BC legislature

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Kamloops, B.C., on September 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. will get info it needs to protect people after Sikh killing: Eby

Premier says Ottawa has offered no new information, but commitments made

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Kamloops, B.C., on September 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier David Eby in Ottawa to discuss wildfires, infrastructure, clean energy (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Housing, flooding, wildfires on the table as B.C. premier visits Ottawa

David Eby and 6 ministers discuss the clean-energy sector and critical infrastructure needs

B.C. Premier David Eby in Ottawa to discuss wildfires, infrastructure, clean energy (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
BC Green party Leader Sonia Furstenau, (left to right) BC United MLA Michael Lee, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin, MLA Joan Phillips and MLA Raj Chouhan raise the Survivors’ Flag to honour the hundreds of children who never returned home from residential schools, during a ceremony at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. raises Survivors’ Flag to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Speaker says Survivors’ Flag welcome at a building that has been a physical symbol of colonialism

BC Green party Leader Sonia Furstenau, (left to right) BC United MLA Michael Lee, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin, MLA Joan Phillips and MLA Raj Chouhan raise the Survivors’ Flag to honour the hundreds of children who never returned home from residential schools, during a ceremony at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A flock of birds flies past as Moninder Singh, front right, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council (BCGC), waits to speak to reporters outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, September 18, 2023, where temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down in his vehicle while leaving the temple parking lot in June. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Eby suspects feds holding back info in India case that could protect B.C.

Premier says people in B.C. ‘feeling pressure from India,’ Ottawa has info that might help

A flock of birds flies past as Moninder Singh, front right, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council (BCGC), waits to speak to reporters outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, September 18, 2023, where temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down in his vehicle while leaving the temple parking lot in June. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Speaking at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference in Vancouver, Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of BC United said a government under his leadership would increase the supply of housing, while cutting costs for families. (UBCM/Flickr)

BC United Leader Falcon says B.C. on ‘wrong track’ after 6 years of NDP

Official Opposition Leader tells UBCM he would get more housing built and cut costs

Speaking at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference in Vancouver, Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of BC United said a government under his leadership would increase the supply of housing, while cutting costs for families. (UBCM/Flickr)
Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma, left, and B.C. Premier David Eby walk together as they arrive for a meeting at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District offices, in Salmon Arm, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Ma says the province will soon be ready to introduce new laws to govern responses to increasingly frequent natural disasters such as wildfires and flooding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

New B.C. disaster preparation, response and recovery laws coming soon

Union of B.C. Municipalities told changes needed as disasters become more frequent

Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma, left, and B.C. Premier David Eby walk together as they arrive for a meeting at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District offices, in Salmon Arm, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Ma says the province will soon be ready to introduce new laws to govern responses to increasingly frequent natural disasters such as wildfires and flooding. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma looks on during the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Shocked AG says B.C. doing what it can to ensure citizens are protected

Niki Sharma calls PM’s statement India may have been involved in death of Surrey man distressing

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma looks on during the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, Adam Walker. (PQB News file photo)

Following ouster from NDP, B.C. MLA ‘open’ to running for re-election

Parksville-Qualicum’s Adam Walker says ‘all options are on the table’

MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, Adam Walker. (PQB News file photo)
British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province is experiencing unusually high demand for emergency medical services - even before the cold-and-flu season begins - and the situation may be a “new normal.” Dix speaks during an announcement, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

ER activity spike may be B.C.’s new normal: Dix

9,700 people in B.C. emergency care, about 700 more than usual

British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province is experiencing unusually high demand for emergency medical services - even before the cold-and-flu season begins - and the situation may be a “new normal.” Dix speaks during an announcement, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Education Minister Rachna Singh, here seen in June, says B.C. won’t follow Quebec’s example of a province-wide ban of cellphones in classrooms as school returns. (Photo courtesy of Langley School District).

Sweeping cellphone ban not incoming for B.C. classrooms

Education minister says ban will be up to individual schools, defends letter grade decision

Education Minister Rachna Singh, here seen in June, says B.C. won’t follow Quebec’s example of a province-wide ban of cellphones in classrooms as school returns. (Photo courtesy of Langley School District).
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Back-to-school B.C. childcare gets boost of up to $145 a month

Premier David Eby says 43,000 kids and their families could benefit from the funding

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The British Columbia government is expanding its measures to lower the cost of child care by introducing fee reductions for preschool and school-aged children. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Thick smoke from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire fills the air and a Canadian flag flies in the wind as RCMP officers on a boat patrol Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfire response in Shuswap fanning B.C.’s political flames

NDP, BC United trade barbs over residents who defied evacuation order to fight fire themselves

Thick smoke from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire fills the air and a Canadian flag flies in the wind as RCMP officers on a boat patrol Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Finance Minister Katrine Conroy answers questions from reporters after serving up a hot lunch for students at Ruth King Elementary during a photo-op ahead of the budget while in Langford, B.C., on Feb. 27, 2023. An audited public accounting of British Columbia’s financial records shows the province posted a budget surplus of $704 million in the 2022-2023 budget year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. audit confirms $704M government budget surplus

Public accounts show B.C.’s economy grew by 3.6 per cent

BC Finance Minister Katrine Conroy answers questions from reporters after serving up a hot lunch for students at Ruth King Elementary during a photo-op ahead of the budget while in Langford, B.C., on Feb. 27, 2023. An audited public accounting of British Columbia’s financial records shows the province posted a budget surplus of $704 million in the 2022-2023 budget year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo) The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province plans to release B.C. major market housing targets shortly

Housing ministry staff working with first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing: Kahlon

The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo) The provincial government remains in consultations with the first 10 municipalities targeted for additional housing, but final figures are expected to be announced shortly. (Black Press Media file photo)
Premier David Eby told reporters Friday (July 28) recent issues with BC Ferries which lead to significant delays and confusion for travellers are ‘not acceptable’ and he stressed the need to make improvements and the government’s continued support for the Crown corporation during a call with leadership earlier in the day. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘Not acceptable’: Premier speaks with BC Ferries after travel chaos

Eby told leadership they must do everything possible, and government there to help

Premier David Eby told reporters Friday (July 28) recent issues with BC Ferries which lead to significant delays and confusion for travellers are ‘not acceptable’ and he stressed the need to make improvements and the government’s continued support for the Crown corporation during a call with leadership earlier in the day. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Trees scorched by the Donnie Creek wildfire line a forest north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Noah Berger

Drought update follows minister’s call for B.C. residents to conserve water

Conservation measures across larger areas of the province anticipated as situation progresses

Trees scorched by the Donnie Creek wildfire line a forest north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Noah Berger
Mitzi Dean, B.C.s minister of children and family development, speaks in the B.C. legislature, Nov. 24, 2021. The British Columbia government says staff members at the Children’s Ministry who failed to check on two Indigenous children who were systematically abused by their foster parents have lost their jobs. (Hansard TV)

B.C. staff who failed to check on two abused foster children lose jobs

Ministry: staff did not follow policy children in care should be seen regularly by social worker

Mitzi Dean, B.C.s minister of children and family development, speaks in the B.C. legislature, Nov. 24, 2021. The British Columbia government says staff members at the Children’s Ministry who failed to check on two Indigenous children who were systematically abused by their foster parents have lost their jobs. (Hansard TV)
Former premier John Horgan tabulates results in the by-election race in his former riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca in Langford, B.C., Saturday, June 25, 2023. The B.C. NDP won both by-elections Saturday, in Langford and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner

B.C. New Democrats win both byelections, keep seats on Island and Vancouver

Each riding has been vacant since late March

Former premier John Horgan tabulates results in the by-election race in his former riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca in Langford, B.C., Saturday, June 25, 2023. The B.C. NDP won both by-elections Saturday, in Langford and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
Children walk with their parents to a school in North Vancouver on Sept. 10, 2020. All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. public schools dumping letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

Only students in grades 10, 11 and 12 will receive letter grades and percentages starting this year

Children walk with their parents to a school in North Vancouver on Sept. 10, 2020. All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference announcing the new Richmond Lions Manor-Fentiman care home, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

David Eby calls banners over B.C. highway ‘hateful’ and ‘reprehensible’

British Columbia Premier David Eby says “hateful” banners aimed at transgender people…

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference announcing the new Richmond Lions Manor-Fentiman care home, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck