Provincial Government

Premier David Eby called two byelections, one for Vancouver-Mount Pleasand and one for Langford-Juan de Fuca, on Saturday, May 27. 2023. Voters go to the polls June 24. (File Photo)

Byelections called for 2 B.C. ridings

Eby sets date for the Vancouver-Mount Pleasant and Langford-Juan de Fuca byelections

Premier David Eby called two byelections, one for Vancouver-Mount Pleasand and one for Langford-Juan de Fuca, on Saturday, May 27. 2023. Voters go to the polls June 24. (File Photo)
Office towers, condos and apartment buildings are seen in downtown and the west end of Vancouver, on Thursday, January 19, 2023. British Columbia is expanding the tax it created to clamp down on real estate speculation and ensure homes in rental-strapped communities don’t sit empty. A statement from the Ministry of Finance says the Speculation and Vacancy Tax now includes the municipalities of North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. extends reach of property tax aimed at turning empty houses into rental homes

Finance Ministry says speculation tax now includes the North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish

Office towers, condos and apartment buildings are seen in downtown and the west end of Vancouver, on Thursday, January 19, 2023. British Columbia is expanding the tax it created to clamp down on real estate speculation and ensure homes in rental-strapped communities don’t sit empty. A statement from the Ministry of Finance says the Speculation and Vacancy Tax now includes the municipalities of North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Ferries is using the one-year anniversary of a strong atmospheric river storm which washed out highways connecting Greater Victoria with the rest of Vancouver Island to highlight the role the crew on board the Klitsa played in keeping the community connected on that fateful day. (Courtesy of BC Ferries)

President and CEO of BC Ferries says company ‘deeply sorry’ for Monday’s outage

Outage is ‘crushing’ for the 5,100 people who work at BC Ferries, says Nicolas Jimenez

BC Ferries is using the one-year anniversary of a strong atmospheric river storm which washed out highways connecting Greater Victoria with the rest of Vancouver Island to highlight the role the crew on board the Klitsa played in keeping the community connected on that fateful day. (Courtesy of BC Ferries)
BC United leader Kevin Falcon spoke to the media in Abbotsford on May 17 on a range of topics, including decriminalization and the pressures it’s putting on individual municipalities. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

NDP needs to protect children’s public places from drug use, says Kevin Falcon

Opposition leader says decriminalization puts too much pressure on individual municipalities

BC United leader Kevin Falcon spoke to the media in Abbotsford on May 17 on a range of topics, including decriminalization and the pressures it’s putting on individual municipalities. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)
FILE – BC Cancer Kelowna has technology that’s the first of its kind in Canada, an adaptive radiation machine that makes the planning process faster. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

B.C. to send cancer patients to Bellingham for radiation treatment to curb wait times

Breast cancer and prostate cancer patients to be the first to be offered treatment across the border

FILE – BC Cancer Kelowna has technology that’s the first of its kind in Canada, an adaptive radiation machine that makes the planning process faster. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Stacks of air conditioners, fans and other cooling equipment line the entrance of McLendon Hardware in Renton, Wash., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. British Columbia is preparing for its first heat wave of the year starting Friday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (Kori Suzuki/The Seattle Times via AP)

B.C. prepares for 1st heat wave of season; increase in wildfire, flood risks

Province says its in a ‘much better place’ to deal with extreme weather after 2021 heat dome

Stacks of air conditioners, fans and other cooling equipment line the entrance of McLendon Hardware in Renton, Wash., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. British Columbia is preparing for its first heat wave of the year starting Friday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (Kori Suzuki/The Seattle Times via AP)
Province sets new standards for gender and sex data, which is intended to clarify the difference between gender and sex by providing alternative definitions. (Pixabay photo)

British Columbians will soon be able to self-identify gender on government forms

Province’s Gender and Sex Data Standards updated to be more inclusive, accurate

Province sets new standards for gender and sex data, which is intended to clarify the difference between gender and sex by providing alternative definitions. (Pixabay photo)
Harry Lali, who served as transportation minister from 1998 to 2001 and represented two rural ridings in southwestern BC during two separate periods, said in a statement issued Thursday morning that his former party has become an urban-interest party. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former B.C. NDP minister Harry Lali endorses BC United

Lali says he joining BC United because the rural B.C. lacks ‘voice’ in NDP government

Harry Lali, who served as transportation minister from 1998 to 2001 and represented two rural ridings in southwestern BC during two separate periods, said in a statement issued Thursday morning that his former party has become an urban-interest party. (Black Press Media file photo)
The province has chosen a temporary operator for Victoria’s historic Point Ellice House, just over a month after the non-profit managing the site announced its closure due to a lack of funds. (File photo courtesy Vancouver Island Local History Society)

Province chooses interim operator for Victoria’s historic Point Ellice House

Popular heritage site to reopen to public by end of the month

The province has chosen a temporary operator for Victoria’s historic Point Ellice House, just over a month after the non-profit managing the site announced its closure due to a lack of funds. (File photo courtesy Vancouver Island Local History Society)
Hans Frederiksen and Lynn Osborn said it's bittersweet seeing John Horgan's constituency office on Jacklin Road packed up. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Constituency assistants look back as Horgan’s Langford MLA office closes down

Hans Frederiksen has been working in the office for 18 years and says closing down is bittersweet

Hans Frederiksen and Lynn Osborn said it's bittersweet seeing John Horgan's constituency office on Jacklin Road packed up. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
The mirrored, geodesic dome of Science World at the end of False Creek in Vancouver makes is a perfect location for a last light photograph. (John Enman photo)

Science World to get $20M from B.C. for leaky dome repairs

Province also announcing additional $30M for tourism projects across B.C.

The mirrored, geodesic dome of Science World at the end of False Creek in Vancouver makes is a perfect location for a last light photograph. (John Enman photo)
B.C.’s first-ever Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma was in Ucluelet on April 15 to join residents on a blustery High Ground Hike as part of the community’s Tsunami Preparedness Week events. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Climate minister joins Ucluelet’s High Ground Hike for Tsunami Preparedness Week

Data collected by researchers from University of Ottawa and Japan’s Waseda University

B.C.’s first-ever Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma was in Ucluelet on April 15 to join residents on a blustery High Ground Hike as part of the community’s Tsunami Preparedness Week events. (Andrew Bailey photo)
An environment charity is calling on the provincial government to rethink its wolf cull after the release of dozens of “disturbing” images. (B.C. government courtesy of Pacific Wild)

Wolf cull deemed inhumane after B.C. government releases ‘disturbing’ photos

Pacific Wild Alliances says images don’t align with what people would consider ethical treatment of wildlife

An environment charity is calling on the provincial government to rethink its wolf cull after the release of dozens of “disturbing” images. (B.C. government courtesy of Pacific Wild)
The province and four First Nations located in the area subject to Treaty 8 announced Friday a consensus document spelling out various initiatives to address the effects of industrial development stemming from oil and gas exploration. The orange-bounded area show the area deemed important by Blueberry River First Nation. It and the provincial government Wednesday announced a historic agreement for a land-management approach. (Screencap)

‘A bill that’s gone unpaid’: 5 B.C. First Nations receive cash, land settlements from province, feds

Longstanding claims stem from treaty signed in 1899

The province and four First Nations located in the area subject to Treaty 8 announced Friday a consensus document spelling out various initiatives to address the effects of industrial development stemming from oil and gas exploration. The orange-bounded area show the area deemed important by Blueberry River First Nation. It and the provincial government Wednesday announced a historic agreement for a land-management approach. (Screencap)
Dr. June Francis is the chair of B.C.’s Anti-Racism Data Committee, which is set to release their priorities and statistics in June 2023. (Lauren Collins/Black Press Media)

It needs to have teeth: B.C.’s anti-racism data committee readies to release priorities, stats

11-person committee meets monthly at different organizations throughout the province

Dr. June Francis is the chair of B.C.’s Anti-Racism Data Committee, which is set to release their priorities and statistics in June 2023. (Lauren Collins/Black Press Media)
In this file photo, BC Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference in Vancouver on March 14, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam)

Cash influx incoming: B.C. affordability credit to soon be sent to 85% of British Columbians

Individuals can receive up to $164 and $41 per child, while a family of four could get $410

In this file photo, BC Premier David Eby speaks during a press conference in Vancouver on March 14, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam)
Ra, of Vancouver, was one of the MCs for the 2022 Surrey Pride Festival at Central City Plaza on June 25, 2022. (File photo: Lauren Collins)

‘Seeing it bleed across the border’: B.C. MLA looks to protect drag performers from violence

Spencer Chandra Herbert brought forward motion following several incidents across the province

Ra, of Vancouver, was one of the MCs for the 2022 Surrey Pride Festival at Central City Plaza on June 25, 2022. (File photo: Lauren Collins)
Campbell River’s Vancouver Island Regional Library branch. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Over $2 million coming to enhance programs and tech in North Island libraries

Provincial funding to help with modernizing technology

Campbell River’s Vancouver Island Regional Library branch. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
The B.C. government is investing $214 million over three years for school districts in the province to create or expand food programs for students. (Annie Barker/The Herald)

$214M coming to B.C. school districts to create, expand food programs

The funding will be over 3 years and will be available to all 60 school districts

The B.C. government is investing $214 million over three years for school districts in the province to create or expand food programs for students. (Annie Barker/The Herald)
Houses and townhouses are seen in an aerial view in Langley, B.C. A new plan announced Monday promises to create more density in areas currently zoned single-residential. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. unveils new ‘Homes for People’ plan with goal of 108K new houses, apartment units

Homes for People plan calls for more density, legalization of secondary suites and flipping tax

Houses and townhouses are seen in an aerial view in Langley, B.C. A new plan announced Monday promises to create more density in areas currently zoned single-residential. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck