🏛️ Government & Politics
-
B.C. leaders push competing health and seniors promises on the campaign trail. BC NDP leader David Eby pledged to open 20 new primary-care clinics, fast-track internationally trained doctors in B.C., and create training spaces for 1,000 more health workers; he made the announcement in Surrey. BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson promised to reverse recent property-tax deferment changes and build more long-term-care beds to support seniors.
-
Taxes become a central battleground with deficit and new brackets in play. Premier-candidate David Eby proposes a new tax bracket for incomes over $1 million and higher rates for brackets starting at about $190,000, claiming the changes would raise $1 billion; the BC Conservatives promise no new taxes while the BC Greens propose a one-time wealth tax estimated to raise $22.2 billion.
-
Ousted B.C. Conservative candidate Joachim Agou apologizes after offensive posts. Agou, removed as the Victoria–Beacon Hill Tory candidate, said he accepts responsibility for posts including a meme about Pakistan and a comment on a pro-Palestine protest; interim party leader Lorne Doerkson said Agou would not join the Tory caucus if elected and Agou will run as an independent.
-
Squamish woman pleads guilty to leaving Canada to join ISIS. Kimberly Polman pleaded guilty to one count of leaving Canada to participate in the activities of Islamic State; Polman, a Squamish resident and mother of three, was captured in 2019 and repatriated to Canada in 2022, and no sentencing date has been set by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
-
Cold Lake First Nations seek judicial review of Pacific Link pipeline designation. The Cold Lake First Nations filed for a judicial review challenging the federal designation of the Pacific Link pipeline project, asking the court to reconsider regulatory decisions tied to the pipeline's approval.
💼 Economy & Business
-
West End staple Bayside Lounge to close after 47 years amid rising costs. The Bayside Lounge announced it will shut after 47 years, with staff and manager Danica Walker blaming rising rents and redevelopment pressures; a petition led by creator David Millington seeks to persuade the building owner to reconsider the lease and keep the bar open for now.
-
Okanagan grape growers say crop insurance payouts lag climate losses. Grower Karnail Singh Sidhu reported about 15 tonnes of grapes at one vineyard were smoke-affected this year, and BC Wine Growers CEO Jeff Guignard said insurance evaluations and resulting payouts are coming in below actual operating costs after climate events such as wildfire smoke and cold spells.
-
B.C. debt-collection agency fined $34,000 for harassing borrowers. A provincial decision fined a B.C. collection agency $34,000 after finding the company misled and harassed borrowers in its recovery practices.
📰 Also Today
- Kelowna's Taylor Ruck wins second World Cup silver, swimming at an international meet.
- Electrification creates demand for specific jobs, industry says (roles unspecified).
- Sooke infrastructure debates shape municipal election, with candidates focusing on local services.
- Former B.C. attorney general Colin Gablemann dead at 82, obituary reported.
- Comox Valley reservoir inflows lowest in 64 years, warm dry fall noted.
- B.C. teen rescued from 'Widowmaker' trail says AI not to blame, rescue coverage.
- UBC students rally against sexual violence amid Cornell allegations, campus protest held.
- Vancouver police cite long-term drop in crime stats ahead of vote, department release.
- Author in B.C. defamation trial says sexual-assault claim derailed career, court testimony given.
- Tumbler Ridge shooter stole guns from family safe, court filings say, new filings allege.
- Federal $2B heat-pump rebates announced for homeowners, program funding confirmed.
- Massive gold mine issue influences Cariboo municipal election, local contest affected.
- B.C. man with lengthy criminal history faces N.W.T. drug charges, charges laid.
- Ex-UBC professor denies sexual-assault claims at defamation trial, court statements made.
- B.C. homeowners face mortgage renewals after pandemic-era deals, renewals pressuring budgets.
- Recently retired RCMP officer given conditional sentence for suspect assault, sentence handed down.
- B.C. Conservatives drop Victoria–Beacon Hill candidate over offensive posts, party action taken.
- (See item in Government & Politics.)
