BC government

Premier David Eby promised additional support for municipalities to help them speed up housing policies. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

$61M in housing help for B.C. cities on its way soon, premier pledges

Eby promises fund to help communities accelerate projects, $4.75 million for rural firefighters

 

Speaking at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference in Vancouver, Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of BC United said a government under his leadership would increase the supply of housing, while cutting costs for families. (UBCM/Flickr)

BC United Leader Falcon says B.C. on ‘wrong track’ after 6 years of NDP

Official Opposition Leader tells UBCM he would get more housing built and cut costs

 

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says interest in B.C. as a tourism destination far exceeds any reputational losses caused by this year’s wildfire season. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)

Wildfire economic damage to B.C. tourism still being counted: minister

Tourism Minister Lana Popham says interest in B.C. far exceeds reputational damage after wildfires

 

The provincial government has announced the creation of new portal to speed up construction permitting and the release of a guide in preparation for a pilot project encouraging secondary suites. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan)

Home Suite Home: B.C. announces measures to accelerate housing creation

Premier David Eby announces new permitting portal, secondary suite guide

The provincial government has announced the creation of new portal to speed up construction permitting and the release of a guide in preparation for a pilot project encouraging secondary suites. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (left), here seen at the August groundbreaking for a new 152-unit housing development in Tsawwassen with Delta Mayor George Harvie, KinVillage resident Pat Marsh, KinVillage board chair Dennis Deslauriers and KinVillage Association CEO Dan Levitt, welcomes the federal government’s decision to rebate the GST on new rental constructions. (Province of British Columbia/Flickr photo)

BC Housing Minister Kahlon praises GST rebate on new rental construction

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the rebate Thursday

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (left), here seen at the August groundbreaking for a new 152-unit housing development in Tsawwassen with Delta Mayor George Harvie, KinVillage resident Pat Marsh, KinVillage board chair Dennis Deslauriers and KinVillage Association CEO Dan Levitt, welcomes the federal government’s decision to rebate the GST on new rental constructions. (Province of British Columbia/Flickr photo)
Premier David Eby says Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker is not under criminal investigation, but gave few additional details about the circumstances that led to Walker’s dismissal from caucus. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former MLA Adam Walker promises to address allegations leading to dismissal

Premier David Eby said Walker is not under criminal investigation, but offered few new details

Premier David Eby says Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker is not under criminal investigation, but gave few additional details about the circumstances that led to Walker’s dismissal from caucus. (Black Press Media file photo)
The provincial government Thursday (Sept. 14) announced the immediate appointment of Mark Jaccard as chair and CEO of the commission regulating energy utilities and ICBC. His agency oversees energy utilities and ICBC. (Photo courtesy of British Columbia Utilities Commission)

Sudden appointment of new BC Utilities Commission CEO sparks debate

Mark Jaccard, a proponent of tougher regulation and critic of carbon energy, is new BCUC chair, CEO

The provincial government Thursday (Sept. 14) announced the immediate appointment of Mark Jaccard as chair and CEO of the commission regulating energy utilities and ICBC. His agency oversees energy utilities and ICBC. (Photo courtesy of British Columbia Utilities Commission)
BCGEU has called for vacancy controls to help improve affordability but they remain controversial. (Black Press Media file photo)

Advocates rally for B.C. vacancy controls, landlords say they won’t work

BCGEU calls for limits to rent hikes for new tenants as ‘soon as possible’ during legislature rally

BCGEU has called for vacancy controls to help improve affordability but they remain controversial. (Black Press Media file photo)
Starting Monday (Sept. 18), playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks will join schools as zones excluded from the temporary decriminalization of certain illicit drugs as part of a federal-approved trial in British Columbia. (Monica Lamb-Yorski/Black Press Media)

B.C. excludes playgrounds, rec areas from drug decriminalization trial

Changes come into effect Sept. 18 after Health Canada approved provincial request

Starting Monday (Sept. 18), playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks will join schools as zones excluded from the temporary decriminalization of certain illicit drugs as part of a federal-approved trial in British Columbia. (Monica Lamb-Yorski/Black Press Media)
A new report laments the under-representation of women and people of gender minorities on municipal councils in B.C. and Alberta and includes several recommendations. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)

Women, gender minorities under-represented on B.C. councils: report

Report calls for better childcare, better pay and other measures to improve representation

A new report laments the under-representation of women and people of gender minorities on municipal councils in B.C. and Alberta and includes several recommendations. (Tanmay Ahluwalia/Langley Advance Times)
Premier David Eby says a yet-to-be named independent person will look into why the suspect in the recent Chinatown stabbings was out on day parole. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby ‘white hot angry’ about Chinatown stabbings, promises action

Premier pledges independent review of weekend stabbings that left three people injured

Premier David Eby says a yet-to-be named independent person will look into why the suspect in the recent Chinatown stabbings was out on day parole. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
B.C. Premier David Eby and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma are visiting the province’s wildfire-hit southern interior Monday to meet with those affected by this season’s devastating wildfires. Eby, here seen in West Kelowna on Aug. 22, used the occasion of Monday’s visit to announce a task force to deal with climate-related emergencies. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. launches task force to deal with climate emergencies

Premier David Eby announced the task force Monday morning as part of visit to Southern Interior

B.C. Premier David Eby and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma are visiting the province’s wildfire-hit southern interior Monday to meet with those affected by this season’s devastating wildfires. Eby, here seen in West Kelowna on Aug. 22, used the occasion of Monday’s visit to announce a task force to deal with climate-related emergencies. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
The provincial unemployment rate dropped in August, but economic headwinds are on the horizon. (Black Press Media file photo)

Provincial unemployment drops, but economic struggles on the horizon

B.C.’s unemployment dropped to 5.2 per cent in August: StatsCan

The provincial unemployment rate dropped in August, but economic headwinds are on the horizon. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Whiteside was at the Metro Vancouver’s mayors council on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 to discuss the issues around public drug use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Decriminalization meant to save lives in toxic drug crisis: Whiteside

Mental Health and Addictions Minister speaks to Metro Vancouver mayors committe on public drug use

B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Whiteside was at the Metro Vancouver’s mayors council on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 to discuss the issues around public drug use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Greens are calling on the provincial government to introduce a universal school food program, but the provincial government says local districts know best how to serve their communities. (Black Press Media file photo)

Calls for universal school food program in B.C. get sent back

Provincial government says local district knows best in response to BC Greens’ demand

BC Greens are calling on the provincial government to introduce a universal school food program, but the provincial government says local districts know best how to serve their communities. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap has burned an estimated 43,084 hectares as of Aug. 31, 2023. Because of severe drought conditions, if regions get too much rain too quickly this fall it could lead to flooding, but if there’s not enough rain the drought season could continue into 2024. (BC Wildfire Service)

Drought conditions in B.C. a ‘sleeping giant of a natural disaster’

But too much rain too quickly could lead to similar issues following the 2021 atmospheric rivers

The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap has burned an estimated 43,084 hectares as of Aug. 31, 2023. Because of severe drought conditions, if regions get too much rain too quickly this fall it could lead to flooding, but if there’s not enough rain the drought season could continue into 2024. (BC Wildfire Service)
Mental Health Minister Jennifer Whiteside speaking in Surrey May 5, 2023. Whiteside announced the province would be funding $3 million over the next three years toward the YMCA B.C.’s Y Mind and Mind Medicine programs for people aged 13 to 30 to learn strategies to cope with stress and anxiety (Photo: Anna Burns)

B.C. funding $3M toward YMCA mental health program in 30 communities

Y Mind is aimed at teaching people strategies to cope with stress and anxiety

Mental Health Minister Jennifer Whiteside speaking in Surrey May 5, 2023. Whiteside announced the province would be funding $3 million over the next three years toward the YMCA B.C.’s Y Mind and Mind Medicine programs for people aged 13 to 30 to learn strategies to cope with stress and anxiety (Photo: Anna Burns)
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. boosts childcare funding for preschool and school-aged kids

Premier David Eby says families could save an additional $145 per month

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 2019. (Black Press Media files)

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park to stay open over Labour Day weekend

It will then be inaccessible starting Sept. 5 as the province, Lil’wat Nation have ongoing talks

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 2019. (Black Press Media files)
Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Mental health supports available for British Columbians impacted by wildfires

Disaster Psychological Support team deployed through B.C.’s Emergency Management program

Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
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