Provincial Government

Esquimalt, Nanaimo, Richmond, Rossland, Saanich, Surrey, Tofino, Ucluelet and Victoria all have plastic bag bans. (Pixabay.com)

B.C. cities will no longer need provincial approval to launch single-use plastic ban

More than 20 municipalities in B.C. are developing bylaws banning single-use plastics

 

Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. says expanding emergency alert for wildfires is a priority, but no timeline set

About 4,300 properties were under evacuation orders Thursday due to wildfires

 

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Battle between Penticton and B.C. over homeless shelter officially before the court

The city filed their official petition before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 6

 

Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon is seen during a news conference in Calgary on Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

Alberta revives ‘turn-off-taps’ resources bill that sparked legal row with B.C.

Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon says it’s prudent to have such legislation

Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon is seen during a news conference in Calgary on Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
B.C. homeowners are being urged to take steps to prepare for the possibility of a flood by moving equipment and other assets to higher ground. (J.R. Rardon)

‘Entire province faces risk’: B.C. citizens urged to prepare for above-average spring flooding

Larger-than-normal melting snowpack poses a threat to the province as warmer weather touches down

B.C. homeowners are being urged to take steps to prepare for the possibility of a flood by moving equipment and other assets to higher ground. (J.R. Rardon)
The 10-part Netflix series Maid, which is being exclusively shot in Greater Victoria, was filming near Prospect Lake in Saanich last month. (Photo courtesy Fred Haynes)

Province announces $150,000 towards film studio, fulfilling B.C. NDP promise

Investment to fund movie studio feasibility study at Camosun College

The 10-part Netflix series Maid, which is being exclusively shot in Greater Victoria, was filming near Prospect Lake in Saanich last month. (Photo courtesy Fred Haynes)
The Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express will finally play games in early April as the BCHL squeezes in a shortened 20 game season. Just-announced provincial funding may help the junior A league offset financial losses caused by the COVID pandemic. (Darren Francis photo)

Province provides relief funding for amateur sport

The government is directing $15 million to teams/leagues impacted by the COVID pandemic

The Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express will finally play games in early April as the BCHL squeezes in a shortened 20 game season. Just-announced provincial funding may help the junior A league offset financial losses caused by the COVID pandemic. (Darren Francis photo)
Construction workers throw a table down from the Hope Station House as they worked to clear the structure out early Friday morning. The work was halted the same day as Hope officials agreed to stop for one week while the Ombudsperson’s office investigated claims brought up by concerned citizens. (Photos/Adam Louis)

Hope Station House granted demolition stay until March 22 as Ombudsperson’s office investigates

Coalition to save the Station House has planned a protest for March 20

Construction workers throw a table down from the Hope Station House as they worked to clear the structure out early Friday morning. The work was halted the same day as Hope officials agreed to stop for one week while the Ombudsperson’s office investigated claims brought up by concerned citizens. (Photos/Adam Louis)
The 2016 National Youth Homelessness Survey — which surveyed 1,103 young people who experience homelessness in 47 communities across Canada — found that 57.8 per cent of youth surveyed reported having some sort of involvement with the child welfare system. (Pixabay)

B.C. extends emergency supports for youth ‘aging-out’ of foster care

Youth will either be able to stay in their placements or receive financial support, Ministry says

The 2016 National Youth Homelessness Survey — which surveyed 1,103 young people who experience homelessness in 47 communities across Canada — found that 57.8 per cent of youth surveyed reported having some sort of involvement with the child welfare system. (Pixabay)
(Pixhere photo)

B.C. dentists argue for COVID-19 vaccine priority after ‘disappointing’ exclusion from plan

Vaccines are essential for dentists as patients cannot wear masks during treatment, argues BCDA

(Pixhere photo)
Province tracks potential deadly deer virus outbreak on Gulf Islands

Province tracks potential deadly deer virus outbreak on Gulf Islands

No known risk to human health from the virus

Province tracks potential deadly deer virus outbreak on Gulf Islands
Chelsa Meadus will run for the BC Liberal party in Maple Ridge-Mission.

Meadus chosen to run for BC Liberals in Maple Ridge-Mission

Party chose not to have nomination meeting, due to snap election call

Chelsa Meadus will run for the BC Liberal party in Maple Ridge-Mission.
A provincial election is set for Oct. 24, 2020. (File photo)

Tight race for Maple Ridge-Mission during last election

Liberals, Greens have yet to pick their candidates for Oct. 24

A provincial election is set for Oct. 24, 2020. (File photo)
Afternoon rush hour on Highway 1 near McCallum Road, on June 23, 2016. (Dan Ferguson/ Black Press)

Fraser Valley traffic congestion going under the microscope

Growing FV region needs ‘mobility enhancements’ for economic growth, livability, say provincial reps

Afternoon rush hour on Highway 1 near McCallum Road, on June 23, 2016. (Dan Ferguson/ Black Press)
Onyeka Dozie of Maple Ridge is seeking the BC Liberal party’s support to run as MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission in the next provincial election. (Special to Black Press Media)

Continued quest for political office has Dozie eying seat in Victoria

Maple Ridge man seeks to unseat current NDP MLA Bob D’Eith ahead of next provincial election

Onyeka Dozie of Maple Ridge is seeking the BC Liberal party’s support to run as MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission in the next provincial election. (Special to Black Press Media)
Gravel removal in the Vedder River will not be going ahead in 2020. The last time, pictured here, was in the summer of 2016. (Submitted photo)

Vedder River gets reprieve from gravel removal this summer

Applications withdrawn by river management committee and process concluded for 2020

Gravel removal in the Vedder River will not be going ahead in 2020. The last time, pictured here, was in the summer of 2016. (Submitted photo)
Grace, an orphaned calf who called the Revelstoke maternity pen home for a year and a half, took her first steps into the wild in the spring of 2019. The caribou in the background is one of the five caribou from the now locally extinct south Selkirk and Purcell herds. (Photo by Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)

Province announces $1.1 million in funding to restore caribou habitat

The seven projects are taking place across the province

Grace, an orphaned calf who called the Revelstoke maternity pen home for a year and a half, took her first steps into the wild in the spring of 2019. The caribou in the background is one of the five caribou from the now locally extinct south Selkirk and Purcell herds. (Photo by Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)
Seven habitat and restoration projects will get $3 million over five years under the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF). (DFO)

Government pledges $3M to improve salmon stocks, restoration in B.C.

Seven projects will get $3M under joint federal/provincial program to reverse declines

Seven habitat and restoration projects will get $3 million over five years under the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF). (DFO)
B.C. will not enforce advice to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, but urges people to avoid all non-essential travel. (Black Press Media file photo)

Despite long-weekend travellers, B.C. has no plans to implement restrictions

Dr. Bonnie Henry continues urging non-essential travellers to stay home

B.C. will not enforce advice to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, but urges people to avoid all non-essential travel. (Black Press Media file photo)
Politicians and award recipients at the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards in 2019. (Province of B.C.)

Multiculturalism grants advance anti-racism across B.C.

Program provides $300,000 annually for projects that tackle racism while supporting systemic change

Politicians and award recipients at the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards in 2019. (Province of B.C.)