An economist says the Canadian housing market could be in for a rebound this year after a cautious 2023.
T-D Bank economist Rishi Sondhi says that optimism depends largely on the forecasts of the Bank of Canada cutting interest rates, which may begin as early as the second quarter.
Home prices softened in several areas late last year, including in the Fraser Valley.
Vancouver Realtor Tim Hill says he is optimistic of consumer sentiments slowly shifting as prices improve in recent months.
Premier David Eby says an emotional conversation with the father of a 12-year-old British Columbia boy who killed himself after falling prey to online sextortion has prompted him to push for more protections for youth. Eby says the New Democrat government plans changes in the new year honouring the memory of Carson Cleland of Prince George, who police said died in October after being victimized online.
Competition with the B.C. Conservatives, who have two seats in the legislature and are riding high in opinion polls, and the name change to BC United from the BC Liberal Party, will not be major deciding factors in the October 2024 campaign, Falcon said. Vote splitting on the political right has always been an issue in B.C. elections, but the potential threat to BC United from the provincial Conservatives will fizzle when voters realize they are not Pierre Poilievre's federal Conservatives, said Falcon.
There's a bit of extra incentive to put away your vehicle keys if you are going out on New Year's Eve in Metro Vancouver. TransLink will again offer free transit across its network in the area.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says people in the Gaza Strip who have Canadian relatives will now be able to apply for temporary visas to Canada, but the federal government cannot guarantee them safe passage out of the besieged Palestinian territory. He expects the program to be up and running by Jan. 9.
A prop for a teacher’s presentation at a Vancouver secondary school set off a lockdown and an emergency response by police on Thursday. Police say a teacher at Lord Byng Secondary called 911 to report a man carrying a rifle into the school, and the emergency response team was dispatched and the school locked down while police searched for a suspect.
Environment Canada has issued two weather warnings relating to heavy rain or snow for northwestern B-C. The agency says the Kitimat region is expected to receive up to 70 millimetres of rain which could set off flash floods and leave pooling water on the roads.