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BCAug 02, 2021

Premier John Horgan's statement on B.C. Day

Premier John Horgan has issued a statement in celebration of B.C. Day.Horgan says, "on B.C. Day, we celebrate this beautiful place we call home and reflect on the history of our province."There is much to be proud of and grateful for in British Columbia. We are surrounded by unmatched natural beauty, abundant resources and thriving communities that people from around the world call home."By working together, British Columbians have pulled through one of the most challenging times in our province’s history. We helped fight the COVID-19 pandemic by following public health advice and getting im
dr-bonnie-henry-among-16-people-appointed-to-receive-provinces-order-of-b-c
BCAug 02, 2021

Dr. Bonnie Henry among 16 people appointed to receive province's Order of B.C.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is one of 16 people appointed to receive the province's highest honour, the Order of British Columbia. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin says in a statement she is delighted to welcome the 16 ``exceptional'' people to the Order of B.C., which is the province's highest form of recognition. She says joining Henry, who has played a leading role in B.C.'s ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response, are Indigenous leaders, philanthropists, artists and business and community trailblazers. Among those joining Henry as appointees are: Chief Joe Alphonse of the Tsilhqot'in Natio
stanley-park-to-temporarily-close-overnight-due-to-extreme-fire-risk
BCJul 31, 2021

Stanley Park to temporarily close overnight due to extreme fire risk

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation will be temporarily closing all non-essential access to Stanley Park between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am beginning tonight. The closure is being activated in an effort to reduce the fire risk to the park, which is extreme due to the current drought conditions and sustained heat events. Park Rangers will set up temporary overnight access control points at five locations across the park to reduce the number of individuals in the park overnight. Vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and anyone who does not require access to the park will be turned around at a
premier-horgan-wants-british-columbians-to-mark-bc-day-with-a-7-pm-salute-to-front-line-workers
BCJul 30, 2021

Premier Horgan wants British Columbians to mark BC Day with a 7 pm salute to front-line workers

Premier John Horgan wants British Columbians to mark BC Day with a 7 pm salute to front-line workers. He posted a message on Twitter urging everyone to bang pots and make noise. Horgan says it will support and thank the workers who have kept us safe during the pandemic and throughout the ongoing wildfire season. BC residents enthusiastically took part in what became known as the 7 o'clock cheer, shouting and banging pots from balconies and yards nightly at the start of the pandemic when physical distancing rules made large gatherings impossible. Premier Horgan on Twitter: On BC Day at 7PM, gr
b-c-reports-243-new-cases-of-covid-19-as-active-cases-continue-to-rise
BCJul 30, 2021

B.C. reports 243 new cases of COVID-19 as active cases continue to rise

B.C. is reporting 243 new cases of COVID-19, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 149,889 cases in the province.There are 1,231 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 146,876 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 47 individuals are in hospital and 16 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the last 24 hours, no new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,771. Since December 2020, the Province has administered 6,774,257 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines. As o
this-weeks-heat-is-expected-to-contribute-to-severe-burning-conditions-bc-wildfire-service
BCJul 30, 2021

This week's heat is expected to contribute to "severe burning conditions": BC Wildfire Service

The director of fire centre operations for the BC wildfire service says this week's heat is expected to contribute to ``severe burning conditions'' in BC's southern half. Rob Schweitzer's crews will be watching out for lighting this weekend, though next week could bring a measure of relief with cooler temperatures and some rain. There were 62 evacuation orders covering more than 3,400 properties at the province's latest count, with close to 17,700 more on alert. In response to the fires, Interior Health says two mobile alternative care sites being set up in the Okanagan ``out of an abundance
b-c-reports-204-new-covid-19-cases
BCJul 30, 2021

B.C. reports 204 new COVID-19 cases

B.C. is reporting 204 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 149,648 cases in the province.There are 1,055 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 146,810 people who tested positive have recovered.Note that the numbers of total and new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh and will be verified once confirmed.Of the active cases, 51 individuals are in hospital and 20 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 24 hours, no new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,771.Since December 2020, the Province has adm
ihit-investigating-death-of-1-year-old-in-new-westminster
BCJul 29, 2021

IHIT investigating death of 1-year old in New Westminster

On July 24, 2021, at approximately 4:20 a.m., New Westminster Police Department (NWPD) responded to a call of an un-responsive infant in the 1300 block of 5th Avenue in New Westminster. NWPD completed an assessment and determined suspicious circumstances around the death. IHIT was called in to investigate. IHIT investigators are working closely with our partners at the New Westminster Police Department, BC Coroners Service, and the NWPD Forensic Identification Section. Homicide detectives are speaking with the family and friends to ascertain the specifics around what happened. Local support se
BCJul 29, 2021

Mobile vaccine bus rolls into Tsawwassen ferry terminal

This Friday, TransLink is teaming up with Fraser Health and BC Ferries to bring the Mobile Vaccine Bus to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal ahead of the B.C. Day long-weekend. Ferry passengers eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine can hop on the Mobile Vaccine Bus to receive their first or second dose before getting on the ferry to continue their journey. Two brightly coloured and air-conditioned transit buses will be stationed at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to provide same-day COVID-19 immunizations to eligible people in a cool and comfortable location. Passengers ages 12 and over are welcome, inclu

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canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
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CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T
westjet-flight-attendants-vote-99-4-in-favour-of-strike-as-august-long-weekend-travel-faces-disruption
CanadaJul 15, 2026

WestJet flight attendants vote 99.4% in favour of strike as August long weekend travel faces disruption

WestJet's flight attendants' union says 99.4 per cent of its members have voted in favour of strike action, clearing the way for a legal walkout as early as Aug. 2 if a new collective agreement is not reached. According to the union, about 4,400 flight attendants would be in a legal strike position beginning Aug. 2. Key issues in the contract dispute include wage increases that keep pace with inflation, improved working conditions and compensation for all hours spent on duty. WestJet President and CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said the airline remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement
burnaby-rcmp-seek-publics-help-to-identify-suspect-in-sexual-assault-investigation
BCJul 15, 2026

Burnaby RCMP seek public's help to identify suspect in sexual assault investigation

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public's help as they investigate a reported sexual assault that occurred in the city's Metrotown area last week. According to police, the incident happened at about 11:30 p.m. on July 9 near Royal Oak Avenue and Beresford Street. Investigators said the victim was walking alone when an unidentified man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. The suspect fled the area after the victim called 911. Officers searched the neighbourhood but were unable to locate him. Police said a second suspicious incident was reported about 30 minutes later near Beres