Local Journalism Initiative

Photo by Orca Network

Toxin pockets along B.C. coast raising red flags for salmon and orcas

High levels of mercury, cadmium, lead and copper in critical habitats compounding concern

Photo by Orca Network
Tofino’s beaches are a key draw for tourists, but the wages those tourists bring to the local economy tend to be on the lower end of the scale. (Westerly File Photo)

Low-wage earners cutting corners on healthy foods to make ends meet in Tofino

A large portion of Tofino’s service and tourism industry workers making less than a living wage

Tofino’s beaches are a key draw for tourists, but the wages those tourists bring to the local economy tend to be on the lower end of the scale. (Westerly File Photo)
Tseshaht members dance outside of Maht Mahs on Sept. 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on the First Nation’s reserve by Port Alberni. (Eric Plummer photos)

Tseshaht looking to demolish and replace last vestiges of residential school

First Nation wants to tap into federal funding to replace Maht Mah’s gymnasium

Tseshaht members dance outside of Maht Mahs on Sept. 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on the First Nation’s reserve by Port Alberni. (Eric Plummer photos)
Zach Kapelan briefly holds a chinook salmon before releasing it back into HIŁSYAQƛIS/Tranquil Creek to spawn. Photo by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson/National Observer

Divers swimming with salmon in Clayoquot streams to enhance conservation

Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations conducts hands-on fish counting on Vancouver Island

Zach Kapelan briefly holds a chinook salmon before releasing it back into HIŁSYAQƛIS/Tranquil Creek to spawn. Photo by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson/National Observer
Joy Abasta came to Canada in 2014 planning to work as a nurse, but years of challenges in having her qualifications recognized have driven her from the field. Zak Vescera photo

Foreign professionals hope new B.C. legislation can clear cluttered path

Changes aimed at smoothing what has been a frustrating process for accreditation

Joy Abasta came to Canada in 2014 planning to work as a nurse, but years of challenges in having her qualifications recognized have driven her from the field. Zak Vescera photo
(Getty Images file photo)

B.C. high schools accelerate path from childhood to early childhood educator

Burnaby school district finds creative way to cope with early childhood educator shortage

(Getty Images file photo)
Andy Fillion, left, and his grandson Nicholas Fillion, 9, watch the movie Trolls World Tour at Caprice Cinemas, in Surrey, B.C., on Sunday, June 28, 2020. The B.C. film indutry may be past COVID and two Hollywood strikes, but a rebound has yet to arrive. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Cameras gone cold for B.C.’s Hollywood North film industry

Hollywood strikes might be over but it could be some time before B.C. industry rebounds

Andy Fillion, left, and his grandson Nicholas Fillion, 9, watch the movie Trolls World Tour at Caprice Cinemas, in Surrey, B.C., on Sunday, June 28, 2020. The B.C. film indutry may be past COVID and two Hollywood strikes, but a rebound has yet to arrive. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Two organizations are pitching the creation of a Kootenay and Cowichan Valleu cannabis trail. File photo

Seeds planted to light up B.C. with cannabis trail tourism

Modelled after the B.C. Ale Trail, project would be piloted in the Kootenays and on Vancouver Island

Two organizations are pitching the creation of a Kootenay and Cowichan Valleu cannabis trail. File photo
The protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time. Metro creative stock

Most British Columbians overdue for their COVID shot

Province says you can get a shot every 6 months, only about 10 percent received spring booster

The protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time. Metro creative stock
A feasibility study will see if the expansion of the Duke Point Terminal will boost Vancouver Island’s supply chain resiliency, said Jason Michell, vice-president of business development at Nanaimo Port Authority. Photo Dave Roels / NPA

Nanaimo port expansion pitched as answer to Island’s supply chain issues

Port authority launching a feasibility study on benefits of a large capital investment into terminal

A feasibility study will see if the expansion of the Duke Point Terminal will boost Vancouver Island’s supply chain resiliency, said Jason Michell, vice-president of business development at Nanaimo Port Authority. Photo Dave Roels / NPA
Kootenay Lake, near Lardeau. Photo: Columbia Basin Trust

B.C. town wants answers after landslide knocks out power for nearly 4 days

Nearly 400 residents of the Kootenays village of Lardeau Valley also left without phones

Kootenay Lake, near Lardeau. Photo: Columbia Basin Trust
A pair of freshly caught salmon. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Landmark drought has Comox Valley salmon SWAT team leaping into action

First responders in several communities stepping up to conserve B.C.’s signature fish

A pair of freshly caught salmon. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)
There are many types of mushrooms to be found in the fall forests of the B.C. coast. (Lake Cowichan Gazette file)

Mushroom bloom returning to B.C.’s Sunshine Coast after drought?

Some pickers say early returns promising, but climate raising ongoing concerns

There are many types of mushrooms to be found in the fall forests of the B.C. coast. (Lake Cowichan Gazette file)
Hayleigh Watts (left, with Jamie-Leigh Lucas) of the Tseshaht First Nation has been named Indigenous Minor Athlete of the Year by Softball BC. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)

Alberni teen named Softball B.C.’s Indigenous Minor Athlete of the Year

Tseshaht pitcher Hayleigh Mae Watts honoured for special year on the diamond

Hayleigh Watts (left, with Jamie-Leigh Lucas) of the Tseshaht First Nation has been named Indigenous Minor Athlete of the Year by Softball BC. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)
A for rent sign is displayed on a house in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

British Columbians at higher risk for eviction from rentals

About 1 in 10 B.C. tenants are evicted, nearly twice the national average

A for rent sign is displayed on a house in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Saltspring Island ferry makes its way from Crofton to Vesuvius in the summer of 2020. (John McKinley file)

Vancouver Islanders hampered by lack of transportation options: study

Provincial report indicates those outside Greater Victoria lack links to other communities

The Saltspring Island ferry makes its way from Crofton to Vesuvius in the summer of 2020. (John McKinley file)
The Saltspring Island ferry makes its way from Crofton to Vesuvius in the summer of 2020. (John McKinley file)

Vancouver Islanders hampered by lack of transportation options: study

Provincial report indicates those outside Greater Victoria lack links to other communities

The Saltspring Island ferry makes its way from Crofton to Vesuvius in the summer of 2020. (John McKinley file)
Dozens of court cases in B.C. have been postponed or cancelled this year because no sheriff was available to protect the court. (Photo courtesy of Province of B.C.)

B.C. sheriffs call for extraordinary pay hike prior to new contract

Service has been dealing with staffing issues that in turn have clogged the court system

Dozens of court cases in B.C. have been postponed or cancelled this year because no sheriff was available to protect the court. (Photo courtesy of Province of B.C.)
Tseshaht Chief Councillor Ken Watts talks to members of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and Port Alberni Bombers hockey teams, informing them about the First Nation’s history in the area and values. The teams met in mid September, leading up to National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30. (Submitted photos)

Tseshaht First Nation teaching Alberni Valley Bulldogs new tricks

BCHL hockey team and Junior B Bombers get immersion into Indigenous history, values, and principles

Tseshaht Chief Councillor Ken Watts talks to members of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and Port Alberni Bombers hockey teams, informing them about the First Nation’s history in the area and values. The teams met in mid September, leading up to National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30. (Submitted photos)
Former federal fisheries ministers Joyce Murray (above) and Bernadette Jordan are being sued by Mowi, an international fish farm company, for the federal government’s decision to close sites in the Discovery Islands. File photo by IMPAC5

Global fish farm giant Mowi suing Canada for Discovery Islands closures

Mowi’s claim alleges federal decision ‘wiped out 30 per cent’ of its business

Former federal fisheries ministers Joyce Murray (above) and Bernadette Jordan are being sued by Mowi, an international fish farm company, for the federal government’s decision to close sites in the Discovery Islands. File photo by IMPAC5