Blog

Telus waives internet fees for low-income customers

The company says customers enrolled in the program will get access to high-speed internet at no cost for 60 days

Telus has announced it is automatically waiving the fees for its Internet for Good program for two months for low-income customers. The company says this will give customers enrolled in the program access to high-speed internet in their home at no cost for 60 days.…

B.C. economy to contract at least 7%: BCBC

The Business Council of British Columbia is projecting an economic contraction of between 7-12% this year

What happened: The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) is projecting the provincial economy will contract by at least 7% this year as COVID-19 pushes the world into a recession. Why it matters: An “optimistic” contraction of around 7% creates a “deep economic hole” BCBC says most provincial and federal government measures fall short of filling.…

Ottawa boosts SMB wage subsidies from 10% to 75%

What happened: Federal government unveils new supports for small businesses, including significant boost to wage subsidy Why it matters: The government says measures will be more effective at keeping workers on the payroll…

Funerals delayed, grief delayed during COVID-19

B.C. declares mortuary services an essential service during COVID-19 pandemic—still some Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam firms have had to suspend funerals, memorial services for now

B.C. families needing support when a loved one passes away will continue to receive services from funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thursday, the province declared these services essential, which means they will be encouraged to keep operating even if the pandemic requires more business shutdowns and personal isolation.…

B.C. teachers and province reach tentative contract agreement

Three-year agreement in principle includes a two-per-cent wage hike in each year

Teachers have reached a tentative agreement with the province. The three-year agreement in principle includes a two-per-cent wage hike in each year, in line with what the NDP government has insisted on.…

B.C. Liquor Stores to close on Sundays due to COVID-19

Closures to start March 29

While rumours circulated that B.C. Liquor Stores would close doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch clarified that it will only curtail shopping hours. Now, the branch states that all BC Liquor Stores will close on Sundays, commencing this Sunday, March 29.…

B.C. expands 2-1-1 phone line that enables seniors at home to get help

Province is providing United Way of the Lower Mainland with $50 million to fund the expansion

The B.C. government announced that it will provide the United Way of the Lower Mainland with $50 million to bolster support for seniors, particularly those who are staying at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of the funding will be spent to expand the province’s 2-1-1 system, to become province-wide.…

Takaya, lone wolf of Discovery Island, killed by hunter: conservation service

Grief over shooting felt around the world for wolf who starred in documentaries about species

The lone wolf that once made his solitary life on Discovery Island before being tranquillized and transported elsewhere has been shot dead by a Vancouver Island hunter, setting off worldwide waves of grief. A statement from the B.C. Conservation Officer Service confirmed the animalÕs shooting near Shawnigan Lake on Tuesday, about 50 kilometres from where it was released after transport.…

Profile on: Anna Lengstrand of Simply Sámi

Meet the Pemberton jewelry maker who’s keeping her family tradition and heritage alive

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life for everyone in our community, and local artists are no exception. Starting this week, Pique is launching a new series to highlight one Sea to Sky creative—from artisans to painters to jewelry makers—so you can learn more about them, their work and how to continue supporting artists during mass closures and cancellations throughout the community.…

People are tying white ribbons in support of health-care workers

North Vancouver resident brings initiative to her neighbourhood to support relatives in the U.S.

There may be a great distance between them, but one North Vancouver resident is doing what she can to stay close with her family across the border during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. And she’s had help and support from almost all of her neighbours as well.…

Whistler Community Foundation grants $20,000 to Whistler Community Services Society

WCSS is working with those ‘in greatest need’: WCF executive director

The Whistler Community Foundation (WCF) has granted $20,000 to Whistler Community Services Society (WCSS) in order to support its ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We wanted to direct the funds to an organization that was on the ground working with those in the greatest need at the moment,” said Claire Mozes, executive director of the WCF.…

When will I be able to eat my coworkers’ candy again?

Before self-isolation sent us sadly toting our laptops to makeshift home offices, we had a little tradition in the Pique newsroom. In fact, it was more like an unofficial commandment: If thou buys a bag of mixed candies from Delish next door, thou must share with thou fellow journalists.…

B.C releases list of “essential services” during COVID pandemic

Services are seen as vital to preserving ‘life, health, and basic societel functioing’

The B.C. government has released an exhaustive list of businesses in the province which it declares an “essential service” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Essential services, according to the province, are those daily services essential to “preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning.…

BC Ferries worker tests positive for COVID-19; up to one in three is ill

Pandemic plan augmented as ferries may ban non-essential travel

At least one BC Ferries employee has tested positive for COVID-19 and upwards of 35% of the service’s workforce is ill (although not necessarily with COVID), according to an emergency operations centre directive issued Wednesday. As a result, the government-regulated ferry service is now under “phase 4” of its pandemic plan, which prepares measures to immediately ban all non-essential travel and further reduce its service schedule.…

COVID-19 exposing thin financial margins of Canada’s Olympic athletes

Any lingering hope Sarah Pavan had about competing on this season’s professional beach volleyball circuit was crushed the day city workers came to cut down the nets on Hermosa Beach. Canada’s reigning world champion, with partner Melissa Humana-Parades, lives in the beachfront city just south of Los Angeles.…