Wolf Depner

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A registered nurse pulls on an N-95 mask in a COVID Acute Care Unit in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Masking returning to B.C. hospitals, clinics as respiratory illnesses rise

COVID-19, influenza vaccines to begin rolling out in early October

A registered nurse pulls on an N-95 mask in a COVID Acute Care Unit in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad, here seen in Vernon, is pleased by a new poll that shows that his party nearly tied with BC United. (Black Press Media file photo)

Poll shows United, Conservatives neck-and-neck in B.C., well behind the NDP

Premier Eby warns against ‘race to the bottom’ on political right as his party retains strong lead

Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad, here seen in Vernon, is pleased by a new poll that shows that his party nearly tied with BC United. (Black Press Media file photo)
A new poll shows more than four of 10 surveyed British Columbians say they are in the worse financial shape this year than at the same time last year with more economic bad news on the horizon. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

4-in-10 British Columbians in worse money shape than a year ago: poll

Almost 60 per cent expect B.C. to enter a recession within 12 months

A new poll shows more than four of 10 surveyed British Columbians say they are in the worse financial shape this year than at the same time last year with more economic bad news on the horizon. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
British Columbia's projected deficit in the 2023-2024 fiscal year has grown by more than $2 billion from original estimates to reach almost $7 billion. Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy arrives to the podium during a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Record-breaking wildfires inflate forecasted B.C. deficit to $6.7 billion

Finance minister says fire fight cost nearly $1B, predicts declining new housing starts

British Columbia's projected deficit in the 2023-2024 fiscal year has grown by more than $2 billion from original estimates to reach almost $7 billion. Minister of Finance Katrine Conroy arrives to the podium during a press conference at the legislature in Victoria, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Attorney General Niki Sharma says help is on the way for B.C. Sheriff Service after a new report compiled for the provincial government has detailed a shortage of sheriffs across B.C., resulting in court closures and delays. (Photo courtesy of Province of B.C.)

New sheriffs saddlin’ up to help BC court system: attorney-general

Niki Sharma acknowledges need for improvement, says new sheriffs are on way

Attorney General Niki Sharma says help is on the way for B.C. Sheriff Service after a new report compiled for the provincial government has detailed a shortage of sheriffs across B.C., resulting in court closures and delays. (Photo courtesy of Province of B.C.)
Coun. Trish Mandewo of Coquitlam is the new president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Mandewo, who is the first Black president of UBCM in its history, assumes the office from past president Coun. Jen Ford of Whistler. (UBCM/Flickr)

Decriminalization, climate change and housing top issues at UBCM conference

New UBCM prez says organization is ready to work with province

Coun. Trish Mandewo of Coquitlam is the new president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Mandewo, who is the first Black president of UBCM in its history, assumes the office from past president Coun. Jen Ford of Whistler. (UBCM/Flickr)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Tuesdayu announced new housing targets for 10 municipalities including Saanich in Greater Victoria where he made the announcement. They call for just over 60,000 new units within five years. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

New housing targets call for more than new 60,000 units in 5 years: Kahlon

Housing Minister announces the specific targets for 10 municipalities

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Tuesdayu announced new housing targets for 10 municipalities including Saanich in Greater Victoria where he made the announcement. They call for just over 60,000 new units within five years. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
B.C.’s seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie is critical of the current funding model for long-term care beds in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

Long-term care rewards those not spending on care: B.C. seniors advocate

Isobel Mackenzie calls for fundamental reform of long-term care funding system

B.C.’s seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie is critical of the current funding model for long-term care beds in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters gather on the sixth anniversary of the toxic drug supply public health emergency in Victoria on April 14, 2022. Numbers released by the BC Coroners Service show 174 people died from the toxic supply in August 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

174 people died from toxic drug supply in August, B.C. coroner finds

Unregulated drug toxicity is leading cause of death for British Columbians aged 10 to 59

Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters gather on the sixth anniversary of the toxic drug supply public health emergency in Victoria on April 14, 2022. Numbers released by the BC Coroners Service show 174 people died from the toxic supply in August 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Premier David Eby promised additional support for municipalities to help them speed up housing policies. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

$61M in housing help for B.C. cities on its way soon, premier pledges

Eby promises fund to help communities accelerate projects, $4.75 million for rural firefighters

Premier David Eby promised additional support for municipalities to help them speed up housing policies. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Next Generation 9-1-1 will allow users to text emergencies in promising to revolutionize emergency dispatching. But it will also generate additional costs and UBCM delegates are calling on the province to introduce a call-answer levy on cellphones to help generate the necessary revenues. (Black Press Media file photo)

Next Generation 9-1-1 promises B.C. emergency dispatching revolution

E-Comm compares incoming emergency response system to replacing rotary phones with smart phones

Next Generation 9-1-1 will allow users to text emergencies in promising to revolutionize emergency dispatching. But it will also generate additional costs and UBCM delegates are calling on the province to introduce a call-answer levy on cellphones to help generate the necessary revenues. (Black Press Media file photo)
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)
BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said she considers recent comments by health minister Dix that a spike in emergency room activity may be the new normal as unacceptable. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. Green leader accuses health minister, NDP of quiet quitting

Furstenau says province isn’t leaning hard enough into solving the health care crisis

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said she considers recent comments by health minister Dix that a spike in emergency room activity may be the new normal as unacceptable. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
UBCM President Jen Ford, Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside, Finance Minister Katrine Conroy and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon headlined a townhall on housing at Vancouver’s UBCM conference. (UBCM/Flickr)

Housing policy centre stage as UBCM delegates grill trio of B.C. ministers

Finance Minister Katrine Conroy said government open to hear from communities who want vacancy tax

UBCM President Jen Ford, Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside, Finance Minister Katrine Conroy and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon headlined a townhall on housing at Vancouver’s UBCM conference. (UBCM/Flickr)
UBCM president Jen Ford, here speaking at the 2022 convention, is calling for a fundamental re-working of the relationship between municipalities and senior spheres of government to deal with the housing crisis. (UBCM/Flickr)

UBCM prez calls for fundamental reforms in relations with Victoria, Ottawa

Jen Ford calls for ‘pendulum’ to swing back toward municipalities in order to address housing crisis

UBCM president Jen Ford, here speaking at the 2022 convention, is calling for a fundamental re-working of the relationship between municipalities and senior spheres of government to deal with the housing crisis. (UBCM/Flickr)
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says interest in B.C. as a tourism destination far exceeds any reputational losses caused by this year’s wildfire season. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)

Wildfire economic damage to B.C. tourism still being counted: minister

Tourism Minister Lana Popham says interest in B.C. far exceeds reputational damage after wildfires

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says interest in B.C. as a tourism destination far exceeds any reputational losses caused by this year’s wildfire season. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
Kasari Govender, B.C. Human Rights commissioner, here seen speaking after releasing the final report on her inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vancouver in March 2023, has issued a statement that says the human rights of trans and LGBTQ2SAI+ people are not up for debate. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner says trans rights ‘not up for debate’

Govender issues statement prior to rallies across B.C. opposing SOGI curriculum, related policies

Kasari Govender, B.C. Human Rights commissioner, here seen speaking after releasing the final report on her inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vancouver in March 2023, has issued a statement that says the human rights of trans and LGBTQ2SAI+ people are not up for debate. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The Central Okanagan endured weeks without tourism during its peak season because of wildfires and a regional travel ban. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Climate change cost B.C. tourism ‘$100s of millions, never to be recovered’

Provincial, regional tourism leaders are calling for quick, immediate relief after wildfire season

The Central Okanagan endured weeks without tourism during its peak season because of wildfires and a regional travel ban. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The provincial government has announced the creation of new portal to speed up construction permitting and the release of a guide in preparation for a pilot project encouraging secondary suites. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan)

Home Suite Home: B.C. announces measures to accelerate housing creation

Premier David Eby announces new permitting portal, secondary suite guide

The provincial government has announced the creation of new portal to speed up construction permitting and the release of a guide in preparation for a pilot project encouraging secondary suites. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Buchan)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (left), here seen at the August groundbreaking for a new 152-unit housing development in Tsawwassen with Delta Mayor George Harvie, KinVillage resident Pat Marsh, KinVillage board chair Dennis Deslauriers and KinVillage Association CEO Dan Levitt, welcomes the federal government’s decision to rebate the GST on new rental constructions. (Province of British Columbia/Flickr photo)

BC Housing Minister Kahlon praises GST rebate on new rental construction

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the rebate Thursday

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon (left), here seen at the August groundbreaking for a new 152-unit housing development in Tsawwassen with Delta Mayor George Harvie, KinVillage resident Pat Marsh, KinVillage board chair Dennis Deslauriers and KinVillage Association CEO Dan Levitt, welcomes the federal government’s decision to rebate the GST on new rental constructions. (Province of British Columbia/Flickr photo)