BC government

B.C. fruit and grape growers will receive up to $70 million in provincial money to re-plant crops damaged by January’s cold snap. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. fruit and grape growers get $70M to replant damaged crops

Premier David Eby announced the money Wednesday via stream to wine industry conference in Penticton

B.C. fruit and grape growers will receive up to $70 million in provincial money to re-plant crops damaged by January’s cold snap. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jens Wieting, senior forest and climate campaigner with the Sierra Club of BC, says B.C. budget could help B.C. make progress on the environment, but he also expressed concern about B.C.’s on-going support for liquified natural gas. (Black Press Media file photo)

Watchdogs critical of B.C.’s continued support of LNG ‘carbon bomb’

Environmental groups concerned LNG policies outweigh progress in other areas

Jens Wieting, senior forest and climate campaigner with the Sierra Club of BC, says B.C. budget could help B.C. make progress on the environment, but he also expressed concern about B.C.’s on-going support for liquified natural gas. (Black Press Media file photo)
A new reports says B.C.’s forestry sector finds itself in a “deepening” and “never-ending” crisis but the decline of the industry is “neither inevitable nor acceptable” in calling on governmen to focus on preserving jobs in the sector through a broader strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Decline of B.C.’s forestry ‘neither inevitable nor acceptable’: union report

Premier Eby says criticism ‘stings a little’ but promises to work with forestry workers

A new reports says B.C.’s forestry sector finds itself in a “deepening” and “never-ending” crisis but the decline of the industry is “neither inevitable nor acceptable” in calling on governmen to focus on preserving jobs in the sector through a broader strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Premier David Eby met with Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland Monday afternoon prior to next month’s federal budget. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Deputy PM Freeland brings promise of ‘housing, housing, housing’ to B.C.

Freeland, who is also finance minister, met with Premier David Eby Monday in Victoria

Premier David Eby met with Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland Monday afternoon prior to next month’s federal budget. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey, here seen announcing Canada’s first vehicle-to-grid pilot project in Surrey on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, says new employment figures show that the provincial economy is holding steady. (Anna Burns/Surrey Now-Leader)

B.C.’s unemployment drops, but opposition fears loss of private-sector jobs

Credit rating agency raises concerns about B.C.’s financial trajectory, but maintains AA credit rating.

Jobs Minister Brenda Bailey, here seen announcing Canada’s first vehicle-to-grid pilot project in Surrey on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, says new employment figures show that the provincial economy is holding steady. (Anna Burns/Surrey Now-Leader)
Premier David Eby promises to work with Jewish leaders to “root” out B.C.’s “serious problem with rising anti-Semitism” (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Premier Eby says B.C. has a ‘serious problem with rising anti-Semitism’

Following a meeting with Jewish leaders, Eby promises to work with them in rooting out anti-Semitism

Premier David Eby promises to work with Jewish leaders to “root” out B.C.’s “serious problem with rising anti-Semitism” (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Environment Minister George Heyman says anti-Semitism has not been part of his experience as a member of the NDP caucus in disagreeing with his former cabinet Selina Robinson, who left the NDP caucus, over claims that the party is not doing enough to combat anti-Semitism. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Jewish B.C. cabinet minister says anti-Semitism not part of his ‘experience’

Environment Minister George Heyman disagrees with former cabinet colleague Selina Robinson

Environment Minister George Heyman says anti-Semitism has not been part of his experience as a member of the NDP caucus in disagreeing with his former cabinet Selina Robinson, who left the NDP caucus, over claims that the party is not doing enough to combat anti-Semitism. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in summer 2023, British Columbians can trust provincial safeguards as B.C. tries to reclaim affordable housing units from five investors. But the political opposition says they should have never been able to purchase those units. (Black Press Media file photo)

Legal dispute casting doubt over B.C. affordable housing program

Case involving 5 investors shows safeguards in place, housing minister says, opposition disagrees

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, here seen in summer 2023, British Columbians can trust provincial safeguards as B.C. tries to reclaim affordable housing units from five investors. But the political opposition says they should have never been able to purchase those units. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside, leftt and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth in Port Moody March 6, 2024 as the province announced the HealthIM app would be expanding throughout the province with $2 mllion in funding for the BC Association of Chiefs of Police. (Lauren Collins)

New app to connect police, health-care providers during mental health calls

HealthIM connecting police officers with health care providers launches March 7

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside, leftt and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth in Port Moody March 6, 2024 as the province announced the HealthIM app would be expanding throughout the province with $2 mllion in funding for the BC Association of Chiefs of Police. (Lauren Collins)
Sheila Malcolmson, here seen in July 2023 in Surrey, said new poverty goals tabled Tuesday are “both ambitious and realistic.” (Anna Burns/Surrey Now-Leader)

B.C.’s new poverty goals both ‘realistic and ambitious,’ says minister

B.C. to cut poverty rate by 60 per cent, child poverty by 75 per cent and seniors’ poverty by 50 per

Sheila Malcolmson, here seen in July 2023 in Surrey, said new poverty goals tabled Tuesday are “both ambitious and realistic.” (Anna Burns/Surrey Now-Leader)
A report into the workplace culture of the B.C. legislature is recommending 17 changes after finding “instances” about inappropriate behaviour, including disrespect, bullying, harassment and discrimination. (Photo courtesy of Don Denton)

‘Instances’ of bullying, harassment, discrimination in B.C. legislature: report

While B.C.’s legislature’s workplace culture has improved, “there is much still to do,” report says

A report into the workplace culture of the B.C. legislature is recommending 17 changes after finding “instances” about inappropriate behaviour, including disrespect, bullying, harassment and discrimination. (Photo courtesy of Don Denton)
Premier David Eby, here seen with Minister of Children and Family Development Grace Lore (left) and Victoria-area parent Ryan Schumm, said Monday federal rules prohibiting public drug consumption on school grounds and playgrounds remain in effect notwithstanding a court injunction issued in late December. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Judge rejects B.C. appeal, injunction against law limiting drug use remains

Challenge blocking provincial law prohibiting drug use in certain public areas remains in place

Premier David Eby, here seen with Minister of Children and Family Development Grace Lore (left) and Victoria-area parent Ryan Schumm, said Monday federal rules prohibiting public drug consumption on school grounds and playgrounds remain in effect notwithstanding a court injunction issued in late December. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
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 a report published in 2019 raises questions about the effectiveness of promoting tourism through mega-events like the world’s largest soccer tournament. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)

Hosting soccer’s World Cup ‘ineffective’ says study as B.C defends 2026 goal

Study published in Tourism Economy raises questions, but ministry ‘thrilled’ to host seven games

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 a report published in 2019 raises questions about the effectiveness of promoting tourism through mega-events like the world’s largest soccer tournament. (Ryan Adams/Wikimedia Commons)
Health Minister Adrian Dix, here seen at an announcement for a new hospital in Surrey B.C. on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, said new six minimum nurse-to-patient ratios will improve quality of care for patients and working environments for nurses. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)

Nurse-to-patient ratios unveiled as B.C. pumps $237M into nurse incentives

Health Minister Adrian Dix says 1st-in-Canada ratios will improve care, reduce burnout

Health Minister Adrian Dix, here seen at an announcement for a new hospital in Surrey B.C. on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, said new six minimum nurse-to-patient ratios will improve quality of care for patients and working environments for nurses. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)
Post-Secondary and Future Skills, here seen in 2021, said Friday public post-secondary institutions will largely remain whole when it comes to international students but private institutions will receive fewer permits. (Neil Corbett/The News)

B.C.’s public universities will ‘largely remain whole’ under foreign student cap

Post-secondary minister expects some private institutions to close as capping begins next week

Post-Secondary and Future Skills, here seen in 2021, said Friday public post-secondary institutions will largely remain whole when it comes to international students but private institutions will receive fewer permits. (Neil Corbett/The News)
Sonia Furstenau Thursday tabled legislation to prevent rents to go up when a unit becomes available. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

BC Greens want rent hike limits tied to units, instead of renters

BC United accuses NDP of failing to support seniors by neglecting SAFER program

Sonia Furstenau Thursday tabled legislation to prevent rents to go up when a unit becomes available. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
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
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)