British Columbia Archives - Page 10 of 12

07 Jan

British Columbia Premier to Lead Business Delegation to India Amid Renewed Economic Outreach

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia Premier David Eby is set to lead a high-level trade mission to India next week, signalling a renewed push by Canada’s western province to deepen commercial ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Announcing the initiative in Vancouver, Eby said the delegation will include BC’s Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon, along with business and industry representatives. The mission is scheduled to run from January 12 to January 17 and will take the team to New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chandigarh. The visit comes at a sensitive moment in India–Canada relations, which…

06 Jan

Border Traffic Slumps as B.C. Day Trips to Washington Lose Momentum

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaB.C.-Washington border, border crossings decline, Canada-U.S. travel

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma)–Washington border crossings saw a sharp rise at the start of 2025, but the momentum quickly reversed, leading to steep declines that are now hurting businesses in U.S. border communities. Data shows that in January 2025, the number of B.C.-registered vehicles entering Washington state increased by 10 per cent compared to the previous year. At the time, experts described the surge as part of a broader post-pandemic recovery. Laurie Trautman from Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute said the growth reflected Canadians returning to pre-COVID travel habits. “We had been on an upward trajectory month over…

02 Jan

Air India Pilot Removed from Duty After Alcohol Breach at Vancouver Airport

nishuthapar10 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingAir India, Vancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Air Canada’s transport regulator has asked Air India to conduct a thorough investigation after a pilot reportedly arrived for duty under the influence of alcohol, failing two breathalyzer tests at Vancouver International Airport. The incident caused a last-minute delay to a Vancouver–Delhi flight on December 23. The pilot was asked to leave the aircraft, and Canadian authorities performed breath tests that the pilot did not pass, a source familiar with the matter said, requesting anonymity. Transport Canada described the episode as “serious” in a letter to the airline and indicated that enforcement actions could follow depending on…

30 Dec

Heavy Rain Triggers Fresh Highway Washouts Across Haida Gwaii and Northwest B.C.

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBritish Columbia, Haida Gwaii, Heavy Rainfall, Highway 16, highway washout

Haida Gwaii, B.C (Rajeev Sharma): Persistent heavy rainfall has led to continued highway washouts in Haida Gwaii and parts of northwest British Columbia, disrupting travel and isolating several communities as repair crews assess the damage. Authorities say sections of Highway 16 on Haida Gwaii have been severely affected, forcing closures between key points with no alternate routes available. The washouts have cut off north–south movement on the islands, impacting access between communities including Tlell, Lawn Hill, Skidegate and Daajing Giids. Local officials and volunteers are assisting stranded motorists and residents while monitoring conditions on affected stretches. Environment Canada has warned…

29 Dec

Rockfall Forces Closure of Popular Squamish Hiking Trail in B.C.

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Squamish Hiking Trail

Squamish, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma): Authorities have closed the main trail at Stawamus Chief indefinitely following a major rockfall that covered a significant portion of the path with rocks and fallen trees. The incident reportedly occurred around 10:40 p.m. on December 26, according to witnesses, though the closure was officially announced by B.C. Parks on December 27. Fortunately, Squamish Search and Rescue confirmed that no hikers were injured in the event. A social media post from Squamish SAR urged the public to avoid the area entirely until officials can assess the trail for safety. Hiker Nathan Romanin encountered the debris the…

28 Dec

Greater Victoria Expands Weather Shelters as Temperatures Drop Below Freezing

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingGreater Victoria

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): With temperatures in Greater Victoria dipping below zero, local authorities are opening additional Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelters tonight, while firefighters will conduct wellness checks and distribute warming kits to those in need. The Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC) in Saanich will offer up to 50 beds, including 25 temporary winter shelter spots and 25 permanent spaces. Meanwhile, Broadview United Church, recently approved as an EWR shelter, will open for the second consecutive night, providing room for up to 20 people and allowing pets. Sleeping mats, blankets, clothing, toiletries, meals, and warm beverages will be available…

27 Dec

Warrant Issued for Burnaby Teen Following Targeted Shooting

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBurnaby

Burnaby, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma)—Authorities are on the lookout for an 18-year-old suspect linked to a shooting incident last week that left a local man hospitalized. Burnaby RCMP responded to a call near Phillips Avenue and Woodbrook Place on the evening of December 19, where they found the victim injured. The man was promptly transported to a hospital and treated for his injuries. Police have described the shooting as targeted. Charges have now been formally approved against Ronin Tajali, a Burnaby resident. On Christmas Day, authorities authorized charges including discharging a firearm with intent, aggravated assault, and possession of a loaded…

25 Dec

Dawson Creek Extends Local State of Emergency Amid Ongoing Water Shortages

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingDawson Creek

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): The City of Dawson Creek has renewed its local state of emergency as it grapples with continued drought conditions affecting its water supply. Despite heavy snowfall in December, officials say the city’s water situation remains critical. “A strong snowpack helps carry us through to March or April, when spring runoff replenishes rivers and reservoirs,” the city noted in a Tuesday update. “However, the Kiskatinaw River is already beginning to freeze, and water levels remain below normal.” The state of emergency, initially declared in October, has been extended multiple times. City officials say the renewal allows them…

24 Dec

B.C. Conservatives Look to Stabilise After Leadership Turmoil as Interim Chief Trevor Halford Takes Charge

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish ColumbiaB.C. legislature, British Columbia Conservatives, John Rustad, Trevor Halford

VICTORIA, December 24, 2025— The British Columbia Conservative Party is attempting to steady itself after an unprecedented leadership crisis that briefly left it with two leaders inside the legislature, a moment that underscored deep internal divisions within the opposition.Trevor Halford entered the B.C. legislature on December 3 as interim leader of the Conservative Party of B.C. following his appointment by the party board. Hours earlier, 20 Conservative MLAs had publicly declared they had lost confidence in party leader John Rustad, citing prolonged internal disputes that had hurt fundraising and eroded the party’s credibility.The party board subsequently stated that Rustad had…

23 Dec

Halford Says B.C. Conservative Leadership Contest Will Reset Party and Bring Unity

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBritish Columbia

Victoria (Rajeev Sharma): Trevor Halford says the upcoming leadership race for the Conservative Party of British Columbia will be an opportunity to clarify the party’s direction and restore cohesion after weeks of internal turmoil that briefly left the party with competing claims to its top job. Halford stepped into the role of interim leader on December 3 after the party’s board appointed him amid mounting tensions within caucus. Earlier that day, a majority of Conservative MLAs publicly withdrew their support from then-leader John Rustad, citing ongoing disputes that had affected fundraising and damaged the party’s public standing. The board later…