National

B.C. premier in Ottawa to discuss wildfires, infrastructure, clean energy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Sep, 2023 10:15 AM

British Columbia Premier David Eby and six of his cabinet ministers are in Ottawa for two days to meet with federal policymakers on issues including housing, wildfires, and floods.

Eby's office says the B.C. delegation will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior federal officials to discuss the clean-energy sector and support for critical infrastructure needs in communities.

Other provincial ministers on the trip include Housing Minister Ravi Khalon, Economic Development Minister Brenda Bailey, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming, Attorney General Niki Sharma, Tourism Minister Lana Popham and Nathan Cullen, the minister of water, land and resource stewardship.

Eby's visit comes as British Columbia nears the end of a record-breaking wildfire season where more than 2,200 fires have burned nearly 25,000 square kilometres.

Last month, Canada's premiers wrote to Trudeau asking for a meeting to discuss future infrastructure investment across the country.

Eby is scheduled to speak to reporters about the trip on Tuesday.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canadian diplomat expelled from China in retaliation for similar move by Ottawa

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said she would speak Tuesday afternoon with Shanghai consul Jennifer Lynn Lalonde. Joly described her in French as "a very respected career diplomat." Earlier Tuesday, Beijing declared it would expel Lalonde in retaliation for Canada's de sending a Chinese envoy packing.

Canadian diplomat expelled from China in retaliation for similar move by Ottawa

Rare May heat wave brings worries for further floods and fires: emergency minister

Ma says the unusual heat also elevates the risks of wildfires burning in B.C. There are more than 50 fires burning in B.C., most of them in the north and central part of the province, and three wildfires have prompted evacuation orders or alerts for nearby residents.

Rare May heat wave brings worries for further floods and fires: emergency minister

High temperatures in B.C. pose 'threat of new wildfires,' wildfire service warns

Evacuation orders or alerts remain in place for much of the areas surrounding the Red Creek and Boundary Lake fires, about 1,300 kilometres northeast of Vancouver. In its latest update, the B.C. Wildfire Service reported the Boundary Lake fire was an estimated 5,900 hectares. The fire at Red Creek sits at 2,800 hectares.

High temperatures in B.C. pose 'threat of new wildfires,' wildfire service warns

Victoria police arrest man for multiple break & enters

Police say they received a call on Monday morning about a break-and-enter at a residential development, and arrested the male suspect after a brief search of the building. Police say the suspect is a newcomer to Victoria and had 44 prior contacts with police this year, in addition to having been arrested a dozen times.

Victoria police arrest man for multiple break & enters

Surrey's Cloverdale Agriplex getting a $1M upgrade

A one-million dollar upgrade is being supplied through the Destination Development Fund, which will go toward making the site of the Cloverdale Rodeo more accessible and versatile.

Surrey's Cloverdale Agriplex getting a $1M upgrade

Funding investment for air quality improvement in BC schools

A joint investment of 3.2-million-dollars will go toward improving the ventilation systems at five elementary and secondary schools in the province. Two of the schools in Abbotsford will receive funding to replace heat pumps, a chiller and a direct digital controls upgrade.