The Alberta government has announced more than $124 million over two years for addiction and mental health services in Edmonton and Calgary, with another $63 million aimed at reducing homelessness in the province over the same period. The funding for Edmonton and Calgary will go toward increasing treatment spaces while expanding addiction services, with $70 million earmarked for capital spending and $54 million to assist operations. A 75-bed, co-ed long-term treatment facility is planned to be operational in Edmonton by the end of 2023, while a similar facility is to be built in Calgary by ear

As prices soar at the pump and cost of living continues to rise, the BC Green Caucus is calling on the province to work with the federal government to introduce a windfall profits tax on the oil and gas industry that is rebated back to British Columbians. "Gas prices hit 239.9 in Metro Vancouver today, breaking a North American record and costing British Columbians at the pump," said Sonia Furstenau, leader of the BC Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley. "This problem is systemic. British Columbians are paying obscene prices for fuel and lack affordable alternatives, such as free and consistent

Immunization clinics throughout the Fraser Health region are now providing more people with opportunities to receive a COVID-19 booster dose this fall, including the Omicron (bivalent) booster. Everyone aged 18 and older is eligible to receive the Moderna Omicron (bivalent) vaccine six months after completing their primary series or last booster dose and will be notified when they can book their appointment. The Moderna Spikevax Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine targets both the original COVID-19 virus from 2019 and the Omicron BA.1 variant. Health Canada approved it for use as a booster dose on Sept

United Surrey is committing to dramatically increasing utilization of and participation with city services and programs by unveiling its Accessible Services Plan. After extensive research of neighbouring municipalities, United Surrey will better utilize technology to facilitate the following three proposals to improve resident access:Introduce a 48-hour or under response time for all calls or reports from residents (e.g. potholes, street light malfunctions, missed garbage pick-ups) made online or through a newly designed phone app;Guarantee three-day issuance for temporary business licenses wh

A California woman has been charged with killing a man by ramming her car into him after accusing him of trying to run over a cat in the street, authorities said Wednesday. Hannah Star Esser, 20, was charged with murder in the death of Victor Anthony Luis, 43, and detained on $1 million bail, the Orange County prosecutor’s office said in a statement. Esser was driving in the community of Cypress on Sunday night when she confronted Luis and accused him of trying to run over a cat, authorities said. She and Luis both got out of their vehicles and got into an argument that Esser recorded, au

The World Bank has slashed China's 2022 economic growth projection to 2.8 per cent, pointing to Beijing's "zero-COVID" policy and real estate crisis. Notably, the World Bank forecasted 5 per cent economic growth in April, The Strait Times reported. In the October update of its report on the economic prospects for East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), the World Bank project 2.8 per cent growth, which is the lowest among international institutions. It is pertinent to mention that 2022 will be the first year China's growth will fall below that of the region since 1990, according to The Strait times

The City of Edmonton is considering a big expansion of its network of bicycle lanes. City councillors have voted to push forward a proposal to add 100 kilometres of bike lanes at a cost of 170-million dollars. Edmonton currently has about 15 kilometres of protected bike lanes, mostly in the city centre. Edmonton may spend $170 million to build 100 km of New bike lanes by 2026 A decision will come after the proposal is debated during budget talks this fall.

Supreme Court on Thursday, in a landmark judgement, held that all women are entitled to safe and legal abortion. Supreme Court said that all women, irrespective of their marital status, are entitled to safe and legal abortion till 24 weeks of pregnancy under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act. A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud said that the meaning of the rape must include rape">marital rape for the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. The Supreme Court said that the distinction between married and unmarried women for the purposes of the MTP Act is "artificial and consti

Hurricane Ian's most damaging winds have begun hitting Florida's southwest coast as the storm approaches landfall. The Category Four hurricane is lashing the state with heavy rain and pushing a devastating storm surge. Deanne Criswell with the US Federal Emergency Management Agency says Ian will cause a lot of water issues. Fuelled by warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Ian grew to a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane overnight with top winds of 250 kilometres per hour.US President Joe Biden is warning oil and gas companies against price gouging in the middle of the storm preparations.