BC-shot Punjabi film soars

Less than two weeks after opening, Vancouver-filmed film Honsla Rakh is already one of the biggest Punjabi films of all time. It broke a world record on opening weekend, according to Box Office India, with the biggest Punjabi language opening of all time (earning ₹25,000,000 in India). It also showed up in North American theatres, […]

Commercial sales take off

VANCOUVER — The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says commercial real estate sales remained strong through the second quarter of this year, reaching levels not seen since 2017. A statement from the board says 726 commercial properties sold in the Lower Mainland between April and June, a nearly 115% increase from sales in the […]

Teck posts record quarter

CALGARY — Surging global commodity prices helped lift Teck Resources Ltd. to a record third quarter and the company said Wednesday it’s on track to surpass those results in the fourth quarter of this year. Commodity prices have skyrocketed this year due to increased economic activity as countries around the world roll out COVID-19 vaccination […]

BC tourism faring well

A real estate report says Vancouver, Niagara Falls, Ont., and Quebec City will continue to outperform other markets next year after benefiting during the pandemic from Canadians travelling within the country due to COVID-19 restrictions on foreign travel. CBRE says the three well-known destinations experienced increased domestic leisure traffic in 2021. B.C. had more than […]

Big forest industry changes ahead

VICTORIA — B.C.’s forests minister has introduced a bill to amend the Forest and Range Practices Act, saying it would “reshape” forest management in the province. Katrine Conroy told the legislature on Wednesday the proposed changes align forestry legislation with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act passed in late 2019 and introduce […]

Flair making bold moves

CALGARY — As Canada’s major airlines focus on COVID-19 recovery, an Edmonton-based discount carrier is embarking on an aggressive expansive plan. Flair Airlines, which currently serves 18 Canadian cities, is aiming to take market share from mainline carriers Air Canada and WestJet Airlines by offering unbundled, bare-bones fares to budget-conscious travellers. On Tuesday, Flair announced […]

Care workers vax deadline today

VICTORIA — All long-term care and assisted living employees in B.C. now need to have at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Those who have received one dose will have to undergo rapid testing daily and must receive a required second shot within 35 days of their first. B.C.’s health minister and top public health […]

TransLink, ICBC mandate jab

VANCOUVER — Two of B.C.’s largest employers are implementing mandatory vaccination policies for their workers. TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transportation network, and the Insurance Corporation of B.C. have announced their workers must be fully vaccinated by November. A statement from ICBC says the mandate applies to all its employees and contractors. TransLink says its directive applies […]

Call for more care workers

VICTORIA — B.C.’s seniors advocate says long-term care and assisted living residents are three and a half times more likely to contract COVID-19 and 33 times more likely to die of the disease. Isobel Mackenzie’s figures come from a report released today that recommends expanding paid sick-leave provisions for staff, hiring more registered nurses, eliminating […]

Vaccine must for gov’t workers

VICTORIA — An estimated 30,000 government employees in British Columbia will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The BC Public Service Agency said Tuesday the vaccination requirement is part of an effort to increase vaccination rates throughout the province. It has set Nov. 22 as a deadline for workers in core government services or […]