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porter-airlines-launches-new-direct-flight-between-ottawa-and-victoria
BCMay 16, 2025

Porter Airlines launches new direct flight between Ottawa and Victoria

B.C.’s capital city of Victoria is now offering direct flights to Ottawa. Porter Airlines has launched a new non-stop flight between Victoria International Airport and Ottawa International Airport. The airline said the flight will depart Victoria at 11:50 a.m. The flight will initially operate four times a week, but the airline plans to operate the flight daily during the peak summer season, which begins June 16. Porter is using a 132-seater aircraft for these flights. Porter’s flight from Ottawa yesterday carried 130 passengers, according to Elizabeth Brown, president and CEO of the Vic
report-says-lapu-lapu-festival-planning-followed-rules
BCMay 16, 2025

Report says Lapu Lapu festival planning followed rules

A preliminary report by the City of Vancouver and police into last month's Lapu Lapu Day festival attack says authorities are considering safety enhancements for outdoor events in light of the attack. But the report says planning for the festival appears to have followed prescribed processes, and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says all the right steps were taken. Heavy barriers were not in place at the festival where 11 people were killed when an SUV sped through a crowded street on April 26 and police have previously said only nine out of 3,200 events in the city involved such protection. The report
b-c-urges-wildfire-safety-this-long-weekend
BCMay 16, 2025

B.C. urges wildfire safety this long weekend

The B-C Wildfire Service wants people to take precautions with any fire use over the long weekend, saying most wildfires are preventable.   It also suggests people planning to travel to check for wildfire activity, road closures and evacuation orders and alerts, while also paying attention to weather conditions.The service's dashboard shows there are about 30 fires currently burning in B-C. The service says the province continues to have below-average rainfall at this time of year, and is warning about prolonged drought, noting the northeast remains the driest region.
surrey-resident-justin-simporios-wins-80-million-jackpot
BCMay 15, 2025

Surrey resident Justin Simporios wins $80 million jackpot

The winning ticket for the Lotto Max jackpot sold in Surrey, and which Surrey resident has won the $80 million prize, has been revealed. The BCLC announced the winner during a media event today. Surrey resident Justin Simporios won the $80 million prize. This is the largest lottery win in BC to date. It is also the largest amount won by a single person in Canadian lottery history. Simporios said that when he found out that the winning ticket was purchased in Surrey, he jokingly told his wife that he had become a millionaire and she told him not to joke. But when he checked the ticket numbers,
early-morning-stabbing-sends-two-to-hospital
BCMay 15, 2025

Early morning stabbing sends two to hospital

On May 15, 2025 at approximately 3:40 am, Langley RCMP responded to a report of a disturbance in the 19800 block of 56 Avenue. Officers arrived in the area and located two individuals who had been stabbed. Officers immediately rendered first aid and both victims were transported to local area hospitals for further assessment. A 33-year-old Langley man has been arrested and remains in Police custody in connection to this incident. The investigation is in its early stages and officers are continuing to gather details from the scene, said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP. Anyone with in
coordinated-response-leads-to-high-risk-arrest-in-langley
BCMay 15, 2025

Coordinated response leads to high-risk arrest in Langley

A coordinated effort between Langley RCMP, Surrey Provincial Operational Support Unit (SPOSU), and the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team (LMD-IERT) led to the successful arrest of a suspect following a dangerous series of events involving a suspected stolen semi-truck. On May 14, 2025 at approximately 7:35pm, officers from the Langley Special Response Team observed a semi-truck in the area of 24 Ave and 206 Street bearing mis-matched license plates. Shortly after midnight on May 15, 2025, officers attempted a vehicle stop with the support of Integrated Police Dog Servi
conviction-secured-against-unlicensed-ride-hail-operator
BCMay 14, 2025

Conviction secured against unlicensed ride-hail operator

Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit’s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) secure conviction against unlicensed ride-hail operator. On March 26, 2025 officers from Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit (RSU) and CVSE secured three convictions against an unlicensed ride-hail operator. The convictions include: Operate without a License – S. 57(1) Passenger Transportation Act;Wrong Class Drivers License – S. 24(1) Motor Vehicle Act;Fail to Display Certificate – S. 25.07(1) Motor Vehicle Act Regulations.The driver was stopped on December 20, 2
b-c-opioid-rules-were-to-reduce-overdoses-but-they-cut-cancer-patients-pain-meds
BCMay 14, 2025

B.C. opioid rules were to reduce overdoses. But they cut cancer patients' pain meds

Rule changes designed to reduce opioid overdose deaths in British Columbia in 2016 inadvertently harmed cancer and palliative-care patients by reducing their access to pain killers, a new study has found. The study published this week in the Canadian Medical Association Journal describes the impact of a practice standard issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. that June, about two months after the province declared a public health emergency over opioid deaths. The rule changes were designed to mitigate prescription drug misuse, including the over-prescribing of opioids among p
open-fire-ban-in-bc-to-take-effect-may-16
BCMay 13, 2025

Open fire ban in BC to take effect May 16

A ban on open fires will take effect in BC’s Kamloops Fire Centre area starting May 16. This means that trash piles, grass or other similar materials cannot be burned in the open. Municipalities follow the BC Wildfire Service’s restrictions but can impose different restrictions based on local conditions. Anyone found violating the open fire ban can be fined $1,150, up to $10,000 depending on the offence. If convicted in court, the fine can be up to $100,000 and a year in prison. If an open fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible can be ordered to extinguish the

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b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in