BC legislature

Communication tower goes up to provide high-speed internet service to the Bridge River Valley in B.C.’s southern Interior, June 2021. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. commits to reach last 115,000 remote households with internet

Five-year federal-provincial effort includes satellite links

Communication tower goes up to provide high-speed internet service to the Bridge River Valley in B.C.’s southern Interior, June 2021. (B.C. government photo)
The Snukwa family home was among those destroyed when fire swept through Lytton B.C., June 30, 2021. (Family photo/Salmon Arm Observer)

B.C. begins cleanup, reconstruction of fire-destroyed Lytton

Province covers costs for under-insured properties

The Snukwa family home was among those destroyed when fire swept through Lytton B.C., June 30, 2021. (Family photo/Salmon Arm Observer)
Thousands gathered on the grounds of the B.C. Legislature for another rally on March 5 opposing pandemic-related mandates. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

B.C. anti-COVID mandate rally sees renewed support as thousands gather at legislature

We Unify Canada arranged a substantial list of speakers voicing concerns around mandates

Thousands gathered on the grounds of the B.C. Legislature for another rally on March 5 opposing pandemic-related mandates. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Facebook Marketplace and other online ‘facilitators’ will soon have to collect B.C. sales tax. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

Online marketplaces required to start collecting B.C. sales tax July 1

7% ’Netflix tax’ being extended to ‘marketplace facilitators’

Facebook Marketplace and other online ‘facilitators’ will soon have to collect B.C. sales tax. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
Kevin Falcon takes a spin in an early electric car at the B.C. Ferries Swartz Bay terminal in 2010, when he was transportation minister. After a decade away from politics, he returned as B.C. Liberal party leader in February. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

B.C. by-election coming soon for Falcon’s bid to return, Horgan says

Vancouver seat vacated by former leader Andrew Wilkinson

Kevin Falcon takes a spin in an early electric car at the B.C. Ferries Swartz Bay terminal in 2010, when he was transportation minister. After a decade away from politics, he returned as B.C. Liberal party leader in February. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
Salish Heron, B.C. Ferries’ newest vessel, leaves shipyard at Gdansk, Poland in November 2021. (B.C. Ferries photo)

New control over B.C. Ferries isn’t a takeover, Horgan says

B.C. Liberals warn of another adventure in shipbuilding

Salish Heron, B.C. Ferries’ newest vessel, leaves shipyard at Gdansk, Poland in November 2021. (B.C. Ferries photo)
B.C. Energy Minister Bruce Ralston and Premier John Horgan (B.C. government)

B.C.’s carbon tax going up April 1, adding to record gasoline prices

Fuel retailers would take it as profit if it was cut: minister

B.C. Energy Minister Bruce Ralston and Premier John Horgan (B.C. government)
Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislative assembly, arrives back at B.C. Supreme Court after a break from his trial, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. A special prosecutor says British Columbia’s former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in “glaring and egregious” ways during closing arguments. James’s defence is expected to present its case Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Defence says no evidence of corruption in B.C. Legislature clerk fraud trial

Craig James pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and one count of breach of trust

Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislative assembly, arrives back at B.C. Supreme Court after a break from his trial, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. A special prosecutor says British Columbia’s former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in “glaring and egregious” ways during closing arguments. James’s defence is expected to present its case Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
COVID-19 cases reported to B.C. health authorities to Feb. 26, 2022, seven-day moving average in white. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)

B.C. hospitals start rebooking surgeries delayed by COVID-19

More than 8,000 postponed due to highways, fourth wave

COVID-19 cases reported to B.C. health authorities to Feb. 26, 2022, seven-day moving average in white. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)
Craig James, former clerk of the British Columbia legislature, leaves B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2022. Former Speaker of the legislature, Bill Barisoff is testifying at the trial of James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer in relation to allegations that he used his position for personal gain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Glaring and egregious’: Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case

Fraud, breach of trust case against former clerk of the legislative assembly Craig James wrapping up

Craig James, former clerk of the British Columbia legislature, leaves B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2022. Former Speaker of the legislature, Bill Barisoff is testifying at the trial of James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer in relation to allegations that he used his position for personal gain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Housing bought the Comfort Inn Hotel in Victoria in 2020 to house people camping along Pandora Avenue and in Topaz Park. (Victoria News photo)

Auditor approves of B.C. motel purchases for pandemic shelter

9 Victoria, Vancouver properties bought at or below market rate

B.C. Housing bought the Comfort Inn Hotel in Victoria in 2020 to house people camping along Pandora Avenue and in Topaz Park. (Victoria News photo)
Michelle Joo joins a rally for Ukraine at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Phil Melnychuk/Twitter)

Support refugees fleeing Ukraine invasion, B.C. premier urges

Politicians can’t interfere in public service pension fund

Michelle Joo joins a rally for Ukraine at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2021. (Phil Melnychuk/Twitter)
B.C. Lands and Water Minister Josie Osborne and Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen are sworn in to their new cabinet roles by Lt. Gov. Janet Austin, Government House, Feb. 25, 2022. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. municipalities still waiting for climate action fund details

$76 million over 3 years to reduce greenhouse gases

B.C. Lands and Water Minister Josie Osborne and Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen are sworn in to their new cabinet roles by Lt. Gov. Janet Austin, Government House, Feb. 25, 2022. (B.C. government photo)
Ukrainian residents of Victoria sing the Ukrainian national anthem on the steps of the B.C. Legislature, Feb. 27, 2022. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Ukrainian residents of Victoria sing the Ukrainian national anthem on the steps of the B.C. Legislature, Feb. 27, 2022. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

B.C. pulls Russian vodka from provincial liquor store shelves

$1 million to Red Cross to support assistance in Ukraine

B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
A heat pump installed at a Victoria supportive housing facility, converted from a seniors home. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)

Do heat pumps, electric vehicles make sense in northern B.C.?

B.C. Liberals question latest tax breaks for going electric

A heat pump installed at a Victoria supportive housing facility, converted from a seniors home. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)
Nataliia Kuksa, left, was born in Kyiv and was up through the night contacting everybody she knows back home. Members of Greater Victoria’s Ukrainian community at a solidarity gathering outside the B.C. legislature on Feb. 24, less than a day after Russia’s military attacked Ukraine on multiple fronts. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Ukrainian community gathers for anti-war demonstration outside B.C. Legislature

Hurt, concern, anxiety felt among those with Ukraine ties as they showed solidarity at legislature

Nataliia Kuksa, left, was born in Kyiv and was up through the night contacting everybody she knows back home. Members of Greater Victoria’s Ukrainian community at a solidarity gathering outside the B.C. legislature on Feb. 24, less than a day after Russia’s military attacked Ukraine on multiple fronts. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Repair work continues on Highway 8 Feb. 10, 2022 after mid-November flooding shifted the course of the Nicola River and destroyed sections of the highway south of Merritt. (B.C. transportation ministry photo)

B.C. extreme weather forecasting will take years to build

B.C. Wildfire Service to extend work to fire prevention

Repair work continues on Highway 8 Feb. 10, 2022 after mid-November flooding shifted the course of the Nicola River and destroyed sections of the highway south of Merritt. (B.C. transportation ministry photo)
B.C. Finance Minister Selina Robinson delivers 2022-23 budget at the legislature, Feb. 22, 2022. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. budget’s tax increases affect used vehicle sales, tobacco

Minister says she’s ‘closing a loophole’ on private car sales

B.C. Finance Minister Selina Robinson delivers 2022-23 budget at the legislature, Feb. 22, 2022. (B.C. government photo)
William R. Bennett Bridge across Okanagan Lake, one of the tourism destinations hit hard by two years of pandemic restrictions. (Kelowna Capital News)

B.C. tourism industry hoping spring COVID-19 thaw continues

Rebuilding workforce, international visitors a big job

William R. Bennett Bridge across Okanagan Lake, one of the tourism destinations hit hard by two years of pandemic restrictions. (Kelowna Capital News)