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...
Composite sketch released after sexual assault in Surrey City Centre area
Surrey RCMP is releasing a composite sketch of the suspect who allegedly sexually assaulted and stabbed a woman on Feb. 2 in the City Centre area. The victim was able to provide a detailed description of her attacker resulting in the preparation of a composite sketch (see attached). The suspect is described as a black […]
BC Coroners Service and Avalanche Canada stress need for safety
In the wake of the deaths of five persons in an avalanche near McBride on Jan. 29, 2016, the BC Coroners Service and Avalanche Canada are joining to stress the need for preparedness for those heading into the backcountry this winter. A total of 17 snowmobilers were in the Mount Renshaw Alpine Recreation Site when the avalanche...
Is BC starting to become overrun by lobbyists?
Last month, lobbyists gathered in Vancouver for The Future of Lobbying, a one -day conference put on by B.C.'s Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists, Simon Fraser Institute's Governance Studies and Public Affairs Association of Canada (B.C. Chapter). Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there does seem to be a future for the...
Great Bear Rainforest Agreement Signed
First Nations governments and the BC government, with the support of ForestEthics Solutions, Greenpeace, Sierra Club BC and five forestry companies, have announced the fulfilment of the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements. Eighty-five percent (3.1 million hectares) of the remote wilderness region’s coastal temperate rainforests...