B.C. NDP Leader David Eby is set to roll out the party's complete election platform as Conservative Leader John Rustad says his government would end the provincial insurance corporation's monopoly on basic vehicle insurance. Eby has a news conference scheduled in Surrey as the province nears the midway point of the election campaign ahead of the Oct. 19 election day. The New Democrats have already announced many components of the platform, including recent promises for an annual tax cut worth $1,000 for the average family starting next year, and a plan to fast-track factory-built homes. Rustad

British Columbia's main party leaders are spending much of their day together, starting with a debate on the radio and moving on to a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event to speak with business leaders. NDP Leader David Eby, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau will spend an hour debating on CKNW in Vancouver before moving on to the business event. The board of trade says it also plans to release a 2024 provincial election survey of both its members and the general public. It comes as Rustad has been told by a campaign that works to end violence against

Police in Vancouver say they've launched a hate crime investigation after a clash between protesters with opposing views on war in the Middle East. They say it happened outside the Vancouver Art Gallery Sunday night. Police say in a statement that "violence broke out" between groups of protesters with differing views on the war between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Police say a 34-year-old woman was injured and required medical attention after she was knocked to the ground, assaulted and subjected to antisemitic slurs. They say the suspect ran away into the crowd, but officers later arrested a

Leader Sonia Furstenau is scheduled to hold a news conference in Victoria this morning. The Greens have already laid out a number of their commitments, including promises to establish a network of 93 community health centres, cover six visits per year with a mental health professional under the provincial medical services plan, and maintain a carbon tax while increasing the size of the rebate. As part of the second week of the election campaign, all three major party leaders are expected to come face-to-face for multiple events on Wednesday. They will debate live in the morning on Vancouver r

British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby says his government would fast-track factory-built homes as part of its strategy to ease the province's housing crisis. At an election campaign stop on Vancouver Island, Eby says pre-built homes cut waste, reduce emissions, and the advances in the industry mean the homes are "beautiful and high-quality." A statement issued by the NDP says its government would work with the industry, municipalities and First Nations to create a provincewide framework so builders know what's required in every community. It says there would also be a pre-approved set of const

Tactical evacuations are underway outside the B.C. southern Interior town of Grand Forks, as an out-of-control wildfire in Washington state surges north and threatens to cross the border. The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary says the evacuations are taking place west of Grand Forks as embers from the Goosmus wildfire shower the area. Emergency Info BC says evacuation orders posted Wednesday are in place for west of Highway 41 and south of Highway 3, as well as properties west of Highway 3 from Sleepy Hollow Rd to Phoenix Rd. It says residents need to evacuate immediately because the fire

British Columbia's New Democrats and Conservatives issued their plans for the mining industry while campaigning in the province's resource-rich communities. Both NDP Leader David Eby and Conservative Leader John Rustad say they will support the industry by improving permitting, with the NDP committing to permit review timelines and the Conservatives proposing "One Project, One Permit." In Terrace, Eby said an NDP government would upgrading key highway infrastructure in the northwest, while Rustad in Kimberley, in the southeast, said his government would invest in gaps in rural infrastructure.

Metro Vancouver grain workers strike has raised concerns about food supply chain. The strike could be a major blow to the economy and the food supply chain, with more than half of all Canadian-grown grain moving through Metro Vancouver terminals. The association that includes Metro Vancouver grain terminals says the union for grain workers at ports waited out the clock to strike at a time they have the most leverage. Association says the employers the strike is happening during the fall wheat harvest after many months of negotiations. A University of Guelph food economist says the union for

The union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver has voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with TransDev. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 voted Monday to ratify the deal, which it says includes increased wages for workers. About 600 HandyDART employees started strike action in early September, pausing service except for essential medical trips. ATU Local 1724 President Joe McCann says the strike showed the power of the union, and ratifying the contract is great for union members. The union also says the new contract with TransDev pushes back on the use of taxis