Tsunamis are rare but potentially devastating events. While many areas along coastal B.C. could be at risk in the event of a tsunami, scientific and technical experts generally agree that Victoria, eastern Vancouver Island, Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland face a low level of risk.

To provide clear and consistent information for all B.C. communities, Emergency Management BC has divided the coast into five notification zones, identified by different colours on the accompanying map. All provincial tsunami alerts will refer to these five zones, each of which includes all islands and inlets within its described area.

BLUE = North Coast & Haida Gwaii

YELLOW = Central Coast and Northeast Vancouver Island Coast

RED = Outer West Coast of Vancouver Island

PURPLE = Juan de Fuca Strait

GREEN = Strait of Georgia

B.C. Supreme Court Ruling on Cowichan Title Sparks Debate Over Property Rights

The B.C. Supreme Court’s recent Cowichan decision has ignited widespread concern over private property rights, marking the first time in Canadian history that Aboriginal title has been declared over fee simple land—property previously thought to be privately owned without dispute. The ruling affects both public and private holdings in the City of Richmond.

What the Court Decided

The court recognized Aboriginal title over roughly 7.5 square kilometres of land in Richmond, an unprecedented legal development in Canada. Certain Crown and municipal land grants were deemed defective, meaning they were not legally valid and could not supersede Aboriginal title.

Impact on Homeowners and Businesses

The affected area includes multimillion-dollar homes, farms, industrial properties, and golf courses. Residents reportedly received no direct notice before the ruling, leading to confusion and frustration. A collective property tax appeal has been launched, arguing that the uncertainty surrounding title has reduced property values and resale potential.

Government and Legal Response

The provincial government intends to seek a stay of implementation while the case is reviewed by the B.C. Court of Appeal. Richmond’s legal counsel has urged residents to press the province to lift restrictions that limited its lawyers’ ability to oppose the Aboriginal title claim. The Cowichan Tribes emphasized that the ruling does not invalidate private property ownership and criticized political commentary suggesting otherwise.

Broader Context and Concerns

Critics contend that B.C.’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and its provincial counterpart, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), may have influenced the court’s reasoning. The case sets a new precedent for Aboriginal title recognition in urban areas and could have implications across the province. The decision has fueled broader public debate about the security of property rights in regions where Indigenous land claims remain unresolved.

What’s Next

The B.C. Court of Appeal is expected to hear the case within the next 18 months, during which implementation of the ruling remains suspended. The Cowichan Tribes may pursue an expansion of their recognized title area. The case could prompt the province to review its land title systems, reconciliation framework, and procedures for notifying affected landowners.

John Rustad has secured a decisive victory in the British Columbia Conservative Party’s leadership review, with approximately 70.66% of members voting in favor of his continued leadership.

Of the 1,268 eligible voters, 70.66% supported Rustad’s leadership, while 29.34% opposed. Across the province’s 93 ridings, Rustad won in 78, lost in 10, tied in 3, and 2 ridings recorded no votes.

In his remarks following the vote, Rustad expressed gratitude to party members for engaging in the democratic process. He described the review as a way to “localize democracy,” allowing grassroots voices to be heard. “I believe the members have given me a mandate to lead,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to building a “common sense Conservative government.”

The review was overseen by returning officer Mark Robertson, with vote counting conducted by an independent third party. Robertson also coordinated voting logistics throughout the summer, traveling across the province to ensure accessibility.

Alongside the leadership review, members voted on Rustad’s 11-point Leadership Pledge, which received 80.05% approval.

Highlights from the pledge include:

• Strengthening measures against violent crime

• Protecting children in educational settings

• Upholding property rights

• Reducing taxes

• Restricting immigration

• Focusing on economic growth and healthcare reform

Additional proposals outlined in the pledge involve banning “age-inappropriate content” in schools, expediting legal action for random assaults, implementing voter ID requirements, hand-counting ballots, and ending mass immigration policies.

Understanding a Leadership Review

A leadership review is a formal mechanism within a political party to assess whether its current leader continues to hold the confidence of party members. Depending on the party’s rules, it may occur automatically at regular intervals, following an election, or be initiated through a petition by members.

During the review, members typically cast a “yes” or “no” vote on the leader’s future. If the leader fails to meet the required threshold—often a simple majority or a higher benchmark set by the party—it can trigger a leadership contest or prompt the leader to step down.

These reviews serve as a barometer of internal support and overall party cohesion. A strong result can solidify a leader’s authority, while a weaker outcome may expose fractures within the party or spark calls for new direction.

Former Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to reappear before a parliamentary committee following the release of documents that raise fresh concerns about her involvement in BC Ferries’ recent procurement decision.

Emails obtained through access-to-information requests reveal that senior Transport Canada officials were informed in April of BC Ferries’ plan to award a contract to a Chinese state-owned shipyard for the construction of four new vessels. This disclosure appears to contradict Freeland’s earlier claim that she was unaware of the decision until it became public in June.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank had approved a loan of approximately $1.1 billion in March to support the fleet renewal project, though the identity of the selected shipbuilder was not disclosed at the time.

Freeland stepped down as Transport Minister earlier this month to take on a new role as Special Envoy for Ukraine. In response, the House of Commons transport committee passed a motion to recall her for further testimony. Additional witnesses from Transport Canada, BC Ferries, and Canadian shipyards may also be summoned to clarify the timeline and decision-making process.

Critics have raised concerns about the transparency of the procurement, its potential impact on domestic shipbuilding jobs, and whether federal support is being distributed fairly across regions. The federal government has defended the loan as a necessary investment in BC Ferries’ aging fleet, while broader debates over shipbuilding policy and oversight continue. 

Key developments:

• In late April, BC Ferries president Nicolas Jimenez emailed Transport Canada’s Deputy Minister Arun Thangaraj with details about contracting a Chinese shipyard for new vessels.

• Despite this, Freeland publicly expressed surprise when BC Ferries formally announced its procurement plan in June.

• The Canada Infrastructure Bank had approved a $1.1 billion loan in late March to fund the four new vessels from Weihai Shipyards (a Chinese state-owned outfit), but did not disclose the shipbuilder at the time.

Political fallout & scrutiny:

• Freeland resigned from her post as Transport Minister, taking on the role of Special Envoy for Ukraine.

• After the revelations, MPs passed a motion calling for her to return to testify before the Commons transport committee. Others involved — including officials from Transport Canada, BC Ferries, and Canadian shipyards — may also appear in additional hearings.

• Conservative MP Dan Albas has sharply criticized the handling of the contract, suggesting that Freeland’s narrative of surprise is undermined by the internal correspondence. He claims this raises serious concerns about protecting Canadian jobs.

• B.C. Premier David Eby has called attention to what he sees as inconsistency and unfairness in federal support: pointing out that Eastern Canadian ferry operators have received full funding for similar vessels (some from the same shipyard), while BC Ferries is only receiving a subsidized loan.

What’s at issue:

• The timeline: who knew what and when, and whether officials misled the public about their prior knowledge of the deal.

• Transparency and oversight: demands for the release of related records (including contracts, briefing notes, and communication between parties) have intensified.

• The implications for Canadian shipbuilding, federal-provincial relations, and procurement policy especially when foreign, state-owned manufacturers are involved.

Starting October 1, winter tires are mandatory on many B.C. highways. Make sure your tires meet the requirements:

M+S (Mud + Snow) or Mountain/Snowflake tires are both acceptable, but they must have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth.

• M+S tires – Suitable for regions with lighter or occasional winter conditions. Extra caution is needed on snowy or icy roads.
• Mountain/Snowflake tires – Recommended if you regularly drive in snow, slush, or ice. These provide the best traction in harsh winter conditions.

Check with your tire retailer to choose the right option for the roads you travel most. The right tires will help keep you safe all winter long.

Amid mounting financial strain for many Canadians, the country’s rising immigration levels—particularly through temporary foreign workers and international students—are increasingly associated with elevated youth unemployment and concerns over wage suppression.

While some attribute these labour market challenges to deeper systemic economic issues, calls for reform are now emerging across the political spectrum. B.C. Premier David Eby, for instance, has advocated for a reassessment or potential cancellation of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, arguing that the influx of nearly one million foreign workers has triggered a wage-depressing “race to the bottom” that disproportionately benefits corporations.

At the federal level, efforts to “reinvent the economy” through ambiguous promises tied to artificial intelligence have drawn skepticism. Critics point to a history of heavy spending, ballooning debt, and underwhelming outcomes. Canada’s assertive trade stance with the United States has similarly failed to yield meaningful gains, coinciding with negative GDP growth and rising unemployment.

Despite official claims of trade diversification, exports beyond the U.S. have declined. The only significant uptick has come from oil shipments via the Trans Mountain Pipeline—an initiative now widely viewed as a costly misstep following federal acquisition and mismanagement.

Canada’s economic trajectory remains troubling. A per capita recession is effectively obscured by rapid population growth, and international observers are beginning to highlight policy failures.

With unemployment climbing, labour force participation falling, and increased scrutiny of foreign worker programs, critics argue that Canada’s economic model is faltering. They also contend that legacy media often dismiss these concerns, branding dissenting voices as xenophobic or racist—further complicating public discourse around immigration and labour policy.