The rate of job growth continued to slow in November with the economy adding 62,000 jobs, down from 84,000 in October. The gains were mostly focused in full-time work with a gain of 99,000 jobs, offset somewhat by a decline in part-time work of 37,000 positions, Statistics Canada reported Friday. The average economist estimate had been for a gain of 20,000 jobs and an unchanged unemployment rate, according to financial data firm Refinitiv. The gains in November left the country 574,000 jobs short of recouping the approximately three million jobs lost from lockdowns in March and April that sen

BC is reporting 694 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the number of active cases past 9,000 for the first time. Provincial heath officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has also announced another 12 deaths, raising the total to 481. Dr. Henry says the province is continuing to make progress on Operation Immunize and hopes to begin the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks. But she says there will only be limited amounts at first for those most at risk of severe illness and deaths. British Columbia's top doctor says seniors in long-term care homes and hospitals will be the first to get a vaccine ag

Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo says there is light at the end of the tunnel. Njoo says Health Canada is expected to approve COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use early in the new year, triggering one of the most ambitious vaccination programs in Canadian history. He says there will eventually be enough vaccine doses for every Canadian. The military is going to conduct a practice run on Monday to ensure the plan to distribute vaccines will work. News of the vaccine program comes as Ontario reported a near-record 1,824 new COVID-19 infections and Quebec reported 1,470 new case

On December 3, 2020 just after 5:30 a.m., the Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a single vehicle collision in the alleyway of the 13700-block of 75A Avenue. A 30 year old female was located with critical injuries, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite all efforts by first responders, the woman succumbed to her injuries. Early information indicates a second vehicle was involved in this shooting and police are currently combing the area for any potential evidence, including video surveillance. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) will be investigating this occurrence

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the Liberal government's failure to be transparent about plans to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine is fuelling anxiety among Canadians. O'Toole says a plan should help provide details about the vaccine candidates and educate Canadians on their research and approval. He says information is just as important a tool in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as rapid tests. The Conservatives have a motion before the House of Commons today that calls on the Liberals to present specific details on their vaccine rollout strategy by Dec 16. Among other things, the T

British Columbia's top doctor says COVID-19 cases have levelled off in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions, but they've been rising in the North, Interior and to a lesser extent on Vancouver Island. Dr. Bonnie Henry says there is some variability in how the illness is spreading in different areas, but social interactions are driving transmissions across the province. Dr. Henry says transmissions remain high and while health restrictions on travel and social gatherings are set to end Monday, it's possible the rules could be extended. Dr. Henry is also urging people to avoid travell

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is fine-tuning its COVID-19 vaccination plan to ensure Canadians can get inoculated as soon as doses are available. But opposition parties are criticizing the Liberals' reluctance to reveal exactly how and when it will distribute a vaccine once one is approved by Health Canada. Opposition Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole questioned the prime minister about his vaccine plan today in the House of Commons.The Conservatives are expected to introduce a motion tomorrow that could compel the government to release details of the plan by the middle of

British officials have authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, greenlighting the world's first shot against the virus that's backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic. The go-ahead Wednesday for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States and Europe, putting pressure on hospitals and morgues in some places and forcing new rounds of restrictions that have devastated economies. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency recommended the vaccine co

British Columbia recorded 656 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday as officials urged residents not to bend public health rules. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that an additional 16 people have died, pushing B.C.'s death toll to 457. The new positive tests bring the total confirmed cases in the province since the pandemic began to 33,894, while about 70 per cent of those are considered recovered. The statement says there are 8,796 active cases in the province and another 10,123 people exposed to known cases are under active public heal