Category Archives: Prairies/BC
Minister flags ‘creative’ plan for repeat offenders after being called soft on crime
VICTORIA — British Columbia’s attorney general says he is poised to announce a “creative” plan to help tackle repeat offenders who cause "chaos" in communities. David Eby said the plan is the result of meetings with concerned municipal leaders, but he...
Challenge in U. S: Alberta Opposition leader demands province affirm abortion rights
EDMONTON — Alberta's Opposition leader says a renewed abortion rights fight in the United States is a “dark, dark day” and she's calling on Premier Jason Kenney’s government to affirm its commitment to women’s rights. “Banning abortions is a form of
Saskatchewan minimum wage to rise to $15 an hour by 2024
REGINA — The Saskatchewan government is planning to gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024. The province has the lowest minimum wage in the country at $11.81 hourly. The government says that figure is to increase to $13
B.C. finance minister says ‘over my dead body,’ will abortion access change
VICTORIA — British Columbia's finance minister says she will fight to ensure abortion access rights are never denied in the province no matter what may happen in the United States. Selina Robinson reacted strongly to questions about the status of abort...
B.C. sees decrease in overdose deaths in March, but drug users face risks: coroner
VICTORIA — British Columbia's chief coroner says a recent dip in the number of overdose deaths is encouraging, but illicit toxic drugs still present enormous risks for substance users. Lisa Lapointe says the latest overdose figures show 165 people died...
Alert Ready system expands to floods, fires in B.C., not heat domes
VICTORIA — An automated alert system will be ready to warn British Columbians of spring flooding and summer wildfires but not yet for extreme heat, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Tuesday. Farnworth told a news conference the Alert Ready sy...
Fisher River rises, causes more damage in flooded Manitoba community
WINNIPEG — More people left Peguis First Nation on Tuesday as floodwaters caused further damage in southern and central Manitoba. "People are tiring and it is a lot of work to try and fight against Mother Nature," Chief Glenn Hudson said. "Roads
‘New chapter’: Alberta prosecutors get more pay, talks to improve justice system
EDMONTON — A group representing Alberta prosecutors says an announcement by the provincial government to raise salaries and enter into negotiations to improve the justice system marks a "new chapter." Last month, the Alberta Crown Attorneys' Associatio...
Opposition wants Saskatchewan to share more of its oil wealth with residents
REGINA — Saskatchewan's Opposition says the government needs to share more of the wealth coming in from oil prices that continue to surge above what was forecast in the budget. The NDP is urging the Saskatchewan Party government to raise royalty
Health minister says 7 of 250 surgeries transferred out of Red Deer, Alta., hospital
EDMONTON — Alberta’s health minister says a handful of surgery patients had to be temporarily transferred out of a hospital on the weekend due to staffing issues. “I’m going to put this into perspective: roughly 250 surgeries per week are performed