Wolf Depner

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Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth Thursday (May 9) announces the creation of the 18-member-strong Integrated Gang Homicide Team to focus on investigating gang-related homicides. Superintendent Mandeep Mooker of the RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and Surrey Coun. Linda Annis, executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, joined Farnworth in making the announcement in Victoria. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. brings fresh IGHT to its battle against murderous gangs

New police unit to focus on investigating organized crime-related homicides in B.C.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth Thursday (May 9) announces the creation of the 18-member-strong Integrated Gang Homicide Team to focus on investigating gang-related homicides. Superintendent Mandeep Mooker of the RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and Surrey Coun. Linda Annis, executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, joined Farnworth in making the announcement in Victoria. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Emergency Minister Bowinn Ma Thursday warned of increased wildfire activity as temperatures are set to rise this weekend. (News Bulletin file photo)

B.C. prepares for wildfires as forecasts call for hot weather amid drought

Provincial officials are warning of increased wildfire activity, especially in northeastern B.C.

Emergency Minister Bowinn Ma Thursday warned of increased wildfire activity as temperatures are set to rise this weekend. (News Bulletin file photo)
Cheryl Casimer of First Nations Leadership Council and Political Executive with the First Nations Summit was among several senior First Nations leader speaking during a ceremony marking the tabling of the legislature’s Reconcilation Action Plan. (Screencap)

B.C.’s First Nations to receive formal apology as part of Reconciliation

Legislative Assembly Speaker Raj Chouhan to deliver apology as part of Reconciliation Action Plan

Cheryl Casimer of First Nations Leadership Council and Political Executive with the First Nations Summit was among several senior First Nations leader speaking during a ceremony marking the tabling of the legislature’s Reconcilation Action Plan. (Screencap)
British Columbians took out the least new mortgages in 2023, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s latest survey of mortgage holders. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

B.C. residents paying more for mortgages while taking out fewer of them

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Equifax Canada reports find B.C. residents struggling

British Columbians took out the least new mortgages in 2023, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s latest survey of mortgage holders. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside address the media outside the provincial legislature after Ottawa had announced that it would grant B.C.’s request to amend the terms of decriminalization. They will make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces including parks, hospitals and on transit. Original terms of the pilot project had prohibited police from arresting, charging or seizing adults in possession of up to 2.5 grams of heroin, cocaine, crack, crystal meth, MDMA or fentanyl. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C.’s request to ban public drug use approved by Ottawa

Federal Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks says the change is effective immediately

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside address the media outside the provincial legislature after Ottawa had announced that it would grant B.C.’s request to amend the terms of decriminalization. They will make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces including parks, hospitals and on transit. Original terms of the pilot project had prohibited police from arresting, charging or seizing adults in possession of up to 2.5 grams of heroin, cocaine, crack, crystal meth, MDMA or fentanyl. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Around 50 pro-Palestine protesters started an encampment on the University of Victoria campus on Wednesday morning, May 1, 2024. (Jake Romphf/Vic News)

Student encampment voices need to heard: B.C. human rights advocate

Human rights head urging decision makers to respect student rights in pro-Palestinian demonstrations

Around 50 pro-Palestine protesters started an encampment on the University of Victoria campus on Wednesday morning, May 1, 2024. (Jake Romphf/Vic News)
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike east of Rafah, Gaza Strip, Monday, May 6, 2024. B’nai Brith Canada reports a spike in anti-Semitic incidents in Canada that coincided with the aftermath of the Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Ismael Abu Dayyah)

Anti-Semitic incidents spike 92% in B.C. during 2023: B’nai Brith Canada

B’nai Brith Canada says 2023 was “worst year ever recorded” for Anti-Semitic incidents

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike east of Rafah, Gaza Strip, Monday, May 6, 2024. B’nai Brith Canada reports a spike in anti-Semitic incidents in Canada that coincided with the aftermath of the Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7. (AP Photo/Ismael Abu Dayyah)
Economic development officers from across B.C. are meeting in Penticton May 6 to 9 at the BC Economic Summit. Representatives from industry, as well as provincial, federal and First Nations representatives, will be attending. Issues include the state of the workforce as well health care. (Black Press Media file photo).

Workforce shortfalls top-of-mind at B.C. Economic Summit

Summit underway in Penticton against backdrop of labour shortages, concerns about rural health care

Economic development officers from across B.C. are meeting in Penticton May 6 to 9 at the BC Economic Summit. Representatives from industry, as well as provincial, federal and First Nations representatives, will be attending. Issues include the state of the workforce as well health care. (Black Press Media file photo).
Miles Prodan, president and CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia, says the current trade dispute with Alberta remain unresolved as the industry faces a “dire” situation after this winter’s cold snap. (Photo courtesy Canadian Press)

B.C. wineries faces ‘dire’ situation as Alberta trade dispute remains sour

Miles Prodan of Wine Growers British Columbia says industry faces ‘perfect storm’

Miles Prodan, president and CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia, says the current trade dispute with Alberta remain unresolved as the industry faces a “dire” situation after this winter’s cold snap. (Photo courtesy Canadian Press)
Government is promising better protection for owners of mobile homes in manufactured home parks like this one in Lac La Hache through changes to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. The changes come six years after a task force had first recommended them. (Google image)

B.C. adopting recommended mobile home-owner protections, 6 years later

Changes to regulations of Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act promise to curb evictions

Government is promising better protection for owners of mobile homes in manufactured home parks like this one in Lac La Hache through changes to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. The changes come six years after a task force had first recommended them. (Google image)
Joffre Lakes Provincial Park will be closed in 2024 from April 30 to May 15, June 14 to 23 and from Sept. 3 to Oct. 6, allowing the Indigenous communities to conduct cultural celebrations and traditional fall harvesting practices. (AdobeStock)

B.C. park shutdown should not be considered a template for others: minister

Joffre Lakes Park closed May 1 for Indigenous-led celebrations, opens to public May 16

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park will be closed in 2024 from April 30 to May 15, June 14 to 23 and from Sept. 3 to Oct. 6, allowing the Indigenous communities to conduct cultural celebrations and traditional fall harvesting practices. (AdobeStock)
As the third anniversary of the Lytton Creek wildfire of June 30, 2021, approaches, B.C.’s Auditor General Michael Pickup Wednesday announced that his office will be investigating the provincial’s role in the recovery efforts. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)

B.C.’s auditor-general to investigate Lytton’s stalled recovery from 2021 fire

Michael Pickup announced the investigation Wednesday May 1 as three-year-anniversary approaches

As the third anniversary of the Lytton Creek wildfire of June 30, 2021, approaches, B.C.’s Auditor General Michael Pickup Wednesday announced that his office will be investigating the provincial’s role in the recovery efforts. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks says the decision about whether to recriminalize drug use in British Columbia needs to be made urgently, but she’s still waiting for more information from the province before making a call. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

B.C. says feds have answers they need, wants urgent decriminalization response

Premier David Eby has asked the federal government to recriminalize drug use in B.C. public spaces

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks says the decision about whether to recriminalize drug use in British Columbia needs to be made urgently, but she’s still waiting for more information from the province before making a call. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Angela Mason of Amala Vacation Rental Solutions Ltd. located in Victoria fears new short-term rental regulations will have a negative impact on tourism in Greater Victoria, may be not immediately, but next summer, when tourists stop coming to Victoria in the absence of affordable accommodations. (Mark Page/News Staff)

New short-term rental rules will hurt tourism: B.C. business owner

New provincial rules restricting short-term rentals to principal residence now in effect

Angela Mason of Amala Vacation Rental Solutions Ltd. located in Victoria fears new short-term rental regulations will have a negative impact on tourism in Greater Victoria, may be not immediately, but next summer, when tourists stop coming to Victoria in the absence of affordable accommodations. (Mark Page/News Staff)
New housing starts are expected to slow down in Greater Vancouver, Greater Victoria in 2024 before rebounding in 2025, 2026, according to a new report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

B.C. homebuilding going to drop off before rebounding next year: CMHC

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation also expects vacancies to remain low and rents high

New housing starts are expected to slow down in Greater Vancouver, Greater Victoria in 2024 before rebounding in 2025, 2026, according to a new report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)
The issue of trans-gendered athletes entered the provincial legislature Tuesday when Conservative Party of B.C leader John Rustad tabled a private member’s bill that have excluded female trans-athletes from publicly funding sporting events in B.C. Several U.S. states have passed such laws, but a majority of legislators in B.C. voted against Rustad’s private member’s bill. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, File)

Conservative bill limiting transgender athletes sinks in B.C. legislature

B.C. NDP, B.C. Greens, independents vote against bill introduced by Conservative leader John Rustad

The issue of trans-gendered athletes entered the provincial legislature Tuesday when Conservative Party of B.C leader John Rustad tabled a private member’s bill that have excluded female trans-athletes from publicly funding sporting events in B.C. Several U.S. states have passed such laws, but a majority of legislators in B.C. voted against Rustad’s private member’s bill. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP, File)
BC Place Stadium will host seven games including two games featuring Canada’s Men’s National Soccer Team when FIFA’s Men’s World Cup, comes to North America. Figures released show direct costs will exceed direct revenues from hosting the games between $100 to $145 million with the province funding the difference funding out of contingencies. A report published in 2019 also raises questions about the effectiveness of promoting tourism through mega-events like the world’s largest soccer tournament. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)

Cost for B.C. to host 7 FIFA World Cup 2026 games doubles to $483M-$581M

Officials released the figure during an update Tuesday in Vancouver

BC Place Stadium will host seven games including two games featuring Canada’s Men’s National Soccer Team when FIFA’s Men’s World Cup, comes to North America. Figures released show direct costs will exceed direct revenues from hosting the games between $100 to $145 million with the province funding the difference funding out of contingencies. A report published in 2019 also raises questions about the effectiveness of promoting tourism through mega-events like the world’s largest soccer tournament. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)
Poverty and food security among children living in lone-parent households was on the rise in 2022, according to new figures from Statistics Canada. (Black Press Media file photo).

Child poverty spikes dramatically in B.C. single-mom families: StatsCan

Overall poverty rates and food insecurity up, while median after-tax incomes down

Poverty and food security among children living in lone-parent households was on the rise in 2022, according to new figures from Statistics Canada. (Black Press Media file photo).
Premier David Eby says Friday’s announcement that B.C. is seeking changes to decriminalization tries to balance the interests of people using substances and public safety. The move has earned praise from UBCM, but also criticism from others. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance-Times)

B.C. municipalities praise NDP for proposed decriminalization changes

Poverty advocate more critical of Friday’s request for changes to drug pilot project

Premier David Eby says Friday’s announcement that B.C. is seeking changes to decriminalization tries to balance the interests of people using substances and public safety. The move has earned praise from UBCM, but also criticism from others. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance-Times)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon listens as Premier David Eby Monday (April 29) announces eight new B.C. Builds sites across B.C. including three in the Township of Langley. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance-Times)

B.C. announces 8 new Build B.C. housing sites across the province

Sites awaiting affordable housing development located across B.C. including Kelowna and Kamloops

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon listens as Premier David Eby Monday (April 29) announces eight new B.C. Builds sites across B.C. including three in the Township of Langley. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance-Times)