Toughest animal cruelty penalties now B.C. law
Amendments to the Province’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which make the inhumane treatment of animals a violation in B.C., are now law. The legislation will also make it a provincial offence to harm or attempt to harm a law enforcement animal. Currently, police in British Columbia use both horses and dogs to assist […]
B.C. expands access to integrated cancer care
Five new integrated cancer care centres, including a virtual one in Vancouver to serve rural and remote parts of British Columbia, will open as part of Healthy Families BC. Expansion of InspireHealth, which has operated a Vancouver centre since 1997, will improve cancer care delivery and help patients learn about the many ways they can […]
NDP to introduce Poverty Reduction Bill
The New Democratic Party of BC has initiated the first step in the creation of a poverty reduction plan that will put children and families first. “Seven other provinces and territories have either committed to or have enacted a poverty reduction strategy, yet despite having the highest poverty rate in Canada, the B.C. Liberals […]
Picking up famous Irishmen in West Vancouver
Edmonton Oiler Gilbert Brule and his girlfriend picked up an unusual hitchhiker in West Vancouver on Tuesday — U2 frontman Bono, The Vancouver Province reported. Brule and girlfriend Kelsey Nichols were driving to a park to walk Bella, their German shepherd, on Tuesday afternoon near the West Vancouver Yacht Club when they spotted a couple […]
First Nations Make Historic Decision in Health
First Nations in British Columbia passed a historic resolution to assume greater control and decision-making over their health and wellness. 146 of the 167 Chiefs and representatives in attendance (87%) voted in favour of the resolution which will make BC First Nations the first in Canada to take over health service delivery from the federal […]
Government proposes cutting HST to 10 per cent, with a condition
Talk about dangling the carrot. The Province is proposing to reduce the total HST rate to 10 per cent from 12 per cent in two stages, cutting the provincial portion by one percentage point to six per cent from seven per cent on July 1, 2012, and a further one percentage point reduction would take […]
Two feet washed ashore in 2008 identified
The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of the individual whose feet washed ashore on two separate British Columbia islands in 2008. After an exhaustive post-mortem investigation by the Coroners Service, the feet were identified by DNA analysis as belonging to a 21-year-old Surrey resident who was reported missing in January 2004. Next-of-kin have […]
How to save money on your gym membership, thanks to the Province
A $68.7-million health-promotion program — Healthy Families BC strategy — could help offset the cost of gym memberships for British Columbians. The first program launched in the strategy, the $24-million Prescription for Health program, will give B.C. doctors additional tools to conduct medical assessments and work with patients to develop a health promotion and illness […]
B.C. export growth expected to lead country this year and next, says Export Development Canada
British Columbia’s exports are forecast to increase 16 per cent this year and 11 per cent in 2012, according to a Global Export Forecast by Export Development Canada (EDC). “British Columbia’s exports will continue to expand at a double-digit pace through 2012, the only province to hit this mark, thanks to a resurgence in the […]
Protest at Goldcorp's AGM in Vancouver
On May 18th, a sunny Wednesday morning, supporters of peoples affected by Goldcorp’s mining operations in Latin America held a vibrant demonstration addressing Goldcorp’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), taking place at the heart of Vancouver’s business sector. Demonstrators rallied outside the Pan Pacific Hotel, where the shareholders’ meeting took place. “We ask and demand that […]