VIDEO: 65 proud new Canadians

A bunch of proud new Canadians are waving their red and white flags after taking the Oath of Citizenship this week in Kelowna. A total of 65 local residents became official Canadian citizens on Wednesday at a joy-filled ceremony held at the Rotary Centre of the Arts.

Safehaven continues preparations for Syrian refugee family arrival

They fled their home north of Aleppo for Turkey, but with the assistance of a local refugee sponsorship group in the Comox Valley, a Syrian family of seven is hoping to soon call the Valley home. Formed in February 2016, Safehaven: Refugee Sponsorship Group is assisting the family with its quest to immigrate to Canada, and as such, has raised more than $64,000 to help bring that goal to fruition.

Cold snap freezes bridge in fixed position

Icy roads have created havoc for Metro Vancouverites this winter, and now boats near Westham Island are being affected by the cold. Chris Bryan with TransLink says the Westham Island Bridge, which connects the Island to Ladner Village, will remain in a “fixed” position.

Shuswap MLA satisfied with 2016

We are on track to have our entire operating debt written off in 2019, and that’s the first time since 1954. “It’s been a great year, with significant highway and infrastructure improvements,” he said, noting he was particularly pleased with the Malakwa Bridge project, which was on time and on budget, as well as the advancement of the Perry River bridge project.

Canadian school ban’s Israelis because of ‘settlements’

A trade school in Canada which banned Israeli applicants due to Israel’s alleged “illegal settlement activity” rescinded the ban on Tuesday following an intervention by B’nai Brith Canada and members of the Canadian Jewish community. Stav Daron, an Israeli engineering student and amateur carpenter, had hoped to take a course at the Island School of Building Arts , located on Gabriola Island in the province of British Columbia.

Top 10 most well-read stories of 2016

According to analytics from www.peacearchnews.com, here’s a ‘top 10’ list of the most well-read stories of 2016. Geographical data reported that 85 per cent of readers accessed the website from Canada, 10 per cent from the U.S., and the other five per cent was from the rest of the world – including every continent and almost every country.

Vancouver hotel manager guided newcomers into Canadian life

The families endured a frustrating period waiting to start their lives in a new land, but Mr. Ali and his staff tried their best to make the hotel feel like a home. The families endured a frustrating period waiting to start their lives in a new land, but Mr. Ali and his staff tried their best to make the hotel feel like a home.

Trudeau promises two emergency towing vessels for West Coast

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says two emergency towing vessels that were promised as part of a federal plan to protect Canada’s oceans will operate on the West Coast. The vessels will help the coast guard tow large commercial ships that are in distress and pose a hazard to navigation and the marine environment.

REPLAY: B.C. this week in video

Recreational marijuana could be sold in storefronts to Canadians 18 and older if the federal government materializes recommendations made by a task force that was set to explore the legalization of the drug. See More > It’s been almost a week since a large-scale apartment fire left a dozen Langley residents homeless.

Vancouver Island cannabis growers high on legal pot prospects

Tilray president Brendan Kennedy says the company will enter the recreational marijuana market but with a different brand and product than its medical marijuana line. Licensed medical marijuana producers on Vancouver Island are already angling for expansion into a legalized recreational market as proposed new rules take shape.