Largest housing investment ever in province’s history
The Government of B.C. is committing $500 million to ensure more British Columbian families have access to affordable rental housing, the largest housing investment in a single year by any province in Canada. A total of 2,900 rental units will be created, in partnership with non-profit societies, local governments, government...
Charges laid in connection with the fatal motor vehicle crash involving Const. Sarah Beckett
Charges have now been laid against 28-year-old Kenneth Jacob Fenton in regards to the motor-vehicle-related death of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett on April 5. The arrest was a result of a criminal investigation led by the RCMP Island District GIS with assistance from the Saanich Police Department who conducted the...
Revelstoke RCMP seeking public assistance to identify deceased male
Revelstoke RCMP is seeking public assistance in establishing the identity of a deceased adult male, whose body was discovered by sight-seers on Friday August 26, in a forested area along Highway 1. RCMP Cpl. Thomas Blakney said in a media release on (Friday) August 26, shortly after 4 p.m., police received a report from a...
Car crashes up? Not so fast
It's here somewhere. Licence, car registration fees to drop 35 per cent in 2016. No, that's Quebec. Average passenger vehicle owner would pay an additional $17 a year in premiums. Nope, that's Manitoba. Auto Fund rate stabilization reserve hits $377 million – highest ever, $65 million profit in 2015. No, that's Saskatchewan....
Legislation in effect to regulate e-cigarettes
Laws around the sale, promotion and use of e-cigarettes are now in effect. The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act is designed to protect youth from the unknown effects of e-cigarette vapour and from becoming addicted to nicotine, which is why it treats e-cigarette use exactly the same as tobacco, with the same bans and...
BC Coroners Service reminds boaters to wear PFDs
As the fina long weekend of the summer approaches, the BC Coroners Service is urging residents and visitors to stay safe when boating. The need for all persons in small vessels to wear a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD) is highlighted by two cases reported to the BC Coroners Service this week. Both persons were...
UPDATED: Tentative deal reached in postal labour dispute
A tentative deal has been reach between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers averting job action by the union. "We can't give details of the agreements at this time, but we're pleased that our members don't have to resort to taking job action," Mike Palecek, national president of CUPW said in a statement. The...
A few common sense tips for bear safety
Bear calls have been keeping Conservation Officers running for much of the past few weeks as a lackluster berry crop appears to have driven the annimals down to fruit trees in and around the communities of the West Kootenay. Bears everywhere are out searching for available food sources as they fuel up for the winter months....
ICBC applies for rate hike to deal with escalation of vehicle crashes
The Insurance Corporation of BC is seeking a rate increase of $3.50 per month for basic coverage due to an escalation in the number of crashes, the number of claims being filed and the cost of settling those claims. The increase was announced in a media release by ICBC Thursday. "“We certainly don’t like to have to ask our ...
Kelowna welcomes Duke and Duchess of Cambridge September 27
The unique beauty of Canada’s West Coast and the rugged wildness of the North will be front and centre during The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s second official Royal Tour to Canada. Their Royal Highnesses will visit five communities in British Columbia — Victoria, Vancouver, Haida Gwaii, Bella Bella, and Kelowna — and two...