A grant that helps British Columbia homeowners offset a portion of their property tax is being raised to reflect an increase in the assessed value of their homes. The Ministry of Finance says the threshold for the 2021 homeowner grant has been set at $1.625 million, a $100,000 increase over last year. It says the increase means the same percentage of homeowners remain eligible for either the basic grant or an enhanced grant that's available to those over 65 or people with disabilities. About 92 per cent of homeowners were eligible last year. In Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Regional Dist

Vancouver Coastal Health say there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 on the cardiac ward in St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver, closing the unit to all but end-of-life visits. Although the rest of the hospital remains open. Interior Health says weekly case numbers of COVID-19 are higher, per capita, in Revelstoke than in many other areas of B.C.Interior Health says weekly case numbers of COVID-19 are higher, per capita, in Revelstoke than in many other areas of the province and it is urging residents to take steps to curb the spread of the virus. The health authority has issued a news re

BC Ferries has cancelled the majority of sailings today between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver due to extreme weather. Environment Canada says a strong Pacific frontal system will bring very strong winds beginning in the late morning, with gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour. The strongest winds are expected over exposed coastal sections near the Strait of Georgia, Haro Strait and the Southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries says it doesn't take the decision lightly and will resume service as soon as it's safe to do so. BC Ferries is telling travellers to check its website after numerous aftern

Weather warnings cover most of coastal British Columbia and wind gusts topping 100 km/h are already lashing Haida Gwaii as the leading edge of a powerful storm hits the province. Wind warnings are posted for Haida Gwaii, north and central coasts, most of Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and Metro Vancouver. Environment Canada's weather office says gusts of up to 120 km/h are possible in northern regions before easing by noon while winds of 70 to 90 km/h are forecast to hit the south coast by midday. BC Ferries is telling travellers to check its website after

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales were up 53.4 per cent in the final month of 2020 compared with December 2019, hitting a new record for the month.The board says 3,093 homes were sold in December, up from 2,016 in December 2019 and slightly more than the 3,064 homes sold in November.Vancouver real estate agents sold 1,026 detached homes, a 71.3 jump from December 2019.The board says the composite home price in Vancouver ended the year at $1,047,400, up 5.4 percent from the same time last year.Board chair Colette Gerber says the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major cause

British Columbia's top doctor says immunizations are expected to be ramped up in the coming weeks as Health Canada approves more COVID-19 vaccines, but a major challenge will be for people to ensure they get immunized. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the aim is to vaccinate about 150,000 people by the end of February, with priority given to residents and staff of long-term care homes as well as First Nations communities. For the rest of the population, she says those over the age of 80 will be next in line for vaccinations, which will then be administered based on descending five-year age groupings. Dr

A 64 year old man has died after something went wrong during a scuba-diving outing off West Vancouver. Police in West Vancouver say the man was pulled unconscious from the water near Whytecliffe Park last Wednesday. Bystanders and paramedics tried to revive the person but could not be revived. The coroners service is assisting with the investigation but the death is not considered suspicious. The man's name has not been released.

RCMP in Prince George say they deployed "significant resources" to investigate the death of a man on New Year's Day. Mounties say in a news release they received a report of a homicide at a home in the early hours of January 1st. They say officers found a 50 year old man dead and secured the scene. Police say they believe the death was targeted. RCMP's Serious Crime Unit is leading the investigation.

British Columbia's police watchdog, the Independent Investigations Office, is investigating after a man was injured during an armed standoff with police in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The Vancouver Police Department says in a statement the incident occurred when a 32 year old man exited a suite with a firearm during a prolonged standoff.The standoff began Saturday night. They say a member of the Emergency Response Team fired at the man and he was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect and another man are now in police custody facing firearm-related charges.