Provincial Government

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Battle between Penticton and B.C. over homeless shelter officially before the court

The city filed their official petition before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 6

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
Employers in BC are now eligible for reimbursements of funds paid to workers taking COVID-19-related sick leave. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. employers can now claim COVID-19 sick leave reimbursements

WorkSafeBC administering provincial funding to employers until Dec. 31

Employers in BC are now eligible for reimbursements of funds paid to workers taking COVID-19-related sick leave. (Black Press Media file photo)
Supplying goods and services to the City of Victoria and other municipal governments may become more open with the help of the fledgling B.C. Social Procurement Initiative. (Black Press Media file photo)

Made-on-Vancouver-Island initiative gives smaller firms chance to earn municipal business

Social procurement expansion funding to provide training for public-sector purchasers

Supplying goods and services to the City of Victoria and other municipal governments may become more open with the help of the fledgling B.C. Social Procurement Initiative. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tyson Muzzillo, regional manager of BC Cannabis Store, welcomes shoppers to their Uptown location, opening on June 16. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Government-run cannabis store opening at Saanich’s Uptown

BC Cannabis Store the first for government in Greater Victoria, 27th in province

Tyson Muzzillo, regional manager of BC Cannabis Store, welcomes shoppers to their Uptown location, opening on June 16. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon is seen during a news conference in Calgary on Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

Alberta revives ‘turn-off-taps’ resources bill that sparked legal row with B.C.

Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon says it’s prudent to have such legislation

Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon is seen during a news conference in Calgary on Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
A massive cleanup is set to clear roughly 400 kilometres of West Coast shoreline. (Coastal Restoration Society Facebook page photo)

Nine derelict vessels to be removed from Ucluelet Inlet as part of $2.5M cleanup

Coastal Restoration Society receives $2.5 million from B.C.’s Clean Coast, Clean Waters initiative

A massive cleanup is set to clear roughly 400 kilometres of West Coast shoreline. (Coastal Restoration Society Facebook page photo)
B.C. homeowners are being urged to take steps to prepare for the possibility of a flood by moving equipment and other assets to higher ground. (J.R. Rardon)

‘Entire province faces risk’: B.C. citizens urged to prepare for above-average spring flooding

Larger-than-normal melting snowpack poses a threat to the province as warmer weather touches down

B.C. homeowners are being urged to take steps to prepare for the possibility of a flood by moving equipment and other assets to higher ground. (J.R. Rardon)
The 10-part Netflix series Maid, which is being exclusively shot in Greater Victoria, was filming near Prospect Lake in Saanich last month. (Photo courtesy Fred Haynes)

Province announces $150,000 towards South Island film studio, fulfilling B.C. NDP promise

Investment to fund movie studio feasibility study at Camosun College

The 10-part Netflix series Maid, which is being exclusively shot in Greater Victoria, was filming near Prospect Lake in Saanich last month. (Photo courtesy Fred Haynes)
The Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express will finally play games in early April as the BCHL squeezes in a shortened 20 game season. Just-announced provincial funding may help the junior A league offset financial losses caused by the COVID pandemic. (Darren Francis photo)

Province provides relief funding for amateur sport

The government is directing $15 million to teams/leagues impacted by the COVID pandemic

The Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express will finally play games in early April as the BCHL squeezes in a shortened 20 game season. Just-announced provincial funding may help the junior A league offset financial losses caused by the COVID pandemic. (Darren Francis photo)
Parksville’s Canadian Electric Vehicles ‘Might-E Truck.’ The electric truck is a work vehicle designed for use by municipalities, campuses, malls, resorts, parks, airports and industries. (Photo courtesy of canev.com)

B.C. government pledges $294K to support ‘Might-E-Truck’ development from Parksville business

City’s Canadian Electric Vehicles creates electric-powered industrial work trucks

Parksville’s Canadian Electric Vehicles ‘Might-E Truck.’ The electric truck is a work vehicle designed for use by municipalities, campuses, malls, resorts, parks, airports and industries. (Photo courtesy of canev.com)
A beautiful sunny afternoon showcasing Mount Cain in all its glory. (Kimberley Kufaas Photography)

Mount Cain gets grant funding to construct new day lodge

The North Island ski hill has been awarded $874,000.

A beautiful sunny afternoon showcasing Mount Cain in all its glory. (Kimberley Kufaas Photography)
The 2016 National Youth Homelessness Survey — which surveyed 1,103 young people who experience homelessness in 47 communities across Canada — found that 57.8 per cent of youth surveyed reported having some sort of involvement with the child welfare system. (Pixabay)

B.C. extends emergency supports for youth ‘aging-out’ of foster care

Youth will either be able to stay in their placements or receive financial support, Ministry says

The 2016 National Youth Homelessness Survey — which surveyed 1,103 young people who experience homelessness in 47 communities across Canada — found that 57.8 per cent of youth surveyed reported having some sort of involvement with the child welfare system. (Pixabay)
(Pixhere photo)

B.C. dentists argue for COVID-19 vaccine priority after ‘disappointing’ exclusion from plan

Vaccines are essential for dentists as patients cannot wear masks during treatment, argues BCDA

(Pixhere photo)
Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes hopes to see Saanich consider evolving from a district to a city in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mayor of Vancouver Island’s largest municipality wants it to become a city

Haynes: Becoming a city rather than amalgamating with Victoria in Saanich’s best interest

Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes hopes to see Saanich consider evolving from a district to a city in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Before and after photos show the damage done to a radio receiver that was struck by lightning on Nov. 16. (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure photos)

Tofino-Ucluelet highway camera remains down after lightning strike

“This one was apparently a direct hit and it pretty much just blew it to smithereens.”

Before and after photos show the damage done to a radio receiver that was struck by lightning on Nov. 16. (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure photos)
371 Alberni Highway, Parksville, where the Quality Foods is currently under construction. In January 2021, 87 new affordable homes will start construction nearby. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Provincial government in support of 87 affordable housing units in Parksville

Construction at Alberni Highway address slated to start in January 2021

371 Alberni Highway, Parksville, where the Quality Foods is currently under construction. In January 2021, 87 new affordable homes will start construction nearby. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Josie Osborne took this selfie outside of the polling station at the Friendship Centre in Port Alberni on Oct. 24.

Ucluelet mayor excited to work with familiar new MLA

Mayco Noel looks forward to working with Tofino’s former mayor Josie Osborne in her new role.

Josie Osborne took this selfie outside of the polling station at the Friendship Centre in Port Alberni on Oct. 24.
B.C.’s election is fast approaching with advance polls opening around the province this week. (Black Press Media file photo)

A Vancouver Island guide to voting in the B.C. election

Where and how to cast your ballot for the upcoming provincial election

B.C.’s election is fast approaching with advance polls opening around the province this week. (Black Press Media file photo)
Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease is suspected to be the cause of death for more than 60 deer on the Gulf Islands. (Photo contributed by Jill Hayward)

Province tracks potential deadly deer virus outbreak on Gulf Islands

No known risk to human health from the virus

Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease is suspected to be the cause of death for more than 60 deer on the Gulf Islands. (Photo contributed by Jill Hayward)
Tofino mayor Josie Osborne has announced that she will seek the B.C. NDP nomination for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. (Westerly file photo)

Tofino mayor Josie Osborne seeks B.C. NDP nomination for Mid Island-Pacific Rim

Longtime B.C. NDP MLA Scott Fraser announced on Monday that he will not be seeking reelection

Tofino mayor Josie Osborne has announced that she will seek the B.C. NDP nomination for Mid Island-Pacific Rim. (Westerly file photo)