Privacy commissioner Michael McEvoy says 12 Canadian Tire stores around B.C. used facial recognition without telling customers, and violating the province's Personal Information Protection Act.The information is contained in McEvoy's latest report which shows the stores used facial recognition technology between 2018 and 2021 but removed the systems as soon as they learned four of the outlets were under investigation. Facial recognition technology captures highly sensitive biometric information that maps the precise and unique mathematical rendering of a human face and McEvoy finds the stores

The sister-in-law of a Liberal cabinet minister has stepped down as the interim ethics commissioner a day after a House of Commons committee agreed to investigate her appointment.Martine Richard, who has worked in the commissioner's office as a lawyer since 2013, took over the top job last month for a six-month stint.Richard is the sister-in-law of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was found to have breached conflict-of-interest rules in 2018 for approving a lucrative fishing licence for a family member while he was fisheries minister.A statement from the office of the co

British Columbia is bringing in a new regulation immediately to ensure diabetes patients don't face a shortage of the drug Ozempic, touted by celebrities for its weight loss side effects.Health Minister Adrian Dix says the change will ensure patients in B.C. and Canada needing Ozempic to treat their Type 2 diabetes will continue to have access to that drug and others that may require it in the future.Dix says the regulation will help prevent online or mail-order sales of Ozempic to people who do not live in Canada and who are not in B.C. to make a purchase.The new regulation comes after the di

Over 155,000 public service workers are going on strike, the Public Service Agency of Canada (PSAC) announced Tuesday night, after the union failed to reach an agreement with the federal government.With 39,000 Canada Revenue Agency employees, other 120,000 PSAC members include cleaners and cooks on military bases, clerks and maintenance workers, tradespeople, Coast Guard search and rescue teams, teachers, firefighters and workers who process employment insurance, passport applications and immigration documents.Canada Revenue Agency says the strike will mean certain services will be delayed or

Statistics Canada figures show inflation in B.C. dipped sharply last month, falling to 4.7 per cent from its 6.2 per cent setting in February.Cost of living in Vancouver and Victoria was also down roughly one per cent in March compared with the month earlier as Stats Can says lower energy prices offset expenses such as higher mortgage rates.Despite the decline which was mirrored nationally as Canada's inflation rate fell to 4.3 per cent from 5.2 per cent in February economists say grocery prices and mortgage interest costs continue to climb.Groceries were 9.7 per cent more expensive in March t

Numbers released by the BC Coroners Service show deaths from toxic, unregulated drugs have nudged record levels across the province for the second year in a row.The coroners service says 596 lives were lost between January and March.It says that's the second highest total ever recorded over the first three months of a calendar year, behind only 2022 when 599 people died.The figures also show 2,314 deaths due to toxic drugs occurred last year, making the annual toll the deadliest on record since a public health emergency was declared in 2016.The statement from the coroners service says just und

More women and non-binary immigrants and refugees who have experienced violence, abuse or trauma will be able to access employment services and supports through a $2.4-million grant to YWCA Metro Vancouver.The three-year grant will enhance and expand YWCA Metro Vancouver's Axis, a trauma- informed, culturally safe employment program.Since 2021, the YWCA Metro Vancouver has offered the 12-week Axis program, helping nearly 200 women and non-binary immigrants and refugees develop the personalized employment and training plans they need to pursue meaningful employment."Immigrant and refugee women

Over 155,000 federal public servants will strike on Wednesday if no deal is reached between the government and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.While talking to the media, National president Chris Aylward told reporters on Monday that despite progress being made on several fronts, there has been little movement on the union’s key priorities.If no deal is reached by 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, workers will be on strike as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Wednesday.It is worth mentioning that the unions have been fighting for increased wages, benefits and remote work.Members include cleaners and cook

An Alberta-based R.C.M.P officer who died in a crash while heading to help another officer will be honoured with a regimental funeral later this week.The Mounties have said Constable Harvinder Dhami's vehicle hit a large concrete barrier on a road on April 10th while he was driving to help other officers with a noise complaint.His funeral will be held Thursday morning at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park and will be preceded by a procession from Bethel Lutheran Church.Millennium Place will be closed to all but invited family members, friends and first responders, but R.C.M.P say the public are