22/12/08

Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson is the new Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction in Premier David Eby’s new cabinet. She was previously minister for mental health and addictions since November, 2020. Eby unveiled his new cabinet on Wednesday, setting up his government after taking over from John Horgan in November. The ministry outlines its role as focusing on providing British Columbians in need with a system of supports to help them achieve their social and economic potential. MORE

The next British Columbia election is scheduled for the fall of 2024, the new cabinet named Wednesday could set in motion the countdown for an early vote next fall, said Prof. David Black, a political communications expert at Victoria's Royal Roads University. "My working theory of the shuffle is tied to what I believe is an election in 2023,'' he said. "I don't see the political calculus in waiting for the fall of 2024. If you look at our fiscal situation, which right now is healthy, but next year is not looking very good with growth projections very low.'' MORE

Canada Post is upping its surcharges on domestic parcels as we head into the Christmas season to offset the increased prices at the pump. The fuel surcharge was raised to 37 per cent for domestic services, up six points since May 2021. The surcharges are based on the average price of diesel across Canada as measured by Kalibrate Technologies Ltd., an independent company that monitors fuel prices in Canada. MORE

Gas prices continue to fall in Nanaimo, dropping as low as $1.549 for regular gasoline. The highest price shown on Gas Buddy last night was $1.599. Enjoy it while it lasts. GAS BUDDY.

If you’re planning to get a mortgage, it will cost you more again. The Bank of Canada raised its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point to 4.25 per cent on Wednesday, in its efforts to tamp down inflation. However, relief could be on  the way. The central bank also signalled that a pause in rate hikes could be coming. The Governing Council will consider whether the interest rate needs to rise further to bring supply and demand back into balance and return inflation to target, the Bank of Canada statement read. MORE 

Six children in B.C. have died from a flu-related illness this season, health officials have confirmed. The BC Centre for Disease Control said it is aware of six reports of influenza-associated deaths among children and youth (under the age of 19) in the province. In a statement to Global News, the BCCDC said early findings indicate some of the children experienced secondary bacterial infections contributing to severe illness which can be a complication of influenza. MORE

An anonymous B.C. philanthropist has donated $33.8 million to advancefor multiple sclerosis research in B.C. The University of British Columbia says it's the largest known donation for MS research and care worldwide and will help fill the gaps in B.C. in increasing capacity and working on new therapies. It will also provide patients in the province with opportunities to join clinical trials that may have otherwise been hard to come by, the university says. MORE