Provincial Government

An electric scooter driver dodges pedestrians as they cross an intersection in downtown Denver. British Columbia will be kicking off a four-year review in April on the emerging mode of transportation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-David Zalubowski

4-year safety review for electric kick scooters to begin in B.C. in the spring

The study will evaluate how the scooters can be safely integrated into local transportation networks

 

Starting in the new year, B.C. employers will be required to cooperate in a worker’s timely and safe return to work after an injury. A construction worker works from a lift in a new housing development in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

B.C. law to better protect injured employees returning to work begins Jan. 1

Starting in the new year, B.C. employers will be required to cooperate…

 

FILE - A view through the trees on the Pesuta Trail in Naikoon Provincial Park. On Friday, July 3, 2020. B.C. has bought 109 hectares of land to expand five provincial parks, including 64 hectares for Naikoon. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)

B.C. buys land to expand 5 parks

The 5 parcels are valued at $1.9M: Environment Ministry

 

This home at 2357 Cornwall Drive was sold by the city in 2017 for $150,000 at auction. It was assessed at $420,000. The BC Ombudsperson filed a report saying the city failed to help a vulnerable person and sold her home over not paying $10,000 property tax. Since then, changes have been made in provincial legislation regarding tax sales. (File)

Vulnerable woman’s house being sold by City of Penticton sparks changes

Province proposes update to Local Government Act around property sales due to unpaid taxes

This home at 2357 Cornwall Drive was sold by the city in 2017 for $150,000 at auction. It was assessed at $420,000. The BC Ombudsperson filed a report saying the city failed to help a vulnerable person and sold her home over not paying $10,000 property tax. Since then, changes have been made in provincial legislation regarding tax sales. (File)
A photograph of late temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar is seen on a banner outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Organizers of an upcoming vote on an independent Sikh state say Canada’s allegations of India’s links to the killing of Nijjar have significantly bolstered vocal support for their cause. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Sikh activists in B.C. emboldened by Trudeau’s comments on India ahead of referendum

Sikhs For Justice is scheduled to hold a second round of voting on Oct. 29

A photograph of late temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar is seen on a banner outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Organizers of an upcoming vote on an independent Sikh state say Canada’s allegations of India’s links to the killing of Nijjar have significantly bolstered vocal support for their cause. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Tla’amin Nation and the provincial government have signed an agreement to further economic reconciliation and environment stewardship in the region around Powell River. (Tla’amin Nation/Facebook)

Tla’amin Nation, B.C. sign agreement to further environmental stewardship

The area where the memorandum was signed is the site of a former paper, pulp mill

The Tla’amin Nation and the provincial government have signed an agreement to further economic reconciliation and environment stewardship in the region around Powell River. (Tla’amin Nation/Facebook)
A former Hells Angels clubhouse is pictured in Vancouver, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. The three-bedroom East Vancouver home is one of three former clubhouses of the Hells Angels that now belong to the British Columbia government after the Supreme Court of Canada chose not to hear an appeal related to the province’s controversial civil forfeiture process. PHOTO BY ETHAN CAIRNS /THE CANADIAN PRESS

Location, location, location: 3 former Hells Angels clubhouses heading for sale

The East Vancouver house is valued at $1.52M by BC Assessment

A former Hells Angels clubhouse is pictured in Vancouver, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. The three-bedroom East Vancouver home is one of three former clubhouses of the Hells Angels that now belong to the British Columbia government after the Supreme Court of Canada chose not to hear an appeal related to the province’s controversial civil forfeiture process. PHOTO BY ETHAN CAIRNS /THE CANADIAN PRESS
The British Columbia government is moving to protect more old-growth forests and critical habitat with a type of crowd-source funding. Premier David Eby announces legislation at a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. introduces crowd-sourcing mechanism to protect old-growth forests

Eby says the province will contribute $150M to a conservation funding mechanism

The British Columbia government is moving to protect more old-growth forests and critical habitat with a type of crowd-source funding. Premier David Eby announces legislation at a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Grade 4 student Finely Comartin is dyslexic and since doing online tutoring he has moved up eight reading levels. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

‘Absolutely unfair’: Family of Saanich dyslexic child detail thousands in costs

Parents are requesting the province provide funded diagnoses and updated learning material

Grade 4 student Finely Comartin is dyslexic and since doing online tutoring he has moved up eight reading levels. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
B.C. plans to introduce new legislation this fall in hopes of streamlining credential recognition for internationally trained professionals. Premier David Eby, centre, was joined by Education Minister Rachna Singh and Minister of State for Workforce Development Andrew Mercier Tuesday (Oct. 10, 2023) in Surrey. (B.C. government/Flickr)

B.C. to streamline international credential recognition with new legislation

Changes include 4 themes: accountability, fairness, transparenc and efficiency

B.C. plans to introduce new legislation this fall in hopes of streamlining credential recognition for internationally trained professionals. Premier David Eby, centre, was joined by Education Minister Rachna Singh and Minister of State for Workforce Development Andrew Mercier Tuesday (Oct. 10, 2023) in Surrey. (B.C. government/Flickr)
A stack of lumber is pictured in Merritt, B.C., Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Officials in Ottawa and British Columbia have welcomed a ruling under the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying a panel found elements of the United States’ calculation of softwood lumber duties are inconsistent with its own law. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. and Ottawa applaud NAFTA decision on U.S. softwood lumber duties

Elements of U.S. calculation of softwood lumber duties are inconsistent with that country’s own law: ruling

A stack of lumber is pictured in Merritt, B.C., Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Officials in Ottawa and British Columbia have welcomed a ruling under the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying a panel found elements of the United States’ calculation of softwood lumber duties are inconsistent with its own law. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The legislature building is photographed in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. British Columbia politicians are back in the legislature for the fall session, and the seating arrangement looks a little different. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Fall sitting starts for B.C. legislature with 4 official parties

Housing will be a key focus this session

The legislature building is photographed in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. British Columbia politicians are back in the legislature for the fall session, and the seating arrangement looks a little different. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Doug Routley reflects on his political career as he makes a stop at the Crofton ferry terminal. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA says he won’t seek reelection

Doug Routley to retire at the end of his current term in October 2024

Doug Routley reflects on his political career as he makes a stop at the Crofton ferry terminal. (Photo by Don Bodger)
In this photo posted to social media on May 2, needles and other garbage can be seen left on a picnic table near the playground at the Parksville Community Park. - Facebook photo

Island mayor happy drug use in parks being phased out by province

Sweeping changes prohibit the use of drugs near parks in B.C., including Courtenay

In this photo posted to social media on May 2, needles and other garbage can be seen left on a picnic table near the playground at the Parksville Community Park. - Facebook photo
B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Whiteside was at the Metro Vancouver’s mayors council on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 to discuss the issues around public drug use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Decriminalization meant to save lives in toxic drug crisis: Whiteside

Mental Health and Addictions Minister speaks to Metro Vancouver mayors committe on public drug use

B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Whiteside was at the Metro Vancouver’s mayors council on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 to discuss the issues around public drug use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap has burned an estimated 43,084 hectares as of Aug. 31, 2023. Because of severe drought conditions, if regions get too much rain too quickly this fall it could lead to flooding, but if there’s not enough rain the drought season could continue into 2024. (BC Wildfire Service)

Drought conditions in B.C. a ‘sleeping giant of a natural disaster’

But too much rain too quickly could lead to similar issues following the 2021 atmospheric rivers

The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap has burned an estimated 43,084 hectares as of Aug. 31, 2023. Because of severe drought conditions, if regions get too much rain too quickly this fall it could lead to flooding, but if there’s not enough rain the drought season could continue into 2024. (BC Wildfire Service)
Mental Health Minister Jennifer Whiteside speaking in Surrey May 5, 2023. Whiteside announced the province would be funding $3 million over the next three years toward the YMCA B.C.’s Y Mind and Mind Medicine programs for people aged 13 to 30 to learn strategies to cope with stress and anxiety (Photo: Anna Burns)

B.C. funding $3M toward YMCA mental health program in 30 communities

Y Mind is aimed at teaching people strategies to cope with stress and anxiety

Mental Health Minister Jennifer Whiteside speaking in Surrey May 5, 2023. Whiteside announced the province would be funding $3 million over the next three years toward the YMCA B.C.’s Y Mind and Mind Medicine programs for people aged 13 to 30 to learn strategies to cope with stress and anxiety (Photo: Anna Burns)
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

B.C. boosts childcare funding for preschool and school-aged kids

Premier David Eby says families could save an additional $145 per month

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
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 2019. (Black Press Media files)

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park to stay open over Labour Day weekend

It will then be inaccessible starting Sept. 5 as the province, Lil’wat Nation have ongoing talks

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, 2019. (Black Press Media files)
Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Mental health supports available for British Columbians impacted by wildfires

Disaster Psychological Support team deployed through B.C.’s Emergency Management program

Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)