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wildfire-smoke-is-toxic-may-cause-health-issues-expert
BCAug 22, 2023

'Wildfire smoke is toxic, may cause health issues': Expert

Experts say that the smoke spread in Metro Vancouver due to forest fires is toxic and can cause many health problems.Burnaby's Dr. Susan Kwan says the air is full of toxins that will make it difficult for people to breathe, whether they have health problems or not.She said that air contains nitric oxide and aromatic hydrocarbons, and such elements are toxic to the body.This can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, itching, pain or irritation in the nose.Dr. Kwan says that to avoid these problems, limit your outdoor time and drink plenty of water.The smoke is expected to persist for the next
meta-responds-to-trudeau-eby-on-row-over-blocking-canadian-news
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Meta responds to Trudeau & Eby on row over blocking Canadian news

Social media conglomerate Meta has responded to criticism from both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B-C Premier David Eby on its decision to continue its ban on Canadian news content on Facebook and Instagram.Meta says in a statement that the company has been clear since February about the federal Online News Act and its effect on Canadian news content on its platforms.The statement also says Canadians can still access news by going directly to news outlets' websites and mobile apps, while Facebook continues to carry emergency information through crisis-response pages for both Kelowna and Ye
canada-considering-foreign-student-visa-cap-to-address-housing-shortage
CanadaAug 22, 2023

Canada considering foreign student visa cap to address housing shortage

The Canadian government is considering putting a cap on international student visas to deal with the housing crisis.Former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser gave this information while talking to journalists.Speaking to reporters in Charlottetown on Monday, he said capping the number of international students to ease pressure on the housing market is one of the options he should consider.It is worth noting that Canada is a popular choice for international students because it is easier to get a work permit compared to other countries.According to official data, 800,000 foreign students came to C
too-early-to-estimate-insured-losses-from-the-fires-the-insurance-bureau-of-canada
BCAug 22, 2023

'Too early to estimate insured losses from the fires' : The Insurance Bureau of Canada

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says it may not be possible to estimate insured losses from the fires currently burning in British Columbia, however, experts say that one should start processing the insurance claims as soon as possible. .Daniel Ivans of Rates dot ca says that when filing a claim, not every detail of the damage needs to be provided right now, and relevant information can be added later.The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all standard homeowners and tenant insurance policies cover fire damage, and also provide coverage to help with mass evacuation costs.
justin-trudeau-slams-meta-for-blocking-news-during-wildfires-in-canada
CanadaAug 21, 2023

Justin Trudeau slams Meta for blocking news during wildfires in Canada

In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Meta's decision to block news on its platforms in Canada.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Prince Edward Island for a cabinet retreat, where he commented on Meta that people in Canada are neither sharing nor receiving news on Facebook and Instagram.In fact, since the federal government passed its Online News Act Bill C-18 in June, Meta has blocked news on its platforms in Canada.It is worth noting that due to the wildfires, the pressure to remove the news ban on Meta is increasing.On the other han
at-least-50-buildings-lost-to-wildfire-in-west-kelowna-b-c-officials
BCAug 21, 2023

'At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna' : B.C. officials

The West Kelowna fire chief says at least 50 structures have been destroyed by the McDougal Creek fire on both sides of Okanagan Lake.Jason Brolund says the damage assessment is not complete and the status of more buildings is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.Officials, however, have said that the crew has made good progress in the last few days and no casualties have been reported in the last 24 hours.The fire is still spreading in about 11,000 hectares.Evacuation orders and alerts continue for various communities in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
feds-demand-meta-to-lift-ban-from-wildfires-news
CanadaAug 18, 2023

Feds demand Meta to lift ban from wildfires news

A Canadian government minister on Friday demanded that Meta remove a ban on domestic news from its platform so that the country's people can get information about wildfires in the West.Meta began blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada this month.Transport Minister Pablo Rodríguez said that what Meta is doing now is completely unacceptable, and that it is very wrong not to get such information to the public.They demanded that Meta withdraw the decision.A Meta spokesperson, on the other hand, said the company has activated a "Safety Check" feature on Faceb
airspace-over-kelowna-international-airport-closed-to-accommodate-crews-battle-wildfires
BCAug 18, 2023

Airspace over Kelowna International Airport closed to accommodate crews battle wildfires

Kelowna International Airport closed its airspace on Friday morning and canceled most of the flights.Flights have been canceled to make room for aerial crews battling raging wildfires burning around the city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.According to the airport's website, most flights in and out of Kelowna have been canceled till Friday afternoon.It is worth mentioning that the city of Kelowna in British Columbia has also come under the grip of wild fire.A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna city.Evacuation orders have been issued to people living in Clifton Road North, Ke
kwikwetlem-first-nation-mourns-death-of-stephanie-patterson
BCAug 18, 2023

Kwikwetlem First Nation mourns death of Stephanie Patterson

The chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation says his entire community is grieving the sudden loss of one of its councillors.Police have said Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural area in Mission, B.C. on Tuesday.Chief Ron Giesbrecht says in a statement that Patterson was a keen learner who had been passionate about helping all members of their community.He says the nation is not commenting on the arrest and second-degree murder charge of 57-year-old David Hall in relation to Patterson's murder, and is asking for privacy for her family and the community.

Just In

BCAug 20, 2026

Single-Vehicle Collision Leads to Drug Trafficking Investigation

On August 19, 2026, at approximately 8:45 p.m., West Shore RCMP Frontline officers responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision involving a pickup truck near the intersection of Island Highway and Wale Road in Colwood. A witness told police that the vehicle had been performing a burnout before crashing into a telephone pole. Officers attended the scene and identified the driver as a 53-year-old man whose driver's licence had been suspended. Although the driver was determined to be sober, police found evidence of illicit narcotics inside the vehicle during their investigation. The man wa
carney-speaks-with-mexican-president-sheinbaum-on-trade-cusma-and-wildfire-cooperation
CanadaAug 20, 2026

Carney speaks with Mexican President Sheinbaum on trade, CUSMA and wildfire cooperation

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke by phone with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to discuss bilateral trade relations and ways to strengthen trade across North America. During the conversation, Carney thanked Sheinbaum for Mexico’s support in Canada’s wildfire response, including the deployment of more than 400 firefighters and support personnel. The two leaders also discussed ongoing developments affecting the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), stressing the importance of advancing the agreement to protect businesses and workers and provide greater stability in trade. Carney
CanadaAug 20, 2026

Advance Voting for 3 Federal By-Elections Begins Friday in Canada

Advance voting for three federal by-elections in Canada is set to begin Friday. According to Elections Canada, advance voting will take place for four consecutive days, from Friday through Monday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The by-elections are being held in the federal ridings of North Vancouver–Capilano in British Columbia, Beaches–East York in Toronto, and Chicoutimi–Le Fjord in Quebec. Election Day for all three ridings is scheduled for August 31. The three by-elections are part of a series of federal by-elections being held across Canada this year. Earlier, on April 13, two federal b
WorldAug 20, 2026

43 Dead, 16 Rescued After Boat Capsizes in Nigeria

At least 43 people have died after an overloaded boat capsized in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state, while 16 people have been rescued. Local officials said many of those who died were children. Abdulkadir Yusuf, a regional official with the National Inland Waterways Authority, said around 40 bodies had been recovered and rescue operations were continuing. Local lawmaker Nasiru Adamu put the death toll at 43. Residents said the boat was carrying farm owners and workers hired to harvest rice. However, reports differ on the number of people aboard the boat. One resident said more than 70 peo
BCAug 20, 2026

Garbage-Dumping Videos Go Viral in Abbotsford, Police Launch Investigation

Police in Abbotsford have launched an investigation after two separate videos showing garbage being dumped in a waterway and a local park went viral on social media. The two incidents are believed to have occurred in late July. In one video, a woman is seen dumping garbage at Mill Lake Park, while another video shows her dumping garbage near Bluejay Elementary School. According to Sgt. Paul Walker, police had not received any reports about the incidents before the videos went viral. However, after the videos were widely shared, around 30 people contacted or tagged the police department, provid