of inflation accelerated in June as consumers paid more for new and used vehicles.The annual inflation rate rose to 1.9 per cent last month, up from 1.7 per cent in May. StatCan says gas prices were nearly unchanged in June, but because prices were falling faster this time last year, the annualcomparisons pushed overall inflation higher. The agency says used vehicle prices rose year-over-year in June for the first time in 18 months thanks to tighter inventories.Canadians were also paying more for furniture and other durable goods last month but did get a bit of
carney-holds-virtual-cabinet-meeting-in-ottawa-today
CanadaJul 15, 2025

Carney holds virtual cabinet meeting in Ottawa today

Prime Minister Mark Carney held a virtual meeting with his cabinet in Ottawa today for the first time since U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose steep new tariffs on Canada Trump said in a letter to Carney last week that the United States will put a 35 per cent tariff on Canadian goods starting Aug. 1. The White House says that new tariff wouldn't apply to goods that are compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. Canada has yet to respond formally to the latest threat, or to Trump's recent moves to impose lofty tariffs on copper imports and double existing levies on
smith-alberta-next-panel-begin-town-hall-series-to-hear-grievances-about-ottawa
CanadaJul 15, 2025

Smith, Alberta Next panel begin town hall series to hear grievances about Ottawa

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and a hand-picked panel are set to hold the first in a series of town halls to address public concerns with the federal government.Some 650 people are expected at today's event in Red Deer as Smith and the 15 other members of the Alberta Next panel hear about grievances inspiring separatist sentiment in the province. The government is dedicating time at the event to several strategies it's pitching to wrest more control from the federal government, including pulling out of the Canada Pension Plan and withholding social services from some immigrants.There will a
canada-cup-team-canada-finishes-second-after-losing-a-thrilling-final-against-tcc
BCJul 14, 2025

Canada Cup: Team Canada finishes second after losing a thrilling final against TCC

The Triple Crown Colorado team claimed the Canada Cup championship at Softball City in Surrey, edging out Team Canada in a dramatic 7–5 final. Colorado built an early 5–0 lead through four innings, but Canada stormed back in the fifth, closing the gap to 6–5. With the bases loaded in the final inning, Canada came within a hit of victory before a final out ended the comeback bid. It was a reversal from last year, when Canada won the tournament undefeated. This year’s 30th edition ended in disappointment, though head coach Kaleigh Rafter said she was proud of the team’s overall sho
alberta-surpasses-u-s-in-confirmed-measles-cases-with-more-than-1-300
AlbertaJul 14, 2025

Alberta surpasses U.S. in confirmed measles cases with more than 1,300

Alberta has surpassed the United States in confirmed measles cases, after 30 new cases were diagnosed over the weekend. The province has now seen 1,314 cases since the beginning of March. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,288 cases so far this year across 39 states. The outbreak of the highly contagious disease hasn't led to any deaths so far in Alberta. Three people, including two children, have died in the United States. The U.S. has also seen more hospitalizations, with the CDC reporting 162 people have been hospitalized compared to just over 100 Albertans.

Just In

some-residents-may-remain-in-b-c-landslide-evacuation-zone-after-road-access-cut
BCApr 21, 2026

Some residents may remain in B.C. landslide evacuation zone after road access cut

Some residents may still be inside an evacuation zone in northeastern British Columbia after road access was closed due to landslide risk, according to the Peace River Regional District. In a social media update, the regional district said a co-ordinated evacuation took place Monday night in the community of Old Fort, about five kilometres south of Fort St. John, but some residents may not have left the area. Authorities are urging anyone still inside the zone to conserve supplies and stay away from the slide area. The district declared a state of local emergency and issued an evacuation order
afn-chief-asks-un-to-oppose-b-c-move-to-amend-indigenous-rights-law
BCApr 21, 2026

AFN chief asks UN to oppose B.C. move to amend Indigenous rights law

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations called on the United Nations on Tuesday to support First Nations leaders opposing proposed changes to British Columbia’s Indigenous rights law. Speaking at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the province’s plan to amend or suspend parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act violates international standards. According to her remarks to the forum, First Nations rights are protected under international human rights law and “cannot be suspended, amended or paused by
drug-package-disguised-as-grass-patch-found-inside-mission-institution-rcmp-investigating
BCApr 21, 2026

Drug package disguised as grass patch found inside Mission Institution, RCMP investigating

Corrections officers at Mission Institution in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley seized a package containing suspected drugs and contraband after it was discovered inside the prison grounds earlier this month, according to police. The RCMP said in a news release that staff located the package on April 9 after it had been dropped over the facility’s perimeter fence overnight. The parcel was disguised to resemble a patch of loose turf, with real cut grass attached to the outside of a bubble mailer to blend in with the surrounding ground. According to police, the package contained more than 30
federal-government-tables-bill-to-regulate-space-launches-from-canada
CanadaApr 21, 2026

Federal government tables bill to regulate space launches from Canada

The federal government has introduced legislation that would establish a regulatory framework for launching spacecraft from Canadian territory. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon tabled the proposed Canadian Space Launch Act on Tuesday. According to a Transport Canada technical briefing, the legislation would give the federal government authority to oversee both launches and the re-entry of spacecraft. Officials said the proposed rules are intended to enable launches of satellites and rockets from within Canada, supporting both civilian and military applications. The framework would also set
surrey-memorial-expands-chemotherapy-capacity-with-six-new-treatment-chairs
BCApr 21, 2026

Surrey Memorial expands chemotherapy capacity with six new treatment chairs

Surrey Memorial Hospital has added six new chemotherapy treatment chairs, bringing the total to 39, in an effort to address growing demand for cancer care in the region. According to health officials, the expansion will allow up to 420 additional patients to receive treatment each month. Dr. Sylvie Bourque, executive medical director at BC Cancer’s Surrey centre, said demand for chemotherapy services in Surrey continues to rise. She said the expanded capacity is expected to help the hospital meet a key target: starting first treatment for more than 90 per cent of patients within two weeks of