14.2°C Vancouver

News

massive-fire-at-recreational-vehicle-dealership-in-abbotsford-taxed-already-stretched-first-responders-in-the-city
BCNov 17, 2021

Massive fire at recreational vehicle dealership in Abbotsford taxed already-stretched first responders in the city

An early morning fire at a recreational vehicle dealership in Abbotsford taxed already-stretched first responders in that city even more. The blaze broke out at around 6:30 a.m. at Four Seasons RV Rentals along flood-damaged Highway 1 and quickly engulfed dozens of the units that were parked tightly together. Fire crews had trouble reaching the scene because the business is almost completely surrounded by floodwaters and crews were also hampered by the 500,000 kilovolt transmission lines directly above the flames. Fire Chief Darrell Lee says particulates in the thick smoke created by the burn
b-c-dairy-farmers-told-to-dump-milk-as-flooding-makes-transport-impossible
BCNov 17, 2021

B.C. dairy farmers told to dump milk as flooding makes transport impossible

Dairy farmers in flood-affected British Columbia are being asked to dump milk because mudslides and road washouts have made it impossible to transport. The B.C. Milk Marketing Board is advising producers in areas like Abbotsford, Chilliwack and the B.C. Interior to dispose of their milk by dumping into manure piles. Mudslides and flooding have cut several key highways in the province. Many B.C. dairy producers have no road access at all to their farms right now. In other cases where milk can be picked up from the farm, there is nowhere for it to go. There are no roads available to enter the B
expelled-conservative-sen-denise-batters-defends-petition-lashes-out-at-otoole
CanadaNov 17, 2021

Expelled Conservative Sen. Denise Batters defends petition, lashes out at O'Toole

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole insists his caucus is united in supporting him and that those who allow their frustrations or personal agendas to get in the way won't be part of his team. O'Toole kicked Saskatchewan Senator Denise Batters out of caucus late yesterday after she called for an early review of his leadership. Sen. Denise Batters is taking off the gloves in her fight with Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole. O'Toole announced late Tuesday that the Saskatchewan senator was being expelled from the Conservative caucus after she launched a petition calling for a referendum on his leader
federal-government-is-supporting-recovery-efforts-in-b-c-after-devastating-rainfall-and-flooding-pm-trudeau
CanadaNov 17, 2021

Federal government is supporting recovery efforts in B.C. after devastating rainfall and flooding: PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government is supporting recovery efforts in B-C and will help maintain supply chain routes after devastating rainfall and flooding. Trudeau says he spoke with Premier John Horgan and several mayors last night about what he called a ``terrifically bad situation.'' In addition to sending in the Armed Forces, Trudeau says they'll also be lending a hand with cleanup and rebuilding in the aftermath of these extreme weather events. The prime minister made the statements from Washington, where he's attending a meeting with the presidents of the United States a
premier-john-horgan-declared-state-of-emergency-in-b-c
BCNov 17, 2021

Premier John Horgan declared state of emergency in B.C.

British Columbia Premier John Horgan has declared a state of emergency after flooding and landslides devastated the southern part of the province. Horgan says the declaration will preserve basic access to service and supplies for communities across the province. He says the government will bring in travel restrictions to ensure that essential goods and medical and emergency services are able to reach the communities that need them. He has also asked the British Columbians to avoid hoarding and said "what you need is needed by your neighbors too."
declaring-a-provincewide-state-of-emergency-is-a-possibility-mike-farnworth
BCNov 17, 2021

Declaring a provincewide state of emergency is a possibility: Mike Farnworth

BC's public safety minister says declaring a provincewide state of emergency is a possibility as communities in the Fraser Valley grapple with the impacts of landslides and flooding after record-setting downpours earlier this week. Mike Farnworth says he plans to raise the issue during a cabinet meeting today. He says a key priority is making sure there's a flow of supplies so people can buy food and essential goods in areas with flooded or damaged roads or railways. Numerous roads and highways are closed due to flooding, landslides or washed-out bridges with Transportation Minister Rob Flemi
group-representing-bc-dairy-farmers-says-efforts-to-rescue-livestock-from-flooded-areas-becoming-time-consuming-and-stressful
BCNov 17, 2021

Group representing BC dairy farmers says efforts to rescue livestock from flooded areas becoming time consuming and stressful

The board chair for a group representing BC dairy farmers says efforts to rescue livestock from areas inundated by floodwaters are time consuming and stressful. Holger Schwichtenberg with the BC Dairy Association says he didn't know the number of farmers who've had to move cows, but 25 to 30 milking cows were being moved to his own property from another farm in the Fraser Valley. Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun says he witnessed a number of farmers trying to save their cows as the community put out new evacuation orders Tuesday. Braun told reporters he saw farmers using powerboats to haul cows o
abbotsford-b-c-residents-urged-to-flee-low-lying-area-as-flood-risk-escalates
BCNov 17, 2021

Abbotsford, B.C., residents urged to flee low-lying area as flood risk escalates

The city of Abbotsford, B-C is dealing with mass evacuations due to severe flooding and on top of that, about 40 firefighters are battling a major fire at an R-V dealership.About 100 campers parked tightly together are burning and Fire Chief Darren Lee says some high-voltage power lines overhead are creating an added danger for his crews.Water levels on the Fraser River in the Abbotsford area have dropped two-metres in the past 24-hours, but Mayor Henry Braun says the river needs to drop another metre to take pressure off a pumping station that's at risk of failing.Public Safety Minister Bill
b-c-reports-338-new-covid-19-cases-and-one-death
BCNov 17, 2021

B.C. reports 338 new COVID-19 cases and one death

B.C. is reporting 338 new cases of COVID-19, including 18 epi-linked cases, for a total of 213,358 cases in the province.There are currently 3,568 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 207,275 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 376 individuals are currently in hospital and 107 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, one new death (Fraser Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 2,274.There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Ridge Meadows Hospital (Fraser Health). The

Just In

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