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b-c-reports-first-case-of-south-african-covid-19-strain-four-now-from-the-u-k
BCJan 15, 2021

B.C. reports first case of South African COVID-19 strain, four now from the U.K.

British Columbia's provincial health officer expressed concern as she reported the first South African strain of COVID-19 uncovered in the province. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the person who contracted the South African variant had not travelled or had contact with anyone who did. She says officials are investigating where this person might have picked up the virus. Another person has also tested positive for the British variant of the virus, bringing that total to four cases, all connected to travel. Dr. Henry says there doesn't appear to have been any community spread of those infections. Offici
operators-of-the-sea-to-sky-gondola-say-the-tourist-attraction-is-due-to-reopen-in-late-spring-or-early-summer
BCJan 15, 2021

Operators of the Sea To Sky Gondola say the tourist attraction is due to reopen in late spring or early summer

Operators of the Sea To Sky Gondola near Squamish say the tourist attraction is due to reopen in late spring or early summer. The update posted on the company's website says the complicated cleanup process has been completed after vandals cut the gondola cable late last year. The statement says orders have been placed for a new cable and 25 new cabins and the cable is already on its way to Squamish while discussions are underway with the cabin supplier on a timeline for arrival of that equipment. No arrests have been made but the company says an RCMP investigation is continuing after the cabl
vancouver-coastal-health-says-schools-have-low-covid-19-transmission-rates
BCJan 15, 2021

Vancouver Coastal Health says schools have low COVID-19 transmission rates

A health authority says data showing schools in the Vancouver area are a low risk for the transmission of COVID-19 supports keeping classes open. Since schools reopened in September, Vancouver Coastal Health says it hasn't recorded a significant increase in COVID-19 cases among children aged five to 17. It says school-aged children accounted for six per cent of its COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, despite representing 10 per cent of the population. Medical health officer Dr. Alex Choi says the authority wants educators, school staff, parents and students to feel reassured that
b-c-seeking-legal-advice-on-limiting-interprovincial-travel-premier-john-horgan
BCJan 14, 2021

B.C. seeking legal advice on limiting interprovincial travel: Premier John Horgan

British Columbia's premier says his government is seeking legal advice on whether it can limit non-essential travel from people out of province during the pandemic. Premier John Horgan says there is concern about people coming from other provinces or territories and spreading COVID-19. Horgan says he and other premiers across the country have made the case for Canadians to stay home during the pandemic, but people continue to travel. He says the issue has been discussed for months and it's time to determine if the government can or can't act. The issue will be discussed during the NDP governm
BCJan 14, 2021

Lawyer tells court, Klein believed he was stabbing a witch and a zombie with maggots

A lawyer for a man convicted of stabbing two high school students in Abbotsford says his client was not in control of himself at the time of the offence. Martin Peters is arguing in the BC Supreme Court that Gabriel Klein should not be held criminally responsible for the crimes. Peters said in his closing arguments that Klein believed he was stabbing a witch and a zombie with maggots coming out of its back, not two girls. Klein has testified that he was following the directions of voices in his head and believed that stabbing monsters was "just." Klein was convicted of second-degree murder an
24-years-after-reena-virks-murder-parole-board-continues-kelly-ellards-release
BCJan 14, 2021

24 years after Reena Virk's murder, parole board continues Kelly Ellard's release

The 38 year old woman convicted of murdering teenager Reena Virk near Victoria in 1997 will be allowed to continue her day parole. The Parole Board of Canada has released its ruling on Kelly Ellard, who now goes by the name of Kerry Sim. In a decision released Thursday, the board says Sim, now the mother of two young children, remains "positive and compliant" in the community and continues to have high reintegration potential. Her day parole was expanded last summer to allow her to live away from a residential facility for up to five days each week and the parole board is continuing that orde
active-case-count-of-covid-19-cases-dips-below-5-000-in-b-c
BCJan 14, 2021

Active case count of COVID-19 cases dips below 5,000 in B.C.

British Columbia health officials say they've added a senior official to the province's immunization response team to help with the program as it gets more complex. Dr. Penny Ballem will be the executive lead and work with the health minister and other officials to ensure the province is ready for community immunization when the vaccine supply is more readily available in April. So far, 63,430 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. and officials say work is underway to align the available supply with a person's level of risk. The province is reporting 519 new cases of COVID-19 and 12
bc-born-gold-medallist-at-two-olympic-games-kathleen-heddle-dead-of-cancer-at-55
BCJan 14, 2021

BC born gold medallist at two Olympic Games Kathleen Heddle, dead of cancer at 55

A BC born gold medallist at two Olympic Games has died of cancer. Rowing Canada says Kathleen Heddle died at home in Vancouver on Monday at the age of 55. Heddle and Marnie McBean won Olympic gold medals in rowing in 1992 and 1996 and Heddle also won another gold with the women's eight in 1992. A statement issued on behalf of her family says the rower born in Trail had been battling several forms of cancer for six years. Tweet from Rowing Canada Aviron: It is with great sadness that we share this news on behalf of the family of Kathleen Heddle: https://bit.ly/3oIEX5l
b-c-judge-reserves-decision-on-meng-wanzhou-bail-conditions
BCJan 14, 2021

B.C. judge reserves decision on Meng Wanzhou bail conditions

A judge says he will reserve his decision on whether to loosen bail restrictions for Chinese tech executive Meng Wanzhou. Meng's lawyers want her to be allowed to leave her Vancouver home outside the hours of her curfew without being accompanied by private security staff, who they say put her at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. The chief financial officer for Huawei is wanted in the United States on fraud charges based on allegations that both she and the company deny. Justice William Ehrcke of the B.C. Supreme Court says he will reserve his decision and raised the possibility of issuing

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mark-carney-announces-new-canadian-consul-general-appointments-in-the-united-states
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Mark Carney announces new Canadian consul general appointments in the United States

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a series of new Canadian consul general appointments across the United States. As part of the changes, former Brampton West Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Kamal Khera has been appointed Canada's new Consul General in Los Angeles. According to the Prime Minister's Office, former Shell Canada executive Susannah Pierce has been appointed Consul General in New York. The appointments also include former Bank of Canada director Claire Kennedy as Consul General in Chicago and veteran diplomat Andrea Clements as Consul General in Detroit. The appointmen
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Ottawa announces $30M drone defence innovation centre in Quebec

The federal government says it will invest nearly $30 million over two years to establish a new defence innovation centre focused on military drone research and development in Quebec. National Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the funding Wednesday in Mirabel, Que., a major aerospace manufacturing hub. According to the Department of National Defence, the project will support the creation and operation of a defence innovation centre dedicated to unmanned systems. The initiative will be led by Aéro Montréal and a consortium of 30 organizations representing industry, academic institutio
BCJul 14, 2026

35-year-old West Vancouver man charged in alleged residential break-ins

A 35-year-old West Vancouver man is facing multiple charges in connection with a series of alleged residential break-ins and related property crimes in the Northgate neighbourhood, according to West Vancouver Police. Police said the investigation stems from incidents reported on April 23, when officers received complaints of residential break-ins, thefts from vehicles and the unauthorized use of a stolen credit card. Investigators later arrested Louis Muelfarth in connection with the case. He was released on April 25 on conditions, including a requirement to appear in court on July 15. Accordi
israeli-strikes-in-gaza-kill-at-least-nine-palestinians-including-child-and-hamas-police-official
WorldJul 14, 2026

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least nine Palestinians, including child and Hamas police official

At least nine Palestinians, including a 10-year-old child and a senior Hamas police official, were killed Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza health authorities and Hamas-run police officials. Medical officials said 10-year-old Mutaz Abu Shar was killed by Israeli gunfire in Rafah. In northern Gaza, an Israeli airstrike targeted a Hamas-controlled police post in the Jabalia area, killing about seven people, including a woman, according to local health officials. In a statement, Hamas' Interior Ministry identified those killed in the Jabalia strike
canada-post-awarded-nearly-30-million-in-performance-bonuses-despite-record-annual-loss
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Canada Post awarded nearly $30 million in performance bonuses despite record annual loss

Canada Post awarded nearly $30 million in performance-based bonuses to executives and managers for 2025 despite reporting its largest annual financial loss on record. According to the Crown corporation's financial results, Canada Post posted a pre-tax loss of $1.57 billion in 2025. The disclosure comes after the federal government approved $673 million in financial support for the Crown corporation as it continues to face mounting financial pressures. The bonus payments have drawn criticism amid ongoing concerns about the organization's long-term financial sustainability. The Canadian Taxpayer