16.27°C Vancouver

News

b-c-reports-2-701-new-covid-19-cases-and-17-deaths
BCFeb 15, 2022

B.C reports 2,701 new COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 2,701 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 341,286 cases in the province:Feb. 11-12: 1,151 new casesFeb. 12-13: 883 new casesFeb. 13-14: 667 new casesNote: The numbers of new and total cases are provisional due to a system-wide downtime.The new cases include:Fraser Health: 783Vancouver Coastal Health: 495Interior Health: 676Northern Health: 324Island Health: 423People who reside outside of Canada: noneThere are 803 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 119 are in intensive care.In the past 72 hours, 17 new deaths have been reported, for an overa
statue-of-vancouvers-gastown-founder-torn-down-during-womens-memorial-march
BCFeb 15, 2022

Statue of Vancouver's Gastown founder torn down during women's memorial march

Police say they are investigating after a statue commemorating the founder of a Vancouver neighbourhood was pulled down during the annual Women's Memorial March on Monday.Police say several hundred people gathered around the statue of John Deighton, better known as "Gassy Jack," as the march wound past the landmark.They say in a statement that demonstrators tied ropes around the statue, pulled it down and then covered it in red paint.Deighton, who came to Vancouver from England in the mid-1800s is known for establishing Gastown, and his statue was given as a gift to the city on Valentine's Day
truck-drivers-face-delays-after-pacific-border-highway-closed-due-to-protests
BCFeb 14, 2022

Truck drivers face delays after Pacific border highway closed due to protests

Protests against COVID-19 mandates in British Columbia have been loud, but mostly lawful, the province's solicitor general said Monday.Mike Farnworth also said the province supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in using the Emergencies Act to deal with protests that are holding other parts of the country "economic hostage."Trudeau spoke with the premiers Monday about using the act, which would give the federal government temporary and extraordinary powers to curtail the demonstrations. In response to questions at a news conference about insurance policies, Farnworth said there have been a num
icbc-set-to-launch-online-insurance-renewals
BCFeb 14, 2022

ICBC set to launch online insurance renewals

People in British Columbian will soon have the added convenience of renewing their personal ICBC insurance policies online.Eligible ICBC customers with policies expiring on or after May 1, 2022, will have the option to renew their policy using their computer, tablet or mobile device. While May 1 will be the official launch date, customers can renew their insurance up to 44 days earlier, meaning some people will be able to renew online as soon as March 17, 2022. With support from ICBC’s broker network, the new online insurance service will enable customers to renew their current personal auto
new-westminster-man-arrested-after-random-transit-riderspunched-and-kicked
BCFeb 14, 2022

New Westminster man arrested after random transit riderspunched and kicked

A 35 year old New Westminster man has been arrested and Transit Police say five assault charges are being considered after random transit riders were punched or kicked. A release from Metro Vancouver Transit Police says five people were attacked between late October and the beginning of this month. None of them knew their attacker and police say even though the level of violence was escalating, none of the five was seriously hurt. The release does not say how quickly the suspect was arrested after the last attack on February 3rd, but Transit police say the man is known to them.
BCFeb 14, 2022

R-C-M-P arrested four people at protest near Border Crossing in Surrey

R-C-M-P say four people were arrested for mischief at a COVID-19 mandate protest near the Pacific Highway Border Crossing in Surrey this weekend.The road was blocked off by police on 176 Street and at its feeder routes to the border.R-C-M-P said some of the vehicles and protesters stayed overnight on Saturday, but most had cleared by mid-afternoon yesterday.The Canadian Border Services Agency says the border remained opened, but suggested travellers use a different crossing due to protests.
100-000-reward-announced-for-any-person-offering-information-on-fire-at-kimberley-alpine-resort
BCFeb 11, 2022

$100,000 reward announced for any person offering information on fire at Kimberley Alpine Resort

The Kimberley RCMP along with Kimberley Alpine Resort (KAR) and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) are seeking public assistance in identifying the individual(s) responsible for damaging the Northstar Quad Chair.KAR & RCR are offering a $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollar) reward to any individual(s) offering information that leads to the location, arrest and conviction of suspects involved in the destruction of the lift control building on December 18th, 2021.The information must be provided directly to the RCMP, not to KAR/RCR. The RCMP number in Kimberley is 250-427-4811.For more i
greater-victoria-school-board-censures-and-suspends-two-school-trustees
BCFeb 11, 2022

Greater Victoria school board censures and suspends two school trustees

The Board of Education for the Greater Victoria School District No. 61 held a closed meeting to consider allegations of misconduct related to two Board trustees. At that meeting, the Board determined to censure those trustees for their misconduct. In addition, both Trustee Diane McNally and Trustee Rob Paynter have been suspended from their duties until October 2022.The Board was made aware of two formal complaints about bullying and harassment towards staff related to disparaging comments made publicly. Due to the serious nature of these allegations, the Board launched a third-party investiga
city-of-ottawa-asks-ontario-superior-court-of-justice-for-an-injunction-against-protests
BCFeb 11, 2022

City of Ottawa asks Ontario Superior Court of Justice for an injunction against protests

The City of Ottawa today asked the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for an injunction against people continuing to violate city bylaws during the ongoing protest in the city by antigovernment demonstrators. City solicitor David White says it is hoped the injunction will rein in the ``widespread disregard'' for the law by people participating in what police say is an illegal demonstration. In particular the city is looking for an injunction against noise, idling, fireworks, open air fires, encroachments on highways and illegal use of parks and city facilities.

Just In

bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level