BC legislature

British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province is experiencing unusually high demand for emergency medical services - even before the cold-and-flu season begins - and the situation may be a “new normal.” Dix speaks during an announcement, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

ER activity spike may be B.C.’s new normal: Dix

9,700 people in B.C. emergency care, about 700 more than usual

British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province is experiencing unusually high demand for emergency medical services - even before the cold-and-flu season begins - and the situation may be a “new normal.” Dix speaks during an announcement, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Education Minister Rachna Singh, here seen in June, says B.C. won’t follow Quebec’s example of a province-wide ban of cellphones in classrooms as school returns. (Photo courtesy of Langley School District).

Sweeping cellphone ban not incoming for B.C. classrooms

Education minister says ban will be up to individual schools, defends letter grade decision

Education Minister Rachna Singh, here seen in June, says B.C. won’t follow Quebec’s example of a province-wide ban of cellphones in classrooms as school returns. (Photo courtesy of Langley School District).
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Back-to-school B.C. childcare gets boost of up to $145 a month

Premier David Eby says 43,000 kids and their families could benefit from the funding

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Thick smoke from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire fills the air and a Canadian flag flies in the wind as RCMP officers on a boat patrol Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfire response in Shuswap fanning B.C.’s political flames

NDP, BC United trade barbs over residents who defied evacuation order to fight fire themselves

Thick smoke from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire fills the air and a Canadian flag flies in the wind as RCMP officers on a boat patrol Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Finance Minister Katrine Conroy answers questions from reporters after serving up a hot lunch for students at Ruth King Elementary during a photo-op ahead of the budget while in Langford, B.C., on Feb. 27, 2023. An audited public accounting of British Columbia’s financial records shows the province posted a budget surplus of $704 million in the 2022-2023 budget year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. audit confirms $704M government budget surplus

Public accounts show B.C.’s economy grew by 3.6 per cent

BC Finance Minister Katrine Conroy answers questions from reporters after serving up a hot lunch for students at Ruth King Elementary during a photo-op ahead of the budget while in Langford, B.C., on Feb. 27, 2023. An audited public accounting of British Columbia’s financial records shows the province posted a budget surplus of $704 million in the 2022-2023 budget year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo) The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province plans to release B.C. major market housing targets shortly

Housing ministry staff working with first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing: Kahlon

The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo) The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo)
Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar speaks with reporters following his swearing-in ceremony Friday (July 28) at the B.C. legislature. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Vancouver Island’s newest MLA officially sworn into office in Victoria

‘Truly an honour’: Ravi Parmar sworn in as Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA

Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA Ravi Parmar speaks with reporters following his swearing-in ceremony Friday (July 28) at the B.C. legislature. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Premier David Eby told reporters Friday (July 28) recent issues with BC Ferries which lead to significant delays and confusion for travellers are ‘not acceptable’ and he stressed the need to make improvements and the government’s continued support for the Crown corporation during a call with leadership earlier in the day. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘Not acceptable’: Premier speaks with BC Ferries after travel chaos

Eby told leadership they must do everything possible, and government there to help

Premier David Eby told reporters Friday (July 28) recent issues with BC Ferries which lead to significant delays and confusion for travellers are ‘not acceptable’ and he stressed the need to make improvements and the government’s continued support for the Crown corporation during a call with leadership earlier in the day. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Trees scorched by the Donnie Creek wildfire line a forest north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Noah Berger

Drought update follows minister’s call for B.C. residents to conserve water

Conservation measures across larger areas of the province anticipated as situation progresses

Trees scorched by the Donnie Creek wildfire line a forest north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Noah Berger
Mitzi Dean, B.C.s minister of children and family development, speaks in the B.C. legislature, Nov. 24, 2021. The British Columbia government says staff members at the Children’s Ministry who failed to check on two Indigenous children who were systematically abused by their foster parents have lost their jobs. (Hansard TV)

B.C. staff who failed to check on two abused foster children lose jobs

Ministry: staff did not follow policy children in care should be seen regularly by social worker

Mitzi Dean, B.C.s minister of children and family development, speaks in the B.C. legislature, Nov. 24, 2021. The British Columbia government says staff members at the Children’s Ministry who failed to check on two Indigenous children who were systematically abused by their foster parents have lost their jobs. (Hansard TV)
From left to right: SIPP Group CEO Emilie de Rosenroll, federal Minster of International Development Harjit Sajjan, and Jason Goldsworthy, executive director of COAST at the Oak Bay Marina. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Greater Victoria ocean organizations get $8.1M from feds for local projects

A new Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies will be funded

From left to right: SIPP Group CEO Emilie de Rosenroll, federal Minster of International Development Harjit Sajjan, and Jason Goldsworthy, executive director of COAST at the Oak Bay Marina. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Former premier John Horgan tabulates results in the by-election race in his former riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca in Langford, B.C., Saturday, June 25, 2023. The B.C. NDP won both by-elections Saturday, in Langford and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner

B.C. New Democrats win both byelections, keep seats on Island and Vancouver

Each riding has been vacant since late March

Former premier John Horgan tabulates results in the by-election race in his former riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca in Langford, B.C., Saturday, June 25, 2023. The B.C. NDP won both by-elections Saturday, in Langford and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
Children walk with their parents to a school in North Vancouver on Sept. 10, 2020. All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. public schools dumping letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

Only students in grades 10, 11 and 12 will receive letter grades and percentages starting this year

Children walk with their parents to a school in North Vancouver on Sept. 10, 2020. All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference announcing the new Richmond Lions Manor-Fentiman care home, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

David Eby calls banners over B.C. highway ‘hateful’ and ‘reprehensible’

British Columbia Premier David Eby says “hateful” banners aimed at transgender people…

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference announcing the new Richmond Lions Manor-Fentiman care home, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier David Eby pauses while speaking during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, June 15, 2023. Byelections are being held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in two British Columbia ridings, prompted by the departure from the legislature of former New Democrat premier John Horgan and cabinet minister Melanie Mark. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

NDP expected to win B.C. byelections in safe ridings, but eyes on second place

Votes scheduled for this weekend in a pair of ridings that traditionally vote NDP

B.C. Premier David Eby pauses while speaking during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, June 15, 2023. Byelections are being held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in two British Columbia ridings, prompted by the departure from the legislature of former New Democrat premier John Horgan and cabinet minister Melanie Mark. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Demonstrators with the Worker Solidarity Network stand with a giant satirical thermometer during a demonstration in front of the B.C. legislature Saturday, June 17, calling on the government to make labour law changes to better protect workers in extreme heat. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Worker Solidarity Network calls on government to protect workers in extreme heat

The group demonstrated in front of the B.C. Legislature Saturday with a giant thermometer

Demonstrators with the Worker Solidarity Network stand with a giant satirical thermometer during a demonstration in front of the B.C. legislature Saturday, June 17, calling on the government to make labour law changes to better protect workers in extreme heat. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Vancouver has “a high risk” of experiencing a large earthquake in the next 25 years, according to a new federal report that finds widespread gaps in Canada’s ability to respond to earthquakes. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Province acknowledges more needs to be done to prepare B.C. for earthquakes

Federal report finds gaps in capabilities and pegs cost of 9.0 magnitude tremor at $75 billion

Vancouver has “a high risk” of experiencing a large earthquake in the next 25 years, according to a new federal report that finds widespread gaps in Canada’s ability to respond to earthquakes. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Metchosin resident Elena Lawson, here seen with sons Marcus (4) and William (8), who has received an autism diagnosis, will run for BC United in the riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca formerly held by former premier John Horgan. (Photo courtesy of BC United)

Autism advocate to carry banner for BC United in former premier’s riding

Elena Lawson to run for BC United in Langford-Juan de Fuca

Metchosin resident Elena Lawson, here seen with sons Marcus (4) and William (8), who has received an autism diagnosis, will run for BC United in the riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca formerly held by former premier John Horgan. (Photo courtesy of BC United)
Housing in B.C. would become more affordable if governments were to charge a small annual property surtax of between 0.2 and one per cent on homes valued over $1 million. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tax shelter fuels ‘cultural addiction’ to high and rising home prices: advocate

Generation Squeeze founder Paul Kershaw calls for small surtax on homes valued over $1 million

Housing in B.C. would become more affordable if governments were to charge a small annual property surtax of between 0.2 and one per cent on homes valued over $1 million. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Nurses’ Union President Aman Grewal speaks as B.C. Premier David Eby, back right, listens during an announcement at Langara College in Vancouver, on January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. nurses ratify new three-year collective agreement

BCNU says 61 per cent of its members voted in favour of the new deal

B.C. Nurses’ Union President Aman Grewal speaks as B.C. Premier David Eby, back right, listens during an announcement at Langara College in Vancouver, on January 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck