Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (Salal) and the Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) have received new federal funding to enhance their crisis lines, which provide 24/7 provincewide, comprehensive, specialized gender-based violence supports.These services include risk assessment, immediate safety planning, and addressing the unique needs of Indigenous victims. The two organizations will receive a total of $2.75 million in funding over four years as part of Women and Gender Equality Canada’s National Action Plan to End Gender Based-Violence.During the pandemic, organization

Environment Canada says smoke from wildfires in the B.C. Interior is expected to worsen in the coming days, bringing poor air quality and associated health risks.In a special air quality statement, Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy say several Interior communities are likely to see worsening wildfire smoke conditions over the next 24 to 48 hours.The statement says smoke is already widespread in the province's southeast toward the Rocky Mountains.Observed conditions in Prince George, Williams Lake, Fort St. John and Quesnel show high risk or ver

Vancouver police say a suspect sexually assaulted a woman in English Bay while claiming to be a massage therapist.The woman called 911 to report the incident and the suspect was arrested.Police say that the suspect may have contacted other people as well on the beach.The suspect is described as a 30-year-old South Asian male.No charges have yet been filed against the suspect and the case is under investigation.

Justice Minister David Lametti introduced a bill in the House of Commons today to change Canada's bail system.The bill has been named C-48, and will change the bail system of the Criminal Code.The bill tightens bail for repeat violent offenders with firearms, knives, beer spray and weapons.5 specific changes have been proposed in the Criminal Code through the Bill.The bill states that bail conditions will be tightened for people charged with serious violent crimes involving firearms who were convicted of a similar crime within the past five years.The court will need to take into account the ac

B.C. health minister says some breast and prostate cancer patients will be referred to two clinics in Washington in an effort to reduce wait times for radiation therapy.Starting May 29th, Adrian Dix says B.C. Cancer will offer eligible patients the opportunity to undergo treatment at one of two partner clinics in Bellingham, with costs related to treatment, travel, accommodation and meals fully covered.Dix says the province is making the move because B.C. hasn't been meeting its target for ensuring cancer patients receive radiation therapy in a timely manner.He says the delays are due to facto

The union representing WestJet pilots has given a 72-hour strike notice to the company and the government on Monday night.Pilots may go on strike before the May long-weekend.A lockout notice has also been issued by the WestJet Group.WestJet said that the disruption in operations may start from 3 am on Friday.WestJet said that the affected passengers will be refunded or given other facilities as per the availability.About 1,850 unionized WestJet pilots are preparing to strike.Better wages, job security and scheduling are key issues, according to the union.The company's CEO Alexis von Hoensbroec

The North Vancouver Mounties say a child has written a letter of apology to them after calling 911 by mistake.RCMP say the child, possibly an elementary age, arrived with his parents on Saturday and left an apology note, along with a Starbucks gift card.The letter, shared by the detachment on social media, said the boy, named Aedan, is sorry for calling the emergency line when he didn't need to.Aedan also apologized that when the officers came to his door, he should have told the truth.He wrote in the letter, "I am sorry that I lied. I should have told my mom or dad. I know I have wasted your

Calgary Skyview Liberal MP George Chahal has received death threats.The bully also threatened his family and made racist comments.Chahal has posted two videos in this regard on his social media.These are a total of four minutes of voice mails in which foul language is used against them.Chahal said that these voice mails were made by an unknown person in his constituency office.You are all a bunch of traitors who sold us out to China, so you should hang yourselves, said the unidentified person in the voice mail.Chahal was also threatened to leave the country.Calgary Police said in a statement t

The C.E.O of the Atira Women's Resource Society is stepping down after an audit commissioned by the B.C. government found a conflict of interest related to her marriage to the former head of Crown social housing provider B.C. Housing.The society says Janice Abbott is resigning immediately. That's after the board of the society stood by Abbott last week in the fallout from release of the report that uncovered efforts to cover up violations of B.C. Housing's conflict of interest rules.A statement from the society says the focus for its board is working with the province and restoring the public