British Columbia News

The British Columbia News Centre offers you quick access to the provincial news of the day.
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  1. Information about COVID-19 at Pacific Institution

    Correctional Service Canada (CSC) advises that 24 inmates at Pacific Institution in British Columbia have tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of our employees, inmates, and the public continue to be our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation, and measures are in place to minimize spread of the virus within the institution

  2. Information about COVID-19 at Archambault Institution

    Correctional Service Canada (CSC) advises that five inmates in the medium-security unit of Archambault Institution in Quebec have tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of our employees, inmates and the public continue to be our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation, and measures are in place to minimize the spread of the virus within the institution.

  3. Information about COVID-19 at Matsqui Institution

    Correctional Service Canada (CSC) advises that 28 inmates at Matsqui Institution in British Columbia have tested positive for COVID-19. The health and safety of our employees, inmates and the public continue to be our top priority. We are closely monitoring the situation, and measures are in place to minimize spread of the virus within the institution.

  4. Government of Canada releases draft 2022-23 Prawn and Shrimp by Trap Integrated Fisheries Management Plan

    Proactive conservation measures are critical to sustain a healthy Pacific prawn population today, and to restore abundant stocks for future generations. Close collaboration between the Government of Canada and harvesters is key to getting this important work done.

  5. Information about COVID-19 at Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village

    Correctional Service Canada (CSC) advises that 10 inmates at Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village in British Columbia have tested positive for COVID-19. We are closely monitoring the situation, and measures are in place to minimize spread of the virus within the institution.

  6. Canada and Province of British Columbia support Williams Lake First Nation's research and commemoration activities at former residential school

    The locating of unmarked graves at former residential school sites across Canada is a tragic reminder of the abuse Indigenous children suffered in those institutions.

  7. Support for British Columbia farmers’ markets to grow, operate in emergencies

    Farmers’ markets in the province are receiving funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia to help cover the costs to expand local food and beverage sales, and operate during emergencies.

  8. CBSA and RCMP disrupt smuggling operation at Pacific Highway border, keeping 100 kg of meth off the streets

    CBSA and RCMP disrupt smuggling operation at Pacific Highway border, keeping 100 kg of meth off the streets

  9. Information about COVID-19 at Kent Institution

    Correctional Service Canada (CSC) advises that two inmates and 18 employees at Kent Institution in British Columbia have tested positive for COVID-19. We are closely monitoring the situation, and measures are in place to minimize spread of the virus within the institution.

  10. Statement from the Hon. Joyce Murray on a research-based transfer request from Yellow Island Aquaculture Ltd.

    The sustainable and responsible management of our ocean ecosystems is a priority for me as Minister, and our government is committed to protecting and regenerating wild salmon stocks. In December 2020, Minister Jordan announced the licences for open-net pen salmon farms in the Discovery Islands would only be renewed until the summer of 2022. This has resulted in a reduction of more than 3.5 million farmed salmon in the Discovery Islands since December 2020, and I will ensure the decision to phase out these 19 open-net pen farms is carried on to completion.

  11. Travel Advisory: Limited exceptions to border measures in British Columbia

    The Canada Border Services Agency would like to remind travellers that border measures remain in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada and that they should get informed and understand their obligations as they make their travel plans.

  12. Tsal’alh receives funding for emergency access and food security

    Today, Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced funding for an improved emergency transportation option for Tsal'alh.

  13. Backgrounder: Canada and British Columbia invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure

    The Government of Canada is investing more than $13.9 million and the Province of British Columbia is contributing more than $5.3 million in four water and wastewater projects through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Additional contributions of $6.7 million will be made from the municipalities and the Nak’azdli Whut’en.

  14. Canada and British Columbia invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure

    Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable Josie Osborne, British Columbia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced more than $19.2 million in joint funding for four projects in British Columbia to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The projects will upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities or construct new drinking water facilities to enhance water capacity, comply with provincial standards, improve surface water quality, and protect the surrounding environment.

  15. B.C. Supreme Court orders a lifetime fishing ban for repeat offender Scott Steer 

    On November 12, 2021, in the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, Scott Stanley Matthew Steer — a repeat offender under Canada’s Fisheries Act — was handed a lifetime prohibition against fishing and a prohibition against being onboard a fishing vessel.

  16. Fisheries and Oceans Canada updates Pacific herring coast-wide harvest plan for 2021-22

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) supports fishing opportunities for communities, and is firmly committed to the conservation, protection, and regeneration of our marine environment and the lifeforms they sustain. Herring are a forage fish, an important food source to other keystone species like Pacific salmon, and a critical part of the ecosystem on the Pacific coast.

  17. Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Matsqui Institution

    On December 9, 2021, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized at Matsqui Institution, a medium security federal institution.

  18. Minister Bibeau and Minister Popham meet with impacted berry farmers in the Abbotsford area.

    The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, travelled to British Columbia to meet with B.C. farmers and hear how the recent extreme flooding and landslide events in the province have impacted farm operations, families and livelihoods.

  19. CBSA Pacific Region: Operational and enforcement highlights from 2021

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Pacific Region today released operational and enforcement highlights covering the period from January 1 to October 31, 2021.

  20. Federal and British Columbia agriculture ministers host media availability at Abbotsford poultry farm

    Media are invited to join Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau and B.C. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Lana Popham for a tour of an Abbotsford poultry farm in various stages of flood recovery.

  21. Death of an inmate from Mountain Institution 

    On December 4, 2021, Douglas John Holtam, an inmate from Mountain Institution, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

  22. Federal and British Columbia agriculture ministers host roundtable discussion with representatives of the provincial agriculture and agri-food sector

    Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Lana Popham, British Columbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries held a virtual roundtable with British Columbia.’s agricultural sector yesterday to listen to their concerns following the devastating floods and landslides and to discuss both immediate and long-term support for the British Columbia. agriculture and agri-food industry.

  23. Government of Canada backs visionary company’s high-tech solution for better protecting marine environments through innovative data-collection technology

    Canada’s cleantech entrepreneurs are proving their power to take on today’s environmental challenges.

  24. Government of Canada funds cutting-edge company specializing in non-wood pulp production that reduces waste and conserves forests

    Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of $3.8 million in Kelowna-based Red Leaf Pulp through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). This is the first SDTC investment in Red Leaf Pulp and part of a partnership that will help the company improve its process for converting agricultural residues into pulp.

  25. Government of Canada introduces additional measures to address COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern

    The Minister of Health, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, and the Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, announced additional border measures to reduce the risk of the importation and transmission of COVID-19 and its variants in Canada related to international travel.

  26. Routine fishery officer inspection leads to significant penalties of $88,644, and a fishing prohibition for a North Coast commercial salmon harvester

    On July 2, 2021, Garry Dean Stoner was sentenced in Terrace Provincial Court after pleading guilty to 12 counts under the Fisheries Act for violations that occurred between June and September 2017, and in July and August 2018, in waters north of Haida Gwaii.

  27. Death of an inmate from Mountain Institution

    On November 25, 2021, Keith Raymond Tyler, an inmate from Mountain Institution, died while in our custody.

  28. Government of Canada introduces new measures to address COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern  

    The Government of Canada is implementing enhanced border measures for all travellers who have been in the Southern Africa region — including South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia— within the last 14 days before arriving in Canada.

  29. Government of Canada Announces Funding for COVID-19 Safe Voluntary Isolation Sites in British Columbia

    Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced more than $5 million to support the following two projects in British Columbia, through the Government of Canada’s Safe Voluntary Isolation Sites Program: an employer-based reimbursement program for agricultural workers living and working across British Columbia through the Government of British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to help support agri-worker isolation needs; and a safe voluntary isolation site in the City of Surrey through the Fraser Health Authority.

  30. CBSA Metro Vancouver Marine Operations officers seize over 2000 kg of khat, an illegal stimulant 

    CBSA Metro Vancouver Marine Operations officers seize over 2000 kg of khat, an illegal stimulant

  31. The Government of Canada and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority join together to address supply chain disruptions as a result of the British Columbia floods

    The Government of Canada continues to take action to support the transportation system of British Columbia after the recent floods.

  32. Ministers Blair, Anand, Alghabra, Qualtrough and Guilbeault to provide an update on the state of emergency in British Columbia

    Ministers Blair, Anand, Alghabra, Qualtrough and Guilbeault to provide an update on the state of emergency in British Columbia

  33. Recapture of inmate from Mission Institution

    On November 10, 2021, Roderick Muchikekwanape was returned to the custody of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).

  34. Government of Canada extends contract for marine emergency towing vessels on the West Coast

    The Government of Canada is committed to protecting mariners and the marine environment on the West Coast, including Indigenous coastal communities and surrounding waters.

  35. GCT Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project – Referral to a Review Panel

    The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced today the referral of the impact assessment of the proposed GCT Deltaport Expansion - Berth Four Project in British Columbia to an independent review panel.

  36. Death of an inmate from Pacific Institution

    On October 31, 2021, William James Riddle, an inmate from Pacific Institution, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

  37. Death of an inmate from Matsqui Institution

    On October 27, 2021, Russell John Oram, an inmate from Matsqui Institution, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

  38. Death of an inmate from Pacific Institution

    On October 24, 2021, Paul Alan Carlson, an inmate from Pacific Institution died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.