BTS with CTV News Vancouver | Podcast

STORIES BY PENNY DAFLOS

• Planning for future of B.C. psychiatric hospital site quietly halted

  A years-long planning process to determine the future of the Riverview psychiatric hospital grounds in B.C. was quietly halted at the start of this year, CTV News has learned.

  

• Vancouver’s fire chief 'extremely frustrated' with daily fires on Downtown Eastside

  After a large fire spread from tents to a shuttered theatre on the city’s Downtown Eastside, Vancouver’s fire chief told reporters she was “incredibly frustrated” that more isn’t being done to prevent daily fires breaking out in the area.

  

• B.C. cannabis retailers say federal regulations making them targets for thieves

  B.C. cannabis retailers say federal regulations requiring them to ensure products aren't visible from the street are making them prime targets for thieves.

• Alberta reboots 'calling' campaign, British Columbians are listening

  As her neighbouring counterpart revives his "Alberta is calling" campaign, B.C.'s jobs minister is downplaying the first brain drain the province has seen in more than a decade.

• 'It’s challenging': Issues persist as B.C. modernizes hospital technology

  British Columbia’s two biggest health authorities are pushing ahead with the massive task of modernizing the information technology systems in their hospitals, with issues already plaguing the effort.

• IHIT tight-lipped on body found in Maple Ridge

  More than a day after a middle-aged man was found dead in the parking lot of a Maple Ridge high school, Mounties haven't released any new information or whether they believe he was murdered.

• Fraser Health orders review after patient left bleeding overnight in hallway

  In yet another example of B.C.'s health-care system being at the breaking point, Fraser Health has ordered a review after a patient was left in a hallway overnight while bleeding heavily from an untreated miscarriage.

• $150M toward texting, but no new staff in B.C. funding to 911 service

  The B.C. government has pledged $150 million to upgrade the province's aging 911 system with new technology that will allow people to report emergencies by text message, but acknowledges the lump-sum funding won’t improve response times.

• Seniors, teachers, transit, business: The disappointments in B.C.'s 2023 budget

  Despite cutting cheques adding up to a multi-billion-dollar deficit, British Columbia's provincial government is facing disappointment and criticism from those feeling left out of the budget.

• Millions toward climate resiliency, parks and forest management in B.C. budget

  While health care, housing, public safety and affordability concerns dominated the 2023 provincial budget, B.C.'s government has dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars towards natural disasters, forest management and provincial park maintenance.

• B.C. spending nearly $500M on public safety

  There was little new spending in B.C.’s 2023 budget for public safety, with much of it announced within days of David Eby being sworn in as premier in the fall, but the document confirmed it’s a large spending priority for his government.

• Budget includes $6.4B in new funding for health care and training in B.C.

  The B.C. government is pouring more money into the province’s beleaguered health-care system, committing an additional $6.4 billion in funding over three years.

• B.C. budget: Rebates, benefits and freebies keeping money in your pocket

  The provincial budget will mean billions of dollars in new spending for health care, housing, public safety and other government-provided services, but it’s also coming with credits and rebates that’ll leave more money in the bank accounts of British Columbians.

• New spending and a 'refreshed' housing strategy on the horizon for B.C.

  As part of its deficit budget, the B.C. government is plugging $4.2 billion into operating and capital funding for its housing strategy over the next three years – but the full details aren’t yet available.