Category: British Columbia

Eby Announces Dedicated BC Housing Ministry, as Opposition Seeks Audit of Providers

The housing crisis in British Columbia will receive the attention of a dedicated place at the government’s cabinet table, new Premier David Eby announced, as the Opposition raised concerns about his own management of the brief. Eby, who is set to set to announce his cabinet Dec. 7, said Tuesday he would appoint the first stand-alone housing minister to…


‘Entirely Inappropriate’: BC Government’s Proposed Changes to Oversight of Regulated Health Professions Draws Criticism

SURREY, B.C.—With the fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly in British Columbia ending Nov. 24, the ruling NDP government is trying to pass legislation that would recreate how the oversight bodies in the province regulate health care and alternative medicine. But the opposition BC United party (formerly the BC Liberals) is trying to stall a…


Ex-mayor of Surrey, BC, Doug McCallum Not Guilty of Mischief

Former mayor of Surrey, B.C., Doug McCallum has been found not guilty of public mischief by a provincial court judge. McCallum was charged after telling police that a woman opposed to his plans to replace the Surrey RCMP with a municipal police force used her car to run over his foot in a grocery store…


Mayor Calls Mall Shooting in Prince Rupert, BC, That Killed One ‘Truly Tragic’

The mayor of Prince Rupert says a shooting at a local mall that left one person dead and another critically injured is “truly tragic” and that supports are available for anyone in the small community who may need them. Prince Rupert RCMP said they were called to the Ocean Centre Mall Monday morning for a…


BC Premier David Eby to Lay out Plans to Tackle Housing Affordability Crisis

British Columbia Premier David Eby is expected to announce his government’s plans to take on the housing affordability crisis today. It’s one of the issues Eby said he planned to tackle just moments after he was sworn in on Friday. Eby, who was housing minister before running for premier, released a housing plan during his…


In Shoes From His Father, New BC Premier David Eby Is Off and Running

British Columbia’s new Premier David Eby looked down at his shiny shoes and explained to the audience at his swearing-in ceremony that they were a tribute to his father. But the fancy footwear could just as easily symbolize how Eby has decided to hit the ground running. Eby, sworn in Friday as B.C.’s 37th premier,…


David Eby to Become B.C.’s New Premier in Vancouver Ceremony, Replacing John Horgan

David Eby will take the oath of office to become British Columbia’s 37th premier during a ceremony on the traditional territory of the Musqueam First Nation in Vancouver. Eby replaces New Democrat Premier John Horgan, who announced last June he was leaving office due to health concerns. The swearing-in ceremony will be conducted by Lt.-Gov. Janet…


Man Accused of First-Degree Murder of BC Mountie Appears in Court

The man accused of fatally stabbing a Mountie in Burnaby, B.C., has made a brief appearance in provincial court in Vancouver. Jongwon Ham appeared virtually in court on Wednesday after a significant delay wearing a red shirt, a beard and his black hair reached past his shoulders. Ham was ordered remanded until Nov. 24 while…


BC Liberal Party Members Vote to Change Name to BC United

British Columbia Liberal Party members have voted to change the party’s name to BC United. Leader Kevin Falcon said 80 percent of the voters who cast a ballot were in favour of the name change, and he was thrilled with the result. The change first needs to be approved by members at convention, which Falcon…


Lawyer for Former Surrey, BC, Mayor Says Crown Can’t Prove He Lied

A defence lawyer for former Surrey, B.C., mayor Doug McCallum says his client should be acquitted of a public mischief charge because the Crown failed to prove he intended to mislead police by saying his foot was run over. Eric Gottardi says any embellishments in McCallum’s statement to police that a woman with a history…