Blog

Pandemic throws wrench into tree planting season

By Nelson Bennett / Business in Vancouver 2020 was shaping up to be the biggest season on record in B.C. for the sector First, B.C.’s Interior forests were ravaged by beetles and forest fires, and now their recovery may be delayed by a virus. This year’s tree planting season in B.C. was expected to be […]

Province's vacation communities await return of tourists

By Albert Van Santvoort/ Business in Vancouver Tofino entrepreneur remains optimistic that small-business economy will survive British Columbia’s economy is reliant on small businesses and nowhere is this more evident than in the small vacation communities that dot the province like the District of Tofino. “COVID-19 is another example that we do live in a […]

B.C. says no special treatment for movie stars, hockey players or cruise ships

By The Canadian Press VICTORIA — British Columbia is moving towards easing COVID-19 restrictions, but movie stars, hockey players and cruise line operators won’t be getting special passes around the province’s self isolation and port access rules, says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. Henry said Tuesday she misses watching hockey games, but if the […]

Better Business Bureau warns online puppy scams surging during COVID-19 pandemic

By The Canadian Press VANCOUVER — The Better Business Bureau says puppy scams are the latest way fraudsters are taking advantage of lonely, isolated people during the COVID-19 pandemic. A statement from the Better Business Bureau serving Mainland British Columbia says online puppy scams have spiked since the pandemic reached North America.…

Avoid non-essential travel this May long, Whistler docs say

By Braden Dupuis Whistler parks, Whistler Blackcomb still closed With the May long weekend right around the corner, Whistler doctors are reminding the public that B.C. is still in Phase 1 of its four-phase plan to reopen the province. “Which means that hopefully people are avoiding all non-essential travel,” said Dr. Karin Kausky of the […]

Applications for student pandemic assistance to open Friday

By Tyler Orton / Business in Vancouver Benefits range from $1,250 to $2,000 a month Students facing little hope of landing a summer job during the pandemic will be able to apply for federal assistance beginning Friday (May 15). Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled the $9-billion Canada Emergency Student Benefit in late April, but it […]

Free smartphones won't be used to contract-trace the vulnerable

By Jeremy Hainsworth / Glacier Media 3,500 donated phones expected to allow disadvantaged to access services Hundreds of smartphones handed to Downtown Eastside (DTES) residents and other vulnerable individuals across the Lower Mainland and the rest of B.C. won’t be used for pandemic contact tracing, B.C.’s Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction says. Rather, […]

Indigenous group files legal challenge over 'inadequate' COVID-19 funding

By The Canadian Press OTTAWA — A national Indigenous organization that represents First Nations, Inuit and Metis living off-reserve and in urban centres is taking the federal government to court over what it alleges is “inadequate and discriminatory funding” for the COVID-19 response. The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples has filed an application in the Federal […]

COVID-19 outbreak hits second ward at Lions Gate Hospital

By Jane Seyd / North Shore News An outbreak of COVID-19 at Lions Gate Hospital is continuing in a second ward of the hospital while a different ward where cases were first reported has been taken off the active outbreak list. Either staff or patients have now tested positive for COVID-19 on the seventh floor […]

To clean cash, use a little soap and water; skip the bleach

By The Canadian Press / Times Colonist If you want to launder your money, soap and water is best, the Bank of Canada says. “If you want to take additional safety precautions, you can clean your polymer bank notes with a bit of soap and water since they are resistant to moisture,” bank spokeswoman Amelie […]

B.C.’s Road to Recovery: COVID-19 will radically overhaul the aviation industry

By By Glen Korstrom/ Business in Vancouver Safety measures and changing business strategies likely in post-pandemic era Air travel is likely to change when governments lift travel restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, and public confidence recovers. Most major airlines already ask passengers before they board how they feel, and require all passengers […]

Health officer urges residents to take B.C.'s COVID-19 survey

By Jane Seyd / North Shore News Responses will help guide province’s response to pandemic in months to come Has staying home or not seeing friends for the past two months got you down? Were you scared to go to the hospital because of fears of COVID-19?…

B.C.'s COVID-19 recovery rate hits record high 78.2%

By By Glen Korstrom/ Business in Vancouver Rate was less than 70% little more than a week ago As the number of new cases of COVID-19 stays low, and the number of people who have recovered from the virus increases, the province’s recovery rate keeps rising. On May 13, the rate stood at more than […]

OPINION: Have fun close to home with these COVID-free walking games

By Andy Prest / North Shore News Hello, friends. How’s your pandemic going?…

Dating advice from British Columbia's health officer: take it slowly

By Jane Seyd / North Shore News From picnics in the park to online hookups, the province’s medical health officer had some dating advice for singletons this week worthy of your mom: proceed with caution. “If you’re going to start a relationship with somebody, this is not the time to do rapid serial dating,” said […]