Wolf Depner

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B.C. health minister Adrian Dix calls on Ottawa to improve its health care offer, while echoing the conciliatory tone of Premier David Eby. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

‘I’m not going to be negative, but they have to do better’: Dix on federal health offer

Health care minister Adrian Dix calls on feds to improve offer of $600 million to B.C.

B.C. health minister Adrian Dix calls on Ottawa to improve its health care offer, while echoing the conciliatory tone of Premier David Eby. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A woman sits on the rubble as emergency rescue teams search for people under the remains of destroyed buildings in Nurdagi town on the outskirts of Osmaniye city southern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Ottawa says Canada will contribute $10 million to earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria as part of an initial aid package. (Photo by Khalil Hamra, the Canadian Press/Ap)

Heavy urban search-and-rescue team from B.C. ‘self-deploys’ to earthquake region

Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma said B.C. stands ready to help

A woman sits on the rubble as emergency rescue teams search for people under the remains of destroyed buildings in Nurdagi town on the outskirts of Osmaniye city southern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. Ottawa says Canada will contribute $10 million to earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria as part of an initial aid package. (Photo by Khalil Hamra, the Canadian Press/Ap)
The provincial government forecasts more than one million jobs to open up with the next decade. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

B.C. needs to fill more than 1 million jobs within 10 years: report

Latest B.C. Labour Market Outlook says immigration needed as retirements, economy will fuel demand

The provincial government forecasts more than one million jobs to open up with the next decade. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Canfor President and Chief Executive Don Kayne said the lack of fibre supply led to the closure of its sawmill and pallet plant in Chetwynd, whose mayor says that the community will have to digest the closure for a while. But Allen Courtoreille also tried to strike a positive note. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Mayor says mill closure is ‘devastating’ for small community of Chetwynd, B.C.

Canfor’s closure eliminates 120 jobs in a community of 2,500

Canfor President and Chief Executive Don Kayne said the lack of fibre supply led to the closure of its sawmill and pallet plant in Chetwynd, whose mayor says that the community will have to digest the closure for a while. But Allen Courtoreille also tried to strike a positive note. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Bernie Pauly, a professor in the UVic School of Nursing and a scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, said decriminalization of certain amounts of drugs for personal use can improve access to harm reduction and other services without fear of criminalization for personal possession. But other aspects still need to be worked out. (Photo courtesy University of Victoria)

As drug decriminalization rolls out, expert largely praises what B.C. is trying to do

But University of Victoria professor Bernie Pauly also points to still-unresolved issues

Bernie Pauly, a professor in the UVic School of Nursing and a scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, said decriminalization of certain amounts of drugs for personal use can improve access to harm reduction and other services without fear of criminalization for personal possession. But other aspects still need to be worked out. (Photo courtesy University of Victoria)
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside promises more action on dealing with toxic drug deaths while also blaming past governments and COVID-19 for undoing previous progress. Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Toxic drug death figures ‘distressing’ minister says as critics accuse NDP of failure

Jennifer Whiteside promises more action, but also blames B.C. Liberals and COVID

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside promises more action on dealing with toxic drug deaths while also blaming past governments and COVID-19 for undoing previous progress. Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash
Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It will become a paid statutory holiday in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. making National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a paid stat holiday

Provincial legislature passed first reading of new legislation Tuesday morning (Feb. 7)

Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It will become a paid statutory holiday in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
New funding will help almost 50 communities across prepare for climate-change related effects like increased flooding. (File photo by Don Bodger)

49 B.C. communities receive funds for projects to curb climate-change disasters

Almost $24 million comes from the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund

New funding will help almost 50 communities across prepare for climate-change related effects like increased flooding. (File photo by Don Bodger)
B.C. government promises to fight preliminary plans by U.S. officials to extend tariffs on softwood lumber. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. government promises to fight possible U.S. softwood lumber duties

American officials earlier this week that the U.S. plans to extend tariffs on B.C. softwood lumber

B.C. government promises to fight preliminary plans by U.S. officials to extend tariffs on softwood lumber. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma looks on during the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. pushes bail reform forward in talks with feds

Twenty-three organizations will receive $5 million in grants

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma looks on during the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Vancouver is the least affordable city according to a new report from Royal Bank of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Vancouver is the least affordable city according to a new report from Royal Bank of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

$7 out of every $10 earned goes towards mortgage payments in Victoria: report

B.C. Liberals pounced on the report, while NDP said help is underway

Vancouver is the least affordable city according to a new report from Royal Bank of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Vancouver is the least affordable city according to a new report from Royal Bank of Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Selina Robinson (right) says she has cancer again. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare (left) predicted that her cabinet colleague would beat cancer a second time. (Twitter)

B.C.’s post-secondary education minister diagnosed with cancer for the second time

Selina Robinson, who received her first diagnosis in 2006, said she plans to stay on

Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Selina Robinson (right) says she has cancer again. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare (left) predicted that her cabinet colleague would beat cancer a second time. (Twitter)
City of Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz wants the B.C. government to drop the vaccination mandate for health-care workers to help deal with staffing shortages. (Photo courtesy of City of Merritt)

Merritt mayor calls on B.C. to drop vax mandate for health-care workers ‘right now’

Michael Goetz first made the demand in a conference call with Interior Health

City of Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz wants the B.C. government to drop the vaccination mandate for health-care workers to help deal with staffing shortages. (Photo courtesy of City of Merritt)
Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of the B.C. Liberals said B.C. health care system is getting worse after the release of a study that shows British Columbians waited 79 minutes to a see walk-in-clinic doctor. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C. has the 2nd worst wait times for walk-in clinics across Canada: Survey

B.C. residents waited 79 minutes to see a walk-in physician in 2022

Official Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon of the B.C. Liberals said B.C. health care system is getting worse after the release of a study that shows British Columbians waited 79 minutes to a see walk-in-clinic doctor. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said the province will take its time to develop new legislation around housing to ensure clarity. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

B.C.’s Liberals, Greens take aim at alluded spending by Eby government

Opposition critical of Throne Speech even before having read it

Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon said the province will take its time to develop new legislation around housing to ensure clarity. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C.’s Lt. Governor Janet Austin at the B.C. Legislature ahead of the annual Throne Speech on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)

B.C. government to make heavy use of spending surplus: Throne Speech

B.C. has a budget surplus of $5.7 billion

B.C.’s Lt. Governor Janet Austin at the B.C. Legislature ahead of the annual Throne Speech on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. (Wolfgang Depner/Black Press Media)
B.C. has received only 18 per cent of federal support to deal with the effects of the 2021 atmospheric river that caused flooding and landslides across the province, including Merritt. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. has received less than 20% of federal funds promised for 2021 flooding, landslides

More funding expected to arrive in March 2023, but pace appears slow so far

B.C. has received only 18 per cent of federal support to deal with the effects of the 2021 atmospheric river that caused flooding and landslides across the province, including Merritt. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The province is putting $2 million toward paramedics training to help address labour shortages. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. delivers $2 million to bolster paramedics training, but gaps remain

Funding to help about 130 students across province, rural areas struggle more to attract staff

The province is putting $2 million toward paramedics training to help address labour shortages. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Liberal Party Leader Kevin Falcon promises to put about $1.5 billion dollars toward a no-cost recovery-oriented approach toward helping individuals needing treatment and recovery from drug use. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Falcon promises $1.5 billion ‘no-cost recovery-oriented’ approach toward addiction

B.C. Liberal leader said new plan would include recovery centres established across the province

B.C. Liberal Party Leader Kevin Falcon promises to put about $1.5 billion dollars toward a no-cost recovery-oriented approach toward helping individuals needing treatment and recovery from drug use. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
British Columbia Teachers’ Federation President Clint Johnston said and advertisement for uncertified teachers in Chilliwack is a sign of worse to come. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

No easy fix for rise of uncertified teachers in BC schools: BCTF

President Clint Johnston calls for sped-up certification process, but larger issues also in play

British Columbia Teachers’ Federation President Clint Johnston said and advertisement for uncertified teachers in Chilliwack is a sign of worse to come. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)