The British Columbia government is bringing in new programs to address the growing demand for gynecological cancer surgical care in Kelowna and Surrey. Premier David Eby says the new services, and expansions of programs that already exist in Vancouver and Victoria, will nearly double the number of surgeons providing the cancer care in B.C. from eight to 15. Eby says rates of gynecological cancer have increased by almost 50 per cent over the last decade in B.C. A government statement says the program in Kelowna is expected to start in September, with services provided by three new oncologists a

Over 250 wildfires are burning in British Columbia as much of the province continues to bake under a heat wave that is expected to last into next week. Cliff Chapman with the BC Wildfire Service said Thursday that the province appeared to be "on the precipice of a very challenging 72 hours" with hot and dry weather, dry lightning and strong winds in the forecast. Parts of B.C. are expected to see temperatures in the mid- to high 30s over the coming days, along with overnight lows in the mid-teens. The out-of-control Shetland Creek fire in the Interior has grown to about 50 square kilometres in

British Columbia's wildfire service says it's on the lookout for a surge in wildfire activity as hot weather continues with thunderstorms and wind in the forecast. The service's latest bulletin says storms are expected over eastern B.C. up to the northern Rockies and winds are expected to pick up across the province later this week, carrying the potential to fan the flames of nearly 160 current wildfires. The winds come after Environment Canada expanded heat warnings to cover more than two dozen regions and communities, from Whistler to Kelowna to the Kootenays in the southeast, Terrace in the

Heat warnings have expanded across a broad swath of British Columbia, a day after temperatures reached into the low 40s in the Interior and daily heat records tumbled. Twenty-five heat alerts are in place, up from 21 Tuesday, stretching from Whistler in the southwest to the north and central coasts and deep into the Interior. Environment Canada says the second heat wave for July is set to continue into next week in the Interior before gradually easing, while coastal areas could see conditions moderate after the weekend. Heat records in the 30s fell in six places on Tuesday, including Pemberton

A man serving a second-degree murder sentence has died in an Abbotsford prison. Correctional Service of Canada says in a statement that Eugene Raymond Benoit died while in custody at the Abbotsford Regional Treatment Centre. C-S-C officials say the 69-year-old man died of apparent natural causes on July 13th, and at the time of death, the inmate had been serving an indeterminate sentence. They also say the police and coroner have been notified, with a review of the death pending.

British Columbia's government has introduced new guidelines for public post-secondary education institutions, capping the number of international students at 30 per cent of their total enrolment. In a statement, the provincial Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills says the new limit is meant to make sure that "international student enrolment doesn't strain an institution's ability "to provide appropriate services." The ministry says the new guidelines call for public universities and colleges to submit international education strategic plans to the government, which the provin

The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band has issued an evacuation order for its Nicoelton reserve as two wildfires burn north of Spences Bridge, B.C. The band issued the order Tuesday “in the interest of life and safety,” while it also put in place evacuation alerts for three more of its reserves. The band says the Teit Creek and Shetland Creek wildfires, burning at 249 hectares and 285 hectares wide, respectively, pose an “imminent danger” to its Nicoelton reserve. Both fires are deemed “out of control” by the BC Wildfire Service. Information Officer with the BCWS Taylor Coleman says the Te

The premiers of Alberta and B.C. are celebrating an agreement to again allow direct sales to consumers after a tiff over taxes. With the temporary deal, Albertans can order wine directly from more than 350 wineries in B.C. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it means the province's liquor wholesaler can collect consistent fees on all wine sold in the province, but details of how it will work are still being sorted. The agreement comes after Alberta threatened to stop stocking wine in retail stores from B.C. producers who were selling directly to Alberta customers. The Alberta government says a

A wildfire that flared up along the Trans-Canada Highway between Chilliwack and Hope, B.C., is now classified as "being held," and isn't expected to spread beyond its boundaries. The one-hectare blaze had forced the closure of an eastbound lane on Monday. The BC Wildfire Service says human activity is the suspected cause. It's one of more than 150 wildfires active in the province, with clusters in the northeast and the central Interior. Of those fires, more than half are considered under control, while 37 per cent are out of control and 10 per cent are classified as being held. Nearly 730 fire