14.79°C Vancouver

News

canadian-economy-contracted-5-4-per-cent-in-2020-worst-year-on-record
CanadaMar 02, 2021

Canadian economy contracted 5.4 per cent in 2020, worst year on record

The Canadian economy posted its worst showing on record in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country, shutting down businesses and putting millions out of work.Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product shrank 5.4 per cent in 2020, the steepest annual decline since comparable data was first recorded in 1961. The drop for the year was due to the shutdown of large swaths of the economy in March and April during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that crushed the economy.Since then, economic activity has slowly and steadily grown. Statistics Canada says the economy grew
1-478-new-covid-19-cases-and-8-deaths-reported-in-b-c-42-new-cases-are-variants-of-concern
BCMar 02, 2021

1,478 new COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths reported in B.C.; 42 new cases are variants of concern

More than 275 thousand COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in BC, but that isn't nearly enough to prevent new health facility outbreaks at Glacier View Lodge, Chilliwack General Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital. However, several outbreaks were also declared over, including one at St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver. BC is reporting 1,478 new COVID-19 infections from Saturday to Monday, for a total of 80,672 cases in the province since the pandemic began. There are 4,464 people with active cases in the province, of whom 236 are hospitalized and 65 are
units-in-two-vancouver-area-hospitals-closed-by-covid-19-outbreak
BCMar 01, 2021

Units in two Vancouver-area hospitals closed by COVID-19 outbreak

Health officials have declared COVID-19 outbreaks at two more Metro Vancouver hospitals after finding evidence the virus was transmitted within a medicine unit at both locations. A statement from Fraser Health says the outbreaks are in single units of Surrey Memorial Hospital and Chilliwack General Hospital. One patient at Surrey Memorial and five patients at Chilliwack General have tested positive for COVID-19. Those units have been closed to admissions, but Fraser Health says other units and the emergency rooms of both hospitals remain open. Information from Vancouver Coastal Health shows a
b-c-records-589-new-cases-of-covid-19-as-officials-welcome-new-vaccine-approvals
BCFeb 27, 2021

B.C. records 589 new cases of COVID-19 as officials welcome new vaccine approvals

British Columbia health officials say the federal government's approval of two new vaccines is encouraging news and one more layer of protection to help get the province through the pandemic. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a statement that approval of the vaccines by Oxford-AstraZeneca and Verity-Serum Institute of India is an "exciting" step forward. The statement says the new vaccines are "fridge stable," making them easier to transport and distribute across the province. British Columbia announced 589 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday along w
health-canada-approves-astrazenecas-covid-19-vaccine
CanadaFeb 26, 2021

Health Canada approves AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine

Health Canada has approved the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, the third to be given the green light for national use.Canada has pre-ordered 20 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was co-developed by researchers at the University of Oxford.It will also receive up to 1.9 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the global vaccine-sharing initiative known as COVAX by the end of June.Vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna had already been approved by Health Canada.Approximately 1.7 million doses of those formulas have been administered in Canada.Health Canada sen
395-new-covid-19-cases-and-10-deaths-reported-in-b-c
BCFeb 26, 2021

395 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths reported in B.C.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says rising case numbers and test positivity rates mean it's soon to lift COVID-19 restrictions. Dr. Henry says BC has seen its rolling seven-day average case numbers rise and there's potential to see rapid growth in cases if residents aren't careful. She adds BC is ramping up screening for variants of concern and aims to be testing 100 per cent of all COVID-positive samples starting next week to see if they're likely variants that should be sent on for further study. Dr. Henry reported 395 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 78,673 cases in British
trudeau-government-mum-on-why-the-newly-minted-chief-of-defence-staff-is-being-investigated-for-misconduct
CanadaFeb 26, 2021

Trudeau government mum on why the newly-minted chief of defence staff is being investigated for misconduct

The Trudeau government is keeping mum on why the newly-minted chief of defence staff is being investigated for misconduct. Admiral Art McDonald has stepped aside for now. In the House of Commons today, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole tried, but failed, to get answers about the investigation -- and whether there are any other probes going on in the military. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland acknowledged the investigation in the House of Commons, but revealed no details. She would only say the government takes misconduct allegations seriously. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan revealed lat
military-reeling-as-new-defence-chief-steps-aside-amid-allegations-of-misconduct
CanadaFeb 25, 2021

Military reeling as new defence chief steps aside amid allegations of misconduct

The Canadian Armed Forces is reeling this morning with news chief of the defence staff Admiral Art McDonald is being investigated for misconduct.Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan revealed late last night McDonald has voluntarily stepped aside while military police investigate.The stunning development comes just over a month after McDonald took over as commander of the Canadian military from Gen. Jonathan Vance, who is also under investigation after allegations of inappropriate behaviour.Vance has denied any wrongdoing and McDonald has not commented.Former naval reservist Marie-Claude Gagnon, who
456-new-covid-19-cases-and-2-deaths-reported-in-b-c
BCFeb 25, 2021

456 new COVID-19 cases and 2 deaths reported in B.C.

BC health officials are reporting 456 new cases of COVID-19 today. Two additional deaths have also been announced, bringing the total to 1,338. There are 4,668 active cases in the province, including 237 people who are hospitalized with COVID-19. Sixty-four of those patients are in intensive care. To date, 230,875 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 62,608 of which are second doses. There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. The outbreak at Creekside Landing (Interior Health) is now over.

Just In

high-risk-driving-enforcement-in-burnaby-puts-the-brakes-on-170-drivers
BCJun 15, 2026

High Risk Driving enforcement in Burnaby puts the brakes on 170 drivers

Burnaby Traffic Services caught up with 170 drivers over the month of May who were found to be speeding excessively, as part of a high-risk driving enforcement campaign. Enforcement was carried out at various locations and times of day. The drivers were all travelling over 40 kilometres above the posted speed limit, and had their vehicles impounded for seven days. They also received a $368 violation ticket. In one incident, a 19-year-old new driver was travelling at 146 kilometres an hour in a 50-kilometre zone. “When our officer indicated the driver needed to pull over, the vehicle was trav
fifa-world-cup-opener-in-vancouver-sets-public-transit-ridership-record
CanadaJun 15, 2026

FIFA World Cup opener in Vancouver sets public transit ridership record

The first FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Vancouver drove public transit use to record levels, with TransLink reporting the busiest stadium-event day on its network since the 2010 Winter Olympics. According to TransLink, more than 1.03 million boardings were recorded across the region on June 13, representing a 14 per cent increase compared with a typical Saturday in June. The agency also reported approximately 648,200 total trips, up 18 per cent from normal demand levels. Thousands of soccer fans travelled to BC Place and the FIFA Fan Festival to attend the match between Australia and Türkiye.
BCJun 15, 2026

Motorcyclist Killed in Maple Ridge Collision; Investigation Ongoing

One person has died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a truck in Maple Ridge on Saturday night. The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 287 Street. According to information provided by authorities, the collision caused significant damage to the motorcycle, while the truck's airbags deployed. Paramedics responded to the scene and provided emergency medical treatment to two people before transporting them to hospital in stable condition. Authorities later confirmed that one person died as a result of the crash. The collision prompt
CanadaJun 15, 2026

Canada reports second consecutive annual decline in opioid overdose deaths

Canada recorded a second straight year-over-year decline in opioid overdose deaths, according to the latest federal report on substance-related harms. Health Canada reported that 5,630 people died from opioid overdoses in 2025, down from previous years following an earlier decline recorded in 2024. Despite the reduction, officials said the crisis continues to pose a significant public health challenge across the country. According to the federal report, opioid-related deaths averaged about 15 per day last year. The report also found a 23 per cent decrease in the national death rate linked to o
CanadaJun 15, 2026

Metro Vancouver outside workers begin full strike after 17 months without contract

Approximately 700 Metro Vancouver outside workers have begun a full strike after working for the past 17 months without a collective agreement. According to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union, workers launched the job action after contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Union president Jesse Medeiros said management has continued to ignore concerns raised by frontline employees who provide essential services across the region. The union said its key demands include improved worker safety measures, limits on contracting out work to private companies, and stro