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bc-premier-backs-federal-plan-against-trumps-proposed-tariffs
BCJan 16, 2025

BC Premier Backs Federal Plan Against Trump’s Proposed Tariffs

BC Premier David Eby has voiced support for the federal government’s plan to counter Trump’s proposed tariffs. The plan includes possible export taxes or targeted restrictions on Canadian supplies of key goods to the United States. Eby emphasized that the premiers are united in their commitment to eliminating interprovincial trade barriers and exploring trade partnerships beyond the U.S. However, while most premiers oppose Trump’s tariffs and support measures like banning exports of certain goods to the U.S., Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has declined to back the federal plan. Smith st
former-b-c-premier-christy-clark-will-not-run-for-liberal-leadership
BCJan 14, 2025

Former B.C. premier Christy Clark will not run for Liberal leadership

Former B.C. premier Christy Clark will not run in the Liberal leadership race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, she said Tuesday. Sources tell Clark was “emotional” telling her core team about her decision on a conference call. “I have made the difficult decision to step back,” Clark wrote in an email sent to her supporters. Clark had expressed interest in running for the leadership, but has faced criticism for walking back claims about whether or not she joined the Conservative party three years ago to vote in its leadership race.
b-c-fire-crews-sent-to-fight-los-angeles-wildfire-forests-minister
BCJan 13, 2025

B.C. fire crews sent to fight Los Angeles wildfire: forests minister

British Columbia’s forests minister says a crew from the province’s wildfire service left for California Saturday afternoon to help battle the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area. Ravi Parmar says in a video posted to social media Saturday afternoon that The B.C. Wildfire Service's crews had left the province and are expected to touch down in Los Angeles around 4 p.m. Pacific. The fire crew was first promised by Premier David Eby, who committed the crew on Friday after a request from California’s Forestry and Fire Protection Department. Eby says his province will also send ground cre
christy-clark-considers-liberal-leadership-run-receives-support-from-political-allies
BCJan 10, 2025

Christy Clark Considers Liberal Leadership Run, Receives Support from Political Allies

Former BC Premier Christy Clark could run for the Liberal Party leadership to replace Trudeau. Clark left provincial politics in 2017 and joined law firm Bennett Jones as a senior advisor. Reports suggest she is also receiving offers to help raise funds for a potential campaign. Sources say she has been preparing for the leadership race for months. Mike de Jong, who worked with her as finance minister for a long time, says Clark's political acumen cannot be underestimated. BC Conservative leader John Rustad also supported de Jong's comments. Rustad, who served as a cabinet minister in the Cla
flu-driving-spike-in-respiratory-illness-in-b-c-but-covid-19-numbers-low
BCJan 10, 2025

Flu driving spike in respiratory illness in B.C., but COVID-19 numbers low

New data shared by British Columbia's Centre for Disease Control shows the province has one of the worst flu rates in Canada, as a holiday-season spike in respiratory illnesses continues. But the data also shows the province has one of the lowest COVID-19 test positivity rates in the country, at about half the national rate. Dr. Jennifer Vines, interim medical director for public health response at the B.C. CDC, says respiratory illness has been “steadily climbing” over the past several weeks, with RSV and influenza “driving the increase right now.” The report says about 13.5 per cent
john-rustad-calls-for-independent-investigation-into-2024-legislative-election
BCJan 09, 2025

John Rustad Calls for Independent Investigation into 2024 Legislative Election

B.C.’s main opposition leader, John Rustad, has called for an independent investigation into the 2024 legislative election. Rustad claimed that a team investigating his candidate’s defeat in Surrey-Guildford found multiple irregularities that could have potentially altered the final results. He also questioned the electoral process, alleging that BC Elections did not verify whether those who voted were Canadian citizens. Rustad called for electoral reforms to ensure that only Canadian citizens are eligible to vote. The party further alleged that someone in Surrey-Guildford had voted twice
bc-patients-could-face-ambulance-delays
BCJan 09, 2025

BC Patients Could Face Ambulance Delays

BC patients may face ambulance delays due to a tightening of overtime limits as part of a cost-cutting measure. According to reports, BC Emergency Health Services is implementing this change, and front-line workers are concerned that it will lead to further delays in patient care. The province’s emergency health department is reportedly facing a $200 million budget shortfall. The paramedics' union has expressed that the overtime policy change, effective January 1, has placed an increased burden on front-line workers. With fewer workers available to manage the situation amid a staffing short
elections-bc-looks-into-vote-complaint-in-riding-that-gave-ndp-majority
BCJan 09, 2025

Elections BC looks into vote complaint in riding that gave NDP majority

Elections BC says it is looking into a complaint of voting irregularities from a B.C. Conservative candidate in a riding narrowly won by the NDP, giving the government a one-seat majority in October’s provincial election. It says the complaint was lodged by B.C. Conservative Honveer Singh Randhawa last Friday and it is “under review.” Elections BC declared the NDP’s Garry Begg winner of the Surrey-Guildford riding by 22 votes over Randhawa after a judicial recount conducted by hand. BC Conservative Leader John Rustad and Randhawa are scheduled to address a news conference this morning
b-c-doctors-comparing-h5n1-virus-that-infected-teen-with-that-of-louisiana-patient
BCJan 08, 2025

B.C. doctors comparing H5N1 virus that infected teen with that of Louisiana patient

The BC Centre for Disease Control says it is comparing the genetic features of a local teenager's avian flu case with that of a Louisiana patient who died earlier this week. Clinical microbiologist Dr. Agatha Jassem, co-program head of the virology lab at the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, says they want to understand how the viruses in the two cases are related to each other, as well as to viruses circulating in birds. This will help to assess how easily it adapts and transmits between animals and humans. Both cases are related to viruses detected in wild birds and poultry. While th

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BCSep 23, 2026

BC Green Leader Emily Lowan to Run in Saanich North After Rob Botterell Retires

BC Green Party MLA Rob Botterell has announced his retirement from politics, opening the door for party leader Emily Lowan to contest the Saanich North and the Islands riding in the upcoming provincial election. Botterell confirmed his decision during a joint news conference with Lowan in Victoria. Lowan will now seek the seat, which has been held by the Greens since Adam Olsen won it in 2017 and was retained by Botterell in the 2024 election. Elections BC records show Botterell was elected with the Green Party in 2024. The riding is considered significant for the BC Greens, given the party’
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Ontario Launches Canada’s First Medical Drone Pilot Program

Canada’s first medical drone pilot program of its kind has been launched by Peel Regional Paramedic Service in Ontario, allowing life-saving medical supplies to reach patients before an ambulance arrives during emergencies. The pilot project is currently operating in the Bolton area. Under the program, when a 911 call is received, a drone can be dispatched alongside an ambulance to the scene. The drone can deliver an automated external defibrillator (AED) for cardiac emergencies, naloxone for opioid overdoses and medical kits designed to control severe bleeding, particularly in rural and rem
one-charged-second-suspect-sought-in-granville-street-face-slashing
BCSep 23, 2026

One Charged, Second Suspect Sought in Granville Street Face-Slashing

Crown Counsel has approved charges after a 19-year-old man was allegedly slashed in the face with a blade during an early-morning robbery on Vancouver’s Granville Street last month. Vancouver Police are also asking the public to help identify a second suspect. The incident happened around 3:20 a.m. on August 8 in the 900-block of Granville Street. Police say two men approached the victim and his friends, removed a chain necklace from the victim’s neck and slashed him. The victim suffered a five-inch cut stretching from the tip of his nose, beneath his eye and ending near his eyebrow. On Se
canadas-population-growth-hits-slowest-pace-since-wwii
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Canada’s Population Growth Hits Slowest Pace Since WWII

Canada’s population grew by 0.5 per cent between July 2025 and July 2026, marking the slowest annual growth rate recorded since the end of the Second World War. According to Statistics Canada, the pace of population growth was even lower than during the period when border restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 1, 2026, Canada’s population was estimated at 41.8 million. The report says the slowdown was mainly driven by federal government measures and policy changes aimed at limiting the number of temporary residents. Statistics Canada said Ontario, Quebec and B
b-c-election-advance-voting-set-for-october-16-21
BCSep 23, 2026

B.C. Election: Advance Voting Set for October 16–21

Election activity is intensifying in British Columbia, with Elections B.C. announcing that advance voting will be held from October 16 to 21. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the advance voting period. Political parties and independent candidates will have until October 3 to enter the race and complete their registration. The 2024 provincial election cost approximately $91 million to conduct. For this election, Elections B.C. has initially requested a budget of $50 million, although the final cost will only be known after the voting process is completed. V