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BCDec 09, 2020

Finance minister says B.C. recovery benefits program accepting applications Dec. 18

The BC government has introduced legislation to provide a pandemic recovery benefit of one thousand dollars for eligible families and 500-dollars for individuals. Finance Minister Selina Robinson says the cost of the COVID-19 aid program is about 1.7 billion dollars, including 150 dollars a month in increases to income and disability assistance starting in January. Robinson says about 3.7 million people will receive the one-time pandemic benefit and can start applying on December 18th. She says she expects some people will receive it before Christmas, while others will get the money deposited
increase-in-claims-of-elder-abuse-fuels-further-study-by-b-c-s-advocate-for-seniors
BCDec 08, 2020

Increase in claims of elder abuse fuels further study by B.C.'s advocate for seniors

BC's seniors advocate has started a separate review into elder abuse in the province after finding an increase in the problem in her annual review. Isobel Mackenzie's report says calls to the seniors abuse and information line saw a 17 per cent increase. But her report also says it's unclear how big the problem is because they don't have the proper tools to measure abuse or neglect of seniors, prompting her further review with a report due next year. She says the RCMP reports that almost 1,700 seniors experienced a violent event last year and 19-thousand reported property crimes such as theft
victoria-police-searching-for-the-victim-of-a-hate-crime-on-a-bc-transit-bus
BCDec 08, 2020

Victoria police searching for the victim of a hate crime on a BC Transit bus

Victoria police say they're looking for both the victim and witnesses to a hate crime on a BC Transit bus. Police say it happened November 28 when a man got on bus number 15 and began targeting the lone Black man with racial slurs for several minutes. A witness reported it to police and officers obtained the surveillance video on the bus. Police say they've now identified a suspect, but say the need to speak with the victim to continue their investigation.
BCDec 08, 2020

Fraser Health declares COVID-19 outbreak over at Ridge Meadows Hospital

A COVID-19 outbreak at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge has been declared over more than a month after it started. The Fraser Health Authority says the outbreak started November 5th with evidence of transmission in the in-patient rehabilitation unit. Ridge Meadows was one of five acute-care facilities with current outbreaks. Burnaby, Langley Memorial, Lions Gate and Surrey Memorial hospitals remain on the list for outbreaks.
rcmp-officer-told-the-bc-supreme-court-he-updated-the-fbi-when-the-huawei-executive-was-arrested
BCDec 08, 2020

RCMP officer told the BC Supreme Court, he updated the FBI when the Huawei executive was arrested

An RCMP officer who was tasked as a point person for US investigators during the 2018 arrest of Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver's airport says he didn't see himself as working for them. Sergeant Ross Lundie told the BC Supreme Court yesterday that he updated the Federal Bureau of Investigation when the Huawei executive was arrested but he didn't see anything wrong with that. He told the court in Meng's ongoing extradition case that he wasn't acting on behalf of the FBI, but he was there working as an RCMP member. Meng's lawyers are seeking evidence to support an abuse of process claim that alleges
BCDec 08, 2020

Throne speech provides few details on what people can expect as an economic recovery plan from NDP: Sonia Furstenau

Green Leader Sonia Furstenau says many of the details in yesterday's throne speech outlined actions the government launched before October's election. She says the speech also provides few details on what people can expect as an economic recovery plan from the NDP. The BC Liberal party's interim leader says the Opposition plans to use the legislative session to push the New Democrats to address problems beyond the pandemic, especially on the province's finances. Shirley Bond says the legislature should also be doing more than passing one piece of legislation before Christmas to allow COVID-19
covid-19-restrictions-in-british-columbia-extended-to-jan-8-2-020-new-cases-and-35-deaths-reported
BCDec 08, 2020

COVID-19 restrictions in British Columbia extended to Jan. 8; 2,020 new cases and 35 deaths reported

COVID-19 restrictions in British Columbia have been extended to Jan. 8 as the province continues to experience high levels of transmission and community spread of the virus. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, says restrictions on gatherings are being extended. All worship services and community and social events remain suspended, along with high-intensity group fitness, such as interval training, hot yoga and spin classes. The latest order includes an exemption for drive-thru events like light festivals and drop-off toy drives. Dr. Henry says 2,020 new cases of the illness have
plans-to-fight-the-second-wave-of-covid-19-and-to-mount-a-strong-economic-recovery-focus-of-b-c-s-throne-speech
BCDec 08, 2020

Plans to fight the second wave of COVID-19 and to mount a strong economic recovery focus of B.C.'s throne speech

The newly re-elected NDP government says it will strive to ensure that people work together to fight the second wave of COVID-19 and to mount a strong economic recovery. In a throne speech read by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin, the government says vaccines herald better days ahead but the virus still poses urgent challenges in the short term. It says a tax-free pandemic recovery payment of one-thousand dollars to eligible families and 500-dollars to individuals will help people during a hard time, while benefiting the local economy. The plan was to deliver the benefit in time for Christmas
BCDec 07, 2020

230 dollar fine issued to a man in a restaurant who refused to wear a mask: Victoria police

Victoria police say they issued a 230 dollar fine this weekend to a man in a restaurant who refused to wear a mask. Police didn't name the restaurant where the fine was issued, but they say officers were called to the business on Saturday evening. They say the man allegedly became belligerent and repeatedly swore at staff when he was asked to wear a mask. Police say they found the man as he was leaving the restaurant and issued the ticket.

Just In

BCJul 08, 2026

RCMP marine unit rescues 11 people after canoe overturns in Burrard Inlet

Eleven people, including several youths, were rescued from the waters of Burrard Inlet after a large canoe overturned near Ambleside Beach on Saturday afternoon, according to the BC RCMP. Police said officers with the RCMP Tactical Marine Operations Group (TMOG), who were conducting patrols in Burrard Inlet, received a distress call over Marine VHF Channel at about 3:30 p.m. on July 5 reporting an overturned canoe off Ambleside Beach. Four TMOG vessels were dispatched to the scene. According to the RCMP, officers arriving at the location found all 11 occupants clinging to the overturned canoe.
AlbertaJul 08, 2026

Report says Alberta has widest gender pay gap in Canada

Women in Alberta continue to earn less than men than in any other province, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). The report found that women in Alberta earn 64 cents for every dollar earned annually by men, compared with a national average of 72 cents. Looking at weekly earnings, women in the province earn 71 cents for every dollar earned by men, while the national average is 80 cents, according to the report. Katherine Scott, a senior researcher with the CCPA, said Alberta has ranked at or near the bottom nationally for years. She said the provinc
family-distracted-store-staff-while-children-swiped-jewelry-calgary-police
AlbertaJul 08, 2026

Family distracted store staff while children swiped jewelry: Calgary police

Police say six family members, including children, worked as a team to pull off a jewelry store heist in Calgary. They say the family went into the store at CF Market Mall last month. Police allege that while adult family members spoke with staff, an eight-year-old and a 16-year-old swiped nearly $4,000 worth of jewelry. An employee called police and officers located the family members, some of whom were in a stolen truck, and stolen items were found. Police say two boys, ages 8 and 9, were returned to their father, who isn't involved in the case. Four others face several theft charges
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BCJul 08, 2026

U.S. tourist dies after cyclist collision at downtown Vancouver crosswalk

A 72-year-old man from the United States has died after being struck by a cyclist while crossing a downtown Vancouver street, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the collision happened on June 29 at the intersection of West Cordova and Richards streets. Investigators said the man and his wife were crossing in a marked crosswalk and had the right of way when they were hit by a cyclist. The man was taken to hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery following the crash. Police confirmed he died in hospital on Sunday. His wife suffered minor injuries and
CanadaJul 08, 2026

WSO welcomes Operation Hard Ball arrests, says questions remain about alleged role of Indian authorities

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has welcomed Operation Hard Ball, a joint law enforcement initiative by authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe targeting the Lawrence Bishnoi network and other India-based organized crime groups. In a statement, WSO President Danish Singh said the arrests made through the operation represent an important step but argued that questions remain about how Lawrence Bishnoi was allegedly able to operate an international criminal network while in custody in India. Singh also called for scrutiny of whether any Indian officials played a role in f