Legal BC bud groovy, cheap
VANCOUVER — The price of cannabis at government-run stores in B.C. declined while potency rose between 2019 and 2020, says a new report that has a researcher raising questions about what its findings mean for public health. The study found that the amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, increased from 64 milligrams to […]
BC health firm expands reach
TORONTO — Well Health Technologies Corp. said it will be the largest private-sector operator of outpatient medical clinics in Canada with a deal Monday to buy MyHealth Partners Inc. Vancouver-based Well Health said it has signed an agreement to buy Toronto-based MyHealth Partners Inc. for up to $266.3 million, adding 48 clinics in Ontario to […]
Airbnb keeps party ban going
Planning on throwing a raging party at an Airbnb this summer? Think again … again. Airbnb has announced it is extending its global ban on parties through at least the end of summer 2021. In the summer of 2020, the vacation rental company announced that it was banning all parties and events at all of […]
BC minimum wage tops in Canada
The minimum wage in B.C. jumps to $15.20 an hour on Tuesday, making it the highest rate of any province in Canada. A statement from the Ministry of Labour says the rate climbs 60 cents per hour Tuesday, while the minimum wage for liquor servers will increase $1.25 per hour to match the minimum wage. […]
Big money for big attractions
VICTORIA — The B.C. government is offering up to $1-million grants to help “anchor” attractions and tour bus operators survive the pandemic and ramp up operations when it’s safe to do so. Premier John Horgan and Tourism Minister Melanie Mark say they believe the $50-million BC Major Anchor Attractions Program is enough to prevent any […]
Aussies selling stake in LNG
VANCOUVER — Woodside Petroleum Ltd. says it plans sell its 50% stake in the proposed Kitimat LNG development in B.C. The Australian company says the plan includes the divestment or wind-up and restoration of assets, leases and agreements covering the 480-kilometre Pacific Trail Pipeline route and the site for the proposed LNG facility at Bish […]
More help coming for tourism
Further help is on the way for B.C.’s struggling tourism sector. Premier John Horgan and Tourism Minister Melanie Mark are set to announce more support today for the sector that’s lobbied the province for greater aid as it grapples with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of four tourism and hospitality industry associations […]
BC offers paid sick leave
UPDATED 11:37 a.m. VICTORIA — B.C. will give all workers up to three days of paid sick leave to support those affected by COVID-19. Labour Minister Harry Bains introduced the legislation today, saying it would be effective until Dec. 31. He says the provincial government will be “stepping up in a major way” to support […]
Inventory, prices up in Vancouver
VANCOUVER — Increasing values are prompting homeowners to sell, but the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says more supply is still needed to meet active market demands. The board reports there were 4,908 residential home sales in its 15 regions in April, a 342% increase from the same month last year. Board economist Keith […]
Step Code proving costly
In December 2017 the B.C. government introduced the ambitious BC Energy Step Code, a building code with five steps towards creating ‘net-zero’ energy-use homes by 2032. It is the toughest code in Canada and a testing ground for the new national building code, now in the works, that will also put an emphasis on climate […]
