British Columbia is getting a new phone area code next year.
The 2-5-7 area code will be introduced gradually starting May 24th.
It follows a decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission aimed at meeting the growing demand for new phone numbers.
Kelly Walsh with the Canadian Numbering Administrator says the addition of a new area code creates millions of additional phone numbers
The announcement comes as ICBC reported $117 million in net income for the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year, alongside lower investment income and a significant decline in value for the insurer's equity investments by the fall.
Association president Chris Gardner says the reward will go to anyone providing information leading to arrests and charges against the "thugs and criminals" behind the attack, which RCMP say caused millions of dollars in damage.
Last week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province was seeing a "dramatic increase" in illness and it arrived sooner than the seasonal flu usually would. Health Minister Adrian Dix said at the same time that provincial emergency rooms had been seeing a peak of up to 6,900 patients daily.
The provincial and territorial leaders issued their call for a sit-down with Trudeau after a closed-door meeting in Winnipeg, one month after talks with the federal government on health-care funding ended without an agreement.
The centre says in a new update that influenza A was the most detected virus in B.C. last week, while wastewater tests indicate a slow increase in COVID-19 infections. It says B.C. is experiencing an unusual season for respiratory illnesses with "unusual characteristics," including an intense early surge in cases and the flu-related deaths of children and youth.
Police found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle and immediately began lifesaving measures. The woman later passed away due to her injuries on scene. This is believed to be an isolated incident.