Workers across BC are now eligible to take up to three days of paid sick leave if they develop COVID-19 or must self-isolate because of close contact with someone who has the virus. Labour Minister Harry Bains says BC's paid sick leave provisions took effect yesterday. He says those who have the illness, are self-isolating or are simply waiting for the outcome of a COVID-19 test are eligible for the assistance, and if workers need more help the legislation provides a bridge to other benefits. Employers will be reimbursed up to 200-dollars per day for each worker claiming paid sick leave and B

The RCMP say one person is in custody after human remains were found in a ditch in Surrey, B.C. An RCMP spokeswoman says the body was found at about 4 a.m. Friday as firefighters put out a small blaze in a rural area of south Surrey. Investigators say the case is not related to the ongoing gang conflict in Metro Vancouver. They say the public is not at risk. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is taking over the case. Police say they believe they know who the victim is but the BC Coroners Service is also expected to be involved in the investigation.

One person is dead after a shooting at a strip mall in Nanaimo, B.C. Nanaimo RCMP say they responded to reports of shots fired at about 3 p.m. at the Rock City Plaza parking lot. One man, who suffered apparent gunshot wounds, was found dead in a vehicle at the mall. Mounties say they arrested several people at the Best Western Hotel on Metral Drive shortly afterwards and seized a vehicle. Const. Gary O'Brien says police can't confirm whether they are looking for other suspects. Police are asking anyone with dashcam video from the area between 3:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Thursday to contact Nana

Premier John Horgan is urging people to follow all COVID-19 public health orders over the long weekend so the province can have the summer than everyone wants to see. Horgan says COVID-19 case counts are coming down and the burden on hospitals is easing somewhat, but all current restrictions including the ban on travel remain in place until midnight Monday. He says the province will be announcing a new road map for reopening on Tuesday and people can expect the circuit breaker imposed to slow rising cases to be over. However, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says it's not going to b

A project to deliver packages by cargo electric bicycle is about to launch in Vancouver as the city works to reduce pollution and traffic congestion. A joint statement from the Transportation and Environment ministries says the province is providing $200,000 to partner with Vancouver to create the e-bike micro hub. The statement says packages will be brought to the hub by truck and transferred to the e-bikes equipped with large rear cargo boxes for final delivery. The project will begin in June and run until the end of next August, with a midpoint evaluation of greenhouse gas reductions, prod

An early morning drinking and driving roadblock in North Vancouver captured known gang associates in possession of cash, drugs and a knife.At approximately 3:00 a.m. on May 18, 2021, North Vancouver RCMP officers were conducting an impaired driving enforcement road check near Capilano Rd. and Marine Dr. A newer model Range Rover approached, and the driver stopped and rolled down the window to speak to one of the officers."Generally, this initial brief discussion our officers have with the person behind the wheel allows them to detect possible impaired drivers," said Sgt. Peter DeVries of the N

BC's information and privacy commissioner has written a letter urging the government to add its new 500-million dollar investment corporation as a public body under the province's freedom of information legislation. Michael McEvoy says the corporation called In-BC should be subject to such transparency and accountability because it will be making decisions about the allocation of significant public money to the private sector. He says ICBC and BC Hydro are just two examples of Crown corporations or agencies that manage public funds while being subject to the legislation. McEvoy says existing

RCMP have issued a reminder that non-essential travel remains restricted, between three regional zones established by the province. They say road checks will ramp up over this coming long weekend. The Mounties' highway patrol unit has established checkpoints on Highway 1 in the Boston Bar area, Highway 3 in the Manning Park area, Highway 5 in the old toll booth area and Highway 99 in the Lillooet area. The unit says close to 21-hundred vehicles were checked last weekend, with 30 turning around voluntarily. BC RCMP on Twitter: #BC - BC RCMP to increase COVID travel checks https://bit.ly/3wj4h5

The British Columbia government is preparing to vaccinate youth aged 12 to 17 and will roll out its plan shortly. Premier John Horgan is joining Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry for the COVID-19 news conference on Thursday. A joint statement Wednesday says young people can register to receive their vaccine online and details on how they will be vaccinated will come on Thursday. The statement also says anyone who was immunized before April 15, prior to the online system launching, will need to register because while the system has their vaccine informat