Wolf Depner

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New proposed legislation promises to speed up construction of housing and expand the use of development cost charges funding urban infrastructure. (Black Press Media file photo)

Changes promise to cut B.C. development negotiations, provide certainty

Legislation also reforms development cost charges giving municipalities more flexibility

New proposed legislation promises to speed up construction of housing and expand the use of development cost charges funding urban infrastructure. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C.’s construction sector added 10,200 jobs in October as the provincial unemployment rate remained at 5.4 per cent. But available figures show. While the Thompson-Okanagan recorded the lowest unemployment rate with 3.2 per cent, the North Coast and Nechako region recorded an unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s unemployment rate in October remains at 5.4%

Parts of northern and rural B.C. exceed provincial rate, while others are well below it

B.C.’s construction sector added 10,200 jobs in October as the provincial unemployment rate remained at 5.4 per cent. But available figures show. While the Thompson-Okanagan recorded the lowest unemployment rate with 3.2 per cent, the North Coast and Nechako region recorded an unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kimberley, along with Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, is among B.C. communities that already allow zoning for small-scale, multi-unit (SSMU) housing coming to the rest of the province under new legislation. But the president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities warns of “unintended consequences” in face of staffing shortages and infrastructure needs. (Black Press Media file photo)

UBCM prez warns of ‘unintended consequences’ from new housing legislation

Communities face ‘real constraints’ in terms of staffing, infrastructure that may fray, she warns

Kimberley, along with Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, is among B.C. communities that already allow zoning for small-scale, multi-unit (SSMU) housing coming to the rest of the province under new legislation. But the president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities warns of “unintended consequences” in face of staffing shortages and infrastructure needs. (Black Press Media file photo)
New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. passes new legislation aimed at preparing for and mitigating emergencies

New Democrats, Greens vote in favour of Bill 31, BC United, Conservatives against it

New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)
First Nations Summit Political Executive Robert Phillips says it is time for the provincial government to share the law-making pen with First Nations during the opening of the eighth meeting of the provincial cabinet and First Nations Leaders Council as part of a two-day event bringing together 1,000 delegates representing 193 First Nations and organizations. (Screencap)

First Nations leaders call on B.C. to truly share the law-making pen

Robert Phillips of First Nations Summit Political Executive says bureaucracy stands in way

First Nations Summit Political Executive Robert Phillips says it is time for the provincial government to share the law-making pen with First Nations during the opening of the eighth meeting of the provincial cabinet and First Nations Leaders Council as part of a two-day event bringing together 1,000 delegates representing 193 First Nations and organizations. (Screencap)

BC United fears new density legislation will jack up housing costs

Leader Kevin Falcon said his party will ask “lots of tough question” about new upzoing legislation

Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says new legislation tabled Monday (Oct. 30) promises to improve forest management, but others are still reviewing the legislation, while UBC forestry professor (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Forest permits, penalties, prescribed burns targeted in new B.C. legislation

Proposed changes get tentative approval from industry voice

Forests Minister Bruce Ralston says new legislation tabled Monday (Oct. 30) promises to improve forest management, but others are still reviewing the legislation, while UBC forestry professor (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen at the Saanich Municipal Hall on Sept. 26, announced new legislation to increase density on lots currently zoned for single-family homes. (Black Press Media file photo)

New housing legislation promises to create 130,000 homes in B.C. in 10 years

Single-family density increase coming across the province for communities over 5,000 people

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen at the Saanich Municipal Hall on Sept. 26, announced new legislation to increase density on lots currently zoned for single-family homes. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC United Leader Kevin Falcon joined by members of his caucus unveils a quartet of policies that promise to cut costs. The measures call for the elimination of the provincial carbon tax on all home heating fuels and cancelling scheduled hikes of the carbon taxes. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

BC United promises to remove provincial taxes for cars and home heating

Freezing the carbon tax also pledged as part of series of pledges aimed reducing the cost of living

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon joined by members of his caucus unveils a quartet of policies that promise to cut costs. The measures call for the elimination of the provincial carbon tax on all home heating fuels and cancelling scheduled hikes of the carbon taxes. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Premier David Eby (Monday) questioned the federal government’s decision to exclude British Columbia from energy rebates and incentives in acknowledging that Ottawa hasn’t ‘shown up in B.C.’ yet in the way that he would hope. But he also held out hope that relations would improve. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

‘Moments of frustration’: Eby says feds have not ‘shown up’ yet in B.C.

Rebate on heating oil for some Canadians but not British Columbians latest source of irritation

Premier David Eby (Monday) questioned the federal government’s decision to exclude British Columbia from energy rebates and incentives in acknowledging that Ottawa hasn’t ‘shown up in B.C.’ yet in the way that he would hope. But he also held out hope that relations would improve. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Premier David Eby, here seen earlier this month in the legislature denouncing the attacks by Hamas on Israel as well as several cases of anti-Semitism in British Columbia, Monday announced that B.C. will make Holocaust education mandatory in 2025-26. (Screencap).

B.C. to make education about Holocaust mandatory starting 2025-26

Premier announces Grade 10 students will get broadened curriculum to combat rise of antisemitism

Premier David Eby, here seen earlier this month in the legislature denouncing the attacks by Hamas on Israel as well as several cases of anti-Semitism in British Columbia, Monday announced that B.C. will make Holocaust education mandatory in 2025-26. (Screencap).
Megan Dykeman, parliamentary secretary for community development and non- profits, joined Premier David Monday (Oct. 30) in announcing $60 million in additional grants for non-profits. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. antes up another $60 million for non-profits

Vancouver Foundation will distribute the money on behalf of government

Megan Dykeman, parliamentary secretary for community development and non- profits, joined Premier David Monday (Oct. 30) in announcing $60 million in additional grants for non-profits. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C. has said that it wants the federal government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to give the same rebates to British Columbians that other provinces are about to receive. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

Left-out B.C. to put the heat on Ottawa over heating oil rebates

T0 B.C.’s surprise, Ottawa to stop collecting federal carbon tax on home heating oil everywhere else

B.C. has said that it wants the federal government of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to give the same rebates to British Columbians that other provinces are about to receive. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Early childhood educators will see their median hourly wages rise by $2 to $28, starting Jan. 1, 2024. (Submitted)

B.C. early childhood educators get $2 New Year’s hourly pay lift

Increase raises the median hourly wage for ECEs to approximately $28

Early childhood educators will see their median hourly wages rise by $2 to $28, starting Jan. 1, 2024. (Submitted)
In Oct. 2022, the Federal Drug Administration in the United States announced a shortage of Adderall, but (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. not facing an immediate shortage of ADHD drugs

Start of ADHD drug shortage in the United States dates back to Oct. 2022

In Oct. 2022, the Federal Drug Administration in the United States announced a shortage of Adderall, but (Black Press Media file photo)
Premier David Eby, here seen earlier this month in the legislature denouncing the attacks by Hamas on Israel as well as several cases of anti-Semitism in British Columbia, issued a statement Friday denouncing on-going cases of hate in B.C. (Screencap).

Israel-Palestine conflict: Eby warns of ‘hateful words’ becoming violent acts

Eby says October has seen “reprehensible” acts of hate in B.C.

Premier David Eby, here seen earlier this month in the legislature denouncing the attacks by Hamas on Israel as well as several cases of anti-Semitism in British Columbia, issued a statement Friday denouncing on-going cases of hate in B.C. (Screencap).
According to B.C.’s fixed election date legislation, the next provincial election will take place on or before Oct. 19, 2024. A poll from Angus Reid Institute gives the NDP a comfortable lead, but the survey also shows dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of key issues such as cost-of-living, health care and housing. (Black Press Media file photo)

New poll gives NDP lead, 1 year out from next B.C. election

But Angus Reid poll also shows public critical of NDP’s handling of top issues like housing

According to B.C.’s fixed election date legislation, the next provincial election will take place on or before Oct. 19, 2024. A poll from Angus Reid Institute gives the NDP a comfortable lead, but the survey also shows dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of key issues such as cost-of-living, health care and housing. (Black Press Media file photo)
While the 2023 cruise ship season set new passenger records in Vancouver and Victoria, Victoria remains what Transportation Minister Rob Fleming calls the “outlier” when it comes to powering docked ships with what insiders call shore-power. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. hopes Ottawa plugs into shore-power project for Victoria cruise ships

Provincial capital remains ‘outlier’ in terms of lacking the ability to power docked ocean liners

While the 2023 cruise ship season set new passenger records in Vancouver and Victoria, Victoria remains what Transportation Minister Rob Fleming calls the “outlier” when it comes to powering docked ships with what insiders call shore-power. (Black Press Media file photo)
Legislation restricting short-term rentals in British Columbia passed Thursday with New Democrats and Greens voting in favour of Bill 35, BC United and Conservatives against it. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s new short-term rental regulations approved after colourful debate

Law limiting short-term rentals in some - but not all - B.C. communities passes

Legislation restricting short-term rentals in British Columbia passed Thursday with New Democrats and Greens voting in favour of Bill 35, BC United and Conservatives against it. (Black Press Media file photo)
By 2035, new sales and leases of light-duty vehicles in B.C. must be zero-emission vehicles. (AdobeStock)

B.C. policy expert gives green light to higher electric-vehicles goals

But New Car Dealers Association of BC warns of unintended consequences

By 2035, new sales and leases of light-duty vehicles in B.C. must be zero-emission vehicles. (AdobeStock)