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long-awaited-federal-rent-subsidy-program-for-businesses-hurt-by-covid-19-opens-today
CanadaNov 23, 2020

Long-awaited federal rent subsidy program for businesses hurt by COVID-19 opens today

Businesses struggling to pay the bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to start applying today for a long-awaited new commercial rent-relief program offered by the federal government.The new Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy replaces an earlier rent-support program for businesses introduced in the spring that saw little pickup because it relied on landlords to apply for help.The new program will cover up to 65 per cent of rent or commercial mortgage interest on a sliding scale based on revenue declines, with an extra 25 per cent available to the hardest-hit firms.Federal cabinet min
10-more-covid-19-deaths-reported-in-b-c-health-officials-say-social-restrictions-and-mask-requirements-are-meant-to-keep-loved-ones-safe
BCNov 21, 2020

10 more COVID-19 deaths reported in B.C.; Health officials say, social restrictions and mask requirements are meant to keep loved ones safe

British Columbia health officials are urging residents to follow their latest orders to slow the spread of COVID-19 and relieve the pressure on the health-care system. The province recorded 516 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, for a total of 25,474. There are 7,122 active cases of COVID-19, with 227 people currently hospitalized. Ten new deaths were also announced, bringing the death toll to 331. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that the social restrictions and mask requirements announced Thursday are meant to keep loved ones safe
tam-warns-of-urgency-to-lower-infections-as-forecast-paint-dire-scenario
CanadaNov 20, 2020

Tam warns of 'urgency' to lower infections as forecast paint dire scenario

Canada's chief public health officer says there's "urgency" to bring infections down as officials released dire new forecasts indicating that COVID-19 case counts have far surpassed levels seen during the first wave. Dr. Theresa Tam says COVID-19 cases could skyrocket to 60,000 per day by the end of the year if Canadians increase their contact rates. The modelling predicts that at current rates of contact, Canada is careening towards a surge of more than 20,000 cases per day by the end of December. But if socialization increases, the projections indicate that as 2020 draws to a close, Canada
538-new-covid-19-cases-and-one-death-reported-in-b-c-dr-henry-announces-new-restrictions-social-gatherings-travelling-and-masks
BCNov 20, 2020

538 new COVID-19 cases and one death reported in B.C.; Dr. Henry announces new restrictions on social gatherings, travelling and masks

BC is reporting 538 new cases of COVID-19 with most still coming from the Fraser and Vancouver health regions. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the province now has 6,929 active cases. 217 people are in hospital, including 59 in intensive care. Dr. Henry says there is also one addition death, bringing the total to 321. Details of COVID-19 restrictions in B.C. B.C. is introducing new far-reaching limits on social gatherings, travel and mandatory masks in response to surging COVID-19 case numbers and record hospitalizations. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said today t
liberals-introduce-a-bill-for-net-zero-emissions-canada-pm-trudeau-says-bill-cements-his-promise-to-mostly-eliminate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-2050
CanadaNov 19, 2020

Liberals introduce a bill for net-zero emissions Canada; PM Trudeau says bill cements his promise to mostly eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

The Liberals have introduced a bill in the House of Commons that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says cements his promise to mostly eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Bill C-12 promises both transparency and accountability to reach what Trudeau admits is an ambitious goal. He told a virtual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum that net-zero is as much about avoiding the worst impacts of climate change as it is about creating good jobs and a competitive economy for years to come. Trudeau told a conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum today that Canad
rcmp-warn-of-toxic-drugs-after-three-deaths-in-12-hours-in-surrey-b-c
BCNov 19, 2020

RCMP warn of toxic drugs after three deaths in 12 hours in Surrey, B.C.

Police suspect a deadly batch of drugs may be circulating in Surrey, B.C. A statement from Surrey RCMP says three people have died within 12 hours in the city and fatal overdoses are suspected in each case. Investigators say there do not appear to be any other connections between the victims. The statement says it is dangerous to use non-prescription drugs purchased from unregulated sources but anyone who makes that choice should follow several safety measures. Those measures include not using them alone and being careful about dosage size. Police say users should also have a naloxone kit cap
record-breaking-covid-19-numbers-reported-in-b-c-for-third-consecutive-day
BCNov 19, 2020

Record breaking COVID-19 numbers reported in B.C. for third consecutive day

BC has recorded 762 new cases of COVID-19, another record as the province battles a second wave of infections. Health officials are also reporting 10 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 320. The province currently has 6,861 active cases of COVID-19, including 209 individuals who are hospitalized. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says BC needs to put the brakes on COVID-19 because the second surge is putting a strain on the health-care system, workplaces and everyone. The health authorities in a joint statement said, "This second surge is putting a strain on our health-care s
vancouver-mayor-moves-to-decriminalize-simple-possession-of-illicit-drugs
BCNov 18, 2020

Vancouver mayor moves to decriminalize simple possession of illicit drugs

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says he's preparing to table a motion that would see city council vote on decriminalization of possession of illicit drugs for personal use. He says the city has been at the forefront of drug policy change and it could become the first jurisdiction in Canada to make such a move. After tabling the motion next week, Stewart says he'll write to federal officials requesting an exemption under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that would end at the city's boundaries. The mayor says there have been more than 1,500 overdose deaths in Vancouver since the
ottawa-to-keep-boeing-max-aircraft-grounded-for-now-despite-us-decision
CanadaNov 18, 2020

Ottawa to keep Boeing Max aircraft grounded for now, despite US decision

Canada will not immediately follow the U.S. in allowing the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to return to Canadian airspace.Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said in a statement Wednesday that Canada will impose different requirements than the U.S. before it lifts the grounding orders for the plane, including additional procedures on the flight deck and pre-flight and differences in training for flight operators.Garneau added that he expects Transport Canada's validation process to conclude very soon.His remarks followed a U.S. announcement allowing the Boeing 737 MAX to fly again once the company ma

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b-c-conservatives-promise-1-000-annual-tax-cut-for-low-and-middle-income-families
BCOct 08, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Promise $1,000 Annual Tax Cut for Low- and Middle-Income Families

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has announced a proposed $1,000 annual provincial income-tax cut for low- and middle-income families. Speaking at a grocery store in Surrey, Doerkson said that if elected premier, his government would raise the provincial basic personal income-tax exemption to $32,000. He said this would mean British Columbians would pay no provincial income tax on their first $32,000 of income. Doerkson said a two-income household could save up to $2,000 a year under the proposal, with the money remaining in families’ pockets rather than going to the government. He al
27-year-old-charged-in-burnaby-crash-that-killed-elderly-couple
BCOct 08, 2026

27-Year-Old Charged in Burnaby Crash That Killed Elderly Couple

A 27-year-old Abbotsford man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash in Burnaby that killed an elderly couple nearly two years ago. According to Burnaby RCMP, the crash occurred on December 21, 2024, at Boundary Road and Forest Street, where two vehicles collided and one vehicle struck the other from the side. A 67-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man, who were travelling in the same vehicle, died at the scene. Following an investigation that lasted nearly two years, the RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team determined that charges were warranted. The B.C. Prosecution Servic
eby-pledges-to-freeze-icbc-insurance-rates-for-another-three-years
BCOct 08, 2026

Eby Pledges to Freeze ICBC Insurance Rates for Another Three Years

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has promised to freeze ICBC insurance rates for another three years if his party is re-elected. Speaking during a campaign stop in Richmond, Eby said the move would mean B.C. drivers would go a total of 10 years without facing additional increases in their vehicle insurance rates. Eby credited his government’s no-fault insurance reforms for helping move B.C. from having some of the most expensive auto insurance in Canada to among the most affordable. He also criticized B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson, warning that insurance rates could double again if the Co
bill-c-39-faces-vote-in-house-of-commons-amid-strike-powers-controversy
BCOct 08, 2026

Bill C-39 Faces Vote in House of Commons Amid Strike Powers Controversy

Canada’s House of Commons is set to vote today on the federal government’s controversial Bill C-39, which aims to fast-track approvals for major projects. The bill has drawn criticism over a provision that would amend Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, giving the Labour Minister the power to intervene in an ongoing strike by citing the national interest. NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies has called the bill an attack on workers’ and Indigenous rights, as well as environmental protections. He said he is concerned about a growing trend of power being concentrated in the hands of cabi
BCOct 08, 2026

Vancouver Advance Voting Sets New Daily Record as 25,142 Voters Cast Ballots

Vancouver’s municipal election advance voting has set a new daily record, with 25,142 people casting their ballots on Wednesday, the second day of advance voting. According to preliminary figures released by the City of Vancouver, it was the highest number of advance votes recorded in a single day in the city’s history. The previous record was set just four days earlier, on Oct. 3, when 21,824 voters cast their ballots on the first day of advance voting. In comparison, only 10,502 people voted on the second day of advance voting during Vancouver’s 2022 municipal election. This year’s f