Wolf Depner

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Real estate sales in B.C. dropped by 9.5 per cent in March 2024 compared to March 2023, according to new figures from the British Columbia Real Estate Association. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler)

B.C. homebuyers waiting on Bank of Canada to drop rates: economist

New figures show home sales in March 2024 dropped by 9.5 per cent compared to March 2023.

Real estate sales in B.C. dropped by 9.5 per cent in March 2024 compared to March 2023, according to new figures from the British Columbia Real Estate Association. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Evan Buhler)
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth this week acknowledged that safe supply diversion is taking place, but denied that his government is interferring with RCMP communications. (Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. public safety minister Farnworth denies existence of ‘gag order’ to RCMP

Farnworth said it is up to RCMP how to communicate with public over issues like drugs

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth this week acknowledged that safe supply diversion is taking place, but denied that his government is interferring with RCMP communications. (Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)
Health Minister Adrian Dix officially launched the Hospital at Home program in Vancouver. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel)

‘There is no place like home’ Hospital at Home program expands to Vancouver

Health Minister says program already improving quality of care for eligible patients elsewhere

Health Minister Adrian Dix officially launched the Hospital at Home program in Vancouver. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel)
A private member’s bill is calling for more controls around fossil-fuel related advertisements. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C Greens, B.C. United table anti-greenwashing, suicide-prevention bills

Tabled bills face uncertain but likely unsuccessful future with NDP controlling legislative agenda

A private member’s bill is calling for more controls around fossil-fuel related advertisements. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Thirty-six health care workers received compensation through WorkSafeBC after being exposed to substances of various kinds, including drugs, in 2023, according to government figures. (SJ Objio - Unsplash)

Substance exposure put 36 health workers on WorkSafeBC compensation in 2023

Figure released as debate grows about the use of illicit substances in hospitals

Thirty-six health care workers received compensation through WorkSafeBC after being exposed to substances of various kinds, including drugs, in 2023, according to government figures. (SJ Objio - Unsplash)
Attorney-General Niki Sharma Thursday announced that government will be tabling the Anti-Racism Act to root out “systemic racism” and advance “racial equity” in provincial policies, programs and services. (Screencap)

New anti-racism legislation aims to hold B.C. accountable for systemic flaws

Attorney-General Niki Sharma says Anti-Racism Act will help eliminate systemic racism in government

Attorney-General Niki Sharma Thursday announced that government will be tabling the Anti-Racism Act to root out “systemic racism” and advance “racial equity” in provincial policies, programs and services. (Screencap)
A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor’s office in Stuttgart, Germany, Monday, April 28, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle

B.C. hopes to match 300,000 people with doctors using new online platform

Province launching online system April 17 to allow easier connection between patients and providers

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor’s office in Stuttgart, Germany, Monday, April 28, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle
An officer asks protesters to step off the road at an anti-SOGI 123 rally in Chilliwack on Oct. 10. There has been a surge of protests in the Fraser Valley recently. The provincial government Wednesday tabled legislation to create buffer zones around schools. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. to establish protest-free buffer zones around K-12 schools

Attorney-General Niki Sharma tabled promised legislation April 10

An officer asks protesters to step off the road at an anti-SOGI 123 rally in Chilliwack on Oct. 10. There has been a surge of protests in the Fraser Valley recently. The provincial government Wednesday tabled legislation to create buffer zones around schools. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
A map of B.C. shows what per cent of normal each region’s snowpack is at, as of April 1, 2024. On average throughout the province, the snowpack is at 63 per cent of normal, the lowest level on record since at least 1970. (B.C. River Forecast Centre)

B.C.’s snowpack lowest it’s been since 1970, raising risk of drought

River Forecast Centre says levels point to dry spring and summer, but too soon to say for certain

A map of B.C. shows what per cent of normal each region’s snowpack is at, as of April 1, 2024. On average throughout the province, the snowpack is at 63 per cent of normal, the lowest level on record since at least 1970. (B.C. River Forecast Centre)
Fundraising totals for 2023 show B.C. NDP with an edge over the opposition parties, having raised $4.52 million. That is more than than B.C. United ($2.9 million) and the Conservative Party of B.C. (just under $444,000 combined. B.C. Greens failed to file their paperwork in time, but unofficial figures show the party having raised almost $1.2 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

NDP well ahead of their B.C. opposition in collecting donations

Statements show party raised $4.52 million in 2023, while 2nd-placed B.C United raised $2.9 million

Fundraising totals for 2023 show B.C. NDP with an edge over the opposition parties, having raised $4.52 million. That is more than than B.C. United ($2.9 million) and the Conservative Party of B.C. (just under $444,000 combined. B.C. Greens failed to file their paperwork in time, but unofficial figures show the party having raised almost $1.2 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
B.C.’s Finance Minister Katrine Conroy, here seen during during budget lockup in Victoria in February, acknowledged Tuesday that two credit rating agencies downgraded B.C.’s credit rating, but said B.C. also faced what she called a “deficit of infrastructure” (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.’s credit rating takes 2 high-profile hits on the same day

First Standard and Poor’s, then Moody’s lower province’s credit score

B.C.’s Finance Minister Katrine Conroy, here seen during during budget lockup in Victoria in February, acknowledged Tuesday that two credit rating agencies downgraded B.C.’s credit rating, but said B.C. also faced what she called a “deficit of infrastructure” (Black Press Media file photo)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Tuesday (April 9) announced changes to the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program. Recipients will receive an immediate one-time top-off of $430 starting this month. Average SAFER payments will go up by $110 per month. Government also raised the eligibility threshold. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. offering one-time rental benefit for some low-income families, seniors

Low-income elderly renters will also see monthly subsidies increase by average of $110

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Tuesday (April 9) announced changes to the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program. Recipients will receive an immediate one-time top-off of $430 starting this month. Average SAFER payments will go up by $110 per month. Government also raised the eligibility threshold. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C. Nurses Union Adriane Gear, here seen in Vancouver in 2023 when she was still vice-president, says nurses support harm reduction, but also want to see more safety measures amidst reports of nurses being harmed by their consumption in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo) (Lauren Collins)

B.C.’s nurses support harm reduction, but call for additional safety measures

BC Nurses’ Union President Gear says ‘instances’ of illicit substance consumption happen around B.C.

B.C. Nurses Union Adriane Gear, here seen in Vancouver in 2023 when she was still vice-president, says nurses support harm reduction, but also want to see more safety measures amidst reports of nurses being harmed by their consumption in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo) (Lauren Collins)
A 2023 WorkSafeBC investigation of Vancouver Island hospitals including Victoria General Hospital found “several symptomatic worker exposures to illicit substances.” Health Minister Adrian Dix Monday announced a task force to help help create province-wide standards in response to rising reports of illicit substances being used in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo)

Health minister announces task force to deal with drug use in B.C. hospitals

BC United’s Elenore Sturko questions need for task force, calls for tougher enforcement

A 2023 WorkSafeBC investigation of Vancouver Island hospitals including Victoria General Hospital found “several symptomatic worker exposures to illicit substances.” Health Minister Adrian Dix Monday announced a task force to help help create province-wide standards in response to rising reports of illicit substances being used in hospitals. (Black Press Media file photo)
British Columbia’s auditor general Michael Pickup as well as Comptroller General Carl Fischer will be investigating MNP’s role in the administration of the two grant programs offered through CleanBC following allegations of a kick-back scheme. (Canadian Press file photo)

B.C. government orders investigation into carbon tax grant process

Investigation to focus on whether grants being awarded fairly after allegations arise.

British Columbia’s auditor general Michael Pickup as well as Comptroller General Carl Fischer will be investigating MNP’s role in the administration of the two grant programs offered through CleanBC following allegations of a kick-back scheme. (Canadian Press file photo)
Housing is the most important among decided voters, according to a new Leger poll that shows B.C. NDP with a “sustained, substantial lead” with 43 per cent and the Conservative Party of B.C. at 26 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)

NDP lead ‘sustained, substantial’ in B.C.’s ‘shifting political landscape’: poll

Premier David Eby’s party with 43 per cent, Conservative of B.C. with 26 per cent

Housing is the most important among decided voters, according to a new Leger poll that shows B.C. NDP with a “sustained, substantial lead” with 43 per cent and the Conservative Party of B.C. at 26 per cent. (Black Press Media file photo)
The latest job numbers show B.C.’s unemployment up by 0.3 per cent to 5.5 per cent in March. The health care and social assistance sector added 10,300 people, but the information, culture and recreation, and accommodation and food services sectors lost a combined 11,000 jobs. The construction industry gained jobs, but only marginally in the face of high interest rates.

March job numbers offer “mixed bag” for B.C. as unemployment rose slightly

Health care, social assistance sector added more than 10,000 jobs, but other key sectors lost jobs

The latest job numbers show B.C.’s unemployment up by 0.3 per cent to 5.5 per cent in March. The health care and social assistance sector added 10,300 people, but the information, culture and recreation, and accommodation and food services sectors lost a combined 11,000 jobs. The construction industry gained jobs, but only marginally in the face of high interest rates.
Housing prices in Metro Vancouver have reached a ‘full-blown-crisis’ according to report from the Royal Bank of Canada and the CMHC expects new home construction to dip in 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. housing minister says province will surpass grim housing start forecasts

New RBC report also finds Metro Vancouver in ‘full-blown-crisis’

Housing prices in Metro Vancouver have reached a ‘full-blown-crisis’ according to report from the Royal Bank of Canada and the CMHC expects new home construction to dip in 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Premier David Eby Thursday (April 4) announced that Kamloops would host a fire training and education centre at Thompson River University, the first of its kind in North America. (Barbara Roden/Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal)

B.C. to open first-of-its-kind wildfire training, education centre in Kamloops

Eby says the centre was among recommendations from a task force after the 2023 wildfire season

Premier David Eby Thursday (April 4) announced that Kamloops would host a fire training and education centre at Thompson River University, the first of its kind in North America. (Barbara Roden/Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal)
Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad and House Leader Bruce Banman flank former NDP MLA Gwen O’Mahony during a news conference Wednesday. O’Mahony will be running in the newly riding of Nanaimo-Lantzville. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Former Fraser Valley NDP MLA to run for B.C. Conservatives in Nanaimo

Gwen O’Mahony was the MLA for Chilliwack-Hope for 2012 to 2013

Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad and House Leader Bruce Banman flank former NDP MLA Gwen O’Mahony during a news conference Wednesday. O’Mahony will be running in the newly riding of Nanaimo-Lantzville. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)