BC politics

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan meet in Vancouver, Aug. 29, 2019. (B.C. government)

B.C. daycare, cruise ships top priorities after Trudeau’s re-election

John Horgan wants federal share of health costs increased

 

Firefighters ignite back-burn on the Deka Lake wildfire near 100 Mile House, July 5, 2021. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

B.C.’s 2021 wildfire season winds down, third biggest in area burned

Premier commits to more fire prevention starting next spring

 

Renee Merrifield, BC Liberal Party MLA for Kelowna-Mission. (Contributed)

Kelowna MLA shuffled out of health critic role ahead of BC Liberal leadership contest

Three leadership candidates were removed from their portfolios

 

B.C. Premier John Horgan takes questions from municipal politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver, Sept. 17, 2021. (UBCM video)

B.C. housing supply depends on local, federal help, Horgan says

Ministers questioned on affordability crisis at UBCM

B.C. Premier John Horgan takes questions from municipal politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver, Sept. 17, 2021. (UBCM video)
Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, speaks in Vancouver about the significance of toy footballs given out by the B.C. Lions in 2014 to mark the event for residential school survivors. (B.C. government video)

B.C. Lions unveil special logo for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day founder recalls team’s inspiration

Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, speaks in Vancouver about the significance of toy footballs given out by the B.C. Lions in 2014 to mark the event for residential school survivors. (B.C. government video)
Quesnel Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, vice-president and Vanderhoof Coun. Brian Frenkel, president, prepare for virtual session of the Union of B.C. Municipalities in Vancouver, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM photo)

B.C. municipal leaders back more local say in future of logging

Old growth ban makes no sense in Interior, convention told

Quesnel Coun. Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, vice-president and Vanderhoof Coun. Brian Frenkel, president, prepare for virtual session of the Union of B.C. Municipalities in Vancouver, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM photo)
John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)

Local B.C. governments seek ways to go beyond talking about reconciliation

Indigenous people need power, municipal convention told

John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)
Mark Creek dam in the Kootenays is one of the “extreme consequence” dams identified in B.C. Auditor General Michael Pickup’s report on dam safety. (B.C. government photo)

Many of B.C.’s 1,900 dams not adequately regulated, auditor finds

Lands ministry hiring more dam safety staff to catch up

Mark Creek dam in the Kootenays is one of the “extreme consequence” dams identified in B.C. Auditor General Michael Pickup’s report on dam safety. (B.C. government photo)
B.C. finance ministry projections show improvement in economic growth, declining next year as recovery continues from the initial slump due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (B.C. government)

B.C. forecasts $4.8 billion deficit as province’s revenues rise

Increased tax take, federal transfers reduce forecast by half

B.C. finance ministry projections show improvement in economic growth, declining next year as recovery continues from the initial slump due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (B.C. government)
Sawmill workers in Princeton, B.C., 2018. The B.C. government has committed to redistributing Crown forest resources to provide a greater share for Indigenous communities. (B.C. government photo)

‘Disrespectful’: B.C. First Nations blast NDP’s forest renewal effort

20 Indigenous communities call for more time, resources

Sawmill workers in Princeton, B.C., 2018. The B.C. government has committed to redistributing Crown forest resources to provide a greater share for Indigenous communities. (B.C. government photo)
Vaccination percentage of B.C. residents age 20-29, to Aug. 21, 2021. Red line is first dose, purple is two doses. Blue bars indicate case count by week for the age group. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)

B.C. under-30s lead in shots as COVID-19 vaccine card arrives

Vaccination at schools, colleges a priority to close age gap

Vaccination percentage of B.C. residents age 20-29, to Aug. 21, 2021. Red line is first dose, purple is two doses. Blue bars indicate case count by week for the age group. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)
B.C. Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix announce vaccine card program at the B.C. legislature, Aug. 23, 2021. (B.C. government photo)

Phone bank, website launched for B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card

‘Our way of keeping society going in the next few months’

B.C. Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix announce vaccine card program at the B.C. legislature, Aug. 23, 2021. (B.C. government photo)
Image of B.C. health ministry web page that links to COVID-19 vaccine record. Link in story below. (B.C. government)

B.C. COVID-19 vaccine cards available online, details coming today

Weddings, art classes to require proof of vaccination on Sept. 13

Image of B.C. health ministry web page that links to COVID-19 vaccine record. Link in story below. (B.C. government)
B.C.’s top health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has reversed her position on requiring proof of vaccine for indoor entertainment and sports, as the province copes with an unexpected summer surge in COVID-19 transmission. (B.C. government photo)

COVID-19 entertainment passports a ‘nudge’ for vaccine ‘complacent’

B.C. vaccination cards not needed for fast food, takeout dining

B.C.’s top health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has reversed her position on requiring proof of vaccine for indoor entertainment and sports, as the province copes with an unexpected summer surge in COVID-19 transmission. (B.C. government photo)
B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry visits COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Victoria as the province shifts to drop-in availability to increase community immunity, Aug. 3, 2021. (B.C. government photo)

Face shields don’t qualify in B.C.’s latest COVID-19 mask order

Dr. Bonnie Henry announced return of mask mandate Aug. 24

B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry visits COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Victoria as the province shifts to drop-in availability to increase community immunity, Aug. 3, 2021. (B.C. government photo)
Classrooms will soon be busy as children across B.C. go back to school, again with pandemic procedures in place. (Black Press Media files)

Back to school: Children with special needs are being put in harm’s way, says Autism BC

‘How can my child on the spectrum be safe if the protocols are not in place,’ asks worried parent

Classrooms will soon be busy as children across B.C. go back to school, again with pandemic procedures in place. (Black Press Media files)
Getting new housing through municipal zoning and permitting is a major factor in high housing costs. (Vernon Morning Star)

B.C. communities get grants to speed up housing applications

’Throwing money at the problem’ won’t work, B.C. Liberal says

Getting new housing through municipal zoning and permitting is a major factor in high housing costs. (Vernon Morning Star)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and Premier John Horgan speak at the B.C. legislature, Aug. 23, 2021. Ending contracted out food and cleaning services in health care was an NDP election promise in 2020. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. ending contracts for health care housekeeping, food services

Reverses contracting out of services by B.C. Liberals in 2003

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and Premier John Horgan speak at the B.C. legislature, Aug. 23, 2021. Ending contracted out food and cleaning services in health care was an NDP election promise in 2020. (B.C. government photo)
B.C. Premier John Horgan announces proof of vaccination program for B.C. restaurants, bars and other venues, at the B.C. legislature, Aug. 23, 2021. (B.C. government photo)

Call police on COVID-19 vaccination card refusers, B.C.’s John Horgan says

Premier says business owners asked for vaccine passport protection

B.C. Premier John Horgan announces proof of vaccination program for B.C. restaurants, bars and other venues, at the B.C. legislature, Aug. 23, 2021. (B.C. government photo)
B.C. Premier John Horgan and Forests Minister Katrine Conroy visit B.C. Wildfire Service southeast fire centre in Castlegar, July 21, 2021. This week they toured the North Okanagan and stopped at Logan Lake fire department Friday. (B.C. government photo)

Premier says Logan Lake wildfire prevention a model for B.C.

FireSmart fuel management spared community damage

B.C. Premier John Horgan and Forests Minister Katrine Conroy visit B.C. Wildfire Service southeast fire centre in Castlegar, July 21, 2021. This week they toured the North Okanagan and stopped at Logan Lake fire department Friday. (B.C. government photo)