British Columbia

Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. minister of mental health and addictions, said a new team of rights advisors for people involuntarily admitted under the Mental Health Act will increase dignity and respect. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. introducing rights advisors for people involuntarily admitted under Mental Health Act

New service expected to be ready in 2023, offer primarily virtual assistance

Sheila Malcolmson, B.C. minister of mental health and addictions, said a new team of rights advisors for people involuntarily admitted under the Mental Health Act will increase dignity and respect. (Black Press Media file photo)
(File photo: Black Press Media)

161 deaths: B.C. remembers those lost to workplace injuries, disease in 2021

April 28 is the International Day of Mourning

(File photo: Black Press Media)
Bert terHart at the Five Mile Boat Launch just north of Revelstoke on April 27. (Contributed by Leah terHart)

Acclaimed solo sailor making history by canoeing across Canada

Bert terHart, 63, started his expedition across the country on April 1

Bert terHart at the Five Mile Boat Launch just north of Revelstoke on April 27. (Contributed by Leah terHart)
The BC SPCA’s South Peace centre is caring for 21 new puppies and a mother after they were found abandoned on someone’s property. (Courtesy BC SPCA)

21 newborn puppies found covered in antifreeze in northeastern B.C.

Critters under the care of BC SPCA’s South Peace centre and all expected to recover

The BC SPCA’s South Peace centre is caring for 21 new puppies and a mother after they were found abandoned on someone’s property. (Courtesy BC SPCA)
Brayden Methot is the representative plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against ICBC that claims it underpaid accident victims. (Black Press Media file photo)

Class-action lawsuit against ICBC over underpaying accident victims gets green light

March 2020 lawsuit alleges B.C. government diverted hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars

Brayden Methot is the representative plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against ICBC that claims it underpaid accident victims. (Black Press Media file photo)
Comedian Ron James. (Submitted Photo)

PODCAST: Ron James travels coast to coast to deliver laughs

Today in B.C.: ‘All over the map’ the latest book from Canadian comedian

Comedian Ron James. (Submitted Photo)
Ukrainian refugees walk along vehicles lining up to cross the border from Ukraine into Moldova, at Mayaky-Udobne crossing border point near Udobne, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The U.N. refugee agency says nearly 120,000 people have so far fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries in the wake of the Russian invasion. The number was going up fast as Ukrainians grabbed their belongings and rushed to escape from a deadly Russian onslaught. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

‘This is what B.C. does’: Minister Cullen commends community response to Ukrainian refugees

Donations, accommodations, and work opportunities flow freely for refugees in B.C.

Ukrainian refugees walk along vehicles lining up to cross the border from Ukraine into Moldova, at Mayaky-Udobne crossing border point near Udobne, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The U.N. refugee agency says nearly 120,000 people have so far fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries in the wake of the Russian invasion. The number was going up fast as Ukrainians grabbed their belongings and rushed to escape from a deadly Russian onslaught. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Hundreds of people gathered in solidarity for the people of Ukraine during a rally in Victoria, Feb. 27, 2022. The province announced April 25, Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive health coverage immediately upon arrival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive immediate health coverage

Community support groups say prescription drugs, mental health counselling needed

Hundreds of people gathered in solidarity for the people of Ukraine during a rally in Victoria, Feb. 27, 2022. The province announced April 25, Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive health coverage immediately upon arrival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Old-growth logging protestor Howard Breen says he was taken to hospital Sunday (April 24), on the 24th day of his hunger strike. (Courtesy of Save Old Growth)

B.C. man says old-growth protests escalating after brief hospitalization

68-year-old Nanaimo resident was on day 24 of his hunger strike Sunday

Old-growth logging protestor Howard Breen says he was taken to hospital Sunday (April 24), on the 24th day of his hunger strike. (Courtesy of Save Old Growth)
Howard Breen, of Nanaimo, shown in this undated handout image, says he has been on a hunger strike for 23 days and won’t stop protesting against old-growth logging until B.C.’s forests minister agrees to a public meeting. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Save Old Growth **MANDATORY CREDIT**

B.C. man wanting public meeting has ‘death-watch monitors’ on Day 23 of hunger strike

68-year-old activist protesting the logging of old growth forests

Howard Breen, of Nanaimo, shown in this undated handout image, says he has been on a hunger strike for 23 days and won’t stop protesting against old-growth logging until B.C.’s forests minister agrees to a public meeting. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Save Old Growth **MANDATORY CREDIT**
B.C. Liberal Party Leader Kevin Falcon during a press conference at legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. A byelection that could put new British Columbia Liberal leader Kevin Falcon back in the province’s legislature is a race about the past and future, say both the candidates and political experts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Byelection a battle over past and future for BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon, experts

Falcon, 59, was elected party leader in February after more than a decade away from B.C. politics

B.C. Liberal Party Leader Kevin Falcon during a press conference at legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. A byelection that could put new British Columbia Liberal leader Kevin Falcon back in the province’s legislature is a race about the past and future, say both the candidates and political experts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Vancouver seafood menus are shifting as climate change impacts ocean temperatures, a new UBC study has found. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Jumbo flying squid landing on menus as climate shifts seafood supply: UBC study

Researchers say warming sea temperatures are impacting what we eat

Vancouver seafood menus are shifting as climate change impacts ocean temperatures, a new UBC study has found. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The UBC sign is pictured at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Apr. 23, 2019. The university is extending its mask mandate until the end of June 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

UBC extends mask mandate into summer, citing sixth COVID wave

University one of only to require masks beyond end of provincial health orders

The UBC sign is pictured at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Apr. 23, 2019. The university is extending its mask mandate until the end of June 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A Canadian coalition is calling for restrictions on boating noise as Transport Canada asks for public feedback on the issue. (Pixabay photo)

B.C. groups want to restrict noisy boats as Transport Canada looks at options

Decibel Coalition members advocating for limits for boat manufacturers and users

A Canadian coalition is calling for restrictions on boating noise as Transport Canada asks for public feedback on the issue. (Pixabay photo)
Courtney Vasseur, a member of Hells Angels in B.C., faces fraud charges out the United States for his alleged involvement in an international stock manipulation ring. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Hells Angel charged in crackdown on international stock manipulation ring

Same investigation alleges Vancouver businessman David Sidoo was involved

Courtney Vasseur, a member of Hells Angels in B.C., faces fraud charges out the United States for his alleged involvement in an international stock manipulation ring. (Black Press Media file photo)
A B.C. teacher is banned for 10 years after inappropriately communicating with at least four students in Grades 8 to 12. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. teacher dealt 10-year ban for inappropriate communication with 4 students

Joseph James Hizon Arnesto taught Grades 7 to 12 at an independent B.C. school

A B.C. teacher is banned for 10 years after inappropriately communicating with at least four students in Grades 8 to 12. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
An upstream view of BC Hydro’s Strathcona Dam. The company is under fire from the BC Wildlife Federation, which says BC Hydro isn’t meeting its environmental compensation requirements. (BC Hydro photo)

BC Hydro falling short on environmental obligations, conservation group claims

BC Wildlife Federation calls for auditor general to examine electric company

An upstream view of BC Hydro’s Strathcona Dam. The company is under fire from the BC Wildlife Federation, which says BC Hydro isn’t meeting its environmental compensation requirements. (BC Hydro photo)
64 per cent of British Columbians polled by Research Co. believe repeat distracted drivers should have their phones seized. (Shutterstock)

Should prolific distracted drivers have their phones seized? Majority says yes: B.C. poll

64% of those polled say repeat offenders’ phones should be seized, 55% favour doubling current fines

64 per cent of British Columbians polled by Research Co. believe repeat distracted drivers should have their phones seized. (Shutterstock)
An out of control wildfire burns on Snake Hill near Kitwanga. B.C. Wildfire Service discovered the blaze April 15. (Screen capture/Jacob Beaton video/Facebook)

Human-caused wildfire near northern B.C. community now out of control

One-hectare sized fire started day after burn ban implemented, says B.C. Wildfire Service

An out of control wildfire burns on Snake Hill near Kitwanga. B.C. Wildfire Service discovered the blaze April 15. (Screen capture/Jacob Beaton video/Facebook)
A motorist watches from a pullout on the Trans-Canada Highway as a wildfire burns on the side of a mountain in Lytton, B.C., July 1, 2021. So far in 2022, a cool spring has been keeping the start of the wildfire season in check. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Cool spring keeping start of B.C. wildfire season in check – so far

38 wildfires recorded in 2022 up until April 14, consistent with past years’ numbers

A motorist watches from a pullout on the Trans-Canada Highway as a wildfire burns on the side of a mountain in Lytton, B.C., July 1, 2021. So far in 2022, a cool spring has been keeping the start of the wildfire season in check. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck