British Columbia added a net 17,800 jobs in July, bringing the province's unemployment rate down to 6.2 per cent, according to employment figures highlighted by B.C. Jobs and Economic Development Minister Ravi Kahlon. Kahlon said the province recorded the largest increase in full-time employment in Canada during the month, with 32,500 full-time jobs added. The increase included 16,200 new full-time positions held by women, according to the provincial government. The minister also said B.C.'s manufacturing sector gained 3,100 jobs in July, while employment in the agriculture sector increased 43

Premier David Eby addressed reporters in Abbotsford on Thursday evening following continued questions about his public absence during British Columbia's ongoing wildfire emergency. During the news conference, Eby issued an update on the province's wildfire response and confirmed the arrival of additional international firefighting personnel. According to the premier, a second contingent of firefighters from Mexico, Australia and New Zealand has arrived in British Columbia to support wildfire suppression efforts. The crews will work alongside personnel from Alberta, Quebec and Yukon to strength

The British Columbia government is considering reducing development cost charges to encourage the construction of new homes in the province's fastest-growing communities. Housing Minister Christine Boyle confirmed the province is in discussions with the federal government on a proposal that would reduce development cost charges by up to 50 per cent for multi-unit housing projects in rapidly growing municipalities. According to the minister, the plan also includes exploring options to offset the funding shortfall municipalities would face if the fees are reduced. Development cost charges are pa

The RCMP are asking the public for assistance after investigators identified a series of suspected deliberately set fires at Gopher Creek Linear Park in Kelowna. According to the RCMP, several small fires were discovered in close proximity inside the park at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. People who were in the park and nearby residents spotted the fires and extinguished them before notifying the fire department, preventing any significant damage. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the park or near the Gallagher Road and Lynrick Road area that afternoon

Nova Scotia will prohibit children under the age of 14 from operating e-bikes and e-scooters beginning this fall as part of amendments to the province's Traffic Safety Act. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley announced the new minimum age requirement, saying the changes are intended to improve road safety as electric mobility devices become faster and more widely used. According to the provincial announcement, the updated rules respond to advances in technology that allow many e-bikes and e-scooters to travel at significantly higher speeds than conventional bicycles. The changes come as injuries

RCMP are investigating a targeted drive-by shooting in Fort St. John that damaged several properties but did not result in any reported injuries. The incident marks the second targeted shooting in the city within the past few weeks. According to Fort St. John RCMP, officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 1:37 a.m. Thursday in the 9800 block of 108 Avenue, near the city's downtown area. Investigators found bullet damage to a travel trailer, two nearby homes and a vehicle. Police said no injuries were reported. As of publication, investigators have not released a description of any sus

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad has criticized Premier David Eby over his public response as thousands of people across British Columbia remain under evacuation orders because of ongoing wildfires. Rustad said it was unacceptable that the premier had not addressed the public while many residents remain displaced and families are uncertain whether their homes have survived. He described the situation as a failure of leadership, saying people affected by the fires expect clear answers and support from the province's top elected official. According to statements released by the B.C. Conserva

An evacuation alert has been issued for 35 properties in the Village of Anmore after a wildfire burning in Belcarra Regional Park raised concerns about potential risk to nearby homes, according to local officials. The Village of Anmore said residents covered by the alert should prepare essential belongings and be ready to leave on short notice if conditions change. Acting Mayor Doug Richardson said municipal staff are working to support affected residents as needed. Elsewhere in British Columbia, some residents displaced by wildfires in the Fraser Canyon are beginning to return after evacuatio

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to cancel a planned federal gas tax increase scheduled for September, arguing Canadians cannot afford higher fuel costs amid ongoing economic pressures. Speaking at a news conference in St. John's on Thursday, Poilievre said the proposed increase would add 10 cents per litre to gasoline prices. He also urged the federal government to suspend all federal gas taxes for one year to provide relief to Canadian families. Poilievre claimed that suspending the federal gas tax would save motorists about 25 cents per litre, reduci