Warning over NewLeaf

A consumer protection group is warning travellers about NewLeaf. The Consumers’ Association of Canada issued a travel alert about the company, saying thousands of Canadians have recently had to deal with “arbitrary cancellations and alterations to flight dates and times.” “Buyers of NewLeaf tickets should be asking themselves the question, ‘Does the savings of buying cheap […]

A taste of $5,000 donors

B.C. Premier Christy Clark has staunchly refused to disclose who was paying $5,000 a plate to meet with her privately at a West Kelowna winery last month. However, the latest donation disclosure by the BC Liberal Party may provide at least a taste of those shelling out the kind of dough needed for a spot at the table. […]

No worries for B.C. wine

The provincial government is holding its ground on a policy that only allows B.C. wines in grocery stores. The policy has been the subject of a complaint lodged with the World Trade Organization, targeting it as a protectionist policy. “I’m sure the province is very comfortable with the direction that they have taken on this […]

Lumber industry barks at US

The BC Lumber Trade Council and provincial government say they will try to convince American consumers, politicians and lumber buyers that an equitable softwood lumber deal is required. Susan Yurkovich, the president of the council, and B.C. Forests Minister Steve Thomson say an agreement on softwood lumber is needed to avoid the damage that will […]

Best in roads

Several firms were recognized for their contribution to B.C.’s transportation network at at the 13th annual Deputy Minister’s Consulting Engineers Awards. B.C.’s consulting engineers are responsible for the design of highway and transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges and transit infrastructure. The awards recognize some of the best designs in the province, highlighting the complex and […]

B.C. firm sues SnapChat

A B.C. company is taking its patent-infringement claims against the owner of SnapChat to the U.S. federal court system. Investel Capital announced the U.S. legal battle this morning, a day after Snap Inc. officially filed for a U.S. initial public offering that could raise an estimated US$3 billion or more from investors. The Vancouver-based company says […]

$40M for green switch

B.C. government is pumping another $40 million into the Clean Energy Vehicle Program. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett says the funds will be distributed over the next three years and will offer continued purchase incentives of up to $5,000 for battery electric vehicles and $6,000 for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. When the incentives […]

NDP promises rebates

British Columbia’s New Democrats are promising rebate cheques to offset increases in the cost of the province’s carbon tax, if the party wins May’s election. NDP Leader John Horgan did not say how much the cheques would be worth, but promised 80 per cent of residents would be eligible for the rebates. He says the […]

Home sales plummet

Home sales in Metro Vancouver last month dropped by almost 40 per cent from the year before with the sale of detached houses falling hardest. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says the townhome and condominium markets are more active than sales for detached homes. Just over 1,500 residential properties sold in January, down […]

Vancouver developer a fraudster

A British Columbia Securities Commission panel has found that Brendan James Schouw (who commonly goes by James) and Hornby Residences Ltd. perpetrated fraud on an investor. According to the panel, in 2009 Shaw took $1 million from an investor for a Hornby real estate project, promising 18 per cent interest to accrue annually. After depositing […]