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delta-hospital-emergency-room-closure-highlights-doctor-shortage-in-bc
BCFeb 24, 2025

Delta Hospital Emergency Room Closure Highlights Doctor Shortage in BC

Delta Hospital in British Columbia closed its emergency room for the second consecutive night on Sunday due to a shortage of doctors. Fraser Health issued a notice around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, announcing the temporary closure of emergency room services from 9:30 p.m. Sunday to 6:30 a.m. Monday. Patients who had already been admitted were attended to before the doctor on duty left at 1:30 a.m. It is worth noting that the emergency room had also been closed on Saturday night due to the same issue. During these closures, nurses provided first aid to patients and assisted in transferring them to n
lifelabs-workers-launch-phased-strike-across-bc
BCFeb 21, 2025

LifeLabs Workers Launch Phased Strike Across BC

LifeLabs workers have initiated a phased strike across British Columbia, with 18 LifeLabs centres closed on the first day of the strike, Thursday. Leaders of the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU) have warned that protests may escalate if the issues of wages, benefits, and working conditions are not addressed through negotiations with the US-based company. Union president Paul Finch warned that workers are prepared to expand the strike to more than 100 centres. Speaking to supporters outside Vancouver’s Cityview LifeLabs, he stated that the fight would continue until their demands are met.
b-c-lifelabs-prepares-for-rotating-closures-after-notice-of-strike
BCFeb 18, 2025

B.C. LifeLabs prepares for rotating closures after notice of strike

LifeLabs in British Columbia says some of its more than 100 centres in the province will be subject to rotating temporary closures starting on Thursday as part of job action taken by the union. The B.C. General Employees' Union, which represents about 1,200 LifeLab workers, issued a strike notice on Sunday after what it said was months of negotiations and LifeLabs' refusal to bring wages and benefits in line with the cost of living. LifeLabs, a lab testing service provider, says in a statement that as a designated essential service, it will continue to operate and do everything in its control
b-c-minimum-wage-increases-by-45-cents-per-hour-starting-june-1
BCFeb 14, 2025

B.C. minimum wage increases by 45 cents per hour starting June 1

The British Columbia government says the province's lowest-paid workers are getting a wage boost to keep pace with inflation. The Ministry of Labour says the minimum wage will increase from $17.40 to $17.85 per hour starting in June. It says the 2.6 per cent increase follows changes made last spring to the Employment Standards Act, which mandated yearly wage rises. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside says those adjustments were made last year because minimum-wage workers are most vulnerable to jumps in prices for living expenses like groceries, rent and gas. The province says the changes align
b-c-snowpack-at-72-of-normal-as-of-feb-1-after-extremely-dry-january
BCFeb 12, 2025

B.C. snowpack at 72% of normal as of Feb. 1 after 'extremely dry' January

British Columbia's latest snow and water supply bulletin says it was "extremely dry" across much of the province last month, with average snowpack measuring 28 per cent below normal as of Feb. 1. The latest snow pack figures released Tuesday come after the province started the year with a snowpack at 13 per cent below normal. The bulletin, release by from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, says last month fell within the top 10 driest Januaries across much of the province, while Abbotsford, Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Cranbrook and Chetwynd were in the top five since record-
teens-body-recovered-after-fall-through-ice-on-b-c-s-shuswap-lake
BCFeb 11, 2025

Teens body recovered after fall through ice on B.C.'s Shuswap Lake

The body of an 18-year-old man has been recovered from Shuswap Lake in British Columbia's Interior after he fell through the ice over the weekend. Police say in a statement that the RCMP's underwater recover team found the teen's body on Monday. Salmon Arm Search and Rescue, the fire department and BC Emergency Health Services were called to the scene on Saturday to help search for the man. Staff Sgt. Simon Scott, the Salmon Arm RCMP detachment commander, says the death is a heartbreaking tragedy that has deeply affected the man's family, first responders and the community. Scott says changing
b-c-government-approves-controversial-supportive-housing-project-in-richmond
BCFeb 07, 2025

B.C. Government Approves Controversial Supportive Housing Project in Richmond

The B.C. government has approved a six-storey, 90-unit supportive housing project in Richmond, sparking backlash from locals. The project, initially paused in August ahead of the October provincial election, was greenlit Thursday evening. Three Conservative MLAs from Richmond oppose the project, citing a lack of consultation with residents and issues arising from the city’s temporary modular housing sites. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon clarified that the new permanent building will be separate from the temporary housing initiative, aiming to address community concerns.
abbotsford-b-c-daycare-owner-charged-with-six-counts-of-assaulting-children
BCFeb 06, 2025

Abbotsford, B.C., daycare owner charged with six counts of assaulting children

Police say an East Abbotsford daycare owner has been charged with allegedly assaulting children in her care. Abbotsford Police say officers launched an investigation into reports that the 60-year-old had assaulted children in October. They say the alleged incidents date back to 2022 and involved children between the ages of two and six years old. They say woman was arrested on Tuesday. Police say she has since been charged with six counts of assault and has been released under court-ordered conditions including that she have no contact with any person under the age of 16. Detectives with the d
two-arrested-including-a-surrey-woman-in-catalytic-converter-theft-in-burnaby
BCFeb 05, 2025

Two arrested, including a Surrey woman, in catalytic converter theft in Burnaby

Mounties in Burnaby say two women have been arrested after stealing a catalytic converter from a van in a parking lot in the area of Brighton Avenue and Lougheed Highway. They say that on January 22nd, officers responded to reports of the women underneath the vehicle, but the pair left the scene before they arrived. The R-C-M-P say the 9-1-1 caller was able to describe their car and the women were arrested a short time later with several catalytic converters in their possession. Police say the 38-year-old from Surrey and 39-year-old from Abbotsford are expected to face numerous charges,

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surrey-police-investigate-overnight-shooting-at-residence-possible-extortion-link
BCApr 22, 2026

Surrey police investigate overnight shooting at residence, possible extortion link

Surrey Police Service says officers are investigating a shooting at a residential property early Wednesday that is believed to be linked to an extortion attempt. According to an SPS news release, frontline officers responded at approximately 12:40 a.m. to reports of shots fired at a home in the 13400 block of 87A Avenue, near King George Boulevard and 88 Avenue. Police confirmed that no occupants were injured, although the residence sustained damage and bullet casings were found outside. The file has been taken over by the Surrey Police Service Extortion Response Team, with Integrated Forensic
AlbertaApr 22, 2026

New trial ordered in Alberta homicide case after appeal court overturns murder conviction

Alberta’s Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for a man previously convicted in the 2020 death of his common-law partner, finding legal errors in how intent was assessed at trial. In a decision released Friday, the court overturned Ryan Applegarth’s 2023 conviction for second-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Chantelle Firingstoney. According to the ruling, the trial judge did not make a required finding that Applegarth intended to kill, a key element for a murder conviction. Court records show Firingstoney died in November 2020 at her home in Ponoka, about 95 kilometres south
liberals-plan-motion-to-secure-majority-on-house-committees-mackinnon-says
CanadaApr 22, 2026

Liberals plan motion to secure majority on House committees, MacKinnon says

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon says the Liberal government will move to change House of Commons procedures to ensure it holds a majority of votes on parliamentary committees. MacKinnon said Tuesday the planned motion would adjust committee composition rules so governing party MPs have the numbers needed to advance legislation and studies. He argued that committees should reflect the governing party’s mandate and avoid what he described as “partisan games” that delay work. The proposal comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals seek to consolidate control of the parliament
AlbertaApr 22, 2026

Alberta NDP accuses UCP government of undermining democracy over riding boundary review

Alberta’s Opposition NDP is accusing Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government of weakening democratic processes following a proposal to review and redraw electoral boundaries. The criticism comes after the government introduced a motion to create a new committee that would examine constituency boundaries and consider changes to representation in the legislature. According to statements made during debate in the legislature on Tuesday, the proposal could also lead to an increase in the number of seats to address representation concerns in rural areas. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi
trump-says-u-s-pauses-strikes-on-iran-following-pakistan-request
WorldApr 22, 2026

Trump says U.S. pauses strikes on Iran following Pakistan request

U.S. President Donald Trump says the United States has agreed to extend a ceasefire with Iran for an unspecified period after a request from Pakistan’s leadership. According to Trump’s statement, the decision follows an appeal from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. Trump said the request was made to allow time for Iran’s leadership to reach internal consensus and prepare a unified proposal. He described Iran’s government as lacking cohesion at present, which he said complicates negotiations. In response, Trump said he has ordered U.S. forces to tempo