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A combination of dried-out forests, potentially strong winds and lightning could make for a “very challenging” fire season in 2023, which has already turned to be unprecedented in many ways, provincial officials said Thursday (June 8) during a news conference. (Black Press Media file photo)

Officials warn of ‘very challenging’ fire season ahead in B.C.

Large ‘chunks’ of B.C.’s interior already find themselves in ‘desert-like conditions’

A combination of dried-out forests, potentially strong winds and lightning could make for a “very challenging” fire season in 2023, which has already turned to be unprecedented in many ways, provincial officials said Thursday (June 8) during a news conference. (Black Press Media file photo)
People pass the Bank of Canada building on Wellington Street in Ottawa, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent Wednesday, June 7, 2023– the highest point in more than two decades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Bank of Canada’s interest rate hike a ‘mistake,’ says B.C. economist

Marc Lee fears the rate hike will not fight inflation, but actually make it worse

People pass the Bank of Canada building on Wellington Street in Ottawa, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent Wednesday, June 7, 2023– the highest point in more than two decades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, here seen in 2022, acknowledged problems with parts of B.C.’s safe supply program, but defended it during a news conference Monday in Victoria. (Chad Hipolito/ Canadian Press)

Bonnie Henry to review B.C.’s safe supply program

Henry acknowledged issues with Hydromorphone prescriptions, but defended overall program

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, here seen in 2022, acknowledged problems with parts of B.C.’s safe supply program, but defended it during a news conference Monday in Victoria. (Chad Hipolito/ Canadian Press)
Premier David Eby said B.C.’s economy is doing well overall in pointing to labour shortages. But he acknowledged that some sectors are struggling following the release of a report critical of higher costs caused by government policies. Eby rejected calls for changes to the Employers Health Taxes, but added that government is working with the forestry sector and parts of the tourism/hospitality sector. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Report questions B.C.’s Employer Health Tax, but Eby says no plans for change

Eby promises support for struggling sectors after release of report critical of government

Premier David Eby said B.C.’s economy is doing well overall in pointing to labour shortages. But he acknowledged that some sectors are struggling following the release of a report critical of higher costs caused by government policies. Eby rejected calls for changes to the Employers Health Taxes, but added that government is working with the forestry sector and parts of the tourism/hospitality sector. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Two people died following a fire on April 11, 2022 at the Winters Hotel in Vancouver. Atira Women’s Resource Society is among the parties targeted by a proposed class action lawsuit by former residents of the rooming house. Some 500 workers at the society have now joined BCGEU, a move that promises to improve safety for residents and workers. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

500 Atira workers unionize to improve the safety of residents, workers

It comes weeks after an independent audit into the society was released

Two people died following a fire on April 11, 2022 at the Winters Hotel in Vancouver. Atira Women’s Resource Society is among the parties targeted by a proposed class action lawsuit by former residents of the rooming house. Some 500 workers at the society have now joined BCGEU, a move that promises to improve safety for residents and workers. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Premier David Eby said concerns about security and changing environmental norms in Asia promise significant opportunities for British Columbia. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Premier David Eby brings home promises of economic opportunity from Asia trip

Japan and South Korea ‘feel a huge level of urgency’ around energy, critical minerals, Eby says

Premier David Eby said concerns about security and changing environmental norms in Asia promise significant opportunities for British Columbia. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
A new report from the BC Teachers’ Federation finds teachers are working longer than in the past with negative effects for their health and the quality of instruction. (Photo courtesy of Langley School District/Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. education system suffering as teachers in worse health, working more: survey

BCTF commission survey that calls on government to improve recruitment

A new report from the BC Teachers’ Federation finds teachers are working longer than in the past with negative effects for their health and the quality of instruction. (Photo courtesy of Langley School District/Black Press Media file photo)
Starting Thursday (June 1, 2023), British Columbians can claim up to $1,400 toward their purchases of E-bikes depending on their incomes without having to scrap their cars. (Black Press Media file photo)

New B.C. e-bike rebate program hits the road but not without some bumps

Environment minister acknowledged technical glitches during the launch

Starting Thursday (June 1, 2023), British Columbians can claim up to $1,400 toward their purchases of E-bikes depending on their incomes without having to scrap their cars. (Black Press Media file photo)
This was the aftermath of a 2021 explosion at CFB Comox after crews had hit a gasline. According to the 2022 annual report from the Technical Safety BC, it was one of two serious gas-related explosions caused by unattentive crews. (Photo courtsey of Technical Safety BC)

Climate change is threatening technical safety, says B.C.’s regulator

Phil Gothe, lead executive officer at Technical Safety BC, says regulator investigated 81 incidents

This was the aftermath of a 2021 explosion at CFB Comox after crews had hit a gasline. According to the 2022 annual report from the Technical Safety BC, it was one of two serious gas-related explosions caused by unattentive crews. (Photo courtsey of Technical Safety BC)
The provincial government has made B.C. the first province in Canada to offer free prescription contraceptives to all women. Starting June 1, participating pharmacists will be able to write prescriptions for contraceptives as well as for 21 minor ailments. (Photo credit: Pixabay)

B.C. pharmacists to treat minor ailments, prescribe contraception as of June 1

Covered minor ailments include allergies, acne, cold sores, pink eye and shingles among others

The provincial government has made B.C. the first province in Canada to offer free prescription contraceptives to all women. Starting June 1, participating pharmacists will be able to write prescriptions for contraceptives as well as for 21 minor ailments. (Photo credit: Pixabay)
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon has announced Vancouver and Victoria among the 10 inaugural communities subject to new housing targets. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. hands down first set of housing targets to 10 communities

Kamloops, Greater Victoria, Abbotsford and parts of Lower Mainland on list

Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon has announced Vancouver and Victoria among the 10 inaugural communities subject to new housing targets. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
Grocery clerks and food service staff will be among the 150,000 British Columbians getting a pay raise when the minimum wage increases on June 1 to to $16.75 from $15.65. (Contributed)

B.C.’s minimum wage to go up to $16.75 on June 1

Prominent labour economist Jim Stanford defends scheduled increase among cost concerns

Grocery clerks and food service staff will be among the 150,000 British Columbians getting a pay raise when the minimum wage increases on June 1 to to $16.75 from $15.65. (Contributed)
The Canada sign in Victoria’s Inner Harbour is pictured in early 2023. The provincial government will up support for temporary residents starting in 2024 as B.C.’s demographics continue to change. (Black Press Media file photo)

Provincial government boosts supports for newcomers to B.C.

Funding for provincial settlement services goes up to $25.6 million from $6 million in 2024

The Canada sign in Victoria’s Inner Harbour is pictured in early 2023. The provincial government will up support for temporary residents starting in 2024 as B.C.’s demographics continue to change. (Black Press Media file photo)
E-bikes, here seen at Vernon’s Sun Country Cycle, will be subject to a new provincial rebate program June 1. Some eligible British Columbians could get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike purchase. (Contributed)

New provincial program rings up to $1,400 in rebates for e-bikes

Most British Columbians, however, will only be eligible for $350 rebate

E-bikes, here seen at Vernon’s Sun Country Cycle, will be subject to a new provincial rebate program June 1. Some eligible British Columbians could get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike purchase. (Contributed)
The ChatGPT app is displayed on an iPhone in New York, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Premier David Eby acknowledged concerns around AI, but sees more light than shadow when it comes to the effects of artificial intelligence. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Richard Drew)

AI opens up ‘incredible opportunities’ for B.C.: Eby

He acknowledged AI’s potential for ‘disruption’ as BC Greens calls for AI task force

The ChatGPT app is displayed on an iPhone in New York, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Premier David Eby acknowledged concerns around AI, but sees more light than shadow when it comes to the effects of artificial intelligence. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Richard Drew)
B.C. Premier David Eby talks with the media in Langford on May 25 alongside NDP candidate for the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection Ravi Parmar. Eby will lead a trade delegation to Asia starting May 27. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Eby says Asia trade mission a way to ‘protect’ B.C. from geopolitical tensions

Stops on trade tour include Japan, South Korea and Singapore

B.C. Premier David Eby talks with the media in Langford on May 25 alongside NDP candidate for the Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection Ravi Parmar. Eby will lead a trade delegation to Asia starting May 27. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
FILE - Health minister Adrian Dix promises that new cancer centre in Kamloops will be operational in 2027. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Dix promises new cancer centre in Kamloops

Health minister says it could cost between $200M and $300M, and would be operational in 2027

FILE - Health minister Adrian Dix promises that new cancer centre in Kamloops will be operational in 2027. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
BC Ferries is using the one-year anniversary of a strong atmospheric river storm which washed out highways connecting Greater Victoria with the rest of Vancouver Island to highlight the role the crew on board the Klitsa played in keeping the community connected on that fateful day. (Courtesy of BC Ferries)

President and CEO of BC Ferries says company ‘deeply sorry’ for Monday’s outage

Outage is ‘crushing’ for the 5,100 people who work at BC Ferries, says Nicolas Jimenez

BC Ferries is using the one-year anniversary of a strong atmospheric river storm which washed out highways connecting Greater Victoria with the rest of Vancouver Island to highlight the role the crew on board the Klitsa played in keeping the community connected on that fateful day. (Courtesy of BC Ferries)
An AbCellera Biologics Inc. scientist pipettes cell culture reagents in a biosafety cabinet at an AbCellera laboratory. The company plans an expansion of its Vancouver facilities with a total cost of $701 million with Ottawa and Victoria putting $300 million toward the project. B.C.’s share is $75 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, AbCellera Biologics Inc.)

Vancouver biotech company plans $701M expansion, with $300M coming from government

AbCellera recognized globally in 2020 when it launched the first antibody trial to fight COVID-19

An AbCellera Biologics Inc. scientist pipettes cell culture reagents in a biosafety cabinet at an AbCellera laboratory. The company plans an expansion of its Vancouver facilities with a total cost of $701 million with Ottawa and Victoria putting $300 million toward the project. B.C.’s share is $75 million. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, AbCellera Biologics Inc.)
Katie Maslechko will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Rental Protection Fund designed to protect the affordability of existing rental buildings. (Photo courtesy of BC Non-Profit Housing Association)

B.C. rental protection fund worth $500M anticipates start in late June

New CEO Katie Maslechko sees fund having ‘ripple effect’ on community housing

Katie Maslechko will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Rental Protection Fund designed to protect the affordability of existing rental buildings. (Photo courtesy of BC Non-Profit Housing Association)