British Columbia Archives - National Times

22 Aug

Supporters Rally to Save B.C. Ostrich Farm Flock Facing Avian Flu Cull

nishuthapar10 CommentsCanadaavian flu, bird cull, British Columbia, CFIA, ostrich farm, Universal Ostrich Farm

Edgewood, British Columbia (Richa Walia) : A controversy has erupted in southern Interior B.C. as supporters of the Universal Ostrich Farm prepare to gather at the property after it lost a court appeal against a government-ordered cull of its birds.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the destruction of about 400 ostriches at the Edgewood farm after several birds tested positive for H5N1 avian flu last December, resulting in the deaths of 69 birds by January. Despite the farmers’ claims that the flock is now healthy, the CFIA insists the cull is necessary to prevent risks to both public health…

16 Aug

B.C. MLA Slams U.S. Senator’s Proposal for Western Provinces to Join America

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada

Victoria (Richa Walia): A British Columbia legislator has strongly rebuked a pitch from a Republican state senator in the United States, suggesting that Canada’s four western provinces consider joining the U.S. Brennan Day, a member of the Opposition B.C. Conservative Party, said his reaction shifted from disappointment to anger after receiving the letter from Maine Senator Joseph Martin last week. His office first verified that the three-page document was genuine before responding. In the letter, Martin urged British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to hold referendums on becoming American states. He argued this would not amount to annexation but rather…

14 Aug

Unprecedented Wildfire Near Port Alberni Forces Evacuations and Declares States of Emergency

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Port Alberni

PORT ALBERNI, B.C (Richa Walia): A fast-moving wildfire south of Port Alberni is exhibiting “unusual” and highly aggressive behaviour for Vancouver Island, prompting multiple evacuation orders and states of local emergency. The fire, discovered Monday evening around 6:30 p.m., exploded to 600 hectares within hours and has since expanded to more than 20 square kilometres. According to B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Karley Desrosiers, such rapid growth is rare not only for the Island but across the province. “This kind of escalation in such a short time frame is significant,” Desrosiers said Wednesday, noting that a combination of drought conditions…

10 Aug

Site C Dam in Northern B.C. Now Fully Operational, Set to Power Half a Million Homes

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Vancouver

Vancouver (Richa Walia): BC Hydro has announced that the Site C dam, located along the Peace River near Fort St. John, is now fully operational following the activation of its sixth and final turbine. In a statement issued Saturday, the Crown corporation confirmed that the completion of this final stage allows the dam to generate up to 1,100 megawatts of electricity — enough to supply power to approximately 500,000 homes each year. Adrian Dix, B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, hailed the milestone as a significant step toward energy security in the province. “Generations of British Columbians will benefit…

09 Aug

B.C. Mountain Biker Survives Close Encounter with Cougar Near Garibaldi Park

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada

Squamish, B.C. (Richa Walia): A British Columbia mountain biker had a harrowing experience after being stalked by a cougar for nearly 20 minutes in alpine terrain near Garibaldi Provincial Park, the province’s Conservation Officer Service (COS) confirmed. According to officials, the incident took place earlier this week when the man was riding along a remote mountain trail. The cougar reportedly chased him, made physical contact, and then continued to shadow him as he tried to retreat from the area. In a quick-thinking move, the biker began walking backwards while using his bike as a barrier. He hurled rocks at the…

08 Aug

Rain Offers Brief Relief in B.C. Wildfire Battle, but Heightened Risk Looms Ahead

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada

British Columbia (Richa Walia): Light rainfall and increased humidity have offered a short-lived break in British Columbia’s battle against wildfires, but provincial officials warn that more difficult days are likely ahead as temperatures are expected to rise again. According to Cliff Chapman, Director of Wildfire Operations at the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), while the recent change in weather has helped slow fire activity in some areas, it has not been enough to significantly alter the overall wildfire risk. “The southern half of B.C. is expected to heat up again starting this weekend,” Chapman said during a media briefing on Wednesday.…

07 Aug

Amazon’s Challenge to B.C. Labour Board Union Ruling Dismissed Again

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingAmazon, British Columbia, Canada

Delta, B.C (Richa Walia): In a significant development for labour rights in Canada, the British Columbia Labour Relations Board has dismissed Amazon’s attempt to reverse a decision certifying a workers' union at its Delta facility. The ruling, issued on Tuesday, upholds an earlier decision from July that found the company acted to undermine union efforts through targeted hiring practices. The Labour Board panel supported the conclusion that Amazon deliberately expanded its workforce during the union’s membership drive to reduce the percentage of union supporters, a move the board deemed an intentional effort to obstruct certification. Evidence submitted by Unifor, the…

04 Aug

Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake Strikes Off B.C. Coast, No Damage Reported

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada

British Columbia (Richa Walia): A magnitude 4.0 earthquake was recorded off the coast of British Columbia early Sunday morning, according to Earthquakes Canada. The quake occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. local time and was detected at a depth of 15 kilometres, just west of Haida Gwaii. Authorities confirmed there have been no reports of damage, and at this magnitude, none is expected. The minor quake comes just days after B.C. faced a tsunami advisory earlier this week following a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia, which prompted waves to move across the Pacific Ocean. The advisory was…

03 Aug

‘Airborne’ Fish Causes Brush Fire and Power Outage in British Columbia

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Richa Walia): In an unusual chain of events, a small brush fire and power outage in British Columbia on Wednesday (July 30) were caused by an unexpected culprit, a fish. Fire officials confirmed that the incident did not result from lightning strikes or human negligence but rather from a fish dropped from the sky by an osprey. The fire, which burned less than an acre, was swiftly brought under control thanks to the quick action of Ashcroft Fire Rescue, supported by local ranchers and workers from BC Hydro. After extinguishing the blaze, investigators traced the source of ignition…

02 Aug

B.C. Jobs Minister Kahlon Urges Ottawa to ‘Negotiate Hard’ Over US Tariffs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Ravi Kahlon

Victoria (Richa Walia): British Columbia’s Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon, has called on the federal government to “negotiate hard” in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Canadian goods to 35 per cent. Kahlon said Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc must stay the course. “Keep your head down, stay at the table, and find solutions without getting distracted by the day-to-day swings of the U.S. president,” he urged. Premier David Eby’s office also released a statement emphasizing that his priority remains protecting BC workers and businesses from what he…