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bc-premier-backs-federal-plan-against-trumps-proposed-tariffs
BCJan 16, 2025

BC Premier Backs Federal Plan Against Trump’s Proposed Tariffs

BC Premier David Eby has voiced support for the federal government’s plan to counter Trump’s proposed tariffs. The plan includes possible export taxes or targeted restrictions on Canadian supplies of key goods to the United States. Eby emphasized that the premiers are united in their commitment to eliminating interprovincial trade barriers and exploring trade partnerships beyond the U.S. However, while most premiers oppose Trump’s tariffs and support measures like banning exports of certain goods to the U.S., Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has declined to back the federal plan. Smith st
former-b-c-premier-christy-clark-will-not-run-for-liberal-leadership
BCJan 14, 2025

Former B.C. premier Christy Clark will not run for Liberal leadership

Former B.C. premier Christy Clark will not run in the Liberal leadership race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, she said Tuesday. Sources tell Clark was “emotional” telling her core team about her decision on a conference call. “I have made the difficult decision to step back,” Clark wrote in an email sent to her supporters. Clark had expressed interest in running for the leadership, but has faced criticism for walking back claims about whether or not she joined the Conservative party three years ago to vote in its leadership race.
b-c-fire-crews-sent-to-fight-los-angeles-wildfire-forests-minister
BCJan 13, 2025

B.C. fire crews sent to fight Los Angeles wildfire: forests minister

British Columbia’s forests minister says a crew from the province’s wildfire service left for California Saturday afternoon to help battle the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area. Ravi Parmar says in a video posted to social media Saturday afternoon that The B.C. Wildfire Service's crews had left the province and are expected to touch down in Los Angeles around 4 p.m. Pacific. The fire crew was first promised by Premier David Eby, who committed the crew on Friday after a request from California’s Forestry and Fire Protection Department. Eby says his province will also send ground cre
christy-clark-considers-liberal-leadership-run-receives-support-from-political-allies
BCJan 10, 2025

Christy Clark Considers Liberal Leadership Run, Receives Support from Political Allies

Former BC Premier Christy Clark could run for the Liberal Party leadership to replace Trudeau. Clark left provincial politics in 2017 and joined law firm Bennett Jones as a senior advisor. Reports suggest she is also receiving offers to help raise funds for a potential campaign. Sources say she has been preparing for the leadership race for months. Mike de Jong, who worked with her as finance minister for a long time, says Clark's political acumen cannot be underestimated. BC Conservative leader John Rustad also supported de Jong's comments. Rustad, who served as a cabinet minister in the Cla
flu-driving-spike-in-respiratory-illness-in-b-c-but-covid-19-numbers-low
BCJan 10, 2025

Flu driving spike in respiratory illness in B.C., but COVID-19 numbers low

New data shared by British Columbia's Centre for Disease Control shows the province has one of the worst flu rates in Canada, as a holiday-season spike in respiratory illnesses continues. But the data also shows the province has one of the lowest COVID-19 test positivity rates in the country, at about half the national rate. Dr. Jennifer Vines, interim medical director for public health response at the B.C. CDC, says respiratory illness has been “steadily climbing” over the past several weeks, with RSV and influenza “driving the increase right now.” The report says about 13.5 per cent
john-rustad-calls-for-independent-investigation-into-2024-legislative-election
BCJan 09, 2025

John Rustad Calls for Independent Investigation into 2024 Legislative Election

B.C.’s main opposition leader, John Rustad, has called for an independent investigation into the 2024 legislative election. Rustad claimed that a team investigating his candidate’s defeat in Surrey-Guildford found multiple irregularities that could have potentially altered the final results. He also questioned the electoral process, alleging that BC Elections did not verify whether those who voted were Canadian citizens. Rustad called for electoral reforms to ensure that only Canadian citizens are eligible to vote. The party further alleged that someone in Surrey-Guildford had voted twice
bc-patients-could-face-ambulance-delays
BCJan 09, 2025

BC Patients Could Face Ambulance Delays

BC patients may face ambulance delays due to a tightening of overtime limits as part of a cost-cutting measure. According to reports, BC Emergency Health Services is implementing this change, and front-line workers are concerned that it will lead to further delays in patient care. The province’s emergency health department is reportedly facing a $200 million budget shortfall. The paramedics' union has expressed that the overtime policy change, effective January 1, has placed an increased burden on front-line workers. With fewer workers available to manage the situation amid a staffing short
elections-bc-looks-into-vote-complaint-in-riding-that-gave-ndp-majority
BCJan 09, 2025

Elections BC looks into vote complaint in riding that gave NDP majority

Elections BC says it is looking into a complaint of voting irregularities from a B.C. Conservative candidate in a riding narrowly won by the NDP, giving the government a one-seat majority in October’s provincial election. It says the complaint was lodged by B.C. Conservative Honveer Singh Randhawa last Friday and it is “under review.” Elections BC declared the NDP’s Garry Begg winner of the Surrey-Guildford riding by 22 votes over Randhawa after a judicial recount conducted by hand. BC Conservative Leader John Rustad and Randhawa are scheduled to address a news conference this morning
b-c-doctors-comparing-h5n1-virus-that-infected-teen-with-that-of-louisiana-patient
BCJan 08, 2025

B.C. doctors comparing H5N1 virus that infected teen with that of Louisiana patient

The BC Centre for Disease Control says it is comparing the genetic features of a local teenager's avian flu case with that of a Louisiana patient who died earlier this week. Clinical microbiologist Dr. Agatha Jassem, co-program head of the virology lab at the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory, says they want to understand how the viruses in the two cases are related to each other, as well as to viruses circulating in birds. This will help to assess how easily it adapts and transmits between animals and humans. Both cases are related to viruses detected in wild birds and poultry. While th

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vancouver-police-seek-witnesses-after-suspicious-death-in-downtown-eastside
BCMar 25, 2026

Vancouver police seek witnesses after suspicious death in Downtown Eastside

The Vancouver Police Department says its homicide unit is investigating a suspicious death in the city’s Downtown Eastside and is asking witnesses to come forward. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services responded to a call at about 7:40 a.m. on March 20 in the south lane of the 100-block of East Hastings Street for a man in medical distress. Despite life-saving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said paramedics notified officers after observing injuries considered suspicious. The case has since been taken o
b-c-police-watchdog-launches-systemic-probe-into-handling-of-sexual-misconduct-cases
BCMar 25, 2026

B.C. police watchdog launches systemic probe into handling of sexual misconduct cases

British Columbia’s police watchdog has launched a provincewide review into how municipal departments handle sexual misconduct allegations involving officers, citing concerns about recurring patterns and oversight. Prabhu Rajan, head of the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, said the investigation will examine internal processes used when departments investigate their own members. He said sexual misconduct in policing workplaces can undermine operational effectiveness and public trust. According to a statement from the commissioner’s office, the probe is the first “systemic inve
taxpayers-group-urges-b-c-to-suspend-fuel-tax-amid-high-gas-prices
BCMar 25, 2026

Taxpayers group urges B.C. to suspend fuel tax amid high gas prices

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Government of British Columbia to suspend its provincial motor fuels tax, arguing the move would reduce costs for drivers as gasoline prices remain elevated. In a statement, the group said drivers in regions including Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District are paying more than $2 per litre for fuel, while prices in other parts of the province are մոտ $1.80 per litre. “B.C. drivers pay the highest gas prices in the country because of the highest gas taxes from the province and regional districts,” said Carson Binda. He added
WorldMar 25, 2026

South Africa arrests 12 senior police officers in corruption probe tied to service contract

South African anti-corruption investigators have arrested 12 senior police officers on allegations of corruption and fraud, according to a statement released Wednesday by the National Prosecuting Authority’s investigative directorate. The officers appeared in court in Pretoria following their arrests. Authorities allege the case is linked to a contract involving the provision of health and wellbeing services to police personnel. A 13th individual, identified as a company director connected to the contract, was also taken into custody, the agency said. According to the prosecuting authority,
three-arrested-in-abbotsford-drug-trafficking-investigation-police-seize-cocaine-and-cash
BCMar 25, 2026

Three arrested in Abbotsford drug trafficking investigation; police seize cocaine and cash

Three people in their twenties were arrested Monday night in Abbotsford in connection with a suspected drug trafficking investigation, according to a police release. The Abbotsford Police Department said patrol officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. and located two men and one woman near the area of Gillis Avenue and McCallum Road. Police allege the individuals, who do not reside in Abbotsford, had come into the community to sell drugs. Officers seized approximately 73 grams of suspected cocaine and more than $4,500 in cash during the arrest. A 2014 Honda Civic was also seized as offence-rela