Evacuaciones por Pear Lake, campamento peligroso en Richmond y 230,000 en Summer Lights — Resumen semanal de Vancouver

YVR prepares for potential disruptions ahead of possible WestJet strike

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is preparing for potential travel impacts due to a possible strike by WestJet flight attendants. Preparations include increasing terminal staffing.

B.C. Conservative Party campaign manager, executive director steps down

A party that generally polled in the low single-digits in B.C. for decades, the Conservative Party started rising in popularity dramatically following Angelo Isidorou's appointment and John Rustad becoming Conservative leader in 2023.

Metchosin gets long-awaited firehall upgrade in federal infrastructure funding spree

Fifty-four projects in B.C. are benefiting from more than $150 million from the federal government, with the intention of improving local infrastructure.

Carbon capture: a Canadian political history

Mark Carney has pinned a new pipeline deal to the creation of the world's biggest carbon capture facility. Can this technology live up to its promise?

'Blanket' forced treatment of involuntary psychiatric patients unconstitutional, B.C. court rules

Provisions in British Columbia's involuntary care regime that allow forced psychiatric treatment, regardless of a person's capacity to make health care decisions, are unconstitutional, the B.C. Supreme Court has ruled.

Premiers tell Ottawa they 'urgently' want negotiations to begin on future of the RCMP

Canada's premiers are calling for more clarity from the federal government around the future of the RCMP and to start negotiations as soon as possible with those who plan on keeping the Mounties as their boots-on-the-ground police force.

City of Fort St. John installing surveillance cameras in an effort to stop park vandalism

Kin Park has been a target for vandals, who have set fires, damaged garbage cans and destroyed public infrastructure, costing thousands of dollars to local taxpayers, the city says.

B.C. firefighters face critical days as dry fuels and winds increase fire risks

A cold front with gusty winds could bring extreme fire behaviour in areas where British Columbia communities are threatened by wildfires.

Kelowna artist uses centuries-old technique to explore today’s challenges

Using encaustic, a technique that combines heated beeswax, and tree sap, Angela Hansen is creating a new exhibit inspired by the changing world around her.

Richmond homeless encampment now deemed ‘hazardous site’ after fire

There are two growing homeless encampments off Highway 99 in Richmond, on either side of the highway, with one of them sitting atop a jet fuel pipeline.

Evacuation order near Lillooet Lake expanded as hundreds of B.C. wildfires continue to burn

More than 30 evacuation orders are in place across British Columbia, where about 125 wildfires continue to burn.

Outrage grows as northern B.C. lacrosse team barred from provincial championship

A Prince George lacrosse team was denied participation in the Tier 1 Provincial Championships after the B.C. Lacrosse Association said it would not let teams who don't belong to a recognized league compete.

Over 1,000 students later, Richmond man still teaching English for free as feds cut lessons

Masih Sabet has taught over 1,000 students for free in Richmond since 2017. His lessons are now more important than ever as the federal government ends funding for intermediate language courses for newcomers come September.

Shuswap ranchers brace for major crop losses after province halts irrigation to protect endangered river fish

The owner of a fifth-generation cattle ranch south of Salmon Arm, B.C., estimates her family farm will incur over $100,000 in additional feed costs because of sweeping water restrictions the province has put in place to protect vulnerable fish species in the Salmon River.

Missing hiker found dead in southwestern Alberta

Pincher Creek RCMP say a hiker reported missing earlier this month was found dead Thursday afternoon.

Loon Lake area evacuation order extends to nearly 1,500 properties due to Pear Lake fire

The new properties under evacuation order include Loon Lake and properties on Highway 97 from Loon Lake Road to past Scottie Creek Road.

Court approves $30M settlement in B.C. Catholic school sex abuse class action lawsuit

The B.C. Supreme Court has approved a $30-million settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed over historical claims of physical, psychological and sexual abuse at two schools in Metro Vancouver run by the Catholic Church.

Police to march in Vancouver Pride Parade after 6 years

It marks a major shift for the annual event, after parade organizers barred police from marching in 2020 saying Pride’s roots lie in “uprising against police brutality.”

B.C. roadside attractions go head-to-head in summer bracket

The Search for B.C.'s Best Roadside Attraction runs Aug. 3 to 31 to find the province's most iconic road landmark. Four of the entrants feature geological wonders, fantastic fruits, forest history and an action movie hero commemorated in wood.

Grinder, the Grouse Mountain grizzly bear, dies

Grinder was a 25-year-old grizzly from Invermere, B.C., found as an orphaned cub on a logging road in 2001 before being taken to the Grouse Mountain Wildlife Refuge.

Recovering sunken B.C. charter must be done carefully to preserve evidence: RCMP

Mounties say raising a sunken fishing charter in the Straight of Georgia near Richmond, B.C., where six people are presumed drowned, needs to be done carefully as the vessel is considered evidence in their investigation.

Fort St. John man fined for dumping used oil into local creek

The Charlie Lake Fire Department had reported the oil discharge in May 2024, according to the Peace River Regional District, noting that up to 3,000 metres of shoreline had been affected.

Feds announce $4M in new funding supports for Tumbler Ridge after mass shooting

The federal government is providing more than $4 million in funding to support people affected by the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., in February.

Possible WestJet strike has Kelowna travellers worried about their plans

WestJet has also begun preparing for a possible disruption by grounding some aircraft to avoid stranding additional passengers and planes.

Sections of B.C.’s involuntary care rules found unconstitutional

Lawyer Ravi Hira says what now has to change is what happens after admission and when treatment can be provided without consent.

Nanaimo bar owner says she is fed up with city’s crime after daughter’s car targeted

Last month, Sonia Komen's bar hosted B.C.'s public safety minister for the first of a string of government announcements about a $12 million program targeting chronic offenders.

Whales are dying in B.C. waters. Here's how 2 groups are trying to save them

An estimated 20,000 whales are killed worldwide by vessel strikes each year, according to the International Marine Mammal Project.

Carey Newman’s Witness Blanket continues to evolve, this time as a multi-user VR experience

Originally only a physical art installation, Witness Blanket has been adapted into a multi-user virtual reality experience to allow more people to engage with the history of residential schools.

How a road trip detour to Tumbler Ridge led this tourist from Taiwan to a 100-million-year-old dinosaur track

One of five UNESCO Geoparks in Canada, Tumbler Ridge has been attracting people from around the world who are helping to uncover the region's dinosaur past.

Wind, lightning in forecast as cold front adds new challenge in B.C. wildfire fight

The B.C. Wildfire Service says a cold front is forecast to move through parts of the province on Saturday, potentially bringing stronger winds.

First-of-its-kind Black arts and cultural centre opening in heart of downtown Victoria

Organizers envision the Black & Here Community Centre as a space that helps weave communities together while reducing isolation and racism.

Weather conditions expected to spark new wildfires, accelerate fire growth, B.C. Wildfire Service says

The B.C. Wildfire Service warns an approaching cold front could spark new wildfires and cause existing fires to spread rapidly because of strong winds and possible lightning.

Cold front could escalate B.C. wildfires ahead of August long weekend

Strong winds and dry thunderstorms are expected to worsen wildfire conditions across southern B.C this long weekend, as more than 1,800 properties remain under evacuation orders.

Multiple evacuation orders issued as wildfire along Okanagan Lake grows

Two separate evacuation orders have been issued as the out-of-control Bradley Creek wildfire threatens communities around the northern end of Okanagan Lake near Vernon, B.C.

Wildfires, WestJet labour dispute complicate B.C. Day long-weekend travel

Wildfires, highway closures and flight disruptions due to a labour dispute are complicating travel across B.C. as residents head out for the B.C. Day long weekend.

About 230,000 people attend Vancouver's Summer Lights fireworks show, organizers say

About 230,000 people attended Vancouver's one-night Summer Lights fireworks show, according to preliminary estimates from event producer BandLive.

Richmond's unhoused population has doubled since 2020, report finds

A new report from the city shows that a lack of affordable housing is a key contributor to the rising number of unhoused people in Richmond.

Languages can disappear through migration. Here's how immigrant families hope to save them

For many immigrants, building a new life in Canada can come with an unexpected loss: the gradual fading of their heritage language. Linguists say families should carefully consider whether or not to pass these languages on, as many people later regret not doing so.

Toronto flights cancelled after WestJet cabin crew go on strike

Challenges ahead for party that aims to break the binary in B.C. politics, some say

CentreBC seeks to break the binary of provincial politics, but it faces multiple barriers to becoming anything more than a niche party, including money and an abundance of polarization.

What to know to keep yourself safe from ticks this summer

With temperatures warming year over year, ticks are on the rise in Canada and moving northward from their typical breeding grounds.

Meet the 20-year-old swimming from Kelowna to Penticton for Alzheimer's research

Issie Grecoff's grandmother, Joan Wickett, passed away from the disease in 2022 at the age of 79. On Aug. 19 and 20, Grecoff will swim in honour of Wickett in the hopes of raising money for a cure.

Horse havens and crop-saving water: how B.C. neighbours are helping each other this summer

From greeting people at reception centres, making room for beloved animals forced to leave home, and sharing water to save crops, British Columbians in the Interior are finding ways to help their neighbours facing wildfires and drought.

Recipe: Summer soba noodle salad

If the heat is getting to you and you need a simple, but tasty, summer recipe, this summer noodle soba salad is sure to hit the right spot.

B.C. wildfires continue to flare up, with almost 30 added in past 24 hours

Even if a wildfire is not threatening your community, the BC Wildfire Service is recommending that British Columbians be prepared if you need to leave quickly.

Okanagan Lake wildfire more than doubles in size, forcing more evacuations

The Bradley Creek wildfire burning in B.C.'s North Okanagan has more than doubled in size since Saturday, growing from about 10 square kilometres to roughly 26, the B.C. Wildfire Service said Sunday morning.

Why did a trove of artwork from a Canadian museum turn up at a thrift shop in Penticton?

The former curator of the local art gallery has questions. The public does too.

B.C. wildfires grow, put more than 5K under evacuation orders in past 24 hours

There are now approximately 130 wildfires burning in British Columbia, with BC Wildfire Service reporting almost half of those are considered out-of-control.