News

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)
A man turned away from the Agassiz Library for not abiding by COVID-19 mask regulations in 2020 has recently seen a significant setback in a court case against the province and the library. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Court strikes down claims from man who refused to wear mask at B.C. library

Shad Budge claimed COVID-19 regulations infringed on Charter rights

A man turned away from the Agassiz Library for not abiding by COVID-19 mask regulations in 2020 has recently seen a significant setback in a court case against the province and the library. (Adam Louis/Observer)
A bus crash on Tzouhalem Road Thursday morning caused minor injuries; the bus sustained serious damage. (Robert Rice photo)

Bus crash near Duncan causes minor injuries

handyDART bus sustained serious damage

A bus crash on Tzouhalem Road Thursday morning caused minor injuries; the bus sustained serious damage. (Robert Rice photo)
B.C.’s Transportation Ministry is working to determine the company and driver involved in the latest hit to highway infrastructure. (Black Press)

No significant damage after truck strikes tunnel; B.C. investigating

Transportation Ministry says it’s working to identify company, driver in latest incident

B.C.’s Transportation Ministry is working to determine the company and driver involved in the latest hit to highway infrastructure. (Black Press)
A Kelowna Tent City resident pictured with his burnt cooler after a fire spread from a neighbouring tent. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Wet, cold, desperate B.C. tent city residents plead for fire extinguishers

While it is against the rules to use fire, people are desperate for warmth, say Tent City residents

A Kelowna Tent City resident pictured with his burnt cooler after a fire spread from a neighbouring tent. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
A Delta Police Department officer demonstrates recording on a body camera during a news conference by the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police about implementing body-worn cameras for officers, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Police chiefs say body cams will improve carriage of justice

Cameras soon to be worn by thousands of officers in BC and across Canada

A Delta Police Department officer demonstrates recording on a body camera during a news conference by the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police about implementing body-worn cameras for officers, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
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)
A scene from Mount Benson from Buttertubs Marsh Park in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file photo)

Snuneymuxw receives 212 hectares on Mount Benson as part of land transfer

Total agreement will transfer more than 3,000 hectares of land on mounts Benson and McKay

A scene from Mount Benson from Buttertubs Marsh Park in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file photo)
The Arrowsmith Search and Rescue deployed its utility task vehicle (UTV) to reach a crash site at a logging road in Nanoose Bay. (ASAR photo)

Cellphone crash alert helps rescue crews locate 2 people in Nanoose Bay

Arrowsmith Search and Rescue dispatched to help search on logging road

The Arrowsmith Search and Rescue deployed its utility task vehicle (UTV) to reach a crash site at a logging road in Nanoose Bay. (ASAR photo)
Meta is offering to settle a class-action lawsuit over the use of some images in Facebook advertising for $51 million. The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France on June 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Thibault Camus

Meta put $51M on the table to settle B.C. Facebook advertising suit

Canadians from 4 provinces sued over firm using their names and photos without permission

Meta is offering to settle a class-action lawsuit over the use of some images in Facebook advertising for $51 million. The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France on June 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Thibault Camus
Air Canada is appealing a decision by the country’s transport regulator that seeks to boost accessibility for travellers living with a disability.An Air Canada jet is manoeuvred on the tarmac at the airport, Wednesday, Nov.15, 2023 in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Air Canada to fight power wheelchair access ruling in appeals court

Appeal prolongs a case that has dragged on for more than 7 years

Air Canada is appealing a decision by the country’s transport regulator that seeks to boost accessibility for travellers living with a disability.An Air Canada jet is manoeuvred on the tarmac at the airport, Wednesday, Nov.15, 2023 in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The CRD is opening a public consultation site on Jan. 11 where people can provide input that will inform the region’s long-term biosolids management plan. (Courtesy of GHD/Long-Term Biosolids Beneficial Use Option Analysis)

CRD launching public consultation on long-term biosolids plan

77 per cent of Class A biosolids produced were landfilled through first 10 months of 2023

The CRD is opening a public consultation site on Jan. 11 where people can provide input that will inform the region’s long-term biosolids management plan. (Courtesy of GHD/Long-Term Biosolids Beneficial Use Option Analysis)
Hill busy with children and a growing number of adults enjoying the snow in North Saanich near Victoria International Airport. (Black Press Media photo))

As arctic outflows creep into Vancouver Island, here’s how to prepare

Wind chill effects could lead to temperatures feeling as low as -20C in some areas

Hill busy with children and a growing number of adults enjoying the snow in North Saanich near Victoria International Airport. (Black Press Media photo))
A man was taken into custody after a break-and-enter in Hatzic last weekend. /Mission RCMP Photo

Stolen items later returned with apology after B.C. break-in

Mission RCMP take one man into custody and seize vehicle associated with Hatzic break-and-enter

A man was taken into custody after a break-and-enter in Hatzic last weekend. /Mission RCMP Photo
Ice is forming over Williams Lake Jan. 11. (Angie Mindus photo)

Cariboo residents wake up to -48C windchill

Warming centre open in Williams Lake, as bitter cold expected to last until the weekend

Ice is forming over Williams Lake Jan. 11. (Angie Mindus photo)
A person walks during a light snow at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Areas in and surrounding Vancouver received the first snow of the season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island poised to join rest of B.C. in bitter cold

Extreme cold warnings remain in place for parts of Yukon, B.C. and the Prairies

A person walks during a light snow at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Areas in and surrounding Vancouver received the first snow of the season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
This kit is a part of the first self-screening cervical cancer plan in Canada, in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. The Canadian Cancer Society and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada hope the rest of the country will follow B.C.'s new approach to cervical cancer screening.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Gynecologists hope Canada follows B.C. in cervical cancer screening

B.C. first province to offer the option of doing the HPV tests at home

This kit is a part of the first self-screening cervical cancer plan in Canada, in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. The Canadian Cancer Society and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada hope the rest of the country will follow B.C.'s new approach to cervical cancer screening.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
VicPD are seeking help identifying arson suspect in local restaurant fire that caused an estimated $1.5 to 2 million in property damage. 2024-01-10. (Photo Supplied/ VicPD)

VicPD releases images in the torching of a popular Victoria restaurant

The fire at the 2900 block of Douglas Street occurred on June 16

VicPD are seeking help identifying arson suspect in local restaurant fire that caused an estimated $1.5 to 2 million in property damage. 2024-01-10. (Photo Supplied/ VicPD)
This partial map of B.C. shows the snow pack for provincial water basis. The redder the region, the lower the snow pack as of Jan. 1. (Screencap)

B.C.’s snow-pack 44% below normal on heels of worst drought in recent memory

Low snow pack level could ‘significantly affect ongoing drought concerns’ in summer 2024

This partial map of B.C. shows the snow pack for provincial water basis. The redder the region, the lower the snow pack as of Jan. 1. (Screencap)
BC United has partially linked its call for a cellphone ban in provincial classrooms to declining test scores.(Photo: Pixabay)
BC United has partially linked its call for a cellphone ban in provincial classrooms to declining test scores.(Photo: Pixabay)