BC SPCA applauds passing of Bill S-203 to ban whale and dolphin captivity in Canada
The BC SPCA is praising the passing of Bill S-203 after a final debate about the new legislation in Ottawa today. Nicknamed the ‘Free Willy’ bill, S-203 bans keeping whales and dolphins (cetaceans) in captivity in Canada. “Bill S-203 not only bans the capture and confinement of whales and dolphins, it also criminalizes the ...
Stung by derailed negotiations with B.C., Blueberry River First Nations return to court
Three-quarters of the nation's territory lies within 250 metres of an industrial disturbance. A potentially precedent-setting court case on this 'death by a thousand cuts' could disrupt B.C.'s multi-billion dollar natural gas industry. By Christopher Pollon, for The Narwhal After almost a year of negotiations...
Organizations Press for Stronger Mining Laws
More than 30 organizations from across the province joined together in Victoria on Wednesday to call for major reform to B.C.’s dated mining laws and regulations. Wildsight joined the group to call on the B.C. government to update the rules for mining in the province to ensure protection of clean water, to make sure mines pay...
BC Increases Firefighting Budget by 58%
The B.C. government has released its updated action plan in response to the government-commissioned, independent Abbott/Chapman report on the unprecedented 2017 wildfire and flood seasons in British Columbia. The initial action plan was released October 2018, with a commitment to provide updates over six-month intervals until...
Surrey man arrested for public incitement of hatred
The following is a press release issued by Surrey RCMP: Surrey RCMP is updating the public regarding the investigation into an alleged occurrence of public incitement of hatred on social media. One man has now been arrested following an investigation which began on Sunday April 21, 2019. The investigation began after Surrey...
BC RCMP speak to policing money laundering in the province, in wake of review
We wish to respond to the release of a partial chapter in Peter German’s review. We fully participated in the review and look forward to seeing the full report and its findings or recommendations. First, I’d like to acknowledge the police officers and civilian staff within provincial and federal programs that have and continue...
Investigation: Petrowest numbered company awarded $10 million Site C dam contract on eve of bankruptcy
Petrowest’s financial woes were widely known when BC Hydro quietly awarded a major contract to a B.C. numbered company — 1054143 — that an investigation by The Narwhal reveals was incorporated by key Petrowest executives. The numbered company received millions in public funds while Petrowest fell into...
BC government announces historic partnerships for mountain caribou recovery
The government of British Columbia recently announced two important agreements that will influence the fate of mountain caribou in the province. The first agreement is a historic partnership between British Columbia, Canada and the West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations. This collaborative partnership follows the leadership...
Union: Staffing shortages affect ambulance service levels across B.C.
The Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of BC (APBC) are raising concerns over staffing shortages affecting service levels across the Province. While recruitment and retention in many communities has been an ongoing challenge for BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) for some time, the staffing shortage has reached...
OP/ED: B.C.’s first ever Poverty Reduction Plan tracks strong start with comprehensive approach but gaps need to be filled moving forward
The B.C. Poverty Reduction Coalition (BCPRC) congratulates the provincial government for launching the first ever poverty reduction plan for B.C.: TogetherBC. After a decade of advocacy, B.C. is no longer the only province without a poverty reduction strategy. The BCPRC welcomes the strong start outlined in the plan tracking...
