Author: Andrew Rogers

Sparkling wine in Canada is proving to be more than just a trend. While the market in both the U.S. and Canada slowed slightly in 2023 and 2024, Canadian sales still remained strong—over 25% higher than pre-pandemic levels. That’s a clear sign that this bubbly favorite is here to stay. Across the country, wineries continue to expand their sparkling wine production. The 2025 WineAlign National Wine Awards, recently held in Penticton, highlighted just how far the industry has come. These awards, which include a two-week rollout of winners in various categories, began by spotlighting the top sparkling wines from across…

Nine golfers from Williams Lake are set to compete at the 3rd Annual British Columbia Indigenous Golf Championship. The event takes place from July 21 to 23, 2025, at the St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino in Cranbrook, B.C. The local players include Crystal Wells, Anthony Robbins, Doyle Flaherty, Darcy Flaherty, Drent Louie, Michelle Palmer, Kolby Paul, and Jared Pukacz. Crystal Wells, a three-time participant, said, “Our Williams Lake area is always well-represented.” Organized by British Columbia Golf, this championship began in 2023. It aims to celebrate Indigenous golfers of all ages. Players compete in both gross and net divisions.…

A new health study has started in British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky region after four people developed serious illness linked to mosquito bites. The patients were infected with viruses from the California Serogroup, which led to brain swelling. Though all four people recovered, health officials were alarmed by the severity of the symptoms. These viruses are not new to the province, but it is rare to see them cause such strong effects. Officials believe all four people were infected in the Sea-to-Sky region, which stretches from Howe Sound to Whistler and Pemberton. As a result, health teams are now working to better…

The United Kingdom has announced that 16-year-olds will be allowed to vote in the next general election scheduled for 2029. This move has started new talks in British Columbia about lowering Canada’s voting age as well. Canada last changed its voting age in 1992, reducing it from 21 to 18, following a similar move by the U.K. Now, people are wondering if Canada will again follow the U.K.’s lead and allow younger voters to have a say. In British Columbia, the idea of reducing the voting age to 16 is not new. Over the years, various efforts have been made…

Health authorities in Canada have added British Columbia and Saskatchewan to the list of provinces affected by a growing contaminated salami recall. The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed that 87 people across the country have become sick after eating tainted salami and cacciatore meats. Nine of those people have been hospitalized. The affected meats were previously known to be sold in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Officials now say the recalled products were also distributed in grocery stores, delis, cafes, butcher shops, and specialty food markets in the two newly added provinces. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has…

A proposed class-action settlement over the use of solitary confinement in British Columbia’s correctional system could see the province pay up to $60 million in compensation. The settlement still needs final approval from the B.C. Supreme Court. On Saturday, the law firm Proactio announced that eligible individuals could receive up to $91,000, depending on how long they were kept in solitary and their mental health status at the time. The lawsuit claims that the B.C. government harmed inmates by placing them in solitary confinement for long periods. It says this caused serious emotional, physical, and mental suffering. The class includes…

A 33-year-old man from Richmond, British Columbia, has been charged with second-degree murder after the death of a woman he had been in a relationship with. Police say the tragic incident happened on Friday morning when officers were called to a home on Capstan Way. The call came in as a report of a woman with serious injuries. Emergency crews responded quickly and rushed the woman to the hospital. Sadly, she was later pronounced dead. The RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is leading the case. Investigators worked through the day to collect evidence and speak with witnesses. On Saturday,…

Salami and cacciatore products that caused a salmonella outbreak were also sold in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, health officials confirmed. The number of people who have become ill from eating these contaminated meats has now risen to 87 across Canada. Of these, nine individuals have been hospitalized. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency had earlier reported that the affected products were sold in Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. With the addition of B.C. and Saskatchewan, the contaminated meat has now been found in six provinces. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness. It spreads through contaminated food,…

The Greater Victoria arts community is receiving a major boost, with over $3 million in funding from the British Columbia Arts Council for 2024 and 2025. This new support will benefit more than 55 local organizations, artists, and cultural events across Oak Bay, Victoria, and Saanich. The funding aims to help build a stronger connection between people in the region while keeping creativity alive and accessible. The announcement was made on July 16 by MLAs Diana Gibson and Nina Krieger. They expressed strong support for the local arts scene and highlighted the importance of this investment. Gibson praised the area’s…

George Chow, a respected and experienced public leader, has been appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for the Downtown Eastside and Chinatown in July 2025. With a deep connection to the area and years of political service, Chow is expected to bring meaningful change to two of Vancouver’s most historic and challenged neighborhoods. Chow has represented Vancouver-Fraserview as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) since 2017. He was re-elected in 2020 and again in 2024. Before joining the provincial legislature, he served as a city councillor in Vancouver for two consecutive terms from 2005 to 2011. His long record in…