Central Okanagan Emergency Operations has lifted the state of local emergency in West Kelowna, B.C., more than a month after the McDougall Creek wildfire devastated the area.It says it has also rescinded all remaining evacuation orders stemming from the blaze.West Kelowna was put under the state of emergency on Aug. 16 as the 139 square kilometre McDougall Creek fire destroyed or damaged nearly 190 properties.The wildfire forced the evacuation of more than 10,000 properties and put another 10,000 homes on alert, with about 50,000 residents impacted by various orders and advisories.In a stateme

As of Jan. 1, 2024, employers performing asbestos abatement work must be licensed to operate in B.C. and anyone performing this work must be trained and certified.These new requirements were part of amendments to the Workers Compensation Act made in spring 2022.The legislative amendments also gave WorkSafeBC the authority to develop and administer the licensing and certification regime. In addition to being required to have a licence requirement, asbestos abatement employers will need to ensure their workers are appropriately trained and certified by Jan. 1, 2024.Any individual performing asbe

The B.C. gurdwara where a Sikh separatist leader was gunned down has launched an investigation into how an American newspaper was able to view security camera footage of the June killing.Gurkeerat Singh, who said he is a spokesman for the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, said it's unclear how The Washington Post was able to see the video of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death."We've been told by the temple that the video is not for the media, the public, because it's an ongoing investigation. That video won't be released to anyone."It's an "ongoing investigation," he said in an interview on Wednes

Forest products firm Canfor says hired contractors on their way to conduct field survey work for the company were on board a helicopter that crashed outside Prince George, B.C., killing two and injuring four.Emergency crews were called just before 8 a.m. Tuesday after the helicopter crashed near Purden Lake off Highway 16, with six people on board.Canfor says in a statement issued Wednesday that the survey crew, the helicopter and its pilot were contracted for field work, but the company would not reveal the contracting firm nor the helicopter's owner.Michelle Ward, Canfor's vice-president of

Premier David Eby says federal ministers have assured him British Columbia will get the information it needs to ensure the safety of its residents after a Sikh leader was killed in June.His statement came on the same day that gurdwara councils in B.C. and Ontario called for the immediate suspension of all security and intelligence agreements with India and repeated their calls for a public inquiry into the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.The British Columbia Gurdwaras Council and Ontario Gurdwaras Committee say it is clear, based on public reports, that intelligence agencies were

Two people are dead and four are injured after a helicopter crashed in Prince George. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has shared this information. A team of investigators has been deployed following the horrific helicopter crash, the board said in a statement. The federal agency says a Bell 206L helicopter has crashed. The accident happened around 7:30 a.m. near Purden Lake, east of Prince George. Six ambulances were dispatched to the scene, according to BC Emergency Health Services. The agency said the cause of the helicopter crash was not yet known, but the TSB would gather informa

Relations between the two countries have become strained after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of a Sikh leader.Canada has updated its travel advisory for India.The advisory has expressed the fear of protests and negative sentiments against Canadians.According to the updated advisory, people have been advised to be alert and take precautions.In this travel advisory, caution has been urged while traveling or staying there.In the advisory, Canadians have been asked to refrain from traveling to Jammu and Kashmir, citing the risk of terrori

Referring to an alleged video related to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, The Washington Post said that Nijhar was killed near the parking lot of the Gurudwara.At least six people, who had two vehicles, were involved in the murder.The Washington Post reported that members of Canada's local Sikh community say authorities have told them little about the investigation into the June 18 killing outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara.They say that the police reached the spot late.The reason for this delay is being said to be the differences between the police and the agencies.Several business owne

British Columbia Premier David Eby and six of his cabinet ministers are in Ottawa for two days to meet with federal policymakers on issues including housing, wildfires, and floods.Eby's office says the B.C. delegation will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior federal officials to discuss the clean-energy sector and support for critical infrastructure needs in communities.Other provincial ministers on the trip include Housing Minister Ravi Khalon, Economic Development Minister Brenda Bailey, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming, Attorney General Niki Sharma, Tourism Minister Lana P