BC government

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)
A woman holds a test swab for an at-home HPV test piloted by BC Cancer. Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced Tuesday (Jan. 9) that B.C. is moving toward at-home HPV test as the primary testing method, replacing the traditional Pap test. (Courtesy of BC Cancer Facebook)

B.C. launches self-screening for HPV amid rising cervical cancer rates

New self-screening tests using HPV testing methods to become available Jan. 29

A woman holds a test swab for an at-home HPV test piloted by BC Cancer. Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced Tuesday (Jan. 9) that B.C. is moving toward at-home HPV test as the primary testing method, replacing the traditional Pap test. (Courtesy of BC Cancer Facebook)
According to a new Angus Reid survey, 27 per cent of British Columbians say their provincial government is doing a good or very good job in handling health care. (Black Press Media File Photo)

Less than 1 in 3 residents say B.C. is handling health care well: survey

In 2020, 63 per cent said government was doing good or very good job on health care

According to a new Angus Reid survey, 27 per cent of British Columbians say their provincial government is doing a good or very good job in handling health care. (Black Press Media File Photo)
This was the aftermath after a truck carrying steel girders struck the Highway 99 overpass in Delta, B.C. The provincial suspended the safety certificate of Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd. (Greg Cruse/Canadian Press)

B.C. wants Ottawa to close ‘semi-truck’-sized commercial trucking loophole

Call comes after company is using Alberta-plated trucks in B.C. after losing safety certificate

This was the aftermath after a truck carrying steel girders struck the Highway 99 overpass in Delta, B.C. The provincial suspended the safety certificate of Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd. (Greg Cruse/Canadian Press)
BC Green House Leader Friday publicly praised the provincial’s climate action tax credit while also criticizing the provincial Conservatives’ climate change policy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Debate over B.C.’s climate action tax credit takes another fowl turn

Green MLA Adam Olsen plucks Conservatives’ climate change policy with his own chicken reference

BC Green House Leader Friday publicly praised the provincial’s climate action tax credit while also criticizing the provincial Conservatives’ climate change policy. (Black Press Media file photo)
The provincial film industry bounced back in December following the end of the respective strikes by Hollywood actors and writers. (Bob Orchard/Submitted)

B.C. unemployment up slightly despite creation of 74,000 new jobs

New figures show 2.83 million British Columbians employed in December 2023

The provincial film industry bounced back in December following the end of the respective strikes by Hollywood actors and writers. (Bob Orchard/Submitted)
A social media and digital literacy expert warns against a B.C.-wide approach when it comes to regulating non-instructional use of cellphones. (Photo: Pixabay)

Digital-literacy expert opposes B.C.-wide policy to cellphones in schools

The White Hatter’s Darren Laur says most schools already have appropriate policies in place

A social media and digital literacy expert warns against a B.C.-wide approach when it comes to regulating non-instructional use of cellphones. (Photo: Pixabay)
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has condemned a mass mailing of drugs by advocate Dana Larsen to all 87 MLAs in B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

MLAs condemn B.C. advocate’s mass mail out of drugs to their offices

Cannabis advocate Dana Larsen sent a package containing drugs to all 87 MLAs

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has condemned a mass mailing of drugs by advocate Dana Larsen to all 87 MLAs in B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Corey Ranger, president of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, welcomes an injunction against the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act. He says it threatens the safety of drug users by pushing them into covert places, where they are more likely to die. But the injunction has also received criticism. (Contributed/ Corey Ranger)

Injunction against B.C.’s new public drug use law sparks mixed reaction

Public Safety Minister Farnworth says injunction temporarily prevents regulation of hard drug use

Corey Ranger, president of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, welcomes an injunction against the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act. He says it threatens the safety of drug users by pushing them into covert places, where they are more likely to die. But the injunction has also received criticism. (Contributed/ Corey Ranger)
The British Columbia Supreme Court has blocked new provincial laws against public consumption of illegal substances. The Law Courts building, which is home to B.C. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, is seen in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Supreme Court blocks new law against public drug use

The Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act was passed by legislature in November

The British Columbia Supreme Court has blocked new provincial laws against public consumption of illegal substances. The Law Courts building, which is home to B.C. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, is seen in Vancouver, on Thursday, November 23, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Workers sweep up broken glass after a pane of glass fell from a building under construction in Vancouver, B.C., on March 10, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

New year brings new rules on asbestos and injury for some workers in B.C.

The last of a series of changes made to B.C.’s workers’ compensation act in 2022 comes into effect Jan. 1

Workers sweep up broken glass after a pane of glass fell from a building under construction in Vancouver, B.C., on March 10, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Environment Minister George Heyman welcomes the results of COP28, but acknowledges that could have “sent a more positive signal” through stronger language around the phasing out of fossil fuels rather than transitioning away from them. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C.’s Environment Minister welcomes COP28 agreement

But George Heyman also acknowledged it could have sent a ‘more positive signal’

Environment Minister George Heyman welcomes the results of COP28, but acknowledges that could have “sent a more positive signal” through stronger language around the phasing out of fossil fuels rather than transitioning away from them. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
British Columbia’s provincial government says it is going ahead with the construction of a “state-of-the-art” research centre at the new St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. B.C. Premier David Eby holds a hard hat with a hospital sign affixed during an announcement in Surrey, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

B.C. approves health research centre construction at new St. Paul’s Hospital

The $638M ‘state-of-the-art’ facility will be built next to the new hospital

British Columbia’s provincial government says it is going ahead with the construction of a “state-of-the-art” research centre at the new St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. B.C. Premier David Eby holds a hard hat with a hospital sign affixed during an announcement in Surrey, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Deaths among homeless in B.C. rose in 2022 by 28 per cent compared to the previous year. The spike looks even more significant when looking at the last two years. Whereas BC Coroners Service counted at least 275 total death for 2019 and 2020, the two-year-total for 2021 and 2022 was 609, an increase of 138 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)

Toxic drugs blamed as B.C. homeless deaths more than double

At least 609 homeless people died in 2021 and 2022, up 138 per cent from previous two-year-total

Deaths among homeless in B.C. rose in 2022 by 28 per cent compared to the previous year. The spike looks even more significant when looking at the last two years. Whereas BC Coroners Service counted at least 275 total death for 2019 and 2020, the two-year-total for 2021 and 2022 was 609, an increase of 138 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)
University of the Fraser Valley political science professor Hamish Telford said the Fraser Valley is must-win territory for BC United, but demographic changes, coupled with vote-splitting, have aided New Democrats. (Photo courtesy of the University of the Fraser Valley).

BC United ‘don’t stand a chance’ if they can’t win in Fraser Valley: prof

University of the Fraser Valley’s Hamish Telford sees ‘bad blood’ between BC United, Conservatives

University of the Fraser Valley political science professor Hamish Telford said the Fraser Valley is must-win territory for BC United, but demographic changes, coupled with vote-splitting, have aided New Democrats. (Photo courtesy of the University of the Fraser Valley).
Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad has proposed reforms to ICBC’s no-fault insurance, but Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says Rustad’s reforms would drive up costs. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Conservative Party of BC calls for reforms to ICBC’s no-fault insurance

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says John Rustad’s reform proposal will drive up costs

Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad has proposed reforms to ICBC’s no-fault insurance, but Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says Rustad’s reforms would drive up costs. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Birth control pills, IUDs, patch, ring. (AccessBC)

188,000 people access free contraception prescriptions in first 8 months

60 types of birth control were made available through B.C. PharmaCare on April 1, 2023

Birth control pills, IUDs, patch, ring. (AccessBC)
Critics of the BC NDP government THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Political opposition in B.C. tears down housing models

But measures projected to create 250,000 new housing units in a decade also enjoy support

Critics of the BC NDP government THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Premier David Eby, here seen with North Coast MLA Jennifer Rich, who also serves as a parliamentary secretary for rural health, said there is “too much to do to be playing politics right now” in confirming that the next provincial election will be held in October 2024. (Screencap)

B.C. premier says he remains committed to October election date

David Eby says he will stick with the fixed Oct. 19 election, despite comments Monday in Vancouver

Premier David Eby, here seen with North Coast MLA Jennifer Rich, who also serves as a parliamentary secretary for rural health, said there is “too much to do to be playing politics right now” in confirming that the next provincial election will be held in October 2024. (Screencap)
Health Minister Adrian Dix, here seen at the Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey in September, said his government’s plan to increase staffing in the health care system, has made differences in many areas, but added that more needs to be done. (Anna Burns/Surrey Now-Leader)

Minister says B.C. making significant progress toward good health

Dix touts multiple initiatives and hires, acknowledges more needed, particularly in cancer care

Health Minister Adrian Dix, here seen at the Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey in September, said his government’s plan to increase staffing in the health care system, has made differences in many areas, but added that more needs to be done. (Anna Burns/Surrey Now-Leader)