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john-rustad-criticizes-eby-government-over-health-care-crisis
BCJan 30, 2025

John Rustad Criticizes Eby Government Over Health Care Crisis

BC opposition leader John Rustad has sharply criticized the Eby government for what he calls the province’s failing health care system. Rustad stated that British Columbia’s health care is now among the worst globally, with patients dying while waiting for treatment. A recent report highlights that the provincial government is not fulfilling its promises. Dr. Charlene Lui, president of the BC Physicians Association and a Burnaby family doctor, revealed that 700,000 residents in British Columbia currently lack a family doctor. Dr. Lui described the situation as alarming, emphasizing the ur
sonia-furstenau-resigns-as-bc-green-party-leader
BCJan 28, 2025

Sonia Furstenau Resigns as BC Green Party Leader

Sonia Furstenau has resigned as leader of the BC Green Party following her loss in the October 2024 legislative election. Although Furstenau, 54, had led the party since 2020, she decided to step down after her defeat. Furstenau had served as the MLA for Cowichan Valley since 2017. However, in the most recent election, she chose to run in Victoria-Beacon Hill, where she was defeated by NDP cabinet minister Grace Lore by 3,688 votes. The BC Greens now have only two MLAs in the province. Born in Edmonton, Sonia Furstenau earned a degree in education from the University of Victoria before workin
b-c-government-sets-five-year-housing-target-for-surrey
BCJan 28, 2025

B.C. Government Sets Five-Year Housing Target for Surrey

The B.C. government, under Premier David Eby, has set a five-year housing target aimed at delivering a total of 27,256 homes in Surrey by June 30, 2029. The provincial government has requested that the city submit an annual progress report to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. The housing target, which began on July 1, 2024, outlines specific milestones for new construction: 4,233 homes are expected to be built by June 30, 2025, followed by 4,639 homes between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. From July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, 5,248 homes are planned, followed by 6,060 new homes between July 1,
hitmen-face-sentencing-for-b-c-murder-of-former-air-india-suspect-malik
BCJan 28, 2025

Hitmen face sentencing for B.C. murder of former Air India suspect Malik

One of the admitted hitmen who killed former Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik is set to be sentenced for his part in the murder today in a New Westminster, B.C., courtroom. Tanner Fox and accomplice Jose Lopez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last October, with Fox scheduled to be sentenced today, and Lopez due back in court on Friday. Malik, who was acquitted of charges related to the 1985 Air India bombing, was shot dead in Surrey, B.C, on July 14, 2022. Fox and Lopez, who were both in their early 20s at the time of the killing, were originally charged with first-degree
bc-green-party-leader-could-announce-leadership-change-tomorrow
BCJan 27, 2025

BC Green Party Leader Could Announce Leadership Change Tomorrow

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau could announce a change in party leadership tomorrow. Furstenau suffered a defeat in the October 2024 legislative election, but despite this, the leadership of the party has remained with her so far. Furstenau first won a seat in 2017, when her party played a key role in forming the New Democrats' government. In last year’s election, Furstenau left her former seat of Cowichan Valley to run for Victoria-Beacon Hill, where she was defeated by the NDP candidate. According to sources, BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau will hold a press conference tomorr
b-c-opposition-leader-warns-premier-against-responding-to-u-s-tariff-threat
BCJan 24, 2025

B.C. Opposition Leader Warns Premier Against Responding to U.S. Tariff Threat

B.C.’s main opposition leader, John Rustad, has cautioned Premier David Eby against making a statement in response to the looming threat of U.S. tariffs. Rustad advised that while a trade war could be initiated, the reality is that Canadians would ultimately bear the cost. As leader of B.C.’s Conservative Party, Rustad emphasized that the United States has historically been Canada’s strongest ally. His remarks came as a 25 percent U.S. tariff on Canadian goods is set to take effect on February 1. While acknowledging the potential damage caused by the tariffs, Rustad made it clear that t
b-c-government-faces-challenge-as-contracts-of-400-000-public-sector-workers-expire
BCJan 23, 2025

B.C. Government Faces Challenge as Contracts of 400,000 Public Sector Workers Expire

The B.C. government is facing a challenging situation as the contracts of 400,000 public sector workers are set to expire this year, in both the spring and fall. Amid fiscal issues and potential tariffs from the Trump administration, the province will need to negotiate new contracts with unions regarding wages and other demands. These workers include nurses, hospital staff, and post-secondary school instructors and support staff. The challenge comes as the provincial government projects a $9.4-billion deficit for this fiscal year and has pledged to take steps to reduce it. The nurses’ union
john-rustad-supports-deporting-zain-haq-to-pakistan-for-violating-study-permit
BCJan 22, 2025

John Rustad supports deporting Zain Haq to Pakistan for violating study permit

B.C.’s opposition leader John Rustad has voiced support for deporting Zain Haq to Pakistan for allegedly violating his study permit. Haq is accused of participating in protests instead of focusing on his studies. In 2021, Haq was arrested along with 17 others during a demonstration on Burrard Bridge that disrupted traffic, including access to St. Paul’s Hospital. Rustad emphasized that individuals coming to B.C. to study should not break the law. Zain Haq, a prominent climate activist in B.C., was ordered deported on January 25. He and his wife Sophie are appealing to Immigration Minister
sleeping-driver-leads-to-drugs-guns-being-seized-mounties-say
BCJan 22, 2025

Sleeping driver leads to drugs, guns being seized: Mounties say

Police in Kamloops, B.C., say they seized guns and a "significant" amounts of drugs after finding a man sleeping inside a running vehicle at a restaurant parking lot. A statement from the RCMP says officers saw "numerous weapons" in plain view as they approached the truck Monday to check on the driver. Police say they found a loaded handgun, ammunition, and body armour, along with a modified rifle and loaded magazines. Supt. Jeff Pelley says police also seized more than 1.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and 85 grams of cocaine. The statement says the man in his late 30s was arrested and rele

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lytton-wildfire-brought-under-control-as-24-fires-remain-active-across-b-c
BCJun 24, 2026

Lytton Wildfire Brought Under Control as 24 Fires Remain Active Across B.C.

The wildfire burning near the Village of Lytton, B.C., has now been brought under control. The fire was first discovered last Friday and is believed to have been caused by human activity. The blaze grew sixfold overnight, prompting evacuation orders and forcing the temporary closure of Highway 1 through the area. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, eight new wildfires were discovered across the province in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of active wildfires in British Columbia to 24. Fire crews continue working to contain and extinguish the blazes. The agency said that 13 of t
severe-heatwave-in-france-claims-58-lives-40-drown-while-trying-to-escape-the-heat
WorldJun 24, 2026

Severe Heatwave in France Claims 58 Lives; 40 Drown While Trying to Escape the Heat

A severe heatwave in France has claimed the lives of 58 people so far. According to reports, many people have been seeking relief from the scorching temperatures by swimming in rivers, lakes, and canals. As a result, 40 people have drowned over the past few days, with most of the victims being young people. In addition, 18 people, including two children, have died from heat-related illnesses and heatstroke. The extreme temperatures also forced the shutdown of France's Golfech nuclear power plant on Monday night. Officials expect the temperature of the Garonne River, which is used to cool the p
AlbertaJun 24, 2026

Alberta Forms Panel to Boost Infrastructure Funding Without Raising Taxes

Alberta's Municipal Affairs Minister, Dan Williams, has assembled a panel to explore ways of increasing funding for infrastructure projects without raising taxes. Williams announced the creation of the ministers' council today in Jasper, where provincial and territorial municipal ministers are gathering for their annual meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. The panel includes representatives from communities and industries across Alberta. It has been tasked with reviewing how infrastructure projects are currently financed, identifying funding gaps, and recommending practical solutions to address
canada-to-send-warships-to-indo-pacific-twice-increase-military-cooperation-with-japan-and-philippines
CanadaJun 24, 2026

Canada to send warships to Indo-Pacific twice, increase military cooperation with Japan and Philippines

Canada plans to deploy its naval warships to the Indo-Pacific region twice this year, Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed during an interview in Tokyo on Wednesday. The move is part of Ottawa's broader strategy to strengthen military ties with regional partners in the Indo-Pacific, even as Canada continues efforts to maintain trade relations with China. Canadian warships are scheduled to arrive in the region in August and November, where they will participate in various military exercises and make port calls in Japan. McGuinty said Canada is deepening its presence and cooperation with Ja
CanadaJun 24, 2026

Alleged Driver in Canada's Biggest Gold Heist Sentenced to 13 Years in U.S. Gun Smuggling Case

Durante King-McLean, the alleged getaway driver in the largest gold theft in Canadian history, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison by a U.S. court on weapons trafficking charges. The 27-year-old faces charges in Canada for allegedly driving the truck that fled with the stolen gold during the massive heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport in April 2023. Authorities say King-McLean fled Canada shortly after the robbery. He was arrested in September 2023 during a traffic stop by Pennsylvania State Police. A search of his rental vehicle uncovered 65 handguns hidden inside various soc