British Columbia

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
A giant rainbow flag is carried on Robson Street during the Vancouver Pride Parade in 2017. A new report out of UBC suggests the lives and health of LGBTQ youth in B.C. are improving. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Health, lives of LGBTQ youth in B.C. improving but not yet equal: report

UBC report shows positive signs between 2008 and 2018

A giant rainbow flag is carried on Robson Street during the Vancouver Pride Parade in 2017. A new report out of UBC suggests the lives and health of LGBTQ youth in B.C. are improving. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
BC General Employees’ Union president Stephanie Smith at a rotating strike in Sidney/North Saanich. She says the union is at an impasse as of April 7 over wage negotiations with the B.C. Public Service Agency. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. government worker union says contract talks with province at impasse over wages

Agreement for more than 33,000 union members expired on March 31

BC General Employees’ Union president Stephanie Smith at a rotating strike in Sidney/North Saanich. She says the union is at an impasse as of April 7 over wage negotiations with the B.C. Public Service Agency. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A bronze sculpture by artist Marie Khouri was stolen from outside the B.C. Children’s Hospital on the night of April 3. (Courtesy B.C. Children’s Hospital)

Sculpture stolen from B.C. Children’s Hospital weeks after being donated

Bronze artwork went missing from outside the Oak Street entrance on April 3

A bronze sculpture by artist Marie Khouri was stolen from outside the B.C. Children’s Hospital on the night of April 3. (Courtesy B.C. Children’s Hospital)
The Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease is marking the 2022 World Parkinson’s Day with the launch of a new international symbol of awareness, “The Spark.” (Courtesy the Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease)

‘We need some urgency behind this’: B.C. advocate calls for action on World Parkinson’s Day

New ‘spark’ symbol released to inspire conversation, awareness around growing disease

The Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease is marking the 2022 World Parkinson’s Day with the launch of a new international symbol of awareness, “The Spark.” (Courtesy the Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s Disease)
A woman holds an eagle feather and red dress as she listens to speakers during National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremonies on Parliament Hill September 30, 2021 in Ottawa. Red dresses have become a symbol for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. announces $5.34 million to combat violence against Indigenous women

Funds will be delivered through the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

A woman holds an eagle feather and red dress as she listens to speakers during National Day of Truth and Reconciliation ceremonies on Parliament Hill September 30, 2021 in Ottawa. Red dresses have become a symbol for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Canadians aged 65+ are experiencing higher levels of depression and loneliness since the pandemic began, according to a Simon Fraser University study. (Credit: Pixabay)

Loneliness, depression on the rise among older adults amid pandemic: B.C. study

Women aged 65 to 74 reported 67 per cent increase in loneliness, according to study

Canadians aged 65+ are experiencing higher levels of depression and loneliness since the pandemic began, according to a Simon Fraser University study. (Credit: Pixabay)
The Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council (DGC BC) has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. film workers union overwhelmingly in favour of strike vote

Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council members voted 92.2% in favour of a strike

The Directors Guild of Canada, B.C. District Council (DGC BC) has voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. (Black Press Media file photo)
Curtis Traverse, right, comforts his girlfriend Hope as they listen to speeches in memory of those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The B.C. Coroners Service announced that 2,224 people died from a suspected illicit drug overdose in 2021. The Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) and B.C. Association of People on Opiate Maintenance distributed a tested supply of illicit drugs to users after the gathering in a call for a safer drug supply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C advocates push back as Health Canada mulls lower-than-requested legal drug possession

Advocates say 2.5 gram threshold being considered isn’t evidenced based

Curtis Traverse, right, comforts his girlfriend Hope as they listen to speeches in memory of those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The B.C. Coroners Service announced that 2,224 people died from a suspected illicit drug overdose in 2021. The Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) and B.C. Association of People on Opiate Maintenance distributed a tested supply of illicit drugs to users after the gathering in a call for a safer drug supply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. announced a new Mass Timber Action Plan April 7, with an initial invesment of $1.2 million into four structures. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. investing in future of mass timber with 4 new structures, long-term action plan

Province looks to be leading producer in carbon-capturing material

B.C. announced a new Mass Timber Action Plan April 7, with an initial invesment of $1.2 million into four structures. (Black Press Media file photo)
16-year-old Wilson Gaglardi is spending 100 hours in a tent atop a flagpole in downtown Vancouver to raise funds for diabetes research. (Cole Schisler/Black Press Media)

VIDEO: B.C. teen spends 100 hours atop a flagpole to raise funds for diabetes research

16-year-old Wilson Gaglardi was diagnosed with type one diabetes at age six

16-year-old Wilson Gaglardi is spending 100 hours in a tent atop a flagpole in downtown Vancouver to raise funds for diabetes research. (Cole Schisler/Black Press Media)