13.8°C Vancouver

News

b-c-wildfires-statistics-shared-by-the-province
BCAug 02, 2021

B.C. wildfires: statistics shared by the province

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021.For real-time updates on evacuation alerts and orders, visit: https://twitter.com/EmergencyInfoBCFor the latest wildfire information, visit: www.bcwildfire.caFires:Wildfires burning in B.C.: 245Since April 1, 2021:1,286 wildfires550,936 hectares of area burnedActive fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 36Coastal: 13Kamloops: 78Northwest: 6Prince George: 50Southeast: 62Resources:Firefighters and other personnel fighting the fires: 3,058Out-of-province firefighters: 3
rcmp-says-man-died-at-coquitlam-home-iio-notified
BCAug 02, 2021

RCMP says man died at Coquitlam home, IIO notified

The RCMP says one man is dead in Coquitlam following a complaint of a disturbance in a home. The RCMP says in a statement Coquitlam officers were called to investigate a disturbance complaint at a residence around 3:30 a.m. Sunday. The statement says when officers arrived at the door of a residential building, a man pushed the door back and ran towards a patio. The police statement says officers entered the home and made their way to the patio but did not see the man. The statement says when officers looked over a railing, the man was spotted below and was later confirmed deceased. The RCMP s
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

Just In

CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre