Wolf Depner

B.C.’s cattle ranching industry has welcomed additional funding for veterinary training. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. to spend $22M to give boost to number of veterinarians

Additional funding will subsize veterinary training

B.C.’s cattle ranching industry has welcomed additional funding for veterinary training. (Black Press Media file photo)
Traffic through the most populated part of the Central Okanagan around often snarls because of its heavy reliance on Highway 97. A new provincial plan promises to improve traffic throught he but BC Liberal Norm Letnick fears it will lack the necessary funding. (Jordy Cunningham/Kelowna Capital News)

Kelowna MLA wants province to speed up transportation plans on Highway 97

Norm Letnick says current government is ignoring Kelowna’s transportation needs

Traffic through the most populated part of the Central Okanagan around often snarls because of its heavy reliance on Highway 97. A new provincial plan promises to improve traffic throught he but BC Liberal Norm Letnick fears it will lack the necessary funding. (Jordy Cunningham/Kelowna Capital News)
Raising of the transgender flag on Thursday, March 30, 2023, outside the provincial legislature in Victoria, B.C. From left: Deputy Speaker Spencer Chandra Herbert, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity Kelli Paddon, Aaron Devore, Chair in Transgender at the University of Victoria, and Alex DeForge, social impact coordinator of the Vancouver-based queer and trans resource centre QMUNITY. (Wolf Depner/Black Press Media

Advocate calls for supportive policy and funding ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility

Alex DeForge said Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31) is a path toward broader inclusion

Raising of the transgender flag on Thursday, March 30, 2023, outside the provincial legislature in Victoria, B.C. From left: Deputy Speaker Spencer Chandra Herbert, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity Kelli Paddon, Aaron Devore, Chair in Transgender at the University of Victoria, and Alex DeForge, social impact coordinator of the Vancouver-based queer and trans resource centre QMUNITY. (Wolf Depner/Black Press Media
BC Green Adam Olsen sees the provincial ferry system in a ‘very, very fragile’ state given current labour shortages. (Jen Blyth / West Coast Traveller )

B.C. MLA says Washington ferry halt not a warning sign for smaller BC Ferries routes

Olsen says Vancouver Island/US connection was a tourist route, wants to review how BC Ferries run

BC Green Adam Olsen sees the provincial ferry system in a ‘very, very fragile’ state given current labour shortages. (Jen Blyth / West Coast Traveller )
According to Statistics Canada, inflation in B.C. stayed at 6.2 per cent in February 2023 relative to January. While prices at the pumps dropped, rents rose. Inflation dropped across Canada to 5.2 per cent in February, down from 5.9 per cent in January. (Black Press Media File)

Can it get any worse? 33% in B.C. expect they’ll face even more financial woes in 2024

Inflation also remains sticky in BC at 6.2 per cent in February, while down across Canada

According to Statistics Canada, inflation in B.C. stayed at 6.2 per cent in February 2023 relative to January. While prices at the pumps dropped, rents rose. Inflation dropped across Canada to 5.2 per cent in February, down from 5.9 per cent in January. (Black Press Media File)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix has announced actions to protect the supply of Ozempic, a drug typically used to treat diabetes, but popular among individuals looking to lose weight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. to cinch sales of celebrity-endorsed diabetes drug Ozempic to U.S. patients

U.S. residents accounted for 15 per cent of Ozempic in January and February in B.C.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix has announced actions to protect the supply of Ozempic, a drug typically used to treat diabetes, but popular among individuals looking to lose weight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C.’s Ministry of Housing has received the forensic audit of BC Housing ordered by Premier David Eby, then minister responsible for housing, but it is not clear when the public will see the report. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Premier David Eby promises BC Housing forensic audit release ‘as soon as possible’

BC Liberals accuse NDP government of ‘pattern of evasiveness’ around BC Housing

B.C.’s Ministry of Housing has received the forensic audit of BC Housing ordered by Premier David Eby, then minister responsible for housing, but it is not clear when the public will see the report. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Proposed amendments to the Family Law Act promise to help answer questions about who gets to keep a pet during divorce proceedings. (Black Press Media file photo)

New B.C. legislation looks to clarify pet custody during divorce

Attorney General Niki Sharma tabled proposed changes to Family Law Act Monday (March 27)

Proposed amendments to the Family Law Act promise to help answer questions about who gets to keep a pet during divorce proceedings. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C.’s Ministry of Housing has received the forensic audit of BC Housing ordered by Premier David Eby, then minister responsible for housing, but it is not clear when the public will see the report. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

BC Liberals call on government to immediately release forensic audit of BC Housing

Ministry of Housing has received the full report, but did not give a release date

B.C.’s Ministry of Housing has received the forensic audit of BC Housing ordered by Premier David Eby, then minister responsible for housing, but it is not clear when the public will see the report. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Most British Columbians fear fraud will be worse during the looming recession, but almost 90 per cent say they are too tired to be on the look out for scam, according to a survey from RBC. (Pixabay photo)

B.C. residents worried fraud risk growing and they’re too weary to be more careful

Two of three British Columbians fear fraud will be worse during recession than during COVID-19: RBC

Most British Columbians fear fraud will be worse during the looming recession, but almost 90 per cent say they are too tired to be on the look out for scam, according to a survey from RBC. (Pixabay photo)
Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad has officially thrown in his hat for the leadership of Conservative Party of British Columbia. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘Proudly pro-freedom’ MLA John Rustad officially wants to lead BC Conservatives

Nechako Lakes MLA made the announcement March 23, a little over a month after joining the party

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad has officially thrown in his hat for the leadership of Conservative Party of British Columbia. (Black Press Media file photo)
Salvatore Vetro’s recall petition against Premier David Eby has failed after Vetro did not submit the necessary paperwork by March 20. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)

Recall petition against Premier Eby fails

Salvatore Vetro, which launched the petition, failed to submit it by March 20 deadline

Salvatore Vetro’s recall petition against Premier David Eby has failed after Vetro did not submit the necessary paperwork by March 20. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)
BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau last week tabled legislation that promises to limit the use of non-disclosure agreements. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Proposed legislation would stop NDAs from being used to ‘silence’ harassment victims: Furstenau

Sonia Furstenau’s legislation comes after Canadian Bar Association criticized NDAs

BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau last week tabled legislation that promises to limit the use of non-disclosure agreements. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
BC Liberal MLA Mike Morris, who represents Prince George-Mackenzie, says he won’t seek re-election. (Photo courtesy of BC Liberals)

Long-time MLA Mike Morris won’t seek re-election in Prince George riding

Morris cited personal reasons for his decision and wants to give his party plenty of notice

BC Liberal MLA Mike Morris, who represents Prince George-Mackenzie, says he won’t seek re-election. (Photo courtesy of BC Liberals)
Oak Bay in Greater Victoria became the latest community to legalize secondary suites and a provincial pilot project plans to create more through incentives for home-owners to build them for long-term renters. (Black Press Media file photo)

As B.C. eyes housing solutions, UBCM prez says secondary suites ‘critical’ for rental supply

UBCM President Jen Ford says secondary suites are an important part of housing continuum

Oak Bay in Greater Victoria became the latest community to legalize secondary suites and a provincial pilot project plans to create more through incentives for home-owners to build them for long-term renters. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Auditor General Michael Pickup made seven recommendations to improve a strategy designed to increase inclusion and diversity in B.C.’s public service. (Photo Courtesy of the Office of Auditor General of British Columbia).

Strategy to boost diversity, inclusion in B.C.’s public sector lacking effectiveness: report

Michael Pickup says B.C.’s public service should reflect population at-large

B.C. Auditor General Michael Pickup made seven recommendations to improve a strategy designed to increase inclusion and diversity in B.C.’s public service. (Photo Courtesy of the Office of Auditor General of British Columbia).
The provincial government is touting various programs designed to fight inflation kicking in April 1. Inflation for various products including groceries remains but is dropping. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. families to see last topped up benefit payment before permanent increase in July

New B.C. Affordability Credit worth $500 million kicks in April 1 among other programs

The provincial government is touting various programs designed to fight inflation kicking in April 1. Inflation for various products including groceries remains but is dropping. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said government is looking into the issue of banning bear-spray. While legal, criminals have been using it in urban areas. (Contributed)

B.C. government looking into whether to ban bear-spray across province

Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth acknowledged such a move could impact wilderness safety

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said government is looking into the issue of banning bear-spray. While legal, criminals have been using it in urban areas. (Contributed)
Leslie Varley, executive director of BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, says a Hyatt Regency Vancouver employee denied a cultural advisor and staff member of BCAAFC access to a washroom, causing a “public and humiliating” incident. The hotel has since publicly apologized. (Screen cap)

Vancouver Hyatt Regency apologizes to First Nations group after alleged discrimination

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres welcomes apology, but won’t use hotel for event

Leslie Varley, executive director of BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, says a Hyatt Regency Vancouver employee denied a cultural advisor and staff member of BCAAFC access to a washroom, causing a “public and humiliating” incident. The hotel has since publicly apologized. (Screen cap)
Flooding in fall 2021 caused massive to the provincial infrastructure including Highway 8 along the Nicola River near Merritt. Current snow-pack levels are at seasonal norms across the province, but other parts are above seasonal norms. (BC Transportation/Twitter)

Some parts of B.C.’s Interior face spring flooding risk: River Forecast Centre

Snow pack level for entire province, including Lower Fraser River, at normal seasonal levels

Flooding in fall 2021 caused massive to the provincial infrastructure including Highway 8 along the Nicola River near Merritt. Current snow-pack levels are at seasonal norms across the province, but other parts are above seasonal norms. (BC Transportation/Twitter)