Tenants group in Surrey demands 'complaint database'

by Kamil Karamali

Tenants of a Whalley apartment building claim city staff have been meeting their grievances over living conditions in their building with "indifference and denial." They are demanding the city create a complaint database to log problems.

Fear of deadly fentanyl doesn't stop addicts at pop-up injection sites

by Greg Rasmussen

The fear of deadly fentanyl doesn't stop addicts at pop-up injection sites, where they know they can get help if they OD.

That time Scott Oake had to fill in for Bob Cole during HNIC

Scott Oake has always envied the legendary Bob Cole. But one day he actually had to fill in for him — and sheer terror ensued.

Former Kamloops MLA considering municipal politics

by Jenifer Norwell

Former Liberal MLA and cabinet minister Kevin Krueger is thinking about getting back into politics — this time as a city councillor.

No additional police to patrol new Evergreen Line

by Belle Puri

When the Lower Mainland's newest transit line starts to roll late next week, there will be no additional TransLink officers to police it, but the corporation is working toward hiring more officers in the future.

Christmas tree cutting permits now available for the holiday season

by Justin McElroy

One month and one day before Christmas, the B.C. government has made permits to cut down Christmas trees on Crown land available to the public.

Okanagan transit riders relieved two-week bus strike over

by Brady Strachan

Transit riders in Kelowna are expressing their relief at the end of the two-week-long bus strike in the Central Okanagan.

U.S. expected to turn up heat on softwood lumber dispute with investigation request

The U.S. Lumber Coalition is expected to submit petitions to the Department of Commerce on Friday, requesting an investigation in the ongoing softwood lumber dispute, a spokesman for International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland says.

ICBC dropping luxury car insurance '4 years too late', NDP MLA says

B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone says ICBC will stop insuring luxury cars valued upwards of $150,000 in efforts to quell rising insurance rates, but opposition critic Adrian Dix says the effort is four years too late.

Province extending high school deadline for new curriculum

by Richard Zussman

B.C. teachers will have an extra year to implement curriculum changes in Grade 10 to 12 classrooms. The provincial government announced the extension Thursday after a number of teachers said they need more time.

Chinese government to work with Canada on stopping flow of fentanyl

by Richard Zussman

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security have agreed to work together to help slow the flow of illicit drugs into Canada.

Ageing infrastructure blamed for flooding in downtown Prince George

by Andrew Kurjata

Streets in downtown Prince George were flooded this morning after a water main dating back to 1957 burst, causing crews to cut off the supply to the area.

Spinnakers pub damaged by fire, but brewery unscathed

by Megan Thomas

The brewery at Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub in Victoria is unscathed, but fire damage could keep the pub and restaurant closed until after Christmas, management says.

Modern libraries have to navigate tricky societal questions, professor says

The library isn't just a place to get books. The Early Edition's Margaret Gallagher met with professor Lisa Freeman, who studies the role of libraries in our changing cities.

Kelowna mayor wants public transit made essential service

by Brady Strachan

In the wake of a two-week transit strike in the central Okanagan, Kelowna, B.C., Mayor Colin Basran says he will pursue making public transit an essential service in the province.

Proposed supervised consumption sites for B.C. Interior revealed

by Jaimie Kehler

Interior Health is seeking public feedback on proposed locations and models for supervised consumption services in both Kelowna and Kamloops, in light of the growing drug overdose crisis.

Residents question security plans for Victoria injection sites

by Deborah Wilson

Neighbours, students and business operators filled Victoria city hall Thursday evening for the second drop-in meeting on three proposed supervised injection sites in the downtown area.

Surrey pet breeder charged with animal cruelty

Ivy Zhou was the operator of a Surrey breeding and boarding facility from which 82 animals were removed on Feb. 16. The animals included 67 cats, 12 dogs and three puppies.

BC NDP pledge to end grizzly bear trophy hunting

by Farrah Merali

B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan says his party will ban the practice of grizzly bear trophy hunting in the province — if the party takes power in the next provincial election

Planes clip wings on Vancouver airport tarmac leaving both unable to fly

by Karin Larsen

A United Airlines plane clipped wings with a WestJet aircraft Thursday morning on the tarmac at Vancouver International Airport, leaving both planes damaged and unable to fly.

Normalization of white supremacist language alarming, researcher says

A Kamloops social worker who has done research and interventions on the extreme right says the normalization of white supremacist language in mainstream politics is alarming.

B.C. marks 100-year milestone of limited female suffrage

The B.C. government is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the right to vote being extended to some women. Full voting rights for all women would not happen until decades later

Canucks reward Ben Hutton with 2-year, $5.6M extension

The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenceman Ben Hutton to a two-year, $5.6 million US extension.

High winds, rough waves trap 21 BC Ferries passengers overnight

by Yvette Brend

High winds forced BC Ferries to keep 21 passengers on board a ferry overnight, turning the two-hour Nanaimo to Tsawwassen journey into a seven-hour ordeal.

Polar bear hug wins top international prize for Vancouver photog

Polar bears will be on display at the Smithsonian for the next year after a Vancouver photographer received the Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards Grand Prize.

B.C. child poverty rate higher than national average, says report

by Justin McElroy

British Columbia's child poverty rate is higher than the national average, according to a study released today by First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition.

Strong winds cause power outages, ferry troubles for southern B.C.

by Yvette Brend

Strong wind gusts overnight knocked out power and downed trees on the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and the Gulf Islands.

Pipeline opposition isn't really about climate change, Canada West Foundation finds

If you think opposition to pipelines is driven mainly by concerns over climate change, you're wrong, according to a new study from the Canada West Foundation and University of Ottawa.

B.C. Liberals hire new photographer to document Christy Clark

by Richard Zussman

The B.C. Liberals have hired award-winning photojournalist John Lehmann to document Christy Clark through to the election in 2017. The B.C. NDP says it shows Clark and her party care more about glitz than policy.

Salmon Arm refugee advocate 'disappointed' by hateful graffiti

by Brady Strachan

People who advocate for refugees in Salmon Arm, B.C. are disappointed by hateful graffiti that advocates violence against Muslims found along a public trail.

Former Bountiful, B.C., member describes being taught obedience to fathers, husbands

A woman who was one of 27 wives to a leader of a B.C. polygamous sect told a courtroom Wednesday that women and girls in the religious community were taught to be obedient, marry young and have as many children as possible.

Yeehaw! Local bull rider's name could grace Merritt welcome sign

by Jenifer Norwell

Merritt is known for its murals of famous country music stars, but soon people could get to know the city because of bull rider Ty Pozzobon.

Researchers fear B.C. coast becoming dangerous for returning whales

by Liam Britten

As the "humpback comeback" continues along the B.C. coast, there have also been stories of whales becoming entangled, and in at least one case dying, in debris.

Metro Vancouver mayors approve $2B transit improvement plan

The Mayors' Council has approved a $2 billion transit and road expansion plan that will improve services in the Vancouver region over the next decade.

Recap Bo Horvat, Sven Baertschi provide spark, Canucks down Coyotes

by Jose M. Romero

Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi each had a goal and two assists, helping the Vancouver Canucks beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Patients at Lions Gate Hospital notified after cleaning equipment malfunction

by Justin McElroy

Hundreds of patients of Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver were given a letter this week telling them medical instruments weren't properly disinfected, but there is no risk to patients.

City of Vancouver proposing 3.4% property tax increase

by Maryse Zeidler

The City of Vancouver has released its draft budget for 2017, which includes property and service fee increases to cover a nearly 50 per cent increase in its capital budget.

Nak'azdli First Nation builds 'tiny houses' for homeless men

by Andrew Kurjata

Four men over the age of 55 have just moved into the first homes they've ever owned on the Nak'azdli Whut'en reserve. The First Nation is building 'tiny houses' as an innovative solution to homelessness.

First significant snowfall of the year expected for parts of southwest B.C.

by Justin McElroy

A cold front moving from the Pacific could give parts of southwest B.C. their first major snow of the season.

ICBC says basic rates could rise 42% by 2020 in worst-case scenario

by Richard Zussman

Skyrocketing claims, increases in cases of insurance fraud and more injury claims have led ICBC to project a worst-case scenario rate increase of 42 per cent by 2020.

Health Canada proposes ban of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticide

by Lisa Johnson

Current high-volume use of imidacloprid is "not sustainable," says Health Canada, which today proposed a phase out and ban of the controversial agricultural pesticide.

Driver testifies in own defence about crash that killed Pitt Meadows couple

by Belle Puri

Andelina Hecimovic testified in her own defence at her retrial on two charges of dangerous driving causing death in connection with a 2010 crash that killed a young couple in Pitt Meadows.

Drug, weapons charges withdrawn against mother of missing B.C. woman Emma Filipoff

by Chloé Fedio

Shelley Fillipoff has been cleared of a string of drug and weapons charges ahead of the solemn four-year anniversary of her daughter's Emma's disappearance.

Central Okanagan bus service set to resume Thursday morning

Buses in the Central Okanagan will resume regular service on Thursday after transit workers voted in favour of a new three year contract, ending a two-week strike.

Video Lawren Harris painting Mountain Forms sells for record $11.21M at auction

A mountainscape painting by Group of Seven founder Lawren Harris has become the most expensive artwork ever to sell at a Canadian auction.

Let them be bored: The value of free play for kids

A little bit of rough and tumble play can go a long way for a child's early development — but parents have to be willing to let their kids off the leash, says author and pshycologist Dr. Vanessa Lapointe

Vancouver airport workers issue strike deadline, say flights may be affected

Flights at Vancouver International Airport may be disrupted this weekend according to a union which delivered a strike deadline Wednesday afternoon.

Ladner Trunk Road closed during rush hour after head-on collision

by Tamara Baluja

The 8600-block of Ladner Trunk Road in Delta, B.C., was closed for several hours following a serious collision Wednesday morning.

MRI wait times in B.C. double the national average: Fraser Institute survey

British Columbians can expect to wait 24 weeks for an MRI, according to a survey from the Fraser Institute. Critics, however, are calling the institute's data into question.

Vancouver's 2016 New Year's Eve celebration expanding in scope

by Justin McElroy

After the return of New Year's Eve festivities to Vancouver's downtown last year, organizers are hoping for a bigger and better event this year.