The B.C. and federal governments have boosted their funding to a Vancouver-based company that helped develop the first antibody therapy treatment for COVID-19.AbCellera Biologics has announced a 700 million dollar plan to add lab space, equipment and technology at its manufacturing plant.B.C. will provide 75-million dollars to fund research and clinical trial projects while the federal government is contributing 225 million dollars.AbCellera says the latest expansion will help it turn basic research into usable medicines, while developing programs to get those medicines into clinical trials.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is leaving the door open should Independent MP Han Dong decide he wants to rejoin the Liberals.The Toronto MP resigned from the government caucus earlier this year, saying he wanted to clear his name following allegations published in media reports.Global News reported, citing unnamed national security sources, that Dong told a Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that releasing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor would benefit the Conservatives.David Johnston, whom Trudeau appointed to investigate the government's response to foreign interference, said that allegation

The Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver has received about $5 million in new federal funding ahead of its opening on July 1.Federal International Trade and Economic Development Minister Mary Ng says the new funding will go toward renewal of the museum's permanent space at the Wing Sang Building in Vancouver's Chinatown, as well as supporting the facility's first exhibit.Ng made the funding announcement on the sidelines of the U.S.-Canada Chinatown Cultural Preservation and Revitalization Conference, which is hosting representatives from 18 Chinatowns from across North America.Ng says efforts

Former governor general David Johnston says there's no need for a formal inquiry into allegations of foreign meddling in the past two federal elections.While he says that could not be done transparently because of the sensitivity of the intelligence involved, he does believe public hearings should be held.Johnston says there are serious shortcomings in the way intelligence is communicated and processed from security agencies through to government.Based on access to classified documents and security agencies, he has concluded that specific accusations of interference were less concerning than m

Today is the 109th anniversary of the arrival of the Komagata Maru ship in B.C. On this occasion, B.C. Premier David Eby has issued a statement.According to this statement, 109 years ago today, a ship full of 376 Sikh, Hindu and Muslim passengers reached the coast of Vancouver.All of them came to Canada with the dream of living a big life.Where they should have been welcomed, Canada's immigration officers did not allow them to disembark.After 2 months of being stuck on the ship, the Komagata Maru was sent back to Asia.In 2008, B.C. apologized for racial discrimination against these passengers.

Special rapporteur David Johnston is expected to release his decision next Tuesday on whether the federal Liberals should hold a public inquiry on foreign interference.The recommendation is anticipated to be included in an initial report about how the government should proceed with allegations that Canada's last two federal elections were subject to meddling by other countries.Opposition parties' calls for a public inquiry into Chinese meddling have grown louder throughout the year amid a series of media reports shedding light on Beijing's alleged attempts to influence the 2019 and 2021 electi

A tentative agreement was reached this morning between WestJet and the union representing WestJet pilots.The airline is preparing to resume its operations but the airline says that since many flights have already been cancelled, it will take some time to fully restore operations.Passengers are advised to check the timing and status of their flight in advance.It may be mentioned that yesterday when the talks between the two parties did not reach any result, at that time flights within Canada, between Canada and the US and some oversees flights were also cancelled.

Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (Salal) and the Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) have received new federal funding to enhance their crisis lines, which provide 24/7 provincewide, comprehensive, specialized gender-based violence supports.These services include risk assessment, immediate safety planning, and addressing the unique needs of Indigenous victims. The two organizations will receive a total of $2.75 million in funding over four years as part of Women and Gender Equality Canada’s National Action Plan to End Gender Based-Violence.During the pandemic, organization

Environment Canada says smoke from wildfires in the B.C. Interior is expected to worsen in the coming days, bringing poor air quality and associated health risks.In a special air quality statement, Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy say several Interior communities are likely to see worsening wildfire smoke conditions over the next 24 to 48 hours.The statement says smoke is already widespread in the province's southeast toward the Rocky Mountains.Observed conditions in Prince George, Williams Lake, Fort St. John and Quesnel show high risk or ver