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fairy-creek-protesters-arrest-total-approaches-1-000
BCSep 13, 2021

Fairy Creek protesters arrest total approaches 1,000

The ongoing battle over blockades set up to prevent old-growth logging on Vancouver Island is heading back to BC Supreme Court this week. Several days of hearings are scheduled in Nanaimo as logging company Teal-Jones seeks to extend an injunction order against protesters in the Fairy Creek area. The injunction granted is set to expire later this month, four months after police enforcement began and more than a year after the blockades were first set up. The RCMP say officers have made at least 989 arrests since May, including 110 people who've been arrested more than once.
bcs-police-watchdog-called-to-investigate-after-an-armed-man-fatally-shot
BCSep 13, 2021

BC's police watchdog called to investigate after an armed man fatally shot

Police on Vancouver Island say BC's police watchdog has been called to investigate after an officer fatally shot an armed man yesterday morning. They say officers in Saanich responded to a report of a man who was armed, in crisis, making threats and who allegedly stole from a nearby liquor store. A statement from police in neighbouring Victoria says they engaged with the man for about an hour until an ``interaction'' occurred and an officer shot him. They say officers and paramedics gave first aid, but the man died at the scene, the Independent Investigations Office has been notified.
b-c-reports-820-new-covid-19-cases-and-9-deaths
BCSep 11, 2021

B.C. reports 820 new COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths

B.C. is reporting 820 new cases of COVID-19, including 11 epi-linked cases, for a total of 173,158 cases in the province.There are 5,850 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 165,027 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 281 individuals are in hospital and 135 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, nine new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,856.The new deaths include:Vancouver Coastal Health: threeInterior Health: threeNorthern Health: twoIsland Health: one From Sept. 2-8, pe
BCSep 11, 2021

B.C. gained 14,400 jobs in August

Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for August 2021:"The Labour Force Survey for August shows that B.C. is making great strides in our economic recovery with another 14,400 jobs gained throughout the province – 13,600 of these jobs are among women. All job gains are full-time."B.C. has one of the lowest unemployment rates and a job recovery rate of 101.1%, leading Canada as the only province with employment above pre-pandemic levels for the third straight month."In areas
afghanistans-first-female-olympian-urges-canada-to-speed-asylum-process-for-refugees
BCSep 10, 2021

Afghanistan's first female Olympian urges Canada to speed asylum process for refugees

One of Afghanistan's first two female Olympians is urging Canada to help female athletes escape the country. Friba Rezayee who lives in Vancouver, says her phone lit up with messages from women pleading for help after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban last month. Rezayee is also the founder of Women Leaders of Tomorrow, an organization that supports Afghan women with athletic and educational opportunities. The federal government says it has received assurances from the Taliban that Afghan citizens with travel authorization from other countries will be allowed to leave the country, but it warns
emergency-room-nurse-in-kamloops-recalls-the-emotional-toll-of-a-verbal-attack
BCSep 10, 2021

Emergency room nurse in Kamloops recalls the emotional toll of a verbal attack

An emergency room nurse in Kamloops recalls the emotional toll of a verbal attack she recently faced from a woman at a grocery store after another gruelling workday. Jaime Gallaher says she was still red-eyed from crying at work after anti-vaccination protests outside the ER when a woman swore at her, so she left her carton of milk and went home after breaking down in tears. Experts are raising concern over, moral injury, among health-care workers suddenly targeted after several provinces brought in vaccine passports. Roughly 5,000 people gathered a week earlier outside Vancouver General Hospi
wildfire-sutiation-in-b-c-getting-better
BCSep 10, 2021

Wildfire sutiation in B.C. getting better

The wildfire situation is continually evolving and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021.Fires:Wildfires currently burning in B.C.: 208Since April 1, 2021:1,585 wildfires868,619 hectares of area burnedActive fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 25Coastal: 13Kamloops: 57Northwest: 5Prince George: 52Southeast: 56Resources:Firefighters and other personnel currently fighting the fires: 1,418Out-of-province firefighters: 61Helicopters and planes supporting ground crews: 43Evacuations:Evacuation orders: 3 (-1)Evacuation alerts: 13 (-1) Properties:Number of
b-c-reports-774-new-covid-19-cases-and-5-deaths
BCSep 10, 2021

B.C. reports 774 new Covid-19 cases and 5 deaths

B.C. is reporting 774 new cases of COVID-19, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 172,338 cases in the province.There are 5,594 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 164,470 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 262 individuals are in hospital and 130 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 24 hours, five new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,847.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: threeNorthern Health: oneIsland Health: oneThere have been no new health-care facility outb
accused-pleads-guilty-to-fraud-charges-after-130-000-stolen-through-medical-office
BCSep 09, 2021

Accused pleads guilty to fraud charges after $130,000 stolen through medical office

In September 2018 the New Westminster Police Department received a report of suspected fraud connected to a New Westminster medical office. The victim claimed that cash was missing from the medical office, and that suspicious large withdrawals were appearing in the bank account connected to the business. The NWPD Major Crime Unit launched an investigation into the missing money and soon took conduct over another investigation involving large withdrawals from another medical office located in Vancouver. In total it is believed approximately $130,000.00 was stolen through both medical offices. A

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city-of-surrey-seeking-feedback-asks-residents-to-share-what-matters
BCNov 06, 2025

City of Surrey seeking feedback, asks residents to share what matters

City of Surrey is asking people to share feedback and tell the city what matters. City of Surrey says, "As a Surrey resident, your input plays an important role in shaping the City’s 2026 budget priorities. Share your thoughts by completing our online survey or visit one of our open houses to learn more about the budget process, ask questions and provide feedback." Find full details on City of Surrey's website: https://engage.surrey.ca/budge...
blue-jays-playoff-run-drives-tourism-surge-and-business-gains-in-toronto
BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,