British Columbia Archives - Page 2 of 4

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…

01 Aug

Toxic Drug Deaths in B.C. Fall Sharply, Down 40% from Peak Levels

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada

Victoria (Richa Walia): British Columbia has recorded a significant drop in toxic drug deaths, with fatalities in May and June down about 40 per cent from their peak levels, according to new data released by the BC Coroners Service. The province reported 145 deaths in May, compared to 181 in the same month last year, and 147 deaths in June, down from 185 in June 2024. This marks a steep decline from the record high of 243 deaths reported in December 2023, reflecting a downward trend that is also being seen across much of North America. The BC Coroners Service…

31 Jul

BC Puts Tsunami Preparedness to the Test After Massive Quake Near Russia

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada, Tsunami

British Columbia (Richa Walia): The anticipated tsunami that reached Tofino, B.C., late Tuesday turned out to be far milder than feared, rising only about 15 centimetres, roughly half the height of a school ruler. Instead of panic, the gentle waves brought relief and even curiosity to about 300 onlookers gathered at Mackenzie Beach just before midnight. Hours earlier, J.J. Belanger, general manager of Crystal Cove Beach Resort, sprang into action after news broke of a powerful 8.8-magnitude undersea earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula — one of the strongest quakes ever recorded. With several hours before any waves could reach Canada’s…

29 Jul

B.C. Premier Demands Equal Federal Support for Ferry Users After Ottawa Cuts Fares in Eastern Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Victoria (Richa Walia): Premier David Eby is calling on the federal government to increase its support for ferry users in British Columbia after Prime Minister Mark Carney fulfilled his promise to cut ferry fares by 50% in Eastern Canada. Eby pointed out a stark funding gap: while Ottawa provides approximately $300 per person in subsidies for East Coast ferry users, those in B.C. receive just $1 per person. “We need the federal government to take a serious look at this policy and ensure fair treatment for ferry users in British Columbia,” Eby said Monday. Eastern Canada Gets Big Cuts, B.C.…