Tag: British Columbia

Amid Hot, Dry Weather, Quebec Forest Fire Prevention Group on High Alert

Quebec’s forest fire prevention agency is maintaining a high alert and a spokesperson said Tuesday the hot and dry weather descending on the province this week is a cause for concern. The province on Sunday ordered a ban on open fires in forested areas, and on Tuesday the ban was extended to cover forests and…


BC Cancer Patients Pay the Price for Government Inaction on Health Care

Commentary The dominos continue to fall in Canada’s rapidly imploding health-care system. This week, the spotlight is on British Columbia’s cancer patients who have been waiting months to undergo radiation treatments. As a result, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix has announced that the province will send patients with breast and prostate cancer (the largest patient…


Man Pleads Guilty to Murder, Assault in BC Library Stabbing Spree

A man who stabbed numerous people in and around the Lynn Valley Library in North Vancouver two years ago has pleaded guilty to murder and other charges. Yannick Bandaogo pleaded guilty in a New Westminster, B.C., court to second-degree murder, several charges of attempted murder and one count of aggravated assault. Bandaogo was arrested shortly…


BC Police Say Remains of Madison Scott, Last Seen in 2011, Have Been Found

The remains of a British Columbia woman missing for a dozen years have been found on a rural property in Vanderhoof, RCMP said Monday. The announcement of the discovery came 12 years to the day after Madison Scott was reported missing by a family member. Police have said she was 20 years old when she…


Canada Must Strengthen the Nation-State and Stop Eroding Its Sovereignty: Brian Peckford

A focused, unified effort is required to restore Canada’s democracy, former Newfoundland and Labrador premier Brian Peckford told attendees at a citizens’ conference in B.C.’s capital city. Peckford made his comments in a keynote address at the Reclaiming Canada Conference hosted in Victoria May 26 to 28 by the group We Unify. “The most successful…


BC Extends Reach of Property Tax Aimed at Turning Empty Houses Into Rental Homes

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. Starting early next…


Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec Join Ottawa in Investigating ChatGPT

The governments of Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec are joining the federal privacy commissioner in investigating the company behind the artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, ChatGPT. Alberta’s privacy authority says the joint investigation would see if OpenAI, which is the parent company of ChatGPT, obtained valid consent from Canadians to collect, use and disclose their personal information…


Pathologist in BC Murder Trial Says He’s Not Certain Where Teenage Girl Was Killed

The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on the body of a 13-year-old girl found dead in a Burnaby, B.C., park says he can’t be certain she was killed there. Dr. Jason Morin told the British Columbia Supreme Court jury under cross-examination that the teen, who cannot be identified under the terms of a publication…


BC RCMP Expand Search for Suspect in Targeted Shooting in ‘Highly Populated Area’

RCMP are expanding their search for the suspect in a targeted shooting in Coquitlam that sent a man to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say they are now asking for anyone who may have residential or dash-camera video in the area of Cape Horn Avenue and United Boulevard on the night of May 17 between…


Spring Weather to Return, but Lightning Risk Sparks New Wildfire Concern in BC

The British Columbia government has warned that a return to more seasonal spring conditions is raising the risk of lightning-caused wildfires heading into the long weekend, after a prolonged hot and dry spell across much of the province. The forecast for Fort St. John, in wildfire-embattled northeastern B.C., shows a risk of thunderstorms starting Friday…