10.35°C Vancouver

News

b-c-ndp-to-unveil-election-platform-conservatives-promise-to-end-insurance-monopoly
BCOct 03, 2024

Eby to unveil full NDP platform in Surrey as B.C. Conservatives target ICBC monopoly

With less than two weeks until election day, B.C. NDP Leader David Eby is expected to unveil his party’s full election platform today at a news conference in Surrey, marking a key moment in a campaign that has focused heavily on affordability, housing, and public services. Surrey - one of the province’s fastest-growing and most diverse cities - has become a central battleground in this fall’s election. Eby’s choice to launch the NDP’s complete platform here underscores the region’s political importance, where housing affordability, infrastructure expansion, and transit remain top v
b-c-party-leaders-vying-for-votes-set-to-debate-on-the-radio
BCOct 02, 2024

B.C. party leaders debate key issues in Vancouver as controversy surrounds Conservative leader’s conduct

British Columbia’s political leaders spent Wednesday outlining their visions for the province’s future during a day that mixed debate, policy talk, and controversy - all closely watched by voters in key battlegrounds like Surrey. Premier and NDP Leader David Eby, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, and Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau took part in a one-hour debate on Vancouver’s CKNW radio before meeting business representatives at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event. The Board also released findings from its 2024 provincial election survey, which highlighted affordability, hou
police-launch-hate-crime-investigation-after-protesters-clash-in-vancouver
BCOct 01, 2024

Police launch hate crime investigation after protesters clash in Vancouver

Vancouver police have opened a hate crime investigation following a violent clash between opposing groups during a protest over the war in the Middle East. Police said the confrontation occurred Sunday night outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, where demonstrators gathered expressing differing views on the conflict involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah. According to investigators, a 34-year-old woman was assaulted, knocked to the ground, and subjected to antisemitic slurs. She required medical attention for her injuries. Police said the suspect fled into the crowd, but officers later arrested a
the-b-c-green-party-is-expected-to-be-the-first-to-roll-out-its-complete-election-platform-today
BCOct 01, 2024

B.C. Green Leader to Outline Health and Climate Plans Ahead of Leaders’ Debate

B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau is set to hold a news conference in Victoria this morning as the second week of the provincial election campaign continues. The Greens have already detailed several key commitments, including a plan to create a network of 93 community health centres across the province and to provide coverage for six annual mental health visits under the Medical Services Plan. The party has also pledged to maintain the carbon tax while expanding the size of the climate rebate for residents. All three major party leaders are expected to meet face-to-face on Wednesday for
b-c-ndp-adds-fast-tracking-pre-fabricated-homes-to-housing-plans-ahead-of-election
BCSep 27, 2024

B.C. NDP adds fast-tracking pre-fabricated homes to housing plans ahead of election

British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby says his government would fast-track factory-built homes as part of its strategy to ease the province's housing crisis. At an election campaign stop on Vancouver Island, Eby says pre-built homes cut waste, reduce emissions, and the advances in the industry mean the homes are "beautiful and high-quality." A statement issued by the NDP says its government would work with the industry, municipalities and First Nations to create a provincewide framework so builders know what's required in every community. It says there would also be a pre-approved set of const
evacuation-orders-near-grand-forks-b-c-as-u-s-wildfire-threatens-to-cross-border
BCSep 26, 2024

Evacuation orders near Grand Forks, B.C., as U.S. wildfire threatens to cross border

Tactical evacuations are underway outside the B.C. southern Interior town of Grand Forks, as an out-of-control wildfire in Washington state surges north and threatens to cross the border. The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary says the evacuations are taking place west of Grand Forks as embers from the Goosmus wildfire shower the area. Emergency Info BC says evacuation orders posted Wednesday are in place for west of Highway 41 and south of Highway 3, as well as properties west of Highway 3 from Sleepy Hollow Rd to Phoenix Rd. It says residents need to evacuate immediately because the fire
b-c-party-leaders-talk-mining-promises-on-campaign-trail
BCSep 25, 2024

B.C. party leaders talk mining promises on campaign trail

British Columbia's New Democrats and Conservatives issued their plans for the mining industry while campaigning in the province's resource-rich communities. Both NDP Leader David Eby and Conservative Leader John Rustad say they will support the industry by improving permitting, with the NDP committing to permit review timelines and the Conservatives proposing "One Project, One Permit." In Terrace, Eby said an NDP government would upgrading key highway infrastructure in the northwest, while Rustad in Kimberley, in the southeast, said his government would invest in gaps in rural infrastructure.
food-supply-concerns-increased-due-to-workers-strike
BCSep 25, 2024

Food supply concerns increased due to workers' strike

Metro Vancouver grain workers strike has raised concerns about food supply chain. The strike could be a major blow to the economy and the food supply chain, with more than half of all Canadian-grown grain moving through Metro Vancouver terminals. The association that includes Metro Vancouver grain terminals says the union for grain workers at ports waited out the clock to strike at a time they have the most leverage. Association says the employers the strike is happening during the fall wheat harvest after many months of negotiations. A University of Guelph food economist says the union for
handydart-workers-in-metro-vancouver-voted-to-ratify-new-deal-with-transdev
BCSep 24, 2024

HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver voted to ratify new deal with TransDev

The union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver has voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement with TransDev. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 voted Monday to ratify the deal, which it says includes increased wages for workers. About 600 HandyDART employees started strike action in early September, pausing service except for essential medical trips. ATU Local 1724 President Joe McCann says the strike showed the power of the union, and ratifying the contract is great for union members. The union also says the new contract with TransDev pushes back on the use of taxis

Just In

blue-jays-playoff-run-drives-tourism-surge-and-business-gains-in-toronto
BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,
quebec-lowers-permanent-immigration-target-to-45-000-per-year-focuses-on-french-language-integration
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Quebec lowers permanent immigration target to 45,000 per year, focuses on French-language integration

The Quebec government has announced it will reduce its annual target for new permanent residents to 45,000, marking a significant shift from the roughly 61,000 people expected to settle in the province this year. The revised plan outlines a more moderate approach than earlier proposals that would have lowered the figure to as few as 25,000 newcomers annually. The government’s new immigration framework emphasizes language integration, setting a goal for nearly 80 per cent of new immigrants to achieve at least intermediate-level French by 2029. In 2019, that figure was 50 per cent. Officials s