Paul Johnson

Reporter

Author Archives

• B.C. First Nation criticized for killing of twin grizzly bears in their territory

  The Lil'wat Nation, near Mount Currie, north of Whistler, shared that on Nov. 4 twin grizzly bears that had been spotted in the community before had been killed.

  Environment

  Nov 8
• B.C. woman says she was evicted after declining voluntary rent increase

  Wagner said her husband was weeks away from undergoing medical assistance in dying (MAID) and she said her landlord was aware of that.

  Economy

  Oct 11
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• Caught on video, fire set in Gastown alley leads to explosion

  A video shot in the back alley behind a building on West Cordova shows a person placing a bag on the ground and setting it on fire.

  Fire

  Sep 20
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• ‘Our main staple’: First Nation concerned about sockeye after B.C. landslide

  Chilko Lake sockeye are expected to be the biggest run of fish on the Fraser River this summer, but their spawning grounds are above the area of a landslide near Williams Lake.

  Canada

  Aug 7
• What happens to B.C.’s released orphan bear cubs? New study aims to find out

  While there are records of the occasional released bear that comes into conflict with humans or is killed by a hunter, the fate of most cubs remains largely unknown.

  Environment

  Aug 1
• Hobbyists honour B.C. landmark destroyed in 2023 wildfires

  Images of the historic Nahatlatch Lookout tower going up in flames were among the most iconic and heartbreaking to emerge from last year's devastating fires.

  Fire

  Jul 26
• Toast wars: Treat vendor cries foul after ejection from Richmond Night Market

  Tochi Desserts makes mochi French toast, a delicacy that combines Hong Kong-style French Toast stuffed with mochi, a chewy Japanese dessert made from rice flour. 

  Politics

  Jul 4
• Bear caught in B.C. grease trap a ‘heartbreaking’ warning, advocates say

  The incident was captured on camera and fortunately had a happy ending, with the young bruin rescued and relocated.

  Environment

  Jun 27
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• ‘Monumental cedars’: Old-growth clearcut next to iconic B.C. park raises concerns

  A conservationist is raising the alarm after finding ancient cedars clearcut just outside an iconic North Vancouver Island provincial park.

  Environment

  Jun 20
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• ‘We just disagree’: Premier at odds with B.C.’s top doctor on drug legalization

  The comments came after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry testified at a federal parliamentary standing committee on health on May 30.

  Health

  Jun 6
• Battle over B.C. drug policy flares up over contentious recovery symposium

  Thursday was the first day of the inaugural Prosper symposium, organized by the U.S.-based Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions.

  Politics

  May 30
• B.C. forestry practices under scrutiny in documentary shown in U.K.

  A BBC documentary sheds an international spotlight on B.C.'s wood pellet industry.

  Canada

  May 26
• B.C. wolf cull program targeting wrong issue, wildlife protection group says

  Pacific Wild says more than 2,100 wolves have been killed since 2015 and it wants the cull program cancelled immediately.

  Environment

  May 11
• Get a bird’s-eye view from one of Vancouver Island’s tallest trees

  A group of conservationists recently had the opportunity to scale a massive 71-metre (223 foot) tall Sitka Spruce discovered in the Carmanah Valley.

  Environment

  May 9
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• Lawsuit claims ex-cop, Mountie lost security clearance over false CSIS reports

  An RCMP officer and a Vancouver police officer are suing the government, alleging they were found guilty by association with a man under investigation for foreign interference.

  Crime

  May 2
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• In Oregon, debate continues after state’s 180 on drug decriminalization

  Oregon has walked back key parts of its decriminalization pilot program, but some advocates say the program was never given a chance to succeed.

  Health

  Apr 19
• ‘We’ve had to make a 180’: What Oregonians say they got wrong with decriminalization

  In 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 110, which replaced drug possession charges with a $100 citation that could be avoided by calling a state-funded hotline seeking treatment.

  Health

  Apr 18
• Woman found dead in B.C. field was killed by dogs, not a bear: coroner

  Ridge Meadows RCMP officers were called and determined the woman's death was suspicious due to "evident traumatic injuries" according to the Coroner's report.

  Crime

  Apr 12
• Eagles and death metal: Trio of raptors found on Sunshine Coast with lead poisoning

  All three birds were found on the Sunshine Coast this year, and taken to the Orphan Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in Delta for treatment.

  Environment

  Apr 4
• Vancouver Island shipbreaking company hit with pollution abatement order

  Deepwater Recovery's four-year-old operation in Baynes Sound near Courtenay has rankled neighbours and the regional district

  Environment

  Mar 22
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• B.C. makes changes to Sunshine Coast dock management plan, but opponents unconvinced

  The province released a draft of the plan in November, leading to intense debate in the community -- particularly among residents with waterfront property.

  Politics

  Mar 15
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• B.C. mulling oversight committee amid pressure on drug diversion concerns

  Earlier this week, B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said RCMP had told him there was no evidence to suggest 'widespread diversion' of safe supply drugs.

  Health

  Mar 14
• Residents upset over Vancouver Island shipbreaking operation

  While the company says it is doing nothing wrong, many locals say they're worried about the operation's effects on their coastal environment.

  Environment

  Mar 1
• ‘Shocking’ video appears to show horse carcass used as bait outside Merritt, B.C.

  On different days, stitched together by Animal Justice, the man appears to set traps near the horse's entrails, and to have shot a coyote and dragged it away in a sled.

  Crime

  Feb 15
• Jimmy Pattison’s former home ‘deconstructed’ in unique sustainable way

  "It is old Douglas Fir. We don't have forests anymore that that lumber comes from. It's much more solid than the material we're using nowadays. It's much more dense."

  Environment

  Feb 12