First permanent delivery-fee cap in Canada will help B.C. ring in new year
Canada’s first permanent cap on fees charged to restaurants by food-delivery companies will go into effect in British Columbia on Jan. 1, 2023, giving restaurant owners more certainty about their costs. “We all have a favourite local restaurant, somewhere we celebrate as families and friends, eat our favourite foods, or get...
Dec. 27 update on Highway 97C bus crash Christmas Eve
On Dec. 24, 2022 at approximately 18:14 hours the BC Highway Patrol and Merritt RCMP were advised of a single vehicle collision around Loon Lake on Hwy 97c east of Merritt BC. Police and emergency services responded and located a commercial E-bus that had gone off road to the left and rolled onto its passenger side coming to...
Minister’s statement on mental-health supports for the holiday season
Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following year-end statement regarding mental-health supports during the holiday season: “The holiday season is a time for celebrations, but for many, it can also be the season of loneliness, stress and difficult memories. “British Columbians have...
ICBC files for no increase to basic insurance rates for two more years
Government reforms to ICBC are paying off with affordable, steady rates and fiscal stability for people. ICBC is filing an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for no increase to basic insurance rates for the next two years, which marks five years of no increases to basic insurance rates. “Our...
Projects underway in Kootenay-Boundary will reduce community wildfire risk, enhance forest health
Work is underway to enhance forest resilience to protect against the effects of wildfire and climate change in the Kootenay-Boundary region. The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is investing in 12 new wildfire risk reduction projects, including three in the Kootenay-Boundary Region. The FESBC has approved a total of...
FortisBC electric customers to receive $100 cost-of-living credit
FortisBC Inc. (“FortisBC”) residential and commercial customers will receive a one-time cost-of-living credit on their electricity bills on behalf of the Province of B.C. FortisBC residential customers can expect to receive a $100 credit on their electricity bill over the next three months depending on the billing schedule...
New premier to be sworn in Nov. 18
David Eby will be sworn in as British Columbia’s 37th premier by Lt. Gov. Janet Austin on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. The ceremony will take place at Government House. Timing and other details for media will be provided in the coming days. The November break of the fall legislative session will be extended leading up to the...
Rapid increase in deaths among people experiencing homelessness in B.C. in 2021
Preliminary reporting from the BC Coroners Service shows 247 deaths of individuals experiencing homelessness were reported to the agency in 2021, which is a 75% increase over the number of lives lost in 2020. “This report reflects the risks and realities that people experiencing homelessness face every day,” said Lisa Lapointe,...
Issues with legal services? Province plans improvements, seeks input from public
British Columbians are encouraged to share their thoughts on the Province’s plans to simplify the regulatory framework for legal professionals so more people can connect to the legal supports and advice they need. Currently, lawyers are regulated by the Legal Profession Act and notaries are regulated by the Notaries Act. ...
Collision claims life of Kamloops motorcyclist at Cherry Creek
Police are looking for witnesses to a fatal crash in Cherry Creek Tuesday, according to BC Highway Patrol Cpl. Mike Halskov. "On Aug. 30, at approximately 4:50 p.m., Kamloops Rural RCMP and Emergency Services responded to a fatal two-vehicle collision on Hwy 1 at Rodeo Drive in Cherry Creek," Halskov said. "Upon arrival, it...