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airbnb-wins-vancouver-privacy-ruling-as-court-quashes-order-to-release-host-data
BCJul 07, 2023

Airbnb wins Vancouver privacy ruling, as court quashes order to release host data

Airbnb has won a court ruling that quashes an order from British Columbia's privacy commissioner that would have identified hosts and their home addresses in Vancouver.The B.C. Supreme Court ruling released Wednesday says the Information and Privacy Commissioner got it wrong when it ordered the City of Vancouver to release the information about hosts who hold short-term rental licences without notifying them.Justice Jasvinder Basran's ruling says the privacy commissioner must reconsider its findings after notifying Airbnb hosts about the potential release of the information.The ruling says bot
karnvir-singh-garcha-of-coquitlam-identified-as-shooting-victim
BCJul 05, 2023

Karnvir Singh Garcha of Coquitlam identified as shooting victim

The police have released the identity of the youth who was murdered on Sunday in Coquitlam.The deceased was Punjabi youth Karnvir Singh Garcha.He was 25 years old.Police said that Karnvir Singh was found injured near Foster Avenue near North Road at 9.30 pm and despite all efforts, he died on the spot. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said that Garcha along with another person had been issued a warning by the police in December to avoid gangs as their names were associated with gang violence and drug trade.Surrey RCMP described Garcha as a risk to the community at the time.Police sai
home-prices-continue-to-rise-in-metro-vancouvers-housing-market-to-kick-off-the-summer
BCJul 05, 2023

Home prices continue to rise in Metro Vancouver’s housing market to kick off the summer

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says strong demand for the few homes listed for sale last month helped boost the benchmark price for all residential properties in the region to just over 1.2 million dollars.The board says that's up 1.3 per cent in a single month, although it's still more than two per cent below the benchmark price set one year ago.Overall, the board says the housing market continues to outperform expectations with the apartment or condo market eclipsing slightly slower sales in the townhouse and detached home sectors.The board also notes that sales continue to outst
talks-deadlocked-as-b-c-port-strike-enters-day-5
BCJul 05, 2023

Talks deadlocked as B.C. port strike enters day 5

Negotiations between the union representing British Columbia port workers and maritime employers have stalled and the workers' strike has entered its fifth day.More than 7,000 workers at 30 B.C. ports have been on strike since Saturday morning.The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada says that jurisdiction is being eroded by the use of contractors.Port automation and the cost of living are key issues in contracting.Business organizations as well as Alberta and Saskatchewan officials have asked Ottawa to move forward and end the strike, but federal Labor Minister Seamus O'Regan sa
baltej-dhillon-appointed-chair-of-worksafebcs-board-of-directors
BCJun 30, 2023

Baltej Dhillon appointed chair of WorkSafeBC’s board of directors

Baltej Singh Dhillon has been appointed Chair of WorkSafeBC's Board of Directors for a three-year term effective Friday, June 30.Dhillon is the first South Asian Canadian to hold this role, and has been a member of WorkSafeBC's Board of Directors since 2017.Dhillon had a distinguished career as a police officer spanning more than three decades.Notably, Dhillon created history by becoming the first RCMP member to wear a turban as part of his uniform.In addition, he also received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals for community service.
b-c-health-authority-issues-drug-alert-after-benzodiazepines-found
BCJun 30, 2023

B.C. health authority issues drug alert after benzodiazepines found

A British Columbia health authority has issued a public warning after it says benzodiazepines were detected in vape juice sold in Chilliwack, B.C.Fraser Health issued an overdose alert Thursday saying the juice that tested positive contained cannabis and suspected synthetic cannabinoids and was sold in refillable, unmarked and unbranded cartridges.It did not specify where the product was sold.The alert says reported side-effects include prolonged sedation, nausea, vomiting and blackouts.Health Canada says benzodiazepines, or benzos, are a class of substances often used as sedatives and tranqui
b-c-staff-who-failed-to-check-on-two-abused-foster-children-lose-jobs-ministry
BCJun 29, 2023

B.C. staff who failed to check on two abused foster children lose jobs: Ministry

The British Columbia government says staff members at the Children's Ministry who failed to check on two Indigenous children who were systematically abused by their foster parents have lost their jobs.A judge sentenced the foster parents this month to 10 years each in prison for the death of the 11-year-old boy and his eight-year-old sister's serious injuries, saying it was incomprehensible how someone could inflict such suffering and violence on an innocent child.While the Ministry of Children and Family Development does not provide the names or the number of people involved, it says in a sta
provincial-booking-system-for-appointments-with-pharmacists-going-live
BCJun 28, 2023

Provincial booking system for appointments with pharmacists going live

Starting Thursday, June 29, 2023, people can book an appointment to see a pharmacist through a new provincial online booking system, making it even easier and more convenient to access the health care they need. The new online booking system is similar to the Get Vaccinated system where people booked appointments to get their COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations. Through the new online booking system, people can search for available appointment times at nearby pharmacies based on their minor ailment or contraceptive needs. Appointments can continue to be made by calling or visiting a pharmacy.
b-c-public-schools-move-away-from-letter-grades-from-kindergarten-to-grade-9
BCJun 23, 2023

B.C. public schools move away from letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades.A statement from the Education Ministry says that starting in the 2023-2024 school year, only students in grades 10, 11 and 12 will receive letter grades and percentages so post-secondary entry requirements are met.About half of B.C.'s students have already been getting the new progress reports in a pilot program through a curriculum modernization plan that started in 2016.The ministry says proficiency scale report cards use terms such as emerging,

Just In

CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

The Canadian government has defended proposed Bill C-34, which would ban children under 16 from using social media, arguing that it is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In a statement issued by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, the government acknowledged that the proposed digital safety legislation could affect freedom of expression but maintained that it falls within constitutional limits. The government argued that age-based restrictions are already in place for activities such as voting and driving, and said similar measures are justified to protect children from the
danielle-smith-warns-ucp-members-support-canada-or-leave-the-party
AlbertaOct 21, 2026

Danielle Smith Warns UCP Members: Support Canada or Leave the Party

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has issued a strong warning to members of her United Conservative Party (UCP), saying those who cannot support a pro-Canada position should return their party memberships and find another party. In a video posted on social media Wednesday, Smith made it clear that the UCP cannot afford divisions over the issue, warning that internal disagreements could put the party at risk of losing the next provincial election to the opposition NDP. Her comments came after Monday’s referendum, in which Albertans voted in favour of remaining part of Canada. Smith acknowledged
psac-announces-strike-vote-for-120-000-federal-workers
CanadaOct 21, 2026

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela
IndiaOct 21, 2026

CBI Takes Over Jhota Murder Probe, Post-Mortem Decision Still Pending

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun investigating the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab. The central agency has registered an FIR in Chandigarh in connection with the case. CBI officials met Jhota’s family and recorded their statements. The team also collected evidence from the shop of the accused, Ashwani Kumar, and other locations linked to the case. The agency is reportedly trying to persuade the family to agree to a post-mortem examination. The CBI has assured them that a medical board of doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Educatio
carney-says-federal-government-wont-back-down-on-immigration-targets
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the federal government will maintain sustainable immigration levels and will not back away from its targets. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, Carney said his government is consulting provincial governments on bringing immigration to appropriate levels and distributing newcomers more effectively across the country based on economic needs. His remarks came after Alberta’s referendum, in which approximately 53 per cent of voters supported giving the province greater control over immigration policies to reduce the number o