BC government

B.C. is expected to spend $55.5 million with the federal government spending $19.5 toward planting 50 million trees this year. (Photo courtesy of Paige Mueller)

B.C. set to shovel more than $55M out to plant 50 million trees in 2024

This year’s tree-planting season happens with several hold-over fires burning in northern B.C.

B.C. is expected to spend $55.5 million with the federal government spending $19.5 toward planting 50 million trees this year. (Photo courtesy of Paige Mueller)
Premier David Eby, here seen with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, said Thursday that his government will continue to treat addiction as a mental health issue, but also promised additional resources for police to deal with public safety. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Premier says B.C. will continue to treat addiction as a mental health issue

But David Eby also said police will have the necessary resources to address public safety

Premier David Eby, here seen with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, said Thursday that his government will continue to treat addiction as a mental health issue, but also promised additional resources for police to deal with public safety. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
B.C. legislation ostensibly allowing government to sue social media companies is under fire from business groups and parts of the political opposition for being broad. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

B.C. ‘classic consumer protection’ law raising unintended consequence concerns

Business leaders calls legislation allowing government to sue social media companies too broad

B.C. legislation ostensibly allowing government to sue social media companies is under fire from business groups and parts of the political opposition for being broad. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
The federal budget tabled by the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, here seen Friday (April 19) at the University of Victoria, is getting a thumbs-down from the Business Council of British Columbia because of its lacking fiscal discipline and other effects on B.C. The B.C. Office of Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calls the budget “decent” but notes that it won’t have an effect for years, if at all. (Mark Page/Black Press Media)

B.C. economists spar about what about the federal budget means for B.C.

BCBC’s David Williams laments ‘lack of fiscal discipline’ while CCPA’ Marc Lee calls it ‘decent’

The federal budget tabled by the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, here seen Friday (April 19) at the University of Victoria, is getting a thumbs-down from the Business Council of British Columbia because of its lacking fiscal discipline and other effects on B.C. The B.C. Office of Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calls the budget “decent” but notes that it won’t have an effect for years, if at all. (Mark Page/Black Press Media)
Metro Vancouver mayors are part of a growing chorus concerned about the perceived indifference of the federal government for the financial needs of TransLink, the regional transportation authority that runs buses and SkyTrain across 21 municipalities in Metro Vancouver, home to just over half of the provincial population. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. economist calls on Ottawa to get on board with more transit spending

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternative’s Marc Lee says Ottawa needs to spend more money faster

Metro Vancouver mayors are part of a growing chorus concerned about the perceived indifference of the federal government for the financial needs of TransLink, the regional transportation authority that runs buses and SkyTrain across 21 municipalities in Metro Vancouver, home to just over half of the provincial population. (Black Press Media file photo)
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh did not tip his hand Wednesday when asked whether his party would support the federal budget. Reactions in B.C. meanwhile range from supportive to critical, with the provincial government calling Ottawa’s housing commitment’s “welcome but overdue” (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

B.C. reaction to the 2024 federal budget predictably mixed

Reaction from B.C. businesses and political opposition ranges from supportive to critical

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh did not tip his hand Wednesday when asked whether his party would support the federal budget. Reactions in B.C. meanwhile range from supportive to critical, with the provincial government calling Ottawa’s housing commitment’s “welcome but overdue” (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
Premier David Eby and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon speak in Langley on Thursday, April 18, 2024, to discuss incoming short-term rental rules. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

As short-term rental rules loom, B.C. communities opting in and out

B.C. Premier, Housing Minister issue reminder about new rules designed to create more rental housing

Premier David Eby and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon speak in Langley on Thursday, April 18, 2024, to discuss incoming short-term rental rules. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
Fiona Wilson, deputy chief constable of the Vancouver Police Department and president of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police, told federal MPs Monday (April 16) that decriminalization has not been without its issues, but also pushed back concerns about the diversion of safe supply while speaking to federal MPs. Dwayne McDonald, deputy commissioner and commanding officer of E Division Royal Canadian Mounted Police, also spoke.(Screencap)

Fix public consumption issue while decriminalization continues: B.C. cops

VPD’s deputy chief constable, head of RCMP in B.C. spoke before federal MPs Monday

Fiona Wilson, deputy chief constable of the Vancouver Police Department and president of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police, told federal MPs Monday (April 16) that decriminalization has not been without its issues, but also pushed back concerns about the diversion of safe supply while speaking to federal MPs. Dwayne McDonald, deputy commissioner and commanding officer of E Division Royal Canadian Mounted Police, also spoke.(Screencap)
Premier David Eby says B.C. is happy to take all federal infrastructure money tied to more housing refused by other provinces, because the province has already done its homework to build more housing. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. ahead of curve as feds roll out big housing dollars with demands: Eby

Federal budget includes billions for infrastructure tied to more housing

Premier David Eby says B.C. is happy to take all federal infrastructure money tied to more housing refused by other provinces, because the province has already done its homework to build more housing. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Rising energy costs in March contributed to an uptick in B.C.’s inflation rate to 2.7 per cent, 0.2 per cent below Canada’s rate of 2.9 per cent. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Higher gas prices pump up B.C.’s inflation rate slightly in March

B.C.’s 2.7 per cent rate remains below Canada’s rate of 2.9 per cent and Alberta’s of 3.5 per cent

Rising energy costs in March contributed to an uptick in B.C.’s inflation rate to 2.7 per cent, 0.2 per cent below Canada’s rate of 2.9 per cent. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Finley Comartin received a diagnosed of dyslexia in Grade 4 last year. His screening was paid privately. Premier David Eby and Education Minister Rachna Singh officially announced universal screening for children between Kindergarten and Grade 3. (Ella Matte/Black Press Media News Staff)

B.C. officially announces dyslexia screening for all Grade K-3 students

Premier Eby, education minister announce $30 milllion for dyslexia screening, literacy

Finley Comartin received a diagnosed of dyslexia in Grade 4 last year. His screening was paid privately. Premier David Eby and Education Minister Rachna Singh officially announced universal screening for children between Kindergarten and Grade 3. (Ella Matte/Black Press Media News Staff)
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)
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)
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)