British Columbia

Youth Gambling on the Rise in B.C. as Online Access Expands: Report

Youth Gambling on the Rise in B.C. as Online Access Expands: Report

Vancouver (Richa Walia)— A growing number of young people in British Columbia are engaging in gambling and gaming with real money, according to a new report by the McCreary Centre Society.The findings, drawn from the 2023 B.C. Adolescent Health Survey of more than 38,200 youth aged 12 to 18, reveal that 34 per cent had taken part in at least one money-related gambling or gaming activity in the previous year. These included sports betting, online card games, dice, and purchasing in-game items with real money.The report highlights the impact of expanded gambling opportunities since Canada legalized single-game sports betting for…
Read More
Man Dies After Incident at Prince Rupert Summer Carnival, Investigations Underway

Man Dies After Incident at Prince Rupert Summer Carnival, Investigations Underway

Prince Rupert, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma) — A man died after being found unconscious at the Prince Rupert Summer Carnival on Tuesday night.RCMP said they received a call around 10:40 p.m. PT about an injured man near one of the rides. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. The incident reportedly took place near the carnival’s thrill ride, the Zipper.Police confirmed that an investigation is underway, with WorkSafeBC and the B.C. Coroners Service also involved. The area has been cordoned off as officials continue their work.In response, Shooting Star Amusements, which operates the carnival, announced that it would not open…
Read More
Supporters Rally to Save B.C. Ostrich Farm Flock Facing Avian Flu Cull

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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…
Read More