Category: British Columbia

Surrey, BC, to Stay With RCMP Over Independent Force, Costing the City Millions

The RCMP is on its way back as the police force in Metro Vancouver’s largest city after Surrey council voted to dump its municipal force, rejecting a provincial government recommendation that came with a $150-million transition offer, the mayor said Friday. Brenda Locke, acknowledging the decision will cost the city “millions,” said she has spoken…


BC’s Largest Wildfire Still Threatens, as Conditions Elsewhere Ease

Rain and cooler weather over much of British Columbia has prompted two fire centres in the southern and central Interior to roll back campfire bans. The Kamloops and Cariboo fire centres say the Category 1 open fire ban will lift at noon Friday, covering blazes no larger than 1.5-metres high by 1.5-metres wide. Restrictions on…


BC Becomes First Province to Provide Universal Coverage for Opioid Treatments

The British Columbia government is expanding access to opioid treatment medications such as methadone by providing universal coverage to help people with substance use disorders, making it the first province in Canada to do so. Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a news release Wednesday that full coverage of the medications will be available to…


Winds Fan Northeast BC Wildfire, but Aid Crews Working to Save Tumbler Ridge

Gusty winds have kicked up the activity of a huge wildfire in northeastern British Columbia, forcing evacuation orders for another 14 remote properties outside Fort Nelson. The Peace River Regional District issued two evacuation orders Sunday as winds fanned the 4,660-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze. The BC Wildfire Service says more than 140 people are working…


Quebec Makes Progress Against Record Wildfire Season as Blaze in BC Grows

Quebec is on the offensive in its battle against a record wildfire season as gusty winds fuel a huge blaze in northeastern British Columbia, forcing more evacuations. Premier François Legault says there are now more than 1,200 people fighting fires across the province, including reinforcements from New Brunswick and France, and thousands of Quebecers are…


BC to Require Licence for Asbestos Abatement Contractors by 2024

British Columbia will soon be the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement a licensing requirement for asbestos abatement contractors. The Labour Ministry says workers must be licensed by Jan. 1. This comes following changes to the Workers Compensation Act last year, requiring that contractors who remove the cancer-causing material use only trained and certified workers….


Eyes on the Weather as Residents Pack and Flee From Fierce Wildfire in Northeast B.C.

Tumbler Ridge resident Michelle Chisholm and her family had their bags packed with all the essentials, including camping gear, when an order to evacuate the town forced them to leave. Chisholm, who has lived in Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia for 10 years, said her dilemma was dealing with her horse since she doesn’t…


Eyes on the Weather as Residents Pack and Flee From Fierce Wildfire in Northeast BC

Tumbler Ridge resident Michelle Chisholm and her family had their bags packed with all the essentials, including camping gear, when an order to evacuate the town forced them to leave. Chisholm, who has lived in Tumbler Ridge in northeastern British Columbia for 10 years, said her dilemma was dealing with her horse since she doesn’t…


Patients, Staff Struggle Over ‘Chronic Issues’ at Surrey, BC, Hospital: Minister

British Columbia’s health minister acknowledged that chronic issues of overcrowding and staffing level concerns at one of the province’s largest hospitals are leading to people becoming aggressive over patient care. Adrian Dix said Wednesday the ongoing issues at Surrey Memorial Hospital have created a stressful atmosphere, prompting the government to implement an immediate and long-term…


Industry, Conservationists Welcome Ottawa’s Delay on BC Salmon Farm Transition Plan

Both sides of British Columbia’s contentious fish farm debate are welcoming Ottawa’s move to delay a decision on a planned transition from open-net salmon farms in the province’s coastal waters. Representatives from B.C.’s salmon farming industry and Indigenous and conservation groups said Tuesday they agree the delay gives federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray more time…