BC government

Campers at a provincial park in British Columbia. (Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)

B.C. allocates $5-million towards projects in 24 provincial parks

Funds to go towards infrastructure that aids in helping park goers maintain adequate social distance

Campers at a provincial park in British Columbia. (Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)
B.C. Premier John Horgan listens during a postelection news conference in Vancouver on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

30% of B.C. recovery benefit applications held up in manual review

The province says 150 staff have been reassigned to help with manually reviewing applications

B.C. Premier John Horgan listens during a postelection news conference in Vancouver on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the crowd during the march on Washington, D.C., in August of 1963. Courtesy photo

Government reinforces importance of anti-racism act on Black Shirt Day

B.C. Ministers say education “a powerful tool” in the fight for equity and equality

Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the crowd during the march on Washington, D.C., in August of 1963. Courtesy photo
(left to right) BC Premier John Horgan, government employee Su-Mei MacDonnell, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin Mitzi Dean, and Langford Mayor Stewart Young at the announcement of a new government space located in Langford in November 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)

Pilot project to move government employees to West Shore pushed to early 2021

Construction set to complete by end of December

(left to right) BC Premier John Horgan, government employee Su-Mei MacDonnell, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin Mitzi Dean, and Langford Mayor Stewart Young at the announcement of a new government space located in Langford in November 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)
Retiring local politicians Carole James and Andrew Weaver will receive annual payouts estimated at $87,000 and $34,000, respectively, under the pension plan for outgoing MLAs in B.C., according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. (Black Press Media file photos)

Taxpayer watchdog howling over outgoing MLAs’ pension payouts

Carole James, Andrew Weaver among Island MLAs whose pensions are calculated by taxpayers federation

Retiring local politicians Carole James and Andrew Weaver will receive annual payouts estimated at $87,000 and $34,000, respectively, under the pension plan for outgoing MLAs in B.C., according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. (Black Press Media file photos)
Side Bay sunset, always an event that borders on the magical. (Mike Sheehan photo and comment)

Access to the pristine northwest Vancouver Island beach at risk

Road to remote Side Bay beach north of Brooks Peninsula could be deactivated

Side Bay sunset, always an event that borders on the magical. (Mike Sheehan photo and comment)
The province is upgrading highway lighting to LEDs, starting with Vancouver Island. (News Bulletin photo)

B.C. government upgrading highway lighting to LEDs on Vancouver Island

Province projects lower energy use and annual cost savings

The province is upgrading highway lighting to LEDs, starting with Vancouver Island. (News Bulletin photo)
British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on April 25, 2019. A report released today by British Columbia’s information and privacy commissioner says the government is routinely undermining peoples’ information rights by delaying responses to requests for information. Michael McEvoy says the government routinely extends the timelines for responses to information access requests without legal authority. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. government undermines information rights: privacy commissioner

B.C.’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act sets 30 business days for the government to respond to information requests

British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy speaks during a news conference in Ottawa on April 25, 2019. A report released today by British Columbia’s information and privacy commissioner says the government is routinely undermining peoples’ information rights by delaying responses to requests for information. Michael McEvoy says the government routinely extends the timelines for responses to information access requests without legal authority. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Dan Jack photo First responders prepare to transport an apparent overdose victim in downtown Parksville Saturday morning, April 22, 2017.

Advocates urge B.C. to withdraw proposed bill allowing youth to be held after overdoses

Bill 22 would create more harm than good argues the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and others

Dan Jack photo First responders prepare to transport an apparent overdose victim in downtown Parksville Saturday morning, April 22, 2017.
Cowichan Tribes has received $149,900 toward flood mitigation planning as part of the B.C. government’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (Citizen File Photo)

Cowichan Tribes and Town of Ladysmith get flood mitigation funding

Money is part of $3.46 million announced Thursday

Cowichan Tribes has received $149,900 toward flood mitigation planning as part of the B.C. government’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (Citizen File Photo)
Robert Riley Saunders. (File)

Province agrees to multimillion-dollar payout for alleged victims of Kelowna social worker

Robert Riley Saunders is accused of misappropriating funds of children — often Indigenous — in his care

Robert Riley Saunders. (File)
Health Minister Adrian Dix looks on during a press conference in the rotunda at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday May 6, 2020. The deaths of two more COVID-19 patients at long-term care homes in B.C. were mourned by provincial health officials Thursday, but they said lives may have been saved by the province’s quick response to the pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. launches investigation into allegations of racist blood-alcohol guessing game in ER

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has been appointed by the province to look into the allegations

Health Minister Adrian Dix looks on during a press conference in the rotunda at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday May 6, 2020. The deaths of two more COVID-19 patients at long-term care homes in B.C. were mourned by provincial health officials Thursday, but they said lives may have been saved by the province’s quick response to the pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Steven Baileys, with the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria, was one of three Victoria residents recognized by the province during the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Province recognizes three Greater Victoria residents for work to combat racism

The three residents were recognized during the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards

Steven Baileys, with the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria, was one of three Victoria residents recognized by the province during the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
COVID-19: Here’s a phase-by-phase look at how B.C. hopes to re-open parts of society

COVID-19: Here’s a phase-by-phase look at how B.C. hopes to re-open parts of society

It’s too soon to say exactly how certain sectors will be given the green light to re-open, and when

COVID-19: Here’s a phase-by-phase look at how B.C. hopes to re-open parts of society
In March 2020, the province unveiled its rental supplement program as thousands of renters worried about paying their monthly bills due to COVID-19’s strain on the economy. The fund, which provides $300 to $500 is in addition to the $1,000 B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers. (Pixabay photo)

LandlordBC calls for province to increase COVID-19 rent supplement

Many renters are paying more than 30 per cent of their income on rent, making $300-$500 too low, association says

In March 2020, the province unveiled its rental supplement program as thousands of renters worried about paying their monthly bills due to COVID-19’s strain on the economy. The fund, which provides $300 to $500 is in addition to the $1,000 B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers. (Pixabay photo)
B.C. Finance Minister Carole James and Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson (Black Press files)

B.C.’s COVID-19 emergency benefit for workers to launch May 1

Applications will be able to be made online at the beginning of May, and by phone a few days later

B.C. Finance Minister Carole James and Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson (Black Press files)
Minister of Finance Carole James speaks to the media joined by Premier John Horgan as they talk about the next steps of the COVID-19 action plan recently put in place by the provincial government during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, March 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

$1,000 payment for COVID-19 affected workers won’t come till May: B.C. finance ministry

Payment will go to those who qualify for EI or other COVID-19 related unemployment help

Minister of Finance Carole James speaks to the media joined by Premier John Horgan as they talk about the next steps of the COVID-19 action plan recently put in place by the provincial government during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, March 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The District of Saanich’s plastic checkout bag ban bylaw has been given the go-ahead by the B.C. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province gives Saanich plastic bag ban bylaw the go-ahead

‘Saanich is out of the bag and ahead of the game,’ mayor says

The District of Saanich’s plastic checkout bag ban bylaw has been given the go-ahead by the B.C. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver announced he is stepping away from the Green Party to sit as an independent. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver to step away from party, will sit as independent

Weaver will remain in the Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding

BC Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver announced he is stepping away from the Green Party to sit as an independent. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tofino will be able to proceed with a $55 million wastewater treatment plant thanks to $40 million from the provincial and federal governments. (file photo)

$40 million to stop raw sewage from being pumped into Clayoquot Sound

Tofino receives federal and provincial grant for new sewage treatment plant

Tofino will be able to proceed with a $55 million wastewater treatment plant thanks to $40 million from the provincial and federal governments. (file photo)