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BCJan 07, 2021

625 new COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths reported in B.C.

British Columbia's health minister and provincial health officer urged people to look after their mental health and well-being as the province reported 625 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The province also reported eight additional deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 962. The new numbers bring the province's total number of cases since the pandemic began to 55,254, with 6,343 active cases. Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry say in a statement that this time of year can be difficult for people, and COVID-19 can compound those difficulties. The pair urged people to
pm-trudeau-says-canadians-are-deeply-disturbed-and-saddened-by-what-is-happening-in-washington
CanadaJan 07, 2021

PM Trudeau says Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by what is happening in Washington

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken a low-key approach to the pro-Trump violence in Washington. Trudeau spoke about the situation in a radio interview today on News 1130 in Vancouver. He says his government will continue to make sure Canadians are well served in their relationship with the US. Trudeau also expressed hope that everything will return to normal shortly. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by what is happening. World leaders are condemning the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. Leaders expressed shock
trump-supporters-storm-the-capitol-building-biden-says-its-not-a-protest-its-insurrection
WorldJan 06, 2021

Trump supporters storm the Capitol building; Biden says "it's not a protest, it's insurrection"

The reason thousands of Donald Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building is because senators were meeting to certify the votes of the Electoral College that affirmed Joe Biden as president elect. Today Biden made a statement saying "it's not a protest, it's insurrection." He is demanding that President Trump make a televised address to urge his supporters to stop the violence. Trump asks supporters to leave the US Capitol building US President Donald Trump has made a video telling violent protesters who support him to leave the US Capitol building, while at the same time repeating that h
minister-to-reveal-details-on-controversial-covid-19-testing-rules-for-travellers
CanadaJan 06, 2021

Minister to reveal details on controversial COVID-19 testing rules for travellers

Transport Minister Marc Garneau is expected to unveil more details today on COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers returning to Canada. Garneau announced last week that air travellers coming from abroad will have to show proof of negative test results, starting this Thursday at 12:01 a.m. He said the PCR test — distinct from a rapid test, and taking up to several days to process must occur less than 72 hours before takeoff.Airlines and passengers say the plan leaves a swirl of unanswered questions and threatens to leave travellers stranded overseas.Carriers say they were not consulted
b-c-state-of-emergency-extended-again-428-more-covid-19-cases-and-8-deaths-reported-in-b-c
BCJan 06, 2021

B.C. state of emergency extended again; 428 more COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths reported in B.C.

British Columbia has again extended its state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic nearly 10 months after it was first declared. The Ministry of Public Safety says in a news release the extension until Jan. 19 will allow officials to use powers under the Emergency Program Act. Premier John Horgan says in the statement there's hope with the provincial immunization program getting underway, but it's too early to ease restrictions in the pandemic that has claimed 954 lives in B.C. A joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Tue
federal-government-is-making-changes-to-the-1-000-sickness-benefit-pm-trudeau
CanadaJan 05, 2021

Federal government is making changes to the $1,000 sickness benefit: PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians who have travelled abroad should not expect to collect a benefit for people who have to isolate themselves. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is making changes to the $1,000 sickness benefit. He says the program is for workers who have to quarantine because they are sick or have had close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. Trudeau says the point was never to subsidize vacations and he's frustrated and angry that non-essential travellers might have claimed the benefit. The government will revise the rules t
dr-theresa-tam-concerned-at-how-quickly-canadas-covid-19-case-numbers-are-growing
CanadaJan 05, 2021

Dr. Theresa Tam concerned at how quickly Canada's COVID-19 case numbers are growing

Canada's chief public health officer says she's concerned at how quickly Canada's COVID-19 case numbers are growing. Doctor Theresa Tam says over the past week, the number of infections has been increasing by almost 7,500 per day. She notes that it took five months for Canada to reach its first 100,000 cases, and just over two weeks to go from 500- to 600,000. Dr. Tam says this rapid accumulation of cases will continue until we can make significant progress in interrupting the spread of the virus. More than 617,000 case have been reported in Canada since the start of pandemic. At present 79,5
vancouver-home-sales-surge-53-4-per-cent-setting-new-record-for-december
BCJan 05, 2021

Vancouver home sales surge 53.4 per cent, setting new record for December

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says home sales were up 53.4 per cent in the final month of 2020 compared with December 2019, hitting a new record for the month.The board says 3,093 homes were sold in December, up from 2,016 in December 2019 and slightly more than the 3,064 homes sold in November.Vancouver real estate agents sold 1,026 detached homes, a 71.3 jump from December 2019.The board says the composite home price in Vancouver ended the year at $1,047,400, up 5.4 percent from the same time last year.Board chair Colette Gerber says the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major cause
dr-bonnie-henry-releases-covid-19-vaccination-plan-for-first-three-months-of-2021
BCJan 05, 2021

Dr. Bonnie Henry releases COVID-19 vaccination plan for first three months of 2021

British Columbia's top doctor says immunizations are expected to be ramped up in the coming weeks as Health Canada approves more COVID-19 vaccines, but a major challenge will be for people to ensure they get immunized. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the aim is to vaccinate about 150,000 people by the end of February, with priority given to residents and staff of long-term care homes as well as First Nations communities. For the rest of the population, she says those over the age of 80 will be next in line for vaccinations, which will then be administered based on descending five-year age groupings. Dr

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b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in