March 28th, 2024

National News

This B.C. farm can grow softball-sized peaches. This year they’ll rely on vegetables

By Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press on March 12th, 2024

One of the first indicators of how bountiful a fruit harvest will be in British Columbia comes months before any peaches, apricots or nectarines start fattening on trees. Like many other farmers, Jennifer Deol of There and Back Again Farms in Kelowna cuts off some peach branches and brings them into a warm greenhouse to ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

Coral reef that ‘shouldn’t exist’ thrives off B.C.’s Pacific Ocean, biologist says

By Nono Shen, The Canadian Press on March 12th, 2024

VANCOUVER – It started with a tip from the local First Nation of a “bump on the sea floor” where the fish liked to be and led to the discovery of Canada’s only known live coral reef. Deep sea ecologist Cherisse Du Preez worked with the Kitasoo Xai’xais and Heiltsuk First Nations and began searching ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

Quebec to present ‘restrained’ budget today amid economic stagnation

By The Canadian Press on March 12th, 2024

Quebec’s finance minister says the budget he is expected to present later today will be “restrained” amid what he describes as a provincial economy in stagnation. On Monday Eric Girard told reporters south of Montreal that the billions of dollars in wage increases recently negotiated with teachers and health-care workers have further restricted the government’s ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

Canada concerned as final rule for ‘Product of USA’ meat labels announced

By The Canadian Press on March 11th, 2024

Canada’s federal government as well as organizations representing some the nation’s beef producers warn a decision south of the border about “Product of USA” labels on meat, poultry and eggs could disrupt supply chains. The United States Department of Agriculture announced Monday a final rule on conditions for when voluntary “Product of USA” or “Made ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

Freeland says ‘housing, housing, housing’ on agenda with meetings with B.C. premier

By The Canadian Press on March 11th, 2024

VICTORIA – Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says she stopped at a recently built downtown Victoria rental apartment building Monday before meeting with British Columbia Premier David Eby, where housing was slated to top the agenda. Freeland says her stop at the 23-storey Hudson House helped her highlight Canada’s need to build more homes expeditiously. ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

Citing poaching, violent incidents, Ottawa says elver fishery won’t open this year

By Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press on March 11th, 2024

OTTAWA – The federal fisheries minister says the lucrative elver fishery will stay closed for the 2024 season. Diane Lebouthillier says confrontations and incidents of violence have created an “immediate threat” to public safety and management of the fishery. She also cites the need to conserve the American eel. Elvers are very young and translucent ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

No evidence of widespread diversion of B.C. safe-supply drugs, say Farnworth and RCMP

By Dirk Meissner and Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press on March 11th, 2024

There is no evidence of widespread diversion of safe-supply drugs, British Columbia’s solicitor general and the RCMP said Monday, after Federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith cited a recent drug seizure to criticize the province’s program. Mike Farnworth told reporters he had spoken to the RCMP’s commanding officer in B.C. about ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

No widespread diversion of B.C. safe-supply drugs, says Farnworth after RCMP briefing

By Dirk Meissner and Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press on March 11th, 2024

British Columbia’s solicitor general says there’s no evidence of widespread diversion of safe-supply opioids, after a recent drug seizure was cited by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre to criticize the provincial program. Mike Farnworth says he’s spoken to the RCMP’s commanding officer in B.C. about the seizure in Prince George and ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

Cop killed: Quebec officer says lack of info sharing between police, health workers

By Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press on March 11th, 2024

MONTREAL – A Quebec provincial police officer told a coroner’s inquest on Monday that there isn’t enough collaboration between police and the mental health system on matters of public safety. Charles Côté said that often, when he’s tried to get basic information about a patient for public security purposes, he’s rebuffed by health workers who ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!

‘Haiti follows us’: Quebecers worry about family amid crisis in Caribbean country

By Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press on March 11th, 2024

MONTREAL – Wedne Colin says he feels like he’s leading a “double life,” living in Montreal but constantly worrying for his family in Haiti. “It’s like we’re here, but at the same time we’re in Haiti,” he said Monday in an interview. “We can’t get rid of Haiti, Haiti follows us. Haiti sticks to our ... Read More »

Be the first to comment!