Unprecedented Wildfire Warnings, Orphaned Bears & Vancouver’s Playoff Hopes — Your Vancouver Thursday

Trio of progressive parties agree to cap candidates in upcoming Vancouver election

Three progressive leaning Vancouver parties have reached an agreement to limit the number of non-mayoral candidates they will run in October's municipal election.

Number of Sunshine Coast ferry sailings cancelled over 2 days

A number of B.C. Ferries sailings to and from the Sunshine Coast were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the company saying mechanical were to blame.

Almost 40 kg of fentanyl, analogs seized at Chilliwack lab

Specialized resources, including Health Canada chemists and the RCMP's clandestine lab enforcement team, were brought in to make sure investigators and the neighbouring public were safe when the drugs and chemicals were removed.

Drug-related overdose the leading cause of maternal death in Vancouver Coastal Health region: report

A new report by Vancouver Coastal Health has found the toxic drug crisis has led to preventable harms in pregnancy.

Fraser Valley hate crime rates among top 20 in Canada in 2024: StatsCan

Thousands of hate crimes have been reported across the country to police in the past few years, including in B.C.'s Fraser Valley, where the rate of reporting is higher than the national average.

B.C. woman sentenced to 5 ½ years for smuggling 108 kg of meth from U.S.

The woman was arrested after she fled a border crossing in Surrey at "high speed" in October 2021.

Dawson Creek greenlights $3M tax break for Highway 2 travel centre

City councillors in Dawson Creek have approved a new multimillion-dollar tax break they hope will spur construction of a major new highway development in northeastern B.C.

First Nations people disproportionately impacted by B.C.'s toxic drug crisis, officials say

First Nations members in B.C. make up approximately 3.4 per cent of the population, but accounted for 15.8 per cent of all toxic drug deaths in 2025.

B.C. home sales fell in March; more uncertainty predicted this summer

Home sales in British Columbia were down again in March, as analysts say a lack of confidence among both buyers and sellers will likely mean the downturn in the market will continue into the summer.

Magnesium mine injunction remains in effect after B.C. Court of Appeal ruling

A magnesium mine, proposed to be located less than 10 kilometres from the Rossland, B.C., is not able to begin construction until after a judicial review in May.

Upcoming motion to propose $400M investment into aging Vancouver community centres

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC majority on council announced Wednesday that a motion next week will list its priorities for the upcoming 2027-30 capital plan — which includes $400 million in investments for the city's aging community centres.

Police incident prompts evacuation in Quesnel neighbourhood

Multiple emergency vehicles from Prince George and Quesnel were dispatched to the Carson subdivision Wednesday.

B.C. tables legislation to ratify Kitselas First Nation Treaty as neighbouring nation calls for pause

The provincial government has introduced legislation to ratify a treaty with the Kitselas First Nation in northwestern B.C.

Coquihalla Highway blanketed in spring snow dump on B.C. mountain passes

A low-pressure system dumped significant spring snow on a number of major B.C. highways, hampering travel through the Interior, including on the Coquihalla where 30 centimetres was recorded.

'Pulls at the heartstrings': Tiny bear cub left orphaned in Maple Ridge backyard

Residents heard the bawling from a bear cub early in the morning on Tuesday and called for help.

Canadian Real Estate Association downgrades housing market forecast due to 'oil shock'

Canadian Real Estate Association has downgraded its housing market forecast following a jump in fixed mortgage rates and weaker than expected housing sales in the first three months of 2026. CREA had been forecasting higher sales, based on the idea that pent-up demand would emerge, especially from first-time buyers.

Oilers aim to beat Canucks, help playoff fortunes

The Edmonton Oilers will finish their regular season tonight with one goal in mind: Beat the visiting Vancouver Canucks and avoid a first-round playoff clash with one of the Central Division heavyweights.

'Here we go again' after CRA pays out another bogus $5M income tax refund, agency insider says

Why money and land are critical to Vancouver mayor's pitch for a Major League Baseball team

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is proposing a motion to support bringing a Major League Baseball team to the city. But as the CBC's Justin McElroy reports, his proposal comes a little bit out of left field.

Calls grow for B.C. to support temporary foreign worker program expansion

Business leaders in Fort St. John say a lack of provincial buy-in for recent changes to the temporary foreign worker program could have huge impacts on the local economy.

Event organizers in Victoria issue warning as online scammers target vendors

The Vancouver Island Caribbean Hub says one local business lost $400 after using a fraudulent vendor application form, linked by impersonators on a social media platform.

Find out which book won Canada Reads 2026

Lytton was razed by fire. Some fear financial ruin is next for the tiny B.C. village

Ross and Judith Urquhart have called Lytton, B.C., home for half a century, leaving only for as long it took to rebuild after a raging wildfire forced them to flee in 2021.

Warm winter, ongoing droughts could elevate fire risk this season, says B.C. Wildfire Service

The B.C. Wildfire Service is forecasting an elevated risk for extreme or difficult-to-control wildfires in some parts of the province this year, including in the northeast, Chilcotin and South Thompson regions.

Surrey pro-Khalistan activist says police have warned him of significant safety risk

An activist based in Surrey, B.C., who was a friend and associate of the assassinated pro-Khalistan advocate Hardeep Singh Nijjar, says he has been warned by police that he could be in serious danger.

Canada Post lays out 5-year plan to convert to community mailbox delivery

The mail carrier says it has begun discussions with 13 communities that will see the first conversions in late 2026 and early 2027, starting a five-year national conversion.

B.C. government shares 2026 wildfire and drought outlook

Western parts of the Cariboo Fire Centre (Chilcotin) and the Kamloops Fire Centre are also experiencing moderate drought conditions and could see more fires.

Funding cut for B.C. non-profit that provides services for people with disabilities

The non-profit was launched a decade ago, based on research showing how social isolation can negatively impact people with developmental disabilities.

Ironworkers Bridge now most congested in Metro Vancouver

Approximately 130,700 vehicles per day cross the Ironworkers, according to the report, with about 21,800 vehicles per day per lane last year, which is beyond capacity.