Category Archives: Prairies/BC
B.C. disaster program upgraded to help flood victims, quickly aid in other disasters
VICTORIA — The British Columbia government is overhauling its program that provides assistance after a disaster, making more people and businesses affected by last November's catastrophic flooding immediately eligible for help. A statement from the Min...
New venture capital fund in Manitoba to be more independent from government
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is putting up $50 million to get back into the venture capital game, 17 years after a previous fund went into receivership. "Manitoba's business leaders ... have told us that access to capital is critical for
Special legislature committee recommends B.C. move to a provincial police force
VICTORIA — A committee appointed to reform British Columbia's Police Act recommends moving to a provincial police service to achieve a new vision of policing and community safety. The special committee, comprising members of the legislature from all th...
Manitoba launches new guidelines to incorporate Indigenous knowledge in classrooms
WINNIPEG — Educators in Manitoba looking for ways to bring in Indigenous languages, cultures and identities into their teaching practices have a new guide. The province released its Indigenous education policy framework Thursday and it includes strate...
B.C. offers rights advisers for mentally ill patients who are involuntarily detained
VANCOUVER — British Columbia has introduced legislation that would allow people to get independent advice about their rights after they've been involuntarily detained for treatment of a severe mental health disorder. The province's Mental Health Act al...
B.C. announces $19 million in funding to Forests Ministry to fight climate change
VANCOUVER — Both sides on the issue of old-growth logging in British Columbia are so polarized they "can't see the forest for the trees," Forests Minister Katrine Conroy said Thursday. Conroy told those attending the BC Council of Forest Industries co...
Saskatchewan drawing up new boundaries map ahead of 2024 election
REGINA — Saskatchewan is redrawing its constituency boundary maps ahead of its next election to reflect the province's changing population. Under provincial law, the province must redraw its boundaries every 10 years — based on Statistics Canada census...
Bereavement day for drug-related deaths may soon be recognized in Manitoba
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government signalled a new openness to safe consumption sites for drug users Thursday and supported an opposition call for an official day to recognize the impact of drug overdoses on families and communities. Sarah Guillemard, ...
Alberta proposes bill to update electricity system, end controversial power pool
EDMONTON — Alberta wants to pull the plug on its electricity Balancing Pool, a one-time money-gushing feature of its power system that would end its life as a political quagmire and cash sinkhole. Dale Nally, associate minister of electricity, introduc...
‘End the crisis’: Alberta prosecutors hope for resolution of concerns in latest talks
EDMONTON — A group representing Alberta prosecutors is to meet with the government Wednesday to try to resolve concerns that have Crown lawyers considering job action. The Alberta Crown Attorneys' Association sent a letter last month to Premier Jason K...
