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The Nechako River is seen flowing through Vanderhoof, B.C., in an Oct. 12, 2021, handout photo. A British Columbia regional district and three neighbouring First Nations have agreed to work together to restore a river that has been diverted for the last 70 years in order to generate hydroelectricity for aluminum smelting and the province’s power grid. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Johnny Ketlo, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

First Nations, regional district in B.C. working together to restore diverted Nechako River

The Nechako, among the major tributaries of the Fraser River, runs through the town of Vanderhoof

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, embraces Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as they attend the opening ceremony of the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit, in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. Canada and India are quietly setting the stage to reboot formal free trade talks as the Trudeau government seeks economic alternatives to China following the dispute over the two Michaels affair. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Alberto Pezzali

India pushes renewed trade talks with Canada in aftermath of two Michaels China woes

Canada began trade talks with India a decade ago under the Conservative government of Stephen Harper

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau surveys the damage left behind from the flood waters in Abbotsford, B.C., Friday, November 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Evacuation ordered in Abbotsford area, flood watches issued as rain pummels southern B.C.

Residents have been told they must leave the area immediately

A sign reading ‘Stay safe’ in Regent Street, in London, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday, and stocks plunged in Asia and Europe in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

COVID variant spreads to more countries as world on alert

Italy and Germany were the latest to report confirmed cases of the omicron variant

A sign reading ‘Stay safe’ in Regent Street, in London, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday, and stocks plunged in Asia and Europe in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Gas prices are displayed on a pump at a gas station in Montreal, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Canadians will get a short reprieve from rising fuel prices as fears about a virulent new COVID-19 variant are expected to provide about an 11 cents per litre break on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Canadians to get biggest drop in gasoline prices since 2009 over COVID variant fears

The national average price could drop to about $1.32 per litre but will begin to rise again midweek

Gas prices are displayed on a pump at a gas station in Montreal, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Canadians will get a short reprieve from rising fuel prices as fears about a virulent new COVID-19 variant are expected to provide about an 11 cents per litre break on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Debris is pictured along a flooded road in Abbotsford, B.C., Thursday, November 25, 2021. British Columbia’s Transportation Ministry is proactively closing several highways Saturday as another storm hammers the already-saturated south coast. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Evacuation alerts, highway closures as more rain hammers southern B.C.

Weather warnings blanketed much of the province’s south Saturday

Debris is pictured along a flooded road in Abbotsford, B.C., Thursday, November 25, 2021. British Columbia’s Transportation Ministry is proactively closing several highways Saturday as another storm hammers the already-saturated south coast. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
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Vancouver International Airport (YVR Airport/Twitter)
COVID-19 variant prompts ban on travellers from southern Africa
Vanderhoof RCMP detachment seen on Nov. 25, 2021, after a man was seen with a long gun targeting the building. (Aman Parhar/Vanderhoof Omineca Express)
VIDEO: Suspect arrested in Vanderhoof after active shooter sparks city-wide lockdown
Damage caused by heavy rains and mudslides is shown in this aerial photo along the Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt, B.C., on Monday, November 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. officials urge residents to prep for more storms, say food supply is stable
A farm is surrounded by flood waster as seen from a fly over of the flood damage in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, November 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Financial aid coming to flood evacuees as B.C. officials warn of rainy, ‘challenging’ days ahead
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau surveys the damage left behind from the flood waters in Abbotsford, B.C., Friday, November 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Stressful weekend weather watch on further Fraser Valley flooding

Abbotsford mayor cites Nooksack River overflow as key factor in rising water

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau surveys the damage left behind from the flood waters in Abbotsford, B.C., Friday, November 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Highway 1 is pictured during a fly over the flood damage in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, November 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Nooksack River expected to reach ‘moderate’ flood stage with weekend rain: City of Abbotsford

With damage to dike systems, more water could cross the border into Abbotsford on Sunday

Highway 1 is pictured during a fly over the flood damage in Abbotsford, B.C., Tuesday, November 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A logo for Netflix on a remote control in Portland, Ore. is shown on Aug. 13, 2020. With Parliament having resumed, Canadians can expect to see the Liberal government make the reintroduction of what was previously known as Bill C-10 a priority.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jenny Kane

Media experts agree action is needed, but urge caution on how streaming is regulated

The Liberals have promised to quickly reintroduce legislation aimed at reforming the Broadcasting Act

A logo for Netflix on a remote control in Portland, Ore. is shown on Aug. 13, 2020. With Parliament having resumed, Canadians can expect to see the Liberal government make the reintroduction of what was previously known as Bill C-10 a priority.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jenny Kane
Shoppers wait in line at an electronics store in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, amid a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘Not like it normally is’: Black Friday shoppers hunt for deals

Canadians report mixed experiences of Black Friday deals

Shoppers wait in line at an electronics store in Calgary, Alta., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, amid a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
RCMP. (Phil McLachlan photo)

Systemic racism in policing across B.C. demands reform says Human Rights Commissioner

B.C. Human Rights Commission report calls for systemic change

  • Nov 27, 2021
RCMP. (Phil McLachlan photo)
Funding applications opened on Nov. 15 for the community shuttle bus grant and close soon on Dec. 23. A BC Transit bus is shown in Prince Rupert on Nov. 25. (Photo: Norman Galimski/The Northern View)

NDIT applications open for community shuttle bus funding

Short window of time to apply

Funding applications opened on Nov. 15 for the community shuttle bus grant and close soon on Dec. 23. A BC Transit bus is shown in Prince Rupert on Nov. 25. (Photo: Norman Galimski/The Northern View)
One of the flooded farms in Sumas Prairie from an aerial tour with provincial officials, Nov. 23, 2021. Some farms are recovering but more heavy rain is expected. (B.C. government photo)

B.C., Ottawa to match flood relief donations to Canadian Red Cross

Trudeau, Horgan tour flooded Abbotsford area to see damage

One of the flooded farms in Sumas Prairie from an aerial tour with provincial officials, Nov. 23, 2021. Some farms are recovering but more heavy rain is expected. (B.C. government photo)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a statement about a new COVID-19 variant of concern, “Omicron.” Pictured here, Henry receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination in October. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. health officials report 341 new COVID cases, issue statement on Omicron variant

Effect of ‘Omicron’ variant on transmission and severity not yet known

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a statement about a new COVID-19 variant of concern, “Omicron.” Pictured here, Henry receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination in October. (B.C. government photo)
Work is being done on a section of the Coquihalla Highway after damage was caused by heavy rains and mudslides north of Hope, B.C., on Monday, November 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Hwy. 3, 99 and parts of Hwy. 1 to close over weekend as heavy rainfall sparks slide concerns

3 atmospheric rivers set to hit the region after last week’s flooding

Work is being done on a section of the Coquihalla Highway after damage was caused by heavy rains and mudslides north of Hope, B.C., on Monday, November 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Chilliwack’s Aaron Tschritter died in a car crash in the early hours of Nov. 25 in Texas. (Melissa Tschritter/ Facebook photo)

UPDATE: Chilliwack man reported missing dies in car crash in Texas

Chilliwack Realtor Aaron Tschritter died in an early-morning crash on expressway in Dallas

Chilliwack’s Aaron Tschritter died in a car crash in the early hours of Nov. 25 in Texas. (Melissa Tschritter/ Facebook photo)
An atmospheric river led to flooding across Metro Vancouver on Nov. 14. Three more are forecast for the weekend into next week, according to Environment Canada. (Shane MacKichan)

Environment Canada issues ‘red alert’ with 3 atmospheric rivers in the forecast

Atmospheric river on Nov. 26 saw 40-60 mm in areas of B.C.

An atmospheric river led to flooding across Metro Vancouver on Nov. 14. Three more are forecast for the weekend into next week, according to Environment Canada. (Shane MacKichan)
B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, Delta South MLA Ian Paton and Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun meet with farmers from the Sumas Prairie, Nov. 23, 2021. (B.C. government photo)

Fraser Valley milk production returns, B.C. ranchers pitch in

Okanagan, Kootenay dairy farms shipping to Alberta

B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, Delta South MLA Ian Paton and Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun meet with farmers from the Sumas Prairie, Nov. 23, 2021. (B.C. government photo)
A worker walks past the West block as Parliament returns, in Ottawa, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. The government has introduced a bill today to create 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, and also to create criminal code offences for anyone threatening a health care worker. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals push sick leave, crack down on health-care worker harassment in single bill

Bill would provide 10 days of paid sick leave to federally regulated workers

A worker walks past the West block as Parliament returns, in Ottawa, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. The government has introduced a bill today to create 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, and also to create criminal code offences for anyone threatening a health care worker. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
FILE - This undated file image provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication. U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but raises safety issues for pregnant women. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. (Merck & Co. via AP, File)

U.S. FDA says Merck COVID pill effective, experts will review safety

Drug would be the first that U.S. patients could take at home to ease symptoms and speed recovery

FILE - This undated file image provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication. U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but raises safety issues for pregnant women. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. (Merck & Co. via AP, File)