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BCDec 21, 2021

Fast-moving Omicron variant prompts additional COVID-19 measures in BC, ministry

More health measures could be coming in British Columbia one day after restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 took effect.Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are set to provide another update this afternoon on COVID-19.The Ministry of Health has reported 2,550 new cases between Friday and Sunday, pushing the total number of active infections to 5,435 _ a leap of 2,486 cases in one week.The ministry says public health is monitoring the increase as well as developments in other areas, and will outline addi
b-c-reports-2-550-new-covid-19-cases-and-3-deaths
BCDec 21, 2021

B.C. reports 2,550 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 2,550 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 228,335 cases in the province:Dec. 17-18: 911 new casesDec. 18-19: 832 new casesDec. 19-20: 807 new casesThere are 5,435 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 220,348 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 185 individuals are in hospital and 77 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 72 hours, three new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,402.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: oneNorthern Health: one
b-c-mounties-say-they-are-monitoring-protest-against-gas-pipeline
BCDec 21, 2021

B.C. Mounties say they are monitoring protest against gas pipeline

The RCMP say they are investigating allegations that protesters threatened security officials, set off flares and damaged vehicles at a drill site for the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia. The Mounties say in a statement released Monday that officers were called to the site along a forest service road near Houston on Sunday. They say anyone blocking worker access to the area is in breach of a court-ordered injunction. Opposition to the pipeline project among Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs sparked rallies and rail blockades across Canada last year. The elected council of t
rcmp-investigate-fatality-at-local-ski-resort
BCDec 20, 2021

RCMP investigate fatality at local ski resort

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP and BC Coroners Service are investigating after a Vernon man died while snowboarding at Silverstar Mountain Resort on Saturday morning.On Saturday, December 18th, 2021, at approximately 11:20 a.m., the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were notified that a snowboarder had been found unconscious in the Putnam Creek area of the mountain. The initial investigation has determined the man was snowboarding in an area of complex terrain that was closed at the time due to poor conditions. The victim, who was alone, fell into a ravine and was later discovered by a skier who noti
man-arrested-following-a-deadly-stabbing-near-the-metrotown-mall-in-burnaby
BCDec 20, 2021

Man arrested following a deadly stabbing near the Metrotown Mall in Burnaby

Homicide investigators say a man has been arrested following a deadly stabbing near the Metrotown Mall in Burnaby yesterday morning. A statement from the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the man was picked up shortly after the attack, which was not random as the suspect and victim are known to each other. Police say there were also reports of several other ``serious offences'' in the same area at the time of the stabbing, but no one else was hurt and officers continue to investigate how all the events might be connected. The suspect in his 30s remains in custody and detectiv
b-c-extends-cap-on-food-delivery-fees
BCDec 20, 2021

B.C. extends cap on food delivery fees

The British Columbia government says it's extending the cap on fees charged by food delivery companies to help the restaurant industry through the COVID-19 pandemic. Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, says the fee cap was to expire on Dec. 31, but it's now been extended to the end of 2022. The fee charged to restaurants by food delivery companies will remain at 15 per cent, while the additional cap of five per cent has been extended for other services, such as online ordering and processing fees. The original order was put in place on Dec. 22 last year under
coquihalla-highway-reopens-to-essential-commercial-traffic
BCDec 20, 2021

Coquihalla Highway reopens to essential commercial traffic

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) has reopened between Hope and Merritt to essential commercial vehicles only following a month of extensive repairs.The highway was closed by multiple washouts on Nov. 14, 2021."The people who build and maintain roads in B.C. have a reputation second to none, and their response to the recent disaster has been remarkable," said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "Ministry teams, maintenance contractors and hundreds of workers going flat out in challenging conditions have allowed us to reopen the Coquihalla Highway today, giving B.C.’s
british-columbias-new-covid-19-restrictions-to-curb-omicron-variant-come-into-effect
BCDec 20, 2021

British Columbia's new COVID-19 restrictions to curb Omicron variant come into effect

New COVID-19 restrictions ranging from audience capacities on large venues to the number of people able to attend indoor gatherings are in effect today.The health measures are scheduled to last until Jan. 31.Health officials say the restrictions, which also include the cancellation of all New Year's Eve parties, are being implemented over fears of the Omicron variant overwhelming B.C. hospitals.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said the Omicron variant is adding new and more complex challenges to managing the pandemic.B.C. reported 302 cases of the Omicron variant on Friday, up fr
b-c-reports-789-new-covid-19-cases-as-number-of-omicron-cases-rise-to-302
BCDec 18, 2021

B.C. reports 789 new COVID-19 cases as number of Omicron cases rise to 302

B.C. is reporting 789 new cases of COVID-19, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 225,785 cases in the province.There are 4,313 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 218,960 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 191 individuals are in hospital and 74 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, three new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,399.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: oneVancouver Coastal Health: oneNorthern Health: oneThere have been 302 cases of the Omicron

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WorldMay 15, 2026

Death toll rises to 24 after Russian missile strike on Kyiv apartment building, Zelenskyy says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that the death toll from a Russian missile strike on a Kyiv apartment building has risen to 24, including three children, after emergency crews completed search operations at the site. In posts published on X, Zelenskyy said rescue workers spent more than a day clearing debris from the damaged nine-storey residential building following Thursday’s attack. Ukrainian officials also reported 48 people injured in the broader assault on the capital, including two children. According to the Ukrainian air force, the strike formed part of what offic
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BCMay 15, 2026

911 communications workers in B.C. vote 95% in favour of strike action

A union representing more than 700 emergency communications workers in British Columbia says members have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action as contract negotiations continue with E-Comm, the organization that operates many of the province’s 911 call services. CUPE 8911 said Thursday the vote reflects concerns among front-line staff about staffing shortages, workload pressures and long-term sustainability within the emergency communications system. The union said workers would be in a legal strike position once an essential services order is finalized through the labour relations p
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CanadaMay 15, 2026

Carney, Smith expected to unveil Alberta industrial carbon pricing deal tied to pipeline plan

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are expected to announce an agreement Friday on the future of industrial carbon pricing in Alberta, a move both governments have linked to plans for a new bitumen export pipeline to Canada’s West Coast. According to a source familiar with the discussions, the agreement would see Alberta’s industrial emissions price rise to an effective rate of $130 per tonne by 2040. Alberta froze its industrial carbon price at $95 per tonne last year. The expected announcement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by Ottawa and Alberta i
AlbertaMay 15, 2026

Re-entry to begin for some evacuees after Woodlands County wildfire holds steady

Some residents forced from their homes earlier this week due to a wildfire northwest of Edmonton could begin returning Friday as fire conditions stabilize in parts of Woodlands County. Woodlands County officials said on social media that re-entry is expected to begin for residents in Zone 1 only, while evacuation orders for other affected areas remain in place. Residents returning to the area are being asked to complete a waiver because the wildfire is still considered active. About 140 residents were ordered to evacuate Monday as crews responded to a wildfire near the town of Whitecourt, loca
CanadaMay 15, 2026

Indian man pleads guilty in cross-border human smuggling case linked to Canada–U.S. route

A 22-year-old Indian national has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court in connection with a human smuggling network accused of moving Indian migrants from Canada into the United States illegally, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Authorities allege Shivam Lnu was involved in a cross-border operation that transported migrants from Canada into New York State between October 2024 and June 2025. Investigators said the network later arranged travel for migrants to other parts of the United States. According to the Justice Department, Shivam’s role included coordinating drivers, arranging pic