BC News

VICTORIA — A business leader on ferry-dependent Vancouver Island says BC Ferries made a "strongly informed decision" in hiring a Chinese shipyard to build four new major vessels. Both the NDP government and B.C.

Environment Canada has lifted special weather statements about a record-breaking hot spell for much of the province, including Metro Vancouver and Victoria.

VICTORIA — A six-foot-long boa constrictor is on the loose after slithering away at Tofino's Chesterman Beach on Vancouver Island's West Coast.

SAANICH — An American man has been sentenced to 40 years in a U.S. prison for grooming children in a case that began when the parents of a 12-year-old girl from Saanich, B.C., went to police.

VICTORIA — A review of British Columbia's health-care system to cut unnecessary costs is expanding to its five regional health authorities. B.C.

VICTORIA — An RCMP officer faces two charges under the Motor Vehicle Act after a crash in southeastern B.C. last Canada Day that left three people injured. The BC Prosecution Service announced that Const.

REGINA — Saskatchewan's ombudsman says Premier Scott Moe's government is failing to provide timely help to wildfire evacuees. Sharon Pratchler said evacuees calling in for help are being told the government will get back to them in four days.

Another dozen temperature records have fallen in British Columbia thanks to the ongoing spell of warm weather brought to the province by a ridge of high pressure. Monday was also the third day in a row that the hottest spot in Canada was in B.C.

The BC Wildfire Service is reporting that the largest of the province's major fires in the northeast has more than doubled in size in the past 24 hours.

VANCOUVER — North Vancouver resident John Belisle and his wife frequently kayak in the waters off Cates Park in North Vancouver.