Wolf Depner

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Tents and people are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park below the towers of the downtown skyline in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver’s unhoused could reach more than 4,700 people by 2030: report

Housing Minister Kahlon says improvements have been made, but acknowledges more work ahead

Tents and people are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park below the towers of the downtown skyline in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C.’s health minister Adrian Dix, here seen in 2023, is welcoming news of a national pharmacare program partially inspired by B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel)

B.C. health minister Adrian Dix welcomes national pharmacare program

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says it will improve health care for B.C.

B.C.’s health minister Adrian Dix, here seen in 2023, is welcoming news of a national pharmacare program partially inspired by B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel)
Fiona Famulak, president of the BC Chamber of Commerce, here seen with Premier David Eby in December, (Screencap)

B.C. business leader calls for ‘balance’ after government raises minimum wage

BC Chamber of Commerce’s Fiona Famulak worries about rising costs, while union leader praises hike

Fiona Famulak, president of the BC Chamber of Commerce, here seen with Premier David Eby in December, (Screencap)
B.C. Auditor General Michael Pickup Tuesday tabled a report that finds that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has not been effectively managing ministry effectively managing hazardous spills.(Photo Courtesy of Office of the Auditor General)

Hazardous spills increasing, B.C. not prepared or transparent

Auditor-general: B.C. lacks up-to-date major spill response plan, failing to keep people informed

B.C. Auditor General Michael Pickup Tuesday tabled a report that finds that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has not been effectively managing ministry effectively managing hazardous spills.(Photo Courtesy of Office of the Auditor General)
B.C.’s tourism minister Lana Popham says “numbers” for hosting seven matches of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Vancouver “have changed substantially” since Vancouver learnt that it would host seven rather than five games. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Tourism minister says cost of B.C. hosting World Cup grew ‘substantially’

Lana Popham has a ‘ballpark figure’ but won’t release it until staff has completed work

B.C.’s tourism minister Lana Popham says “numbers” for hosting seven matches of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Vancouver “have changed substantially” since Vancouver learnt that it would host seven rather than five games. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Premier David Eby, here seen with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Monday in Vancouver, says a new flipping tax will give a families a “leg up” in the search for housing. (Screencap)

‘Final warning’ given B.C. house flippers, Eby says new tax not about revenue

But BC United says new new flipping tax is ‘primarily a political announcement’

Premier David Eby, here seen with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Monday in Vancouver, says a new flipping tax will give a families a “leg up” in the search for housing. (Screencap)
Minimum wage workers in industries such as food and accommodation will see their hourly earnings rise to $17.40 on June 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. tying minimum wage increases to inflation permanently through new law

Minimum wage will rise to 65 cents to $17.40 on June 1 for most eligible workers

Minimum wage workers in industries such as food and accommodation will see their hourly earnings rise to $17.40 on June 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
Former attorney-general Wally Oppal headed Missing Women Commission of Inquiry in wake of the Robert Pickton trial. A comedy group known as Danger Cats is now facing criticism for selling merchandise featuring Pickton and Premier David Eby has called on the group to apologize. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. premier calls on comedy group to apologize to families of Pickton victims

David Eby calls merchandise depicting Robert Pickton a ‘sad attempt at humour’

Former attorney-general Wally Oppal headed Missing Women Commission of Inquiry in wake of the Robert Pickton trial. A comedy group known as Danger Cats is now facing criticism for selling merchandise featuring Pickton and Premier David Eby has called on the group to apologize. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Speaking at the Junction neighbourhood pub in Vancouver Friday afternoon, Premier David Eby said businesses across B.C. will benefit from the budget’s decision to raise the threshold on the Employers’ Health Tax and the temporary hydro rebate. (Screencap)

Business leaders criticize, praise B.C.’s budget in talk with Premier Eby

Eby says budget will help B.C. respond to growing population and set the stage for economic growth

Speaking at the Junction neighbourhood pub in Vancouver Friday afternoon, Premier David Eby said businesses across B.C. will benefit from the budget’s decision to raise the threshold on the Employers’ Health Tax and the temporary hydro rebate. (Screencap)
Brendon Ogmundson, chief economist with the British Columbia Real Estate Association, broadly praises the housing policy of the NDP government to create more supply, but calls the flipping tax part of Budget 2024 “politically motivated” in questioning its effectiveness to curb speculation. (CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward)

Real estate economist says B.C.’s flipping tax might backfire

B.C. Real Estate Association: new tax won’t curb speculation, may give people disincentive to sell

Brendon Ogmundson, chief economist with the British Columbia Real Estate Association, broadly praises the housing policy of the NDP government to create more supply, but calls the flipping tax part of Budget 2024 “politically motivated” in questioning its effectiveness to curb speculation. (CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward)
Home builders and others are praising housing-related aspects of the 2024 provincial budget, but it has also prompted questions about government’s commitment to build new temporary and permanent emergency shelters on top of the 500 existing ones for all of B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. builders and housing analysts happy with province’s direction

Policies confirmed in new budget expected to make it easier to turn renters into owners

Home builders and others are praising housing-related aspects of the 2024 provincial budget, but it has also prompted questions about government’s commitment to build new temporary and permanent emergency shelters on top of the 500 existing ones for all of B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C.’s opposition parties are criticizing the NDP’s provincial budget but on different grounds. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. Budget 2024: opposition parties slam NDP’s 2024 provincial budget

BC United, Conservatives accuses NDP of reckless spending, while Greens criticize climate policies

B.C.’s opposition parties are criticizing the NDP’s provincial budget but on different grounds. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
B.C.’s Finance Minister Katrine Conroy speaks during budget lockup in Victoria on Thursday (Feb. 22, 2024). (Lauren Collins)

BUDGET 2024: B.C. runs record deficit of almost $8B, focuses on temporary relief

Budget includes several temporary relief measures and a flipping tax

B.C.’s Finance Minister Katrine Conroy speaks during budget lockup in Victoria on Thursday (Feb. 22, 2024). (Lauren Collins)
Thursday is Budget Day in B.C. with Finance Minister Katrine Conroy publicly presenting the budget Thursday afternoon. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

2 B.C. budget wish lists: economists share what this province needs

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy will publicly table budget Thursday afternoon

Thursday is Budget Day in B.C. with Finance Minister Katrine Conroy publicly presenting the budget Thursday afternoon. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
B.C.’s Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen, here seen in 2022, said it is time to press the pause on proposed amendments to the Land Act. He did not say when government, assuming its re-election, would return to the issue following months of concerns about the substance and process of consultations leading up to amendments. (Thom Barker photo)

B.C. presses pause on Indigenous-related changes to the Land Act

Lands Minister Nathan Cullen says more consultation needed in the wake of growign conflict

B.C.’s Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen, here seen in 2022, said it is time to press the pause on proposed amendments to the Land Act. He did not say when government, assuming its re-election, would return to the issue following months of concerns about the substance and process of consultations leading up to amendments. (Thom Barker photo)
Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy, here seen in February 2023 tabling her first budget, says tomorrow’s budget will target middle-class British Columbians, but the political opposition questions the direction. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Minister says coming B.C. deficit budget aimed at helping middle-class

BC United and BC Greens question NDP’s priorities, call approach out of touch

Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy, here seen in February 2023 tabling her first budget, says tomorrow’s budget will target middle-class British Columbians, but the political opposition questions the direction. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin arrives to prorogue the 5th session of the 42nd parliament of the province while at legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Housing, health care and heeding rising costs: B.C. delivers Throne Speech

Lt-Gov. Janet Austin delivers Throne Speech ahead of 2024-25 budget release

Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin arrives to prorogue the 5th session of the 42nd parliament of the province while at legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Notwithstanding its physical beauty, Metro Vancouver reports a lower quality of life than other parts of British Columbia, with the high cost of housing is one of the likely reasons, according to a new survey. Whereas 48 per cent of all British Columbians reported having a high life satisfaction, that number dropped to 45.1 per cent for residents of Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). (Gerry Green/Twitter)

Pursuing happiness in B.C.? Stay away from Metro Vancouver

Statistics Canada says residents living outside of Metro Vancouver are happier, more optimistic

Notwithstanding its physical beauty, Metro Vancouver reports a lower quality of life than other parts of British Columbia, with the high cost of housing is one of the likely reasons, according to a new survey. Whereas 48 per cent of all British Columbians reported having a high life satisfaction, that number dropped to 45.1 per cent for residents of Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). (Gerry Green/Twitter)
Citizens’ Services Minister Lisa Beare (left) has formally replaced Selina Robinson (right) as Post-Secondary Minister. Robinson resigned from cabinet, after having called pre-1948 Israel a “crappy piece of land with nothing on it.” (Twitter)

Eby shuffles cabinet amid ousting Robinson as post-secondary education minister

Robinson resigned in early February after controversial statements about Gaza

Citizens’ Services Minister Lisa Beare (left) has formally replaced Selina Robinson (right) as Post-Secondary Minister. Robinson resigned from cabinet, after having called pre-1948 Israel a “crappy piece of land with nothing on it.” (Twitter)
City of Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz wants financial credit for last year’s ER closures at Nicola Valley Hospital. (Photo Courtesy City of Merritt)

Merritt wants a refund for multiple hospital ER closures in 2023

Mayor Michael Goetz says his community should not ask to be charged for services it did not receive

City of Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz wants financial credit for last year’s ER closures at Nicola Valley Hospital. (Photo Courtesy City of Merritt)