No push from brokers to end B.C. government monopoly on auto insurance
March 7, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorDespite the fact that British Columbia’s government monopoly auto insurer lost almost $1 billion in the first nine months of last year alone, brokers in the province are not seeing a push from motorists to open the market to competition.…
How British Columbia will handle auto accident benefit disputes
February 14, 2018 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorA new dispute resolution system for auto insurance in British Columbia will probably focus both on first-party accident benefit disputes and resolving claims from minor injuries, but the details have yet to be worked out, a spokesperson for the province’s…
More than 200 Canadian military members to help police deal with B.C. wildfires
July 21, 2017 THE CANADIAN PRESSKAMLOOPS, B.C. – Hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces members will support the police response to devastating wildfires in British Columbia, bringing some relief to scores of exhausted officers on the ground. About 225 soldiers travelled on Thursday from CFB Edmonton…
Wildfires prompt evacuations on outskirts of Penticton, B.C.
July 20, 2017 THE CANADIAN PRESSPENTICTON, B.C. – Residents of a rural area on the outskirts of Penticton, B.C., on Thursday joined the more than 45,000 people in British Columbia who have fled their homes due to fast-moving fires. The blaze broke out around 9…
British Columbia extends state of emergency two weeks due to wildfires
July 19, 2017 THE CANADIAN PRESSVICTORIA – British Columbia’s new government is extending the state of emergency for two more weeks as wildfires sweeping across the province’s Interior show no signs of slowing. Premier John Horgan said his government’s first priority is to support the…
B.C. officials face challenges in bringing people home after fire evacuations
July 18, 2017 THE CANADIAN PRESSKAMLOOPS, B.C. – A British Columbia official says getting people to safety as fast-Moving wildfires approached was only half the battle _ the other half will be returning them home. Al Richmond, chairman of the Cariboo Regional District in B.C.’s…
Two wildfires break out in British Columbia
May 24, 2017 THE CANADIAN PRESSVERNON, B.C. – The BC Wildfire Service is responding to two separate blazes that broke out on Tuesday, including one that has prompted an evacuation alert. A fire in the north Okanagan, northwest of Lumby, was fanned by high winds…
Safety management systems should be mandatory for all tug and barge operators: Transportation Safety Board of Canada
May 15, 2017 by Greg MeckbachThe federal transport department does not have an adequate inspection program for tug barge operations even though such operations can be riskier than conventional cargo-carrying vessels, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada suggested in a recent report. “Tug and barge…
Free windshield chip repair to be included in ICBC optional coverage
February 8, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterInsurance Corporation of British Columbia announced Wednesday it will offer optional coverage for windshield repair for private passenger vehicles as well as some commercial light vehicles. “Starting this spring, customers who purchase ICBC’s optional comprehensive coverage will be able to…
Search and rescue crews in B.C. launch UAV pilot
December 12, 2016 by Canadian UnderwriterEmergency Management BC (EMBC) announced on Friday its endorsement of a one-year pilot project for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) by search and rescue crews in Coquitlam and Kamloops. Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi…
Wildfire still active, 75% contained in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley
August 24, 2016 THE CANADIAN PRESSWEST KELOWNA, B.C. — Visitors forced to flee from a campsite in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley ahead of a raging wildfire on Sunday night will have a chance to retrieve abandoned items. The Central Okanagan Regional District says people who…
Vancouver area wildfire 60% contained, industrial park evacuation ends
July 6, 2016 Camille Bains - THE CANADIAN PRESSDELTA, B.C. – Weather is not considered a factor in the cause of a wildfire at a unique peat bog in Delta, B.C., as crews contained about 60% of the blaze on Tuesday, the fire chief says. Dan Copeland said…