10.68°C Vancouver

News

tories-threaten-to-table-thousands-of-amendments-and-delay-rise-of-house-of-commons
CanadaDec 06, 2023

Tories threaten to table thousands of amendments and delay rise of House of Commons

The official Opposition is threatening to delay government work and hold up billions of dollars in spending if the Liberal government doesn't drastically revise its carbon-pricing plan. The Conservatives are delivering a taste of their plan with the introduction of as many as 20,000 amendments to an 11-page government bill that aims to create sustainable jobs as part of the transition to a net-zero emissions economy. The natural resources committee is set to go through the amendments, which the Tories believe could take months to vote on individually. The Opposition wants the federal carbon-pr
mayor-moving-to-dismantle-vancouver-park-board
BCDec 06, 2023

Mayor moving to dismantle Vancouver Park Board

Mayor Ken Sim says he's moving to abolish Vancouver's elected Park Board, which is the only such body in any British Columbia city. Sim says at a news conference at City Hall that he'll be moving a motion next week to ask the province to amend the Vancouver Charter to bring its parks under city council control. He says this would involve eliminating the requirement for an elected Park Board, calling it a ``long overdue'' step representing a ``new level of accountability.'' He says the move will ensure long-term viability and growth of parks and recreation services, and the current system ``ju
bail-reform-bill-got-royal-assent-criminals-will-not-get-bail-easily
CanadaDec 06, 2023

Bail reform bill got royal assent, criminals will not get bail easily

It will no longer be easy for repeat offenders to get bail in Canada, after the government's opposition-backed bail reform bill has received royal assent. Justice Minister Arif Virani gave this information.He said that these changes are coming into effect from January 4, 2024. Bail system for repeat offenders involved in serious violent offenses under the Criminal Code Amendments Getting bail has been made more difficult.These amendments focus on reverse onus provisions, which means that the accused will be held in custody before trial unless he proves that his release would not pose a danger
global-affairs-canada-says-two-canadians-have-died-in-antigua
CanadaDec 06, 2023

Global Affairs Canada says two Canadians have died in Antigua

The department has not provided more information about the deaths on the Caribbean island, citing privacy considerations, but it says consular officials are providing assistance and are in contact with local authorities to get more information. Local media outlets are reporting that a Canadian woman and child died in rough waters last week. The Canadian Press has not independently verified the reports. The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force said in a press release that a 911 call came in on Nov. 30 at around 6:45 a.m. about a woman and child entering the water at a rock formation locally kno
bank-of-canada-keeps-interest-rate-at-5
CanadaDec 06, 2023

Bank of Canada keeps interest rate at 5%

The Bank of Canada is keeping its key interest rate at five per cent because higher interest rates are clearly restraining spending. The central bank says the combination of weaker growth and a cooling job market suggests demand is no longer outpacing supply in the economy and that this slowdown is necessary to restore price stability. However, the Bank of Canada isn't ruling out future rate hikes just yet, saying it is still concerned about risks to the outlook for inflation and remains prepared to raise rates further if needed
BCDec 05, 2023

Health Canada authorizes updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine targeting XBB variant

Health Canada has authorized an updated COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax that targets the XBB.1.5 variant. The new vaccine is called Nuvaxovid and is approved for people 12 years of age and over. Nuvaxovid is a protein subunit vaccine, meaning it contains harmless pieces of virus. The other two XBB vaccines currently authorized in Canada are mRNA vaccines, manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The mRNA options remain the only XBB vaccines approved for children under 12. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that everyone six months of age and older get the XBB.1.5 vacc
rain-wind-pummels-b-c-coast-as-atmospheric-river-makes-landfall
BCDec 05, 2023

Rain, wind pummels B.C. coast as atmospheric river makes landfall

Parts of southwestern British Columbia remain under a rainfall warning as a potent atmospheric river made landfall along the province's coast Monday, bringing ample rain and high winds while disrupting roads and utilities. Environment Canada says the weather system brought as much as 132 millimetres of rain in the last 24 hours, reported at the Kennedy Lake on Vancouver Island.The highest precipitation recorded in the Lower Mainland and southwestern B.C. was in Port Mellon on the Sunshine Coast with 102 millimetres, followed by Mission, Porteau Cove and Pitt Meadows with 97, 91 and 90 millimet
canada-needs-skilled-workers-to-overcome-housing-crisis-sean-fraser
CanadaDec 05, 2023

Canada needs skilled workers to overcome housing crisis: Sean Fraser

To overcome the housing crisis in Canada, the government may relax immigration for skilled workers.Housing Minister Sean Fraser said Tuesday that Canada is going to face troubles getting homes built if it doesn’t address the severe labour shortage facing the construction industry. He said there needs to be a focus on training and attracting workers.The Housing Minister said he is working with Minister Miller on immigration to bring in skilled workers who are hard to find in Canada in the short term to build homes. Sean Fraser also announced that the federal government will invest $71 million
demands-for-speaker-to-resign-after-he-appears-in-liberal-tribute-video
CanadaDec 05, 2023

Demands for Speaker to resign after he appears in Liberal tribute video

House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus is apologizing after a video message he recorded in thanks of the departing interim leader of the Ontario Liberal party, John Fraser, was played at the party's leadership convention. Now he's facing calls to step down from the Bloc Quebecois and Conservatives. His apology came after Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer gave notice that he planned to raise a question of privilege, given the Speaker is supposed to play an explicitly non-partisan role At Queen's Park on Monday, Fraser defended the message as personal and non-partisan. Fergus also defe

Just In

alberta-ndp-urges-smith-government-to-act-as-doctors-warn-of-hospital-overcrowding
AlbertaJan 13, 2026

Alberta NDP urges Smith government to act as doctors warn of hospital overcrowding

Alberta’s Official Opposition NDP is pressing Premier Danielle Smith and the province’s four health ministers to implement emergency measures as doctors raise alarms over overcrowded hospitals. The call comes after the Alberta Medical Association reported that hospitals have been operating at more than 110 per cent capacity for over a year, creating strains on both staff and patient care. Dr. Brian Wirzba, president of the association, said public statements are a last resort for physicians who have repeatedly voiced concerns through internal channels without seeing adequate action. Meanwh
AlbertaJan 13, 2026

Alberta health official to update public as flu season strains hospitals

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health is expected to provide an update today on the province’s respiratory virus season, as hospitals across Alberta continue to face significant pressure. Health care leaders say elevated influenza activity has been a major factor behind ongoing capacity challenges, particularly since mid-December. Physicians have repeatedly warned that high patient volumes are limiting the system’s ability to respond to routine and urgent care needs. The provincial ministry responsible for hospitals has linked the surge in admissions to a sharp increase in flu cases
kelowna-rcmp-launch-gang-enforcement-team-pilot-after-drug-and-firearm-seizures
BCJan 13, 2026

Kelowna RCMP launch gang enforcement team pilot after drug and firearm seizures

The Kelowna RCMP have launched a new gang enforcement pilot program following several months of targeted policing that led to the seizure of firearms, weapons and illicit drugs across the city. Police say enhanced enforcement efforts began in September 2025, focusing on disrupting organized crime and removing weapons and toxic drugs from local streets. Those initiatives resulted in multiple significant seizures, prompting the detachment to expand its approach through a dedicated gang enforcement team. The new Kelowna Gang Enforcement Team is a four-member unit made up of officers from differen
prime-minister-carney-departs-for-china-on-high-stakes-trade-and-diplomacy-visit
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Prime Minister Carney departs for China on high-stakes trade and diplomacy visit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to depart this evening on a five-day official visit to China, a trip being closely watched for its potential impact on trade, agriculture, and Canada’s broader foreign policy direction. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe will accompany the prime minister as part of the delegation, highlighting the importance of agricultural trade to Western Canada. Saskatchewan farmers have been particularly affected by Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, a key export for the province and a major source of farm income. During the visit, Carney is expected to meet with Chinese Pr
carney-to-meet-coastal-first-nations-in-prince-rupert-on-major-projects-marine-protection
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Carney to meet Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on major projects, marine protection

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with leaders of Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on major resource projects and marine conservation along British Columbia’s coastline. Carney will be joined by Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, whose early dealings with the alliance have drawn criticism. Hodgson faced backlash after failing to consult Coastal First Nations before the federal government signed an agreement with Alberta that could advance a new pipeline to the B.C. coast. The minister later apologized for remarks made du