Dan Coulter, a former member of British Columbia's legislature and a New Democrat cabinet minister, has died at age 49. The BC New Democratic Party says in a statement that Coulter was a "devoted advocate" for the people of B.C. The party says Coulter "always championed the underdog," citing his work in the legislature after his election in Chilliwack in 2020, his former role of chair of the Chilliwack school board and as the Parliamentary secretary for accessibility and minister of state for infrastructure and transit. The party's provincial director Heather Stoutenburg said last week in a st

British Columbia may consider cutting off electricity and natural gas supplies to the United States in response to President Trump’s tariffs. Premier David Eby has stated that no options are off the table when it comes to responding to what he describes as unfair tariffs. Eby did not rule out the possibility of halting electricity or natural gas exports to the US. His strong comments came after a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday, where they discussed the tariffs. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also made it clear that his province will cut off power supplies

Mounties in Nanaimo are looking for witnesses or camera footage that may help them pinpoint the person, or people, involved in the vandalism of dozens of vehicles over several hours. An RCMP statement says officers received 42 reports of windows being smashed, tires being flattened and broken side mirrors. Police say the incidents happened between 11 p.m. on Tuesday and 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. They say all of the vehicles were either parked on the street or in parkades or parking lots. The RCMP say that officers noted that only drivers side windows were shattered on nine vehicles found on Harw

British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes. Premier David Eby says BC Hydro, a Crown utility, has selected the projects following a strong response to its call for new renewable power-generation operations. He says the development and construction will generate between $5 billion and $6 billion in private spending on the projects, four of which will be located in the B.C. Interior, four in the North and one on Vancouver Island. The power supply announcement co

British Columbia recorded the highest rate of opioid deaths in Canada in 2023, with 40.3 deaths per 100,000 population, according to Statistics Canada. Alberta and Saskatchewan followed closely. BC Health Minister Josie Osborne noted that while 2024 has seen a decline in deaths from dangerous drugs, the toxic drug supply remains a critical public health issue impacting all regions. The report revealed that over 15,000 lives have been lost to drug poisoning in BC since the public health emergency was declared in 2016. Minister Osborne highlighted government efforts to prevent further deaths, i

The British Columbia government is encouraging people to do their research on avalanche risk before heading into the backcountry, as forecasts show danger ratings are expected to increase in some areas over the weekend. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene says in a statement that everyone should share their plan with a friend or family member and check forecasts and guidance from Avalanche Canada before setting out. The latest forecast puts the danger rating at the lowest level out of five across the Coast Mountains on the Sunshine Coast and in the Sea to Sky region, includin

Police are looking for a suspect in a shooting that injured three people and caused an hours-long lockdown at West Edmonton Mall last year. Officers responded in August 2023 to an exchange of gunfire between two groups in the mall parkade, and police say it was targeted. Three men involved in the shooting were hurt. Police say a Canada-wide warrant was been issued for Leron Andrew John on several firearms charges. The 24-year-old has been added to Canada's 25 Most Wanted list compiled by BOLO, a federal program that helps police find suspects. Police say he has ties to Edmont

Heavy fog has again enveloped parts of southwestern British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver, a day after the region saw near-zero visibility. Environment Canada has reinstated a fog advisory, this time also covering parts of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The weather agency says a ridge of high pressure remains over the region, creating favourable conditions for low clouds and dense fog. The advisory says the fog is expected to dissipate later in the day but may again reform in the evening. At Vancouver International Airport, there has been at least one departure flight cancelled

B.C. nurse has been suspended for eight months for improperly accessing and sharing patient information. According to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, Lindsay Rints of Duncan obtained a patient’s personal information in October 2022 without authorization. The college’s website confirms that the agreement regarding disciplinary action was approved on November 28, 2023. As a result, Rints’ nursing registration has been suspended for eight months. Officials emphasized that nurses are only permitted to access the personal or health information of patients they are directly treating.