Local News

Education Minister Peter Fassbender says he has no problem with a vote on job action by B.C.’s teachers, who have come out 89 per cent in favour of taking possible measures over contract concerns.

Saanich police arrested an erratic driver at gunpoint Thursday night, after he refused to stop for a traffic officer and rammed a police cruiser.

The B.C. Coroners Service has identified the man who died unexpectedly on a B.C. Ferries vessel in February. The man’s name is Ray Nelson, 56, of Port Alberni. Nelson died on the 9 p.m.

Wheels are starting to turn in negotiations with Via Rail to return passenger rail service to Vancouver Island, Capital Regional District directors have been told.

Douglas street is now open after a gas leak shut traffic near Mayfair Shopping Centre this morning. The leak was on Speed Street, which is off Douglas Street, across from Mayfair mall. Fortis was on the scene and the leak has been stopped.

OTTAWA — Canada’s jobs market continues to sputter as the economy gave back some of January’s gains by shedding 7,000 workers overall in February, a disappointment to those hoping for a strong start to the year.

Sherri Bell has been named the new superintendent of the Greater Victoria school district. Bell, 54, had been acting superintendent since John Gaiptman announced his retirement at the end of January.

The B.C. NDP called on Health Minister Terry Lake this week to stop mass layoffs and contracting out of health-care workers’ jobs in Campbell River and Duncan.

A plan to turn John Stubbs Memorial School into a French immersion-only facility in 2015 has a number of parents rising up in opposition.

He was swinging a hammer, not meeting with constituents, but Capital Regional District directors are recommending that Juan de Fuca director Mike Hicks be reimbursed $600 in travel costs.