Changes coming to Medical Services Plan premium assistance
With more people than ever to qualify for assistance with Medical Services Plan premiums next year, B.C. seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie joined Health Minister Terry Lake to remind seniors to check if they are eligible. A recent survey by the seniors advocate showed just 39% of seniors knew about MSP premium assistance and...
Ministry boosts funding for BC Transit over next three years
The British Columbia government is providing $324 million in operating contributions to BC Transit over the next three years, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone recently announced. This provincial funding represents a $12.7-million increase over three years, compared to 2015-16 budget levels. The new funding will go toward BC Transit operating costs – which will […]
Nanaimo: 14-year-old girl sexually assaulted on railway tracks
The Nanaimo RCMP is investigating the sexual assault of a young teenage female that occurred at approximately 4:40 pm on Feb. 12. The incident took place along the railway tracks, behind the Islamic Cultural Centre, near Kennedy and Farquar Streets. The female victim told police she was walking along the tracks when a male approached from […]
What's good for the B.C. Liberals may not be good for B.C. Hydro
One of the last things anyone would ever imagine the B.C. government doing is adopting an old NDP program, but that's exactly what Energy and Mines minister Bill Bennett did this month when he announced a five-year, $300 million hydro bill deferment plan for 13 mines owned by six companies. There's a price to pay when B.C. ...
Study shows strong tourism growth in last decade
A new study shows a 38% increase in tourism revenue over the last decade, proving the sector is a major economic driver for the province. The study called “Value of Tourism in British Columbia: Trends from 2004 to 2014” is produced by BC Stats for Destination British Columbia. It highlights impressive long-range as well as ...
Province toughens up drinking and driving laws
Some of the toughest regulations in Canada just got a lot tougher. The provincial government has added new regulations to clarify and toughen the consequences of drinking and drug affected driving in British Columbia, strengthening the Province’s resolve to have the safest roads in North America by 2020. "These measures will...
ICBC’s Hall of Shame: Cyber Fraud Files of 2015
Some things people just can't make up. The Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) has released its Cyber Files Wall of Shame for 2015. It goes from a woman too hurt to go to work yet finds time for roller derby to a man who sets his own truck on fire then tries to make a claim to a man who completes a grueling 12-mile obstacle...
RCMP warn of Valentine's Day frauds
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Surrey RCMP is reminding residents to be wary of those taking advantage of our basic need for human companionship. In 2015, Surrey RCMP saw a 36% increase in frauds largely due to the Canada Revenue Agency and Immigration Canada scams (see previous release). The Surrey RCMP also ...
Woman survives avalanche near Pemberton
A woman is lucky to be alive after surviving an avalanche in the back country north of Pemberton off Duffly Lake Highway Saturday afternoon said RCMP in a media release. RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair said the call came in at approximately 3:40 p.m. to Pemberton RCMP of a large avalanche that occurred near the Wendy Thompson...
Be careful on the highways during Family Day Holiday Weekend
Road conditions can be unpredictable and vary widely across the province at this time of year. If you’ll be travelling over Family Day long weekend, snow, sleet, heavy rain, fog and ice are just some of the challenging winter conditions you could encounter when driving on B.C. roads. On average, 24 people are killed and 5,700...