Wolf Depner

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The Bank of Canada kept its overnight lending rate at 5 per cent, but a senior economist with TD forecasts that interest rate cuts are on the horizon, which promise to ease housing costs in B.C. But B.C.’s economy is not predicted to grow as fast as the rest of the country’s. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

TD forecasts B.C.’s housing costs to ease with interest rate cuts on horizon

Bank of Canada held overnight lending rate at 5 per cent, but TD forecasts cuts in 2024

The Bank of Canada kept its overnight lending rate at 5 per cent, but a senior economist with TD forecasts that interest rate cuts are on the horizon, which promise to ease housing costs in B.C. But B.C.’s economy is not predicted to grow as fast as the rest of the country’s. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on February 21, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

2023 was the worst year for fatal toxic drug poisonings in B.C. history

The coroners service warned in October that 2023 would be an unprecedented year for deaths

Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on February 21, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Details about the provincial government’s strategy for critical minerals are starting to emerge, but so are questions about its environmental ethics. (Illustration courtesy the Mining Association of B.C.)

Some dig, others bury first phase of B.C.’s critical minerals strategy

Push for more mining to fight of climate change raises environmental questions

Details about the provincial government’s strategy for critical minerals are starting to emerge, but so are questions about its environmental ethics. (Illustration courtesy the Mining Association of B.C.)
Labour Minister Harry Bains said the province is prepared to appoint a special meditator, possibly Vince Ready, to resolve the current labour dispute between transit supervisors and Coast Mountain Bus Company, a subsidiary of TransLink, the regional transit authority for Metro Vancouver. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

B.C. is prepared to appoint special mediator in transit strike

Labour Minister reacts as job action impacts large parts of Metro Vancouver’s public transit system

Labour Minister Harry Bains said the province is prepared to appoint a special meditator, possibly Vince Ready, to resolve the current labour dispute between transit supervisors and Coast Mountain Bus Company, a subsidiary of TransLink, the regional transit authority for Metro Vancouver. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Elections BC says “voters in B.C. should have a high degree of confidence in the security of our elections and trust the results” in noting that it is prepared for various challenges including AI to election integrity. (Black Press Media file photo)

Closeness of B.C. election to U.S. election ‘likely’ to lead to more false news

But Elections BC says it is prepared to handle threats to election integrity

Elections BC says “voters in B.C. should have a high degree of confidence in the security of our elections and trust the results” in noting that it is prepared for various challenges including AI to election integrity. (Black Press Media file photo)
Concerns about the Crofton mill’s operation have prompted North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas to write to Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston. (Photo by Don Bodger)

BC United would move province’s forestry ministry to Prince George: Falcon

Promise comes as industry deals with multiple issues, from supply to climate change

Concerns about the Crofton mill’s operation have prompted North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas to write to Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Chris Tenove, a UBC expert on studying the effects of digital media on democracy, says concerns about election interference in the upcoming provincial election should be taking seriously, but also warns against exaggerating the issue. (Black Press Media file photo)

Be aware of potential B.C. election interference, don’t exaggerate risk: expert

UBC’s Chris Tenove says automatically dismissing opposing views as fake also damages democracy

Chris Tenove, a UBC expert on studying the effects of digital media on democracy, says concerns about election interference in the upcoming provincial election should be taking seriously, but also warns against exaggerating the issue. (Black Press Media file photo)
This 2023 wildfire near Entiako Park, located approximately 150 km southeast of Houston and 150 km southwest of Vanderhoof, directly east of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, helped to pump 102 megatonnes of carbon from provincial wildfires into the atmosphere. The figure comes from the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring System. (Pete Laing/Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

2023 B.C. wildfires pumped 102 megatonnes of carbon into atmosphere: EU

B.C.’s total greenhouse emissions in 2021 were 40 megatonnes less than 2023 wildfires on their own

This 2023 wildfire near Entiako Park, located approximately 150 km southeast of Houston and 150 km southwest of Vanderhoof, directly east of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, helped to pump 102 megatonnes of carbon from provincial wildfires into the atmosphere. The figure comes from the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring System. (Pete Laing/Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
Governing New Democrats under Premier David Eby have a structural advantage over the right-of-centre opposition in B.C. despite a survey showing broad dissatisfaction with the provincial government’s handling of various files, including health care, says UBC political scientist Stewart Prest. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)

NDP enjoys structural advantage over B.C. opposition: political scientist

But UBC’s Stewart Prest also sees avenues for a ‘well-organized’ opposition

Governing New Democrats under Premier David Eby have a structural advantage over the right-of-centre opposition in B.C. despite a survey showing broad dissatisfaction with the provincial government’s handling of various files, including health care, says UBC political scientist Stewart Prest. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth is considering the expansion of Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit. The unit currently serves most but not all parts of Vancouver Island. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

As homicides spike, B.C. looks to upgrade Vancouver Island major crime unit

Public safety minister looks to expand unit’s reach into underserved areas

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth is considering the expansion of Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit. The unit currently serves most but not all parts of Vancouver Island. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Premier David Eby, here seen speaking in Victoria in Novemeber, announced Tuesday (Jan. 16) that BC Hydro would spend $36 billion over the next decade to generate more power in B.C. (Screencap)

Eby announces $36 billion for BC Hydro infrastructure over next 10 years

Premier David Eby announced the spending Tuesday in Prince George

Premier David Eby, here seen speaking in Victoria in Novemeber, announced Tuesday (Jan. 16) that BC Hydro would spend $36 billion over the next decade to generate more power in B.C. (Screencap)
Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation welcomes provincial funding of just over $675,000 to help plan a regional youth centre. Premier David Eby announced the support Tuesday in Prince George. (Screencap)

Support given to youth mental health and addictions centre for northern B.C.

Facility proposed by First Nation gets just over $675,000, opening date, location up in the air

Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation welcomes provincial funding of just over $675,000 to help plan a regional youth centre. Premier David Eby announced the support Tuesday in Prince George. (Screencap)
B.C. Premier David Eby, here seen in April, will speak at the BC Natural Resources Forum Tuesday in Prince George. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. resource industries ‘modernizing,’ ‘changing,’ says industry leader

Premier David Eby to speak at BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George

B.C. Premier David Eby, here seen in April, will speak at the BC Natural Resources Forum Tuesday in Prince George. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and a member of the Tsartlip First Nation, welcomes changes to the Ministry of Children and Family Development with Grace Lore replacing Mitzi Dean as minister. (Screencap)

B.C. opposition welcomes reset at children and family development ministry

Grace Lore is replacing Mitzi Dean, who has faced multiple calls for her resignation

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands and a member of the Tsartlip First Nation, welcomes changes to the Ministry of Children and Family Development with Grace Lore replacing Mitzi Dean as minister. (Screencap)
Mitzi Dean will no longer serve as Child and Family Development Minister following a cabinet shuffle announced Monday morning. Fellow Victoria MLA Grace Lore will take Dean’s job, while Dean will take over Lore’s old job as minister of state for child care. Andrew Mercier remains in cabinet but with the new title of minister of state for sustainable forestry while George Chow joins cabinet as parliamentary secretary for international credentials. (Screecap)

Mitzi Dean out as B.C.’s child care, children and family development minister

Dean remains minister of state for child care after facing multiple calls for her resignation

Mitzi Dean will no longer serve as Child and Family Development Minister following a cabinet shuffle announced Monday morning. Fellow Victoria MLA Grace Lore will take Dean’s job, while Dean will take over Lore’s old job as minister of state for child care. Andrew Mercier remains in cabinet but with the new title of minister of state for sustainable forestry while George Chow joins cabinet as parliamentary secretary for international credentials. (Screecap)
B.C. must have a “competitive fiscal and regulatory policy framework” to take full advantage of mining critical minerals used in the production of green technologies. (Illustration courtesy Mining Association of B.C.)

‘Generational’ opportunity for B.C. hangs in balance: mining industry leader

Mining Association of British Columbia’s Michael Goehring calls for shorter permitting times

B.C. must have a “competitive fiscal and regulatory policy framework” to take full advantage of mining critical minerals used in the production of green technologies. (Illustration courtesy Mining Association of B.C.)
Greater Victoria is the second-most indebted region in Canada with a per capita consumer debt of just under $306,000, according to a new survey. (Pixabay).

Greater Victoria sits in second spot on Canada’s debt map: report

Per capita consumer debt close to $361,000 in Metro Vancouver, under $306,000 in Greater Victoria

Greater Victoria is the second-most indebted region in Canada with a per capita consumer debt of just under $306,000, according to a new survey. (Pixabay).
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in September 2023, says record numbers of new purpose-built rental homes in B.C. is one piece of proof showing that new housing polices are making a difference. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

B.C. recorded 30% increase in new rental homes in 2023

New rental numbers prove B.C.’s new housing policies are working: minister

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in September 2023, says record numbers of new purpose-built rental homes in B.C. is one piece of proof showing that new housing polices are making a difference. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Premier David Eby, here seen announcing a new Indigenous Justice Centre in Chilliwack last summer,announced five more such centres Wednesday in Vancouver. They will operate in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. announces 5 more Indigenous justice centres

The new centres will operate in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna

Premier David Eby, here seen announcing a new Indigenous Justice Centre in Chilliwack last summer,announced five more such centres Wednesday in Vancouver. They will operate in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)
Premier David Eby, here seen announcing a new Indigenous Justice Centre in Chilliwack last summer,announced five more such centres Wednesday in Vancouver. They will operate in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. announces new Indigenous-led justice centres

The new centres will operate in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna

Premier David Eby, here seen announcing a new Indigenous Justice Centre in Chilliwack last summer,announced five more such centres Wednesday in Vancouver. They will operate in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey and Kelowna. (Jennifer Feinberg/ Chilliwack Progress)