British Columbia

BC General Employees’ Union president Stephanie Smith at a rotating strike in Sidney/North Saanich. She says the union is at an impasse as of April 7 over wage negotiations with the B.C. Public Service Agency. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. government worker union says contract talks with province at impasse over wages

Agreement for more than 33,000 union members expired on March 31

BC General Employees’ Union president Stephanie Smith at a rotating strike in Sidney/North Saanich. She says the union is at an impasse as of April 7 over wage negotiations with the B.C. Public Service Agency. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A bronze sculpture by artist Marie Khouri was stolen from outside the B.C. Children’s Hospital on the night of April 3. (Courtesy B.C. Children’s Hospital)

Sculpture stolen from B.C. Children’s Hospital weeks after being donated

Bronze artwork went missing from outside the Oak Street entrance on April 3

A bronze sculpture by artist Marie Khouri was stolen from outside the B.C. Children’s Hospital on the night of April 3. (Courtesy B.C. Children’s Hospital)
The Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease is marking the 2022 World Parkinson’s Day with the launch of a new international symbol of awareness, “The Spark.” (Courtesy the Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease)

‘We need some urgency behind this’: B.C. advocate calls for action on World Parkinson’s Day

New ‘spark’ symbol released to inspire conversation, awareness around growing disease

The Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease is marking the 2022 World Parkinson’s Day with the launch of a new international symbol of awareness, “The Spark.” (Courtesy the Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease)
A woman holds an eagle feather and red dress as she listens to speakers during National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremonies on Parliament Hill September 30, 2021 in Ottawa. Red dresses have become a symbol for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. announces $5.34 million to combat violence against Indigenous women

Funds will be delivered through the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

A woman holds an eagle feather and red dress as she listens to speakers during National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremonies on Parliament Hill September 30, 2021 in Ottawa. Red dresses have become a symbol for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Canadians aged 65+ are experiencing higher levels of depression and loneliness since the pandemic began, according to a Simon Fraser University study. (Credit: Pixabay)

Loneliness, depression on the rise among older adults amid pandemic: B.C. study

Women aged 65 to 74 reported 67 per cent increase in loneliness, according to study

Canadians aged 65+ are experiencing higher levels of depression and loneliness since the pandemic began, according to a Simon Fraser University study. (Credit: Pixabay)
The Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council (DGC BC) has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. film workers union overwhelmingly in favour of strike vote

Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council members voted 92.2% in favour of a strike

The Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council (DGC BC) has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. (Black Press Media file photo)
Curtis Traverse, right, comforts his girlfriend Hope as they listen to speeches in memory of those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The B.C. Coroners Service announced that 2,224 people died from a suspected illicit drug overdose in 2021. The Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) and B.C. Association of People on Opiate Maintenance distributed a tested supply of illicit drugs to users after the gathering in a call for a safer drug supply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C advocates push back as Health Canada mulls lower-than-requested legal drug possession

Advocates say 2.5 gram threshold being considered isn’t evidenced based

Curtis Traverse, right, comforts his girlfriend Hope as they listen to speeches in memory of those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The B.C. Coroners Service announced that 2,224 people died from a suspected illicit drug overdose in 2021. The Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) and B.C. Association of People on Opiate Maintenance distributed a tested supply of illicit drugs to users after the gathering in a call for a safer drug supply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. announced a new Mass Timber Action Plan April 7, with an initial invesment of $1.2 million into four structures. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. investing in future of mass timber with 4 new structures, long-term action plan

Province looks to be leading producer in carbon-capturing material

B.C. announced a new Mass Timber Action Plan April 7, with an initial invesment of $1.2 million into four structures. (Black Press Media file photo)
16-year-old Wilson Gaglardi is spending 100 hours in a tent atop a flagpole in downtown Vancouver to raise funds for diabetes research. (Cole Schisler/Black Press Media)

VIDEO: B.C. teen spends 100 hours atop a flagpole to raise funds for diabetes research

16-year-old Wilson Gaglardi was diagnosed with type one diabetes at age six

16-year-old Wilson Gaglardi is spending 100 hours in a tent atop a flagpole in downtown Vancouver to raise funds for diabetes research. (Cole Schisler/Black Press Media)
An Asian giant hornet from Japan is held on a pin by Sven Spichiger, an entomologist with the Washington state Dept. of Agriculture in Olympia, Wash. in May 2020. University of California researchers are now looking into using sex pheromones to trap male Asian giant hornets and reduce mating. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Sex traps could muzzle mating of Asian giant ‘murder hornets,’ slow spread to B.C.

Researchers experimenting with ensnaring male hornets with sex pheromones

An Asian giant hornet from Japan is held on a pin by Sven Spichiger, an entomologist with the Washington state Dept. of Agriculture in Olympia, Wash. in May 2020. University of California researchers are now looking into using sex pheromones to trap male Asian giant hornets and reduce mating. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
B.C.’s Attorney General, David Eby, responds to questions asked by Skeena BC Liberal MLA Ellis Ross in the Legislative Assembly on March 30. (Screenshot/Hansard videos)

‘Every excuse in the book’: Eby under fire over B.C.’s handling of prolific offenders

David Eby admits to increased no-charges decisions, defends Crown counsel by citing pandemic-related limitations

B.C.’s Attorney General, David Eby, responds to questions asked by Skeena BC Liberal MLA Ellis Ross in the Legislative Assembly on March 30. (Screenshot/Hansard videos)
British Columbians have until May 9, 2022, to submit their feedback on the future of indoor cannabis consumption spaces. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Do you think B.C. should allow indoor cannabis consumption sites?

The province is looking for public feedback on whether to allow indoor cannabis consumption

British Columbians have until May 9, 2022, to submit their feedback on the future of indoor cannabis consumption spaces. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
University of British Columbia sociology professor, Kimberly Huyser, has been studying the impact of social factors on Indigenous people’s health throughout the pandemic. (UBC website)

Social factors make Indigenous people more vulnerable to COVID, says B.C. professor

Poor access to health care, lack of clean drinking water, among factors

University of British Columbia sociology professor, Kimberly Huyser, has been studying the impact of social factors on Indigenous people’s health throughout the pandemic. (UBC website)
COVID-19 virus. (File photo)

B.C. to end daily COVID case counts, shift to weekly reporting

Weekly reports will begin April 7

COVID-19 virus. (File photo)
B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update news conference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

LETTER: Relaxing of COVID measures ‘reckless,’ says doctors group

B.C. doctors says public health measures failing residents

  • Apr 4, 2022
B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a COVID-19 update news conference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

More B.C. public workers now covered by whistleblower law protections

The protections under the Public Interest Disclosure Act were extended Friday

David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Thick smoke fills the air and nearly blocks out the sun as a property destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire is seen in Monte Lake, east of Kamloops, B.C., on Saturday, August 14, 2021. An alert system is being installed on a slope scorched by fire in British Columbia’s Interior, allowing for an early warning to the homes below if the deforested hillside gives way in heavy rain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Regional districts want more disaster funding from Emergency Management B.C.

Premier John Horgan acknowledged the funding criticism during a news conference on Thursday

Thick smoke fills the air and nearly blocks out the sun as a property destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire is seen in Monte Lake, east of Kamloops, B.C., on Saturday, August 14, 2021. An alert system is being installed on a slope scorched by fire in British Columbia’s Interior, allowing for an early warning to the homes below if the deforested hillside gives way in heavy rain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The only one from the community to win the award, good citizen Lori Girard, was recognized for taking community service initiatives in 2021 when COVID cases were on the rise. (Special to The News)

Pitt Meadows resident among 2021 Medal of Good Citizenship recipients

Minister of Citizens’ Services presented the award to one of her constituents

The only one from the community to win the award, good citizen Lori Girard, was recognized for taking community service initiatives in 2021 when COVID cases were on the rise. (Special to The News)
(Facebook/E-Comm911)

B.C. 911 calls surge with tips, complaints after Amber Alert issued

E-Comm call takers reminded the public not to call with complaints about Amber Alerts

(Facebook/E-Comm911)
FILE: Premier John Horgan announces Indigenous rights will be recognized in B.C. with the introduction of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press photo)

B.C. reveals 5-year action plan to implement UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Plan details 89 actions to be implemented by 2027

FILE: Premier John Horgan announces Indigenous rights will be recognized in B.C. with the introduction of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press photo)