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city-postpones-fee-on-single-use-cups-and-ban-on-plastic-shopping-bags-to-2022
BCDec 10, 2020

Vancouver postpones fee on single-use cups and ban on plastic shopping bags to 2022

Vancouver City Council has approved a revised start date of January 1, 2022 for the shopping bag and single-use cup by-laws. Businesses will now have an additional year to prepare for the ban on plastic shopping bags and requirement to charge fees for paper shopping bags, new reusable shopping bags and single-use cups. The City remains committed to reducing waste and litter from single-use items as we transform Vancouver into a zero waste community by 2040. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses are experiencing significant economic challenges and are working hard to
an-octopus-named-after-dr-bonnie-henry-set-to-be-released-next-week-from-an-aquarium
BCDec 10, 2020

An octopus named after Dr. Bonnie Henry set to be released next week from an aquarium

An octopus named after provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry is set to be released next week from an aquarium on Vancouver Island. Henry is a giant Pacific octopus who was brought to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea for care in June. The aquarium says in a release that Henry has been particularly calm, just like Dr. Henry, during its time at the facility in Sidney. Henry is set to be released next Thursday in the area where it was found, on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
long-term-care-workers-to-get-priority-vaccination-in-b-c-to-protect-elderly-dr-bonnie-henry
BCDec 10, 2020

Long-term care workers to get priority vaccination in B.C. to protect elderly: Dr. Bonnie Henry

British Columbia's top doctor says health-care workers in long-term care facilities and intensive care units will be the first to be immunized against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine starting next week. Dr. Bonnie Henry says immunizations will happen at two clinics in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions, before eventually expanding to 30 sites as part of a process that will ramp up as more doses and vaccines become available. Up to 400,000 B.C. residents can get a shot in the arm by the end of March. Henry says prioritizing those who work at care homes will protect the eld
five-minks-test-positive-for-a-virus-that-causes-covid-19-at-a-fraser-valley-mink-farm
BCDec 09, 2020

Five minks test positive for a virus that causes COVID-19 at a Fraser Valley mink farm

Five mink on a Fraser Valley mink farm have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. The BC Ministry of Agriculture says the farm has been quarantined and testing to determine the genome sequence of the strain of virus continues. An outbreak was declared at the farm this week when several workers tested positive for COVID-19. Test results from five mink samples taken from a Fraser Valley mink farm have all been confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said then that the outbreak was concerning
BCDec 09, 2020

194 tickets handed out to businesses or individuals who have broken the provincial health officer's orders on COVID-19: BC Government

The BC government says 194 tickets have been handed out in the last three and a half months to businesses or individuals who have broken the provincial health officer's orders on COVID-19. The tickets include three dozen 2,300 dollar fines to owners or organizers of gatherings or events. Another 142 people received 230 dollar fines for refusing to comply with the direction of law enforcement. The province formally extended its state of emergency yesterday, allowing officials to keep using extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act in response to the pandemic.
city-of-vancouver-passes-1-6-billion-dollar-budget-police-chief-says-hes-disappointed
BCDec 09, 2020

City of Vancouver passes 1.6 billion dollar budget, Police chief says he's disappointed

The City of Vancouver's 1.6 billion dollar COVID-19 response budget for 2021 has passed after nearly 139 million dollars in pandemic-related losses. Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the budget includes more money for overdose response efforts, supports for small businesses, as well as housing, sanitation and community policing. He says the budget also keeps property tax increases at five per cent and holds the city's largest line item, the police budget, to 2020 levels. Police chief Adam Palmer says he's disappointed the force asked for 322 million dollars to maintain current staffing levels and fi
more-information-on-the-rollout-of-covid-19-vaccines-coming-today
BCDec 09, 2020

More information on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines coming today

There will be more information on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines today with a briefing that includes provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry, Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix. Horgan tweeted yesterday that the first vaccine doses are just days away and about four-thousand high-risk people in B-C will be immunized by the end of next week. BC recorded 566 more cases yesterday and another 16 deaths. A statement from Henry and Dix says while it's encouraging the cases numbers are trending down, the number of people in hospital remains high and public health restrictions
BCDec 09, 2020

Participant in a recent anti-mask protest in Vancouver arrested for allegedly threatening another man: Police

Police say a participant in a recent anti-mask protest in Vancouver was arrested shortly after for allegedly threatening another man with dog spray. He had left the protest and was allegedly yelling obscenities without practising physically distancing when the other man called him a "disgrace." Officers arrested the protesting man for uttering threats, and he's been issued two tickets under the province's COVID-19 Related Measures Act. Around 500 rallied against public health public health orders outside the Vancouver Art Gallery Saturday, including the former anthem singer for the Vancouver
b-c-premier-says-nearly-4-000-high-risk-people-to-be-vaccinated-next-week-566-new-covid-19-cases-and-16-deaths-reported
BCDec 09, 2020

B.C. premier says nearly 4,000 high-risk people to be vaccinated next week; 566 new COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths reported

British Columbia has recorded 566 new cases of COVID-19, which the provincial health officer and health minister say is the "start of encouraging trends" in the progression of the virus. However, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix say the number of new cases and hospitalizations due to serious illness are still high, requiring health orders and restrictions to stay in place. They say 352 people with the illness are being treated in hospital, with 74 of them in intensive care. Sixteen more people have died, for a total of 543 fatalities in the province. Premier John Horgan says on Twitter that ab

Just In

CanadaJun 23, 2026

Porter Airlines Cuts Fuel Surcharge on Reward Flights Amid Falling Oil Prices

Canadian carrier Porter Airlines has reduced the temporary fuel surcharge on bookings for its new VIPorter reward flights from $40 to $20, effective Tuesday, citing lower oil prices and improving market conditions. Although oil prices have remained volatile since the conflict involving Iran began in February and are still nearly 50 per cent higher than a year ago, the airline says it plans to eliminate the surcharge entirely once market conditions stabilize further. Porter's decision has raised expectations that other airlines may also reduce their fuel surcharges in the coming weeks. The surc
u-s-kayaker-dies-after-capsizing-on-b-c-s-okanagan-lake
BCJun 23, 2026

U.S. Kayaker Dies After Capsizing on B.C.'s Okanagan Lake

A tragic boating accident on British Columbia's Okanagan Lake has claimed the life of an American kayaker after strong winds caused two people to capsize. West Kelowna RCMP said the incident occurred Friday evening near the Westbank First Nation beach when two kayakers were caught in sudden and dangerous wind conditions on the lake. While attempting to swim back to shore, one of the kayakers disappeared underwater. People on nearby boats quickly responded and managed to rescue one of the kayakers, but the second person could not be located. The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team later rec
house-destroyed-in-wildfire-near-b-c-s-lytton-village-ahead-of-2021-fire-anniversary
BCJun 23, 2026

House Destroyed in Wildfire Near B.C.'s Lytton Village Ahead of 2021 Fire Anniversary

A home has been completely destroyed by an out-of-control wildfire near the Village of Lytton, B.C. The incident comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2021 wildfire that destroyed much of the community and claimed two lives. Officials say it remains unclear how many other structures may have been damaged by the current blaze, as emergency crews have not yet been able to fully assess the affected areas. According to the latest update from the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Saw Creek wildfire near Lytton has now burned approximately 704 hectares. However, the agency noted
carney-pays-tribute-to-air-india-flight-182-victims-vows-stronger-security-measures
CanadaJun 23, 2026

Carney Pays Tribute to Air India Flight 182 Victims, Vows Stronger Security Measures

Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued a statement marking the National Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Air India Flight 182 bombing, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy 41 years ago. Carney said the attack claimed the lives of 329 innocent people, including 268 Canadians, making it the deadliest act of terrorism in Canadian history. Honouring the victims of Flight 182, the prime minister stressed the need for continued vigilance against violent extremism and highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening national security laws. He said new measures
AlbertaJun 23, 2026

Alberta Reverses Increase in Minimum Alcohol Prices

Alberta's liquor authority has cancelled a recent increase to the minimum price of alcohol sold in bars and restaurants. The decision comes after a weekend social media dispute between Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas. Smith and senior members of her government criticized Calgary City Council over new noise and curfew rules introduced for the Calgary Stampede. In response, Mayor Farkas criticized the province's decision to raise minimum alcohol prices. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said Calgary's leadership should follow the province's example by repealing the contr