British Columbia

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

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

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

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

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.…
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B.C. Man Escapes Cougar Attack with Minor Injuries After Punching Predator

B.C. Man Escapes Cougar Attack with Minor Injuries After Punching Predator

Smithers, B.C. (Richa Walia): A man in British Columbia’s northern Interior is recovering from minor injuries after a dramatic encounter with a cougar that he says ended when he punched the animal in the face. According to a statement from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday near Lake Kathlyn, close to Smithers, approximately 1,000 kilometres northwest of Vancouver. The man, who was working in the area at the time, reported that the cougar suddenly approached and struck him in the upper body. Acting quickly, he punched the wild cat in the face, causing…
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Nanaimo Councillor Urges Province to Shut Down Overdose Prevention Site Near City Hall

Nanaimo Councillor Urges Province to Shut Down Overdose Prevention Site Near City Hall

Nanaimo, British Columbia (Richa Walia): A motion set to be introduced at Nanaimo City Council may escalate tensions between the municipality and provincial health officials over a supervised drug use facility located adjacent to city hall. According to the agenda for Monday’s meeting, Councillor Ian Thorpe plans to table a proposal requesting that Island Health formally shut down the overdose prevention site on Albert Street. Thorpe signaled his intent during the council's July 21 session, saying the city must tell the province it has “had enough” of the escalating disorder in the area. The call for closure follows a contentious…
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Three Miners Rescued from Northern B.C. Mine After Hours Underground

Three Miners Rescued from Northern B.C. Mine After Hours Underground

British Columbia (Richa Walia): Three miners who were trapped underground in a remote northern B.C. mine have been successfully rescued, bringing relief to families and the broader mining community. The incident occurred at a mine site in northern British Columbia, where the trio became stranded after what officials described as an “unexpected ground fall” disrupted regular operations. Emergency protocols were activated immediately, and specialized rescue teams were deployed to bring the miners to safety. After hours of intense rescue efforts, all three miners were brought to the surface without serious injury. Medical staff were on-site to assess their condition, and…
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Three Workers Trapped in BC’s Red Chris Mine Have Food, Water, and Air, Operator Confirms

Three Workers Trapped in BC’s Red Chris Mine Have Food, Water, and Air, Operator Confirms

British Columbia (Richa Walia): Three workers remain trapped underground at the Red Chris copper and gold mine in northwestern British Columbia, but are safe and have access to essential supplies, according to mine operator Newmont Corp. The incident occurred on Tuesday, following two separate “fall of ground” events that blocked access to the area where the workers were operating. The workers had moved to a designated refuge station after the first collapse, but a second fall later blocked their exit. Newmont said the refuge bays—designed to support up to 16 people for at least three days—are stocked with food, water,…
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Ontario Signs New Trade Deals with B.C. and Northern Territories to Boost Internal Commerce

Ontario Signs New Trade Deals with B.C. and Northern Territories to Boost Internal Commerce

Huntsville (Richa Walia): Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed new trade agreements on Monday with British Columbia and Canada’s three northern territories, aiming to strengthen interprovincial trade and improve labour mobility across the country. The two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), one with B.C., and another jointly with Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, raise Ontario’s tally of trade agreements with provinces and territories to 10, reinforcing the province’s role as a national leader in fostering internal trade. “With global uncertainty and ongoing threats to our economy, there’s never been a more critical time to strengthen Canada from within,” said Premier Ford. “These…
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Proposed $60M Settlement Reached in B.C. Solitary Confinement Class-Action Lawsuit

Proposed $60M Settlement Reached in B.C. Solitary Confinement Class-Action Lawsuit

Vancouver (Richa Walia): A proposed settlement worth up to $60 million has been reached in a class-action lawsuit concerning the alleged improper use of solitary confinement in British Columbia's correctional facilities. The Quebec-based law firm Proactio, which is administering the case, issued a statement on Saturday announcing the agreement, which still awaits approval from the B.C. Supreme Court. If approved, eligible claimants could receive up to $91,000 in compensation. The lawsuit accuses the B.C. government of violating the rights of inmates by subjecting them to prolonged solitary confinement, resulting in significant emotional, physical, and psychological harm. The class-action includes individuals…
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B.C. Minister Apologizes After Reinstating Drug Funding for Girl With Rare Disease Amid Committee Resignations

B.C. Minister Apologizes After Reinstating Drug Funding for Girl With Rare Disease Amid Committee Resignations

Victoria, B.C. (Richa Walia): Four members of British Columbia's Expensive Drugs for Rare Diseases Committee have resigned following the provincial government's decision to override their recommendation and reinstate funding for a life-extending drug for a 10-year-old girl suffering from a rare illness. Health Minister Josie Osborne publicly apologized on Friday to the family of Charleigh Pollock, the only known person in B.C. with Batten disease — a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that causes seizures, blindness, and progressive loss of motor skills. The treatment, Brineura, costs approximately $1 million annually. The government’s reversal of a controversial decision to stop funding Brineura came…
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Out-of-Control Princeton Wildfire Triggers Evacuation Order in British Columbia

Out-of-Control Princeton Wildfire Triggers Evacuation Order in British Columbia

Princeton, BC (Richa Walia): A rapidly spreading wildfire near Princeton has been declared "out-of-control" by the BC Wildfire Service, prompting an evacuation order for residents in the surrounding area. Dubbed the August Lake wildfire, the blaze has grown to approximately 14 hectares and is burning dangerously close to the Princeton Golf Club. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has issued an evacuation order for select areas, while others have been placed on evacuation alert. The BC Wildfire Service reports that around 40 firefighters and three helicopters are actively working to contain the fire, which is currently exhibiting rank one to…
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