Provincial Government

The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 5, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

New year, new rules: Some of the new laws in Canada beginning Jan. 1, 2023

2023 is shaping up to include a number of sweeping changes –…

The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Nov. 5, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. Amendments to British Columbia’s Employment Standards Regulation take effect on Jan. 1, as the province aims to increase safety for young workers.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. sets age limits to boost safety for young workers in hazardous jobs

New rules will require a minimum age of 18 to work as a logger or in smelters and oil drilling

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. Amendments to British Columbia’s Employment Standards Regulation take effect on Jan. 1, as the province aims to increase safety for young workers.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
FILE – RCMP officers in Red Serge parade into a change of command ceremony for incoming B.C. RCMP Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, in Langley, B.C., on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier Eby promises $230M in police funding for RCMP vacancies, new hires

Funds will be used to fill vacancies in rural RCMP detachments and regional units

FILE – RCMP officers in Red Serge parade into a change of command ceremony for incoming B.C. RCMP Commanding Officer, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, in Langley, B.C., on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier David Eby announces a new public safety plan in Vancouver on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Plans by the B.C. government to confiscate suspected proceeds of crime via “unexplained wealth orders” are drawing praise from an expert in financial compliance as a way to make life harder from criminals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC NDP housing legislation advances toward third reading after Tuesday votes

Housing Supply Act and Building and Strata Statutes Amendment Act both passed Tuesday

B.C. Premier David Eby announces a new public safety plan in Vancouver on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Plans by the B.C. government to confiscate suspected proceeds of crime via “unexplained wealth orders” are drawing praise from an expert in financial compliance as a way to make life harder from criminals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier David Eby is wrapped in a ceremonial blanket by First Nations people during a swearing in ceremony where he became the province’s 37th premier at the Musqueam Nation, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

New B.C. Premier David Eby sworn in, announces $100 electricity credit

Before the swearing-in, he took part in a Musqueam blanketing ceremony

B.C. Premier David Eby is wrapped in a ceremonial blanket by First Nations people during a swearing in ceremony where he became the province’s 37th premier at the Musqueam Nation, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Nanoose Bay residents along the Island Highway can look forward to faster internet services soon, according to the provincial government. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Faster internet incoming for multiple smaller Vancouver Island communities

Rural residents to benefit from $4.5M in funding by province, Telus

Nanoose Bay residents along the Island Highway can look forward to faster internet services soon, according to the provincial government. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
B.C. NDP leadership candidate Anjali Appadurai attends a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Anjali Appadurai ejected from B.C. NDP leader’s race; David Eby to be premier

‘It’s distressing that they have taken the nuclear option’

B.C. NDP leadership candidate Anjali Appadurai attends a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
(Black Press Media Creative)

BCGEU, province reach tentative deal in collective bargaining after 2 weeks of job action

The BC General Employees’ Union says it has reached a tentative three-year…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Photo: Lauren Collins Officers from Surrey Pretrial Services Centre rallied outside of the centre on Friday (March 8) about the “unmanageable levels” of inmate-to-officer ratios at B.C. prisons.

BCGEU to go back to negotiating table with province

Both parties have agreed to a media blackout and no further comment will be made

Photo: Lauren Collins Officers from Surrey Pretrial Services Centre rallied outside of the centre on Friday (March 8) about the “unmanageable levels” of inmate-to-officer ratios at B.C. prisons.
BCGEU president Stephanie Smith addresses members walking the picket line at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s Delta distribution centre on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. (James Smith/North Delta Reporter).

Industry fears shortages at cannabis, liquor stores amid strike at B.C. distribution centres

Liquor sector advocates say BCGEU’s picketing at the warehouses was a ‘selfish move’

BCGEU president Stephanie Smith addresses members walking the picket line at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s Delta distribution centre on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. (James Smith/North Delta Reporter).
BCGEU union members take to the picket line at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s Delta distribution centre on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. (James Smith/North Delta Reporter)

VIDEO: B.C. public service workers begin job action amid bargaining breakdown

BCGEU president Stephanie Smith part of picket lineat the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s centre in Delta

BCGEU union members take to the picket line at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch’s Delta distribution centre on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. (James Smith/North Delta Reporter)
The British Columbia General Employees’ Union says it will set up picket lines at four BC Liquor Distribution Branch wholesale and distribution centres as it begins targeted job action. Strikers are seen in downtown Vancouver during a strike of British Columbia government workers Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Targeted job action, picket lines planned by B.C. public-service union as strike notice expires

The contract between the BCGEU and the Public Service Agency expired April 1

The British Columbia General Employees’ Union says it will set up picket lines at four BC Liquor Distribution Branch wholesale and distribution centres as it begins targeted job action. Strikers are seen in downtown Vancouver during a strike of British Columbia government workers Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The number of rural and northern seats in the provincial legislature might be reduced, and that has MLA John Rustad worried. (Wikipedia photo)

33,000 B.C. government employees issue 72-hour strike notice

The most recent collective agreement between the union and Public Service agency expired on April 1

The number of rural and northern seats in the provincial legislature might be reduced, and that has MLA John Rustad worried. (Wikipedia photo)
Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu is the subject of a recall petition in her riding, launched by a constituent. (Morning Star- file photo)

Vernon woman launches recall petition against MLA Sandhu

Genevieve Ring’s application meets requirements; petition starts Aug. 12

Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu is the subject of a recall petition in her riding, launched by a constituent. (Morning Star- file photo)
The E&N track along Station Avenue in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

Premier John Horgan doubts return of Island rail service is achievable

Lack of federal support a barrier says Horgan as deadline looms

The E&N track along Station Avenue in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C.’s current tax has added 20,000 condo units to the rental market (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward).

B.C.’s speculation and vacancy tax set to expand to parts of Vancouver Island by 2023

The tax will now be used in North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish

B.C.’s current tax has added 20,000 condo units to the rental market (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS Jonathan Hayward).
Chief Robert Gladstone of Shxwha:y Village at a federal flood infrastructure funding announcement April 24, 2019. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress file)

Shxwhá:y Village, B.C. sign licensing deal for cannabis retail, production near Chilliwack

Shxwhá:y Chief Robert Gladstone calls cannabis agreement ‘reconciliation in action’

Chief Robert Gladstone of Shxwha:y Village at a federal flood infrastructure funding announcement April 24, 2019. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress file)
Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. (Now-Leader file photo)

Province introduces amendments that will force politicians charged with crimes to take leave

Charged with public mischief, Surrey mayor’s pre-trial conference scheduled for Monday

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. (Now-Leader file photo)
60 affordable child care spaces are coming to Campbell River. (Unsplash)

More $10-a-day childcare spaces coming to Campbell River

60 spaces will have reduced fees

60 affordable child care spaces are coming to Campbell River. (Unsplash)
Surrey-Whalley NDP MLA Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation. (Black Press Media file photo)

Cutting fuel tax won’t reduce high prices at the pumps, Surrey MLA says

Bruce Ralston, B.C.’s minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, noted in 2019 consumers were already getting ‘ripped off’ at the pumps

Surrey-Whalley NDP MLA Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation. (Black Press Media file photo)