Provincial Government

Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of the B.C. Liberals said B.C. health care system is getting worse after the release of a study that shows British Columbians waited 79 minutes to a see walk-in-clinic doctor. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. has the 2nd worst wait times for walk-in clinics across Canada: Survey

B.C. residents waited 79 minutes to see a walk-in physician in 2022

Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of the B.C. Liberals said B.C. health care system is getting worse after the release of a study that shows British Columbians waited 79 minutes to a see walk-in-clinic doctor. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said the province will take its time to develop new legislation around housing to ensure clarity. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C.’s Liberals, Greens take aim at alluded spending by Eby government

Opposition critical of Throne Speech even before having read it

Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said the province will take its time to develop new legislation around housing to ensure clarity. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C.’s Lt. Governor Janet Austin at the B.C. Legislature ahead of the annual Throne Speech on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)

B.C. government to make heavy use of spending surplus: Throne Speech

B.C. has a budget surplus of $5.7 billion

B.C.’s Lt. Governor Janet Austin at the B.C. Legislature ahead of the annual Throne Speech on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)
June 21, 2021 - The front of the BC Legislature’s Parliament building designed by architect Frances Rattenbury. Don Denton photograph

B.C. NDP expects to table more than 2 dozen new bills in spring legislature sitting

B.C. politicians return to the legislature Monday for the spring sitting

June 21, 2021 - The front of the BC Legislature’s Parliament building designed by architect Frances Rattenbury. Don Denton photograph
Canadian premiers listen to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the closing news conference at the First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa, Tuesday October 3, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

5 things to know about health-care talks Tuesday between Trudeau, premiers

The premiers have been asking for a new deal for more than two years

Canadian premiers listen to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the closing news conference at the First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa, Tuesday October 3, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Minister of Health Adrian Dix said 1,043 physicians have so far signed up for the new family physician pay model effective since Feb. 1 Minister of Health Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Joshua Greggain, president, Doctors of BC,

1,000 eligible doctors have signed up for B.C.’s new payment model, which starts today: Dix

1,043 physicians had signed up for the new model as of midnight before Feb. 1 rollout

Minister of Health Adrian Dix said 1,043 physicians have so far signed up for the new family physician pay model effective since Feb. 1 Minister of Health Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Joshua Greggain, president, Doctors of BC,
The province and four First Nations located in the area subject to Treaty 8 announced Friday a consensus document spelling out various initiatives to address the effects of industrial development stemming from oil and gas exploration. The orange-bounded area show the area deemed important by Blueberry River First Nation. It and the provincial government Wednesday announced a historic agreement for a land-management approach. (Screencap)

4 B.C. First Nations reach land-management consensus with province

But final agreements could take years to negotiate and three Treaty 8 nations remain on the outside

The province and four First Nations located in the area subject to Treaty 8 announced Friday a consensus document spelling out various initiatives to address the effects of industrial development stemming from oil and gas exploration. The orange-bounded area show the area deemed important by Blueberry River First Nation. It and the provincial government Wednesday announced a historic agreement for a land-management approach. (Screencap)
Laura Shaver, back left, speaks at a gathering to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan in its fight against overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Laura Shaver, back left, speaks at a gathering to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan in its fight against overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

What to know about B.C. decriminalizing possession of drugs for personal use – starting today

Federal exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act will continue until Jan. 31, 2026

Laura Shaver, back left, speaks at a gathering to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan in its fight against overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Laura Shaver, back left, speaks at a gathering to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan in its fight against overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Starbright Child Development Centre is set to close at the end of June. (Photo/Starbright)

Kelowna child development centre strives to shine in face of closure

‘Our agency has been a hub of services for decades’

Starbright Child Development Centre is set to close at the end of June. (Photo/Starbright)
A provincial government report finds different levels of internet cell service for urban and rural regions of BC with rural residents paying more for worse services. (Black Press Media file photo)

Rural British Columbians pay more for worse internet, cell phone service: report

Nearly 30 per cent of provincial highways also lack cell coverage

A provincial government report finds different levels of internet cell service for urban and rural regions of BC with rural residents paying more for worse services. (Black Press Media file photo)
Stewart Prest of Quest University gives the New Democratic governemnt under David Eby an ‘incomplete’ some 50 days into its mandate, but praises specific aspects. (Photo courtesy of Stewart Prest)

Eby’s 100-day action plan gets mixed grade ahead of B.C. budget

Stewart Prest gives NDP government an ‘incomplete’ so far but praises specific aspects

Stewart Prest of Quest University gives the New Democratic governemnt under David Eby an ‘incomplete’ some 50 days into its mandate, but praises specific aspects. (Photo courtesy of Stewart Prest)
Sanjiv Gandhi, a former children’s surgeon, joined B.C. Greens party leader Sonia Furstenau and house leader Adam Olsen in Vancouver Monday when party announced him as their second deputy leader. (Screencap)

B.C. Greens appoint former children’s surgeon Sanjiv Gandhi as 2nd deputy leader

Sanjiv Gandhi makes appeal for mandatory masking during winter season

Sanjiv Gandhi, a former children’s surgeon, joined B.C. Greens party leader Sonia Furstenau and house leader Adam Olsen in Vancouver Monday when party announced him as their second deputy leader. (Screencap)
Kelowna City Hall. (File photo)

YLW received the lion’s share at $22 million

The City of Kelowna was awarded more than $27 million dollars in…

Kelowna City Hall. (File photo)
B.C. Premier David Eby at the Crofton mill announcement, backed by Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey. (Photo by Don Bodger)

$68.8M to retool B.C. mill to produce wood-based single-use plastic replacements

Government, Paper Excellence investments putting 100 workers back to work in Crofton

B.C. Premier David Eby at the Crofton mill announcement, backed by Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Coquitlam Glacier, Metro Vancouver’s last remaining glacier, is disappearing fast. A Science study predicts some 80 per cent of B.C. glaciers will have disappeared by 2100. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Metro Vancouver

Disappearing glaciers in B.C. put tourism, watersheds at risk: scientist

Brian Menounos predicts most glaciers will disappear but warns against inaction

The Coquitlam Glacier, Metro Vancouver’s last remaining glacier, is disappearing fast. A Science study predicts some 80 per cent of B.C. glaciers will have disappeared by 2100. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Metro Vancouver
The state of the forest industry has drawn a lot of this week as Premier David Eby continues to address key industry leaders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. forest industry looks to get out of the woods amid meetings with government leaders

Industry faces declining prices, other challenges as Eby speaks of ‘exhausted’ and ‘stressed’ forests

The state of the forest industry has drawn a lot of this week as Premier David Eby continues to address key industry leaders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Premier David Eby has announced a new streamlined process to speed up housing developments in British Columbia. (Screencap)

B.C. to overhaul approval process for building houses in hopes of increasing supply

Eby made the announcement Monday morning in Vancouver.

Premier David Eby has announced a new streamlined process to speed up housing developments in British Columbia. (Screencap)
Salvatore Vetro has launched a recall petition against Premier David Eby. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)

Premier David Eby called a ‘dictator’ in recall petition citing Bill 36

Petition by former HandyDART driver and aspiring actor concerns Bill 36

Salvatore Vetro has launched a recall petition against Premier David Eby. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, meets with B.C. Premier David Eby before an announcement in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Eby resolves to keep spending in new year, making most of forecast budget windfall

Premier David Eby took office in B.C. amid a whirlwind of spending…

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, meets with B.C. Premier David Eby before an announcement in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 5, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

New year, new rules: Some of the new laws in Canada beginning Jan. 1, 2023

2023 is shaping up to include a number of sweeping changes –…

The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 5, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick