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union-escalates-b-c-public-service-job-action-saying-no-improved-offer-in-sight
BCSep 04, 2025

Union escalates B.C. public service job action, saying no improved offer in sight

The union representing thousands of British Columbia public service workers says it is escalating job action in the dispute. The BC General Employees' Union says pickets are being expanded today to include the Ministry of Finance office in downtown Vancouver. It's the third day of job action by the union after a strike deadline expired on Tuesday morning. The union is seeking improved wages and says there's no indication the provincial government's Public Service Agency is willing to get back to negotiations with an improved offer. The BCGEU, which represents about 34,000 public service worker
BCSep 03, 2025

Phone services, including the 911 landline, down in northern Vancouver Island

Residents in parts of northern Vancouver Island are without landline and cellphone service due to what telecom provider Telus says was damage to infrastructure caused by vandalism. The company's service status map shows both Port McNeill and Port Hardy without home phone, mobile, internet and 911 landline service due to what it says is "damage inflicted upon Telus infrastructure." Other communities on Vancouver Island, including Alert Bay, Campbell River and Port Alice, have also been affected. Emergency Info B.C. says on social media that residents should still try to call 911 if they have an
train-cars-leave-the-tracks-in-b-c-s-kootenay-region-near-albertas-boundary
BCSep 03, 2025

Train cars leave the tracks in B.C.'s Kootenay region near Alberta's boundary

Federal investigators are looking into a train derailment in British Columbia's Kootenay region near the Alberta boundary. The Transportation Safety Board says in a statement that a team is being deployed to the site near Elko, B.C., where investigators will gather information and begin to assess what caused the derailment. A spokesman with rail operator Canadian Pacific Kansas City has confirmed the derailment at about 8 p.m. Tuesday, where multiple cars left the tracks. CPKC says the 12 cars involved were empty and no one was injured as a result of the derailment. It says its crews responded
provincial-forest-advisory-council-launches-website-engagement-process
BCSep 02, 2025

Provincial Forest Advisory Council launches website, engagement process

The Provincial Forest Advisory Council (PFAC or the council) has launched a new website where people in British Columbia can learn about the council's work and share their input about the future of forestry in B.C. Announced in May 2025 by the Ministry of Forests, the council is an independent group of forestry experts tasked with developing recommendations for how to build a stronger, more stable forestry system that works for communities, the economy and the environment. The council's work will focus on understanding and articulating the underlying issues facing the forestry sector and the
female-arrested-after-stabbing-in-fort-st-john
BCSep 02, 2025

Female arrested after stabbing in Fort St John

28-year-old Kayla Breeze Trudeau has been taken into custody after a male was stabbed in a parking lot in Fort St John. On August 28, 2025, at approximately 1:46 p.m. Fort St John RCMP members responded to a report that a male had been stabbed in the chest in a parking lot near 99 Avenue and 100 Street in Fort St John, BC. Responding officers blocked 99 Avenue, investigated, and identified the female suspect who was arrested within 10 minutes of the initial call to the RCMP. The male victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Kayla Breeze Trudeau, who is known t
bc-rcmp-notifies-iio-of-incident-in-burnaby
BCSep 02, 2025

BC RCMP notifies IIO of incident in Burnaby

The BC RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident in Burnaby which has resulted in one person being taken to hospital after an officer involved shooting. On Monday, September 1, 2025, at approximately 2:51 p.m. Burnaby RCMP received a call regarding a domestic dispute at a residence in the 4300 block of Dundas Street. When the responding officer arrived, they located a suspect with an edged weapon. An interaction occurred and shots were fired by police. The victim was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. They are in serious condition.
BCSep 02, 2025

One person arrested after assault in Cranberry area

In the early morning of September 2, 2025, Powell River RCMP responded to an assault in progress on Irvine St. The male suspect fled on foot and a search involving Powell River RCMP, the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services and Air Services was initiated. Mowat Bay access was temporarily restricted to the public and the area was contained. The suspect was located in the area and he was arrested and taken into custody and will be held to appear in front of a Judge. There is no risk to public safety. All public areas in Cranberry are now open.
ministers-statement-about-returning-to-school
BCSep 02, 2025

Creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming school environment remains a top priority, says Lisa Beare

Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care, has issued the following statement about returning to learning: “While I’m sure many students wish summer could be just a little longer, I am thrilled to welcome students and staff to the start of another school year. It is always so exciting on the first day as students and staff walk through the school doors and fill the hallways with excitement, laughter and anticipation – ready to take on the new learning journey in the year ahead. “As minister of education and child care, I’m proud to support the people who make schools strong: e
thousands-of-lightning-strikes-during-labour-day-long-weekend
BCSep 02, 2025

Thousands of lightning strikes during Labour Day long weekend

The BC Wildfire Service says there were thousands of lightning strikes during the Labour Day long weekend, meaning more fires are likely to be discovered in the coming days. The agency said there are currently about 165 active wildfires in BC, with about 75 per cent believed to have been started by lightning. The BC Wildfire Service said about 40 per cent of the fires are out of control, while 20 per cent are being controlled, while another 40 per cent have been contained. The agency also warned that the potential for new wildfires remains high due to higher than normal temperatures and pr

Just In

WorldApr 29, 2026

Pakistan says ceasefire efforts ongoing in Middle East, signals possible U.S.–Iran talks

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says efforts to maintain a ceasefire in the Middle East are continuing, crediting Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement with helping keep the truce in place. According to statements attributed to Sharif, Pakistan is working to ensure the ceasefire holds and that peace initiatives do not lose momentum. He said there would be no relaxation in efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation. Officials familiar with the discussions indicate that Pakistan is again attempting to bring United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. Reports suggest a new roun
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system