Premier David Eby has asked BC Ferries to focus on cost control rather than raising fares. Eby stated that the government has provided significant financial support to BC Ferries, and in return, the company promised to keep fares stable for British Columbians. He emphasized that the government now expects to see the same commitment to cost management. BC Ferries CEO Nicholas Jimenez explained that inflation, growing demand, and the need to replace the aging fleet with new ships would necessitate fare increases. Jimenez warned that the company may need to raise fares by 30 percent or more when

A winter storm is moving over British Columbia's coast, bringing strong winds, heavy snow and freezing rain as snowfall warnings continue for much of the province's Interior. Environment Canada issued a winter storm watch for the north coast, saying a low-pressure system will approach the region as a ridge of high pressure builds over the province's Interior. It says the storm is expected to start tonight and persist until Sunday. More heavy snow is expected in the inland sections of the north coast including Stewart, which has already received 40 to 55 cm of snow this week with up to 40 cm mo

Vancouver officials say areas around BC Place stadium will be strictly limited to ticket holders for Taylor Swift's three Eras Tour shows that begin next week, as they announce preparations for what they say will be one of the biggest event weekends in the city's history. Police, city, stadium and transport officials say 160,000 fans have tickets for the shows on Dec. 6, 7 and 8, and up to 40 per cent are international travellers. The officials say in a news release and briefing that overnight camping outside the stadium will be banned, roads around the stadium will be closed from

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for British Columbia's north coast, saying a "prolonged snowstorm" will bring up to 50 cm of snow by Thursday night. It says about 15 cm has already fallen and a low pressure system will move over the region this morning, bringing about 10 cm more. The weather office says another 25 cm of snow is expected between this evening and Thursday night. Environment Canada has also issued a snowfall warning for the northern and central Interior region of British Columbia, saying 15 cm of snow is expected. The bulletin says periods of light snow will

The teenager who is infected with the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza acquired in Canada remains in critical care at BC Children’s Hospital, officials said Tuesday. Speaking at a news conference in Victoria, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the young person is stable, but still very sick. “Our thoughts remain with them and their family, and we remain hopeful, as they have made some progress in the last few days, that they will recover from this very severe infection,” she said. Over the past two weeks, public health officials have tested and monitored dozens of h

British Columbia is making disaster financial assistance available to victims of floodwaters that gushed through several communities when an atmospheric river dumped hundreds of millimetres of rain on parts of the province last month. The province says flood-affected residents of Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, the Squamish First Nation and North and West Vancouver are eligible. The financial aid of up to $400,000 per claim is aimed at compensating for "sudden, unexpected and uninsurable losses," such as damage to a principal residence and debris removal. The deadline for applications is Feb. 23 ne

Home sales and prices are on the rise in BC. The British Columbia Real Estate Association reported 7,119 residential unit sales in October, a 33.5 percent increase compared to the same month last year. Although it took longer than expected, home sales have now returned to normal levels, according to BCREA chief economist Brendan Ogmundson. He noted that buyers had been waiting for high interest rates to ease, and this shift is now encouraging their return to the housing market. The association also reported a 0.3 percent increase in home prices across the province in October, bringing the aver

There won't be a sitting of the British Columbia legislature this fall as originally planned. The Office of the Premier issued a brief statement Friday saying that Raj Chouhan has been confirmed to serve again as the Speaker of the legislature, so there is no need to hold a sitting. Premier David Eby previously said there would be a brief sitting to elect a speaker before the end of the year. But the new statement says the legislature will instead return in February, starting with a speech from the throne. Eby's government was elected with 47 seats, giving it a one-seat majority

A Boeing 767 cargo jet that went off a runway at Vancouver International Airport has been safely removed. Vancouver International Airport says the north runway will remain closed until further notice as systems and infrastructure are assessed. The aircraft went off the runway after landing Tuesday afternoon, though none of the three crew members aboard were hurt. The Amazon Prime Air jet remained in the grass off the runway nose down, with both engines on each of the mud-splattered wings touching the ground. The airport authority says after the Transportation Safety Board granted permission to