BC government

British Columbia’s environment minister George Heyman defends the April 1 increase in the carbon tax. Some 200 economists also recently penned a letter in support of carbon taxation. But opposition to the tax is growing and less than half of current tax households receive the full climate action tax credit with increases planned for the future. (Black Press Media file photo) THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. to ‘stick’ with April 1 carbon tax increase: Environment Minister

Economists across Canada support the tax, but public support is waning

British Columbia’s environment minister George Heyman defends the April 1 increase in the carbon tax. Some 200 economists also recently penned a letter in support of carbon taxation. But opposition to the tax is growing and less than half of current tax households receive the full climate action tax credit with increases planned for the future. (Black Press Media file photo) THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Dr. Stephen Malthouse, here seen appearing on an Internet program, is running for the Conservative Party of B.C. in the new riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. new riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. B.C.’s College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia suspended Malthouse’s license on March 24, 2022 under an interim order pending completion of an investigation following complaints from other doctors.

Conservatives drop Denman Island doctor suspended for COVID views

Dr. Stephen Malthouse suspended in March 2022 as part of investigation

Dr. Stephen Malthouse, here seen appearing on an Internet program, is running for the Conservative Party of B.C. in the new riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. new riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. B.C.’s College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia suspended Malthouse’s license on March 24, 2022 under an interim order pending completion of an investigation following complaints from other doctors.
Dr. Stephen Malthouse, here seen appearing on an Internet program, is running for the Conservative Party of B.C. in the new riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. new riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. B.C.’s College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia suspended Malthouse’s license on March 24, 2022 under an interim order pending completion of an investigation following complaints from other doctors.

UPDATE: Conservatives drop B.C. doctor suspended for COVID views

Dr. Stephen Malthouse suspended in March 2022 as part of investigation

Dr. Stephen Malthouse, here seen appearing on an Internet program, is running for the Conservative Party of B.C. in the new riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. new riding of Ladysmith-Oceanside. B.C.’s College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia suspended Malthouse’s license on March 24, 2022 under an interim order pending completion of an investigation following complaints from other doctors.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth Wednesday announced the province has filed an unexplained wealth order against Quadriga CX. The Vancouver-based cryptocurrency exchange went bankrupt in 2019 following the apparent death of its co-founder and CEO Gerald Cotten. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Unexplained wealth order filed by B.C. could lead to seizure of cash, gold

Order was filed against bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange Quadriga CX

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth Wednesday announced the province has filed an unexplained wealth order against Quadriga CX. The Vancouver-based cryptocurrency exchange went bankrupt in 2019 following the apparent death of its co-founder and CEO Gerald Cotten. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights among measures to protect renters. (Screencap)

New bill of rights helping renters unveiled by Trudeau in B.C.

Wednesday’s announcement includes making rental payments count toward credit scores

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights among measures to protect renters. (Screencap)
A civil lawsuit launched by Stand Environmental Society and two B.C. residents alleges that FortisBC is misrepresenting how much renewable natural gas captured and purified from sources like landfills the company is actually making available to British Columbians. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. residents, environmental society sue FortisBC for ‘greenwashing’

Stand Environmental launched civil suit seeking a court declaration of deceptive conduct

A civil lawsuit launched by Stand Environmental Society and two B.C. residents alleges that FortisBC is misrepresenting how much renewable natural gas captured and purified from sources like landfills the company is actually making available to British Columbians. (Black Press Media file photo)
This photo shows some of the 280 cats BC SPCA will start removing from a rural Houston property after its owner had called the BC SPCA for help. (BCSPCA photo/Houston Today)

‘Unparalleled’ intake of 280 cats by SPCA draws help from B.C.

Animal welfare society says rescue from Houston home expected to drain resources

This photo shows some of the 280 cats BC SPCA will start removing from a rural Houston property after its owner had called the BC SPCA for help. (BCSPCA photo/Houston Today)
Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardian Gisele Martin shares a moment with an old growth tree. The provincial government is currently accepting public submissions for plans for two conservancies in Clayoquot Sound following discussions with Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations. (Submitted photo)

B.C. considering new forest-protective conservancies in Clayoquot Sound

Proposal would prohibit logging in large parts of what was ground zero in the War in the Woods

Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardian Gisele Martin shares a moment with an old growth tree. The provincial government is currently accepting public submissions for plans for two conservancies in Clayoquot Sound following discussions with Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations. (Submitted photo)
A new poll finds that New Democrats would win 40 per cent among decided voters while the Conservative Party of BC would win 34 per cent. BC United would win 15 per cent of the vote and BC Greens would win 10 per cent of the vote. (Black Press Media/Don Denton)

New B.C. poll sees NDP in the lead, Conservatives surging within 6 points

Mainstreet poll points to NDP majority and a strong Conservative opposition

A new poll finds that New Democrats would win 40 per cent among decided voters while the Conservative Party of BC would win 34 per cent. BC United would win 15 per cent of the vote and BC Greens would win 10 per cent of the vote. (Black Press Media/Don Denton)
Premier David Eby Tuesday, here seen announcing BC Builds, last month announced nearly 2,000 new rental units in Metro Vancouver to be built through 17 projects receiving funding through Community Housing Fund.

B.C. economist calls 2,000 new rental units in Metro Van a ‘good start’

But Marc Lee of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives questions scale, pace of building

Premier David Eby Tuesday, here seen announcing BC Builds, last month announced nearly 2,000 new rental units in Metro Vancouver to be built through 17 projects receiving funding through Community Housing Fund.
(Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. sparks new public EV charging stations in rural corners of province

More than 500 new stations to help fill ‘geographic gaps’ in B.C.’s charging network

(Black Press Media file photo)
Auditor-General Michael Pickup found “significant deficiencies” in the implementation of two “integral” policies designed to reduce the harms caused by B.C.’s illicit drug toxicity, including at least 14,000 deaths since 2016. (Screencap)

‘Significant deficiencies’ in programs to curb toxic drug deaths: B.C auditor

Overdose prevention services, prescribed safe supply not properly implemented

Auditor-General Michael Pickup found “significant deficiencies” in the implementation of two “integral” policies designed to reduce the harms caused by B.C.’s illicit drug toxicity, including at least 14,000 deaths since 2016. (Screencap)
The record-setting wildfires across western Canada including British Columbia did not just destroy millions of hectares of forest but also contributed to the on-going shrinkage of glaciers across western Canada. (Pete Laing/Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service) (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Metro Vancouver)

B.C.’s wildfires helped feed glacier meltdown across western Canada: report

World Meteorological Organization report also confirms 2023 as the hottest year on record

The record-setting wildfires across western Canada including British Columbia did not just destroy millions of hectares of forest but also contributed to the on-going shrinkage of glaciers across western Canada. (Pete Laing/Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service) (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Metro Vancouver)
A new Angus Reid survey finds Premier David Eby and the BC-NDP with a double-digit lead in the polls over the Conservative Party of BC and BC United. Surveyed would-be voters also think that New Democrats are the best to handle top issues like housing affordability compared to the other parties. But the survey also finds what it calls “potentially concerning” findings for governing Democrats. At least seven in ten think government is doing a poor job on most issues facing the province. (Screencap)

B.C. NDP still leading Conservatives, BC United by double-digit margin

Seven months from the next election, poll also finds 51 per cent want change in government

A new Angus Reid survey finds Premier David Eby and the BC-NDP with a double-digit lead in the polls over the Conservative Party of BC and BC United. Surveyed would-be voters also think that New Democrats are the best to handle top issues like housing affordability compared to the other parties. But the survey also finds what it calls “potentially concerning” findings for governing Democrats. At least seven in ten think government is doing a poor job on most issues facing the province. (Screencap)
Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis listens as Werner Stump, vice-president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association speaks Monday (March 18) in Delta, where Alexis joined Premier David Eby in announcing $80 million for a program to help ranchers and farmers improve access to water. (Screencap)

B.C. farmers get up to $80 million to tap into improved water supplies

But low snowpack douses optimism about 2024 with water scarcity challenging ranchers and farmers

Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis listens as Werner Stump, vice-president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association speaks Monday (March 18) in Delta, where Alexis joined Premier David Eby in announcing $80 million for a program to help ranchers and farmers improve access to water. (Screencap)
An app part of new predictive technology will help B.C.’s wildfires respond quicker to wildfires, government announced Monday. (Black Press Media file photo)

Real-time app to help predict wildfires in southern B.C.

App will be phased in to other regions of B.C. over the year

An app part of new predictive technology will help B.C.’s wildfires respond quicker to wildfires, government announced Monday. (Black Press Media file photo)
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. But the Canadian Taxpayers Federation fears growing costs and accused government of lacking transparency. Tourism Minister Lana Popham promised to release a “full package” of information, which is government is able to share. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)

Taxpayer group fears financial own-goal by B.C. hosting FIFA World Cup

Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on B.C. to release its FIFA contract

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. But the Canadian Taxpayers Federation fears growing costs and accused government of lacking transparency. Tourism Minister Lana Popham promised to release a “full package” of information, which is government is able to share. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)
Keerit Jutla, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration, here seen in Smithers, wants to be part of technical working group struck by the province as reforms of the Mineral Tenure Act continue. Energy Minister Josie Osborne says AME will participate in the reform process, but not as a member of that technical group involving government and First Nations organizations. (Photo courtesy of Smithers Exploration Group)

B.C.’s mineral explorers want more input into mineral act reform

Association for Mineral Exploration in BC wants to join working group revising Mineral Tenure Act

Keerit Jutla, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration, here seen in Smithers, wants to be part of technical working group struck by the province as reforms of the Mineral Tenure Act continue. Energy Minister Josie Osborne says AME will participate in the reform process, but not as a member of that technical group involving government and First Nations organizations. (Photo courtesy of Smithers Exploration Group)
Lisa Marie Barron, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP, and Jagmeet Singh, federal NDP party leader, recently visited Nanaimo’s Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank. Singh said B.C. is an example of what can be achieved elsewhere in Canada. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Feds paying close attention to B.C. policies as a national reference point

Housing, climate and social programs under national scrutiny as an inspiration or a warning

Lisa Marie Barron, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP, and Jagmeet Singh, federal NDP party leader, recently visited Nanaimo’s Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank. Singh said B.C. is an example of what can be achieved elsewhere in Canada. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
B.C. is the second-best province in Canada, when it comes to EV ownership, but that status comes with a price. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)

The more you drive your EV, the more you save, UBC study finds

But study also warns against treating EVs as ‘be-and-end-all’ solution to greenhouse emissions

B.C. is the second-best province in Canada, when it comes to EV ownership, but that status comes with a price. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)