Dirk Meissner

Reporter with The Canadian Press

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240 Articles

B.C. Minister of Housing and government house leader Ravi Kahlon speaks during an announcement about the construction of new modular housing projects to house the homeless, in Vancouver, on Dec.14, 2022. File photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Two dozen new bills to hit the table in B.C.'s spring legislature sitting

A refreshed housing plan and health care, public safety, environment and cost-of-living initiatives will be the focus of the British Columbia New Democrat government's political agenda over the coming months, says house leader Ravi Kahlon.

News, Politics | February 6th 2023

Premier David Eby looks on as ministers are sworn in during a ceremony at Government House in Victoria, B.C., Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. Photo by: The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito

Eby set to spend big with budget windfall

Eby said the New Democrat government's priorities are the same as those of B.C. residents — affordability, cost of living, public safety, health care and housing.

News | December 30th 2022

A man holds a lit cigarette while smoking in San Francisco, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. File photo by The Associated Press/Jeff Chiu

Tobacco market in B.C. is 30 to 50 per cent contraband, retailers, industry fear

At first, Cory Holland thought government anti-smoking measures were working when he noticed tobacco sales at his British Columbia convenience store started to drop.

News | December 16th 2022

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma is congratulated by Premier David Eby after being sworn in during a ceremony at Government House in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. Photo by The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito

Finance minister out in B.C. cabinet shuffle

British Columbia Premier David Eby unveiled a new-look cabinet on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, that elevates several first-time ministers to prominent positions, retains veterans in long-held posts and moves the finance minister to a post-secondary education portfolio.

News, Politics | December 8th 2022

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks after being sworn in as the province's 37th premier during a ceremony at the Musqueam Nation in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. File photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Eby to announce cabinet, sparking speculation about early election

Political pundits are expecting Premier David Eby to appoint new cabinet ministers who have fire in their bellies for the challenging jobs ahead, and the possibility of an early election call.

News, Politics | December 7th 2022

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference, in Vancouver, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. File photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

B.C. prepared to cancel surgeries as hospitals fill with respiratory cases

Plans to make room for patients with respiratory illnesses by cancelling surgeries are in place in British Columbia hospitals, says Health Minister Adrian Dix, as parents worry about long emergency room waits with sick children.

News, Politics | November 25th 2022

B.C. Premier David Eby announces a new public safety plan in Vancouver, on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Eby is expected to announce his government's plans to take on the housing affordability crisis today. Photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

B.C. government's to introduce rental changes, supply laws to boost housing supply

The British Columbia government has introduced sweeping changes to boost the housing supply, and while local governments say they want to do their part, they're concerned about effects the laws will have on their communities.

News, Politics | November 22nd 2022

British Columbia's incoming premier David Eby arrives for a news conference in a park in downtown Vancouver, on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022. File photo by The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward

Incoming B.C. premier David Eby vows to tackle desperate conditions in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

British Columbia's incoming premier says he will lead a government push to transform Vancouver's Downtown Eastside from a neighbourhood of desperation into one that's healthy and safe.

News, Politics | November 17th 2022

Poultry farmer Corry Spitters poses for a photograph in one of his chicken barns in Abbotsford, B.C., on Thursday, November 10, 2022. File photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

B.C. is recovering from last year's climate disasters, but future problems loom on horizon

When a dike was breached and floodwaters started to flow across British Columbia's Sumas Prairie a year ago, poultry farmer Corry Spitters said all he could do was let nature take its course.

News | November 14th 2022

B.C. Premier John Horgan speaks, in Whistler, B.C., on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. File photo by The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Exiting B.C. Premier Horgan says he learned to listen to everyone, including adversaries

John Horgan says some of the greatest lessons he learned while premier of British Columbia came from people considered political adversaries.

News, Politics | October 31st 2022