News

Councillor Ken Herar shows off the Pride Progress Flag at council on June 6, 2022. The matter was revisited on Monday (March 20) with the council voting to move forward without flying the pride flag at municipal locations. /Screenshot from Mission council

B.C. city says no to flying pride flag at local facilities

Mission voted for a policy to raise the federal, provincial, municipal and poppy flags exclusively

Councillor Ken Herar shows off the Pride Progress Flag at council on June 6, 2022. The matter was revisited on Monday (March 20) with the council voting to move forward without flying the pride flag at municipal locations. /Screenshot from Mission council
BC Liberal MLA Mike Morris, who represents Prince George-Mackenzie, says he won’t seek re-election. (Photo courtesy of BC Liberals)

Long-time MLA Mike Morris won’t seek re-election in Prince George riding

Morris cited personal reasons for his decision and wants to give his party plenty of notice

BC Liberal MLA Mike Morris, who represents Prince George-Mackenzie, says he won’t seek re-election. (Photo courtesy of BC Liberals)
Razak Iyal, one of two asylum seekers who walked across the Canada/US border in December and lost his fingers because of severe frostbite, is photographed as he enters his refugee hearing in Winnipeg, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Two men who lost fingers crossing into Canada become Canadian citizens

Pair among wave of refugee-claimants who snuck into Canada from the United States in 2016

Razak Iyal, one of two asylum seekers who walked across the Canada/US border in December and lost his fingers because of severe frostbite, is photographed as he enters his refugee hearing in Winnipeg, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
A shelf of drugs at a pharmacy Thursday, March 8, 2012 in Quebec City. In B.C., pharmacist Aftabahmed Abdullatif Shaikh is serving a one month suspension for faking his COVID vaccine records. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

B.C. pharmacist suspended for faking his own COVID vaccine records

Vaccination became regulatory college requirement in October 2021

A shelf of drugs at a pharmacy Thursday, March 8, 2012 in Quebec City. In B.C., pharmacist Aftabahmed Abdullatif Shaikh is serving a one month suspension for faking his COVID vaccine records. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Oak Bay in Greater Victoria became the latest community to legalize secondary suites and a provincial pilot project plans to create more through incentives for home-owners to build them for long-term renters. (Black Press Media file photo)

As B.C. eyes housing solutions, UBCM prez says secondary suites ‘critical’ for rental supply

UBCM President Jen Ford says secondary suites are an important part of housing continuum

Oak Bay in Greater Victoria became the latest community to legalize secondary suites and a provincial pilot project plans to create more through incentives for home-owners to build them for long-term renters. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Auditor General Michael Pickup made seven recommendations to improve a strategy designed to increase inclusion and diversity in B.C.’s public service. (Photo Courtesy of the Office of Auditor General of British Columbia).

Strategy to boost diversity, inclusion in B.C.’s public sector lacking effectiveness: report

Michael Pickup says B.C.’s public service should reflect population at-large

B.C. Auditor General Michael Pickup made seven recommendations to improve a strategy designed to increase inclusion and diversity in B.C.’s public service. (Photo Courtesy of the Office of Auditor General of British Columbia).
Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Katie Telford arrives to appear as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a motion to compel his chief of staff to testify about foreign interference at a House of Commons committee will not be a confidence matter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Vote to force top aide to testify on foreign interference not a confidence matter: PM

Vote later today on a Conservative motion to get Katie Telford to appear before House of Commons

Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Katie Telford arrives to appear as a witness at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa, on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a motion to compel his chief of staff to testify about foreign interference at a House of Commons committee will not be a confidence matter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Conservative deputy leader Tim Uppal rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. A cross-section of Canadian MPs are calling out India’s crackdown in the state of Punjab, as those criticizing internet restrictions face threatening tweets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canadian MPs of all stripes condemn Punjab crackdown as some receive online threats

Millions of people in Punjab have reportedly been denied access to the internet

Conservative deputy leader Tim Uppal rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. A cross-section of Canadian MPs are calling out India’s crackdown in the state of Punjab, as those criticizing internet restrictions face threatening tweets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
BC Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference in Vancouver, Tuesday March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Saskatchewan First Nation comes to B.C. to talk about taking over child welfare

Key First Nation expresses heartbreak and outrage following death of teen in B.C. care

BC Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference in Vancouver, Tuesday March 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Sunset lights the Kremlin and frozen Moscow River in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESSAP, Alexander Zemlianichenko

Moscow summons Canada envoy over Joly ‘regime change’ comment

Russia warns that foreign minister’s comments will further harm diplomatic relations

Sunset lights the Kremlin and frozen Moscow River in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESSAP, Alexander Zemlianichenko
Iceberg Homes, maximize living spaces within City limits. (HAVAN photo)

PODCAST: Iceberg Homes, maximize space within city limits

TODAY IN BC: HAVAN’s podcast ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’

Iceberg Homes, maximize living spaces within City limits. (HAVAN photo)
A sombre group after the Colin John decision in the murder of Derek Descoteau. From left: Paula Phillips, Kristina Tkachuk, Brenda Smith, Janelle Guyatt and Leah Guyatt outside the Duncan courthouse. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Anger grips B.C. courtroom after man found not responsible in 2016 slashing death

Judge rules Colin John not criminally responsible in Chemainus knifing of Derek Descoteau

A sombre group after the Colin John decision in the murder of Derek Descoteau. From left: Paula Phillips, Kristina Tkachuk, Brenda Smith, Janelle Guyatt and Leah Guyatt outside the Duncan courthouse. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Katie Telford, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, leaves after a meeting of the Liberal Caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The federal Conservatives are trying to force Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s top aide to answer questions about allegations the Chinese government interfered in Canada’s last two federal elections. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Liberals float possibility of making motion on foreign interference a confidence vote

The Tories challenged the NDP to side with them instead of the ‘corrupt government’

Katie Telford, Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, leaves after a meeting of the Liberal Caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The federal Conservatives are trying to force Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s top aide to answer questions about allegations the Chinese government interfered in Canada’s last two federal elections. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
At least eight Langley RCMP vehicles were in the area of 201st Street and 96th Avenue early in the afternoon Wednesday, Feb. 8. following the incident. (Langley Advance Times files)

IIO closes investigation into Langley gun range death

Victim not aware police in the building when he died: report

At least eight Langley RCMP vehicles were in the area of 201st Street and 96th Avenue early in the afternoon Wednesday, Feb. 8. following the incident. (Langley Advance Times files)
A child plays the video game “Fortnite” in Chicago, Saturday, Oct.6, 2018. A Vancouver parent has launched a proposed class-action lawsuit against the makers of Fortnite, saying the popular video game is designed to be “as addictive as possible” for children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Martha Irvine

B.C. parent launches class-action lawsuit against makers of Fortnite video game

Plaintiff says her son developed an adverse dependence on the game

A child plays the video game “Fortnite” in Chicago, Saturday, Oct.6, 2018. A Vancouver parent has launched a proposed class-action lawsuit against the makers of Fortnite, saying the popular video game is designed to be “as addictive as possible” for children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Martha Irvine
Nakusp RCMP responding to a break-and-enter on March. 16. (Contributed)

RCMP discover ‘underground bunker’ filled with stolen goods on Nakusp man’s property

Police responded to reports of a break-and-enter on Mar. 14

Nakusp RCMP responding to a break-and-enter on March. 16. (Contributed)
Dr. Olumuyiwa Bamgbade is facing two charges of sexual assault, one for an alleged incident involving a patient at his Surrey practice reported in July of 2022, the other for a similar allegation involving a patient at his clinic’s former Delta location that occurred between July and October of 2019. (Surrey RCMP/submitted photo)

B.C. doctor facing second charge of sexual assault

Dr. Olumuyiwa Bamgbade allegedly sexually assaulted patients at his pain clinics in Delta and Surrey

Dr. Olumuyiwa Bamgbade is facing two charges of sexual assault, one for an alleged incident involving a patient at his Surrey practice reported in July of 2022, the other for a similar allegation involving a patient at his clinic’s former Delta location that occurred between July and October of 2019. (Surrey RCMP/submitted photo)
The provincial government is touting various programs designed to fight inflation kicking in April 1. Inflation for various products including groceries remains but is dropping. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. families to see last topped up benefit payment before permanent increase in July

New B.C. Affordability Credit worth $500 million kicks in April 1 among other programs

The provincial government is touting various programs designed to fight inflation kicking in April 1. Inflation for various products including groceries remains but is dropping. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Joly says China’s attempts to broker peace in Ukraine will likely only help Russia re-arm and prolong the conflict. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Canada’s foreign minister says China peace talks in Moscow will prolong Ukraine war

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says China’s attempts to broker peace in…

Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Joly says China’s attempts to broker peace in Ukraine will likely only help Russia re-arm and prolong the conflict. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
A NEXUS card and a Canadian passport are pictured in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. The federal government says the Nexus trusted-traveller program will fully ramp back up within five weeks, allowing frequent border crossers to complete their applications and speed up their trips. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Nexus trusted-traveller program to fully resume by April 24 after yearlong standoff

Registering for the program has been halted in Canada due to a variety of legal and policy issues

A NEXUS card and a Canadian passport are pictured in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. The federal government says the Nexus trusted-traveller program will fully ramp back up within five weeks, allowing frequent border crossers to complete their applications and speed up their trips. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick