Sparse snowpack levels across B.C. are raising fears of severe drought this year. We speak with B.C.'s Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen, Regional Chief Terry Teegee, B.C. Assembly of First Nations, and Erica Gies, author of "Water Always Wins", independent journalist and National Geographic Explorer. We meet Charlie, an assistance dog in training, and talk with Pacific Assistance Dogs Society's Tara Doherty, Director of Communications, about how certified assistance dogs provide support to people with disabilities.

Sparse snowpack fuels drought fears | Lunar New Year | The role of assistance dogs

BC Today is where British Columbians connect on issues facing their lives and their community. Every week day at noon PT and 1pm MT, BC Today host Michelle Eliot delves into the top story for the province.

News

We're joined by B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon to discuss the province's new short-term housing laws that came into effect today. And, CBC News reporter Chad Pawson discusses how the laws are meant to work, and what the challenges to enforcement might be.

B.C.'s new short term rental laws come into effect

We begin this 4-part series with an interview with harm reduction and recovery advocate Guy Felicella. He tells host Michelle Eliot about his personal story of recovery. Then our panel discusses how barriers to care can be removed with Nicole Mucci, Union Gospel Mission's communications manager; Chapman Shaw, board member with Trinity House; and Bob Hughes, ASK Wellness' executive director. 

The Road to Recovery: First Steps

Almost 40,000 people left B.C. for Alberta last year, according to Statistics Canada figures. BC Today and Alberta at Noon host a cross-border call-in to hear from our audience about what that means for people in both provinces. Our guests included Andy Yan, Director, City Program, Simon Fraser University; Paula Spurr, artist who is moving from Surrey to Calgary; Alicia Planincic, economist, manager of policy and economics with the Business Council of Alberta;  Forrest Demman, President, Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce. Then, we have an update on the London Drugs cyberhacking closure with our guest Jamie Hari, Director of Cybersecurity and DNS, Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA).

Bye-Bye B.C., Hello Alberta: What interprovincial migration means for both provinces

The Ehattesaht First Nation says a killer whale calf that had been trapped in a remote Vancouver Island lagoon for more than a month is now free after it swam out on its own early Friday morning. CBC reporter Joel Ballard gives us an update. The mayor of Vancouver says he would like to organize watch parties for the Canucks' playoff run, but the city needs to proceed with caution given two previous post-season runs ended in riots. We ask viewers if they think the city can safely host these kinds of events. And, Frankie Smith, owner of Mountain Mutts & Cutts, a pet-grooming expert answers your questions on how to keep your animals looking healthy and stylish.

Brave Little Hunter is free | Canucks watch parties and safety | Dog grooming

The Acting Mayor of Chetwynd, Julia Nelson gives us a live update as an evacuation order is downgraded to an alert in Chetwynd, B.C., due to a nearby wildfire. CBC reporter Yvette Brend takes us into the impact of forest fire smoke. And, new data suggests that people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by evictions. Karla Verschoor, Inclusion B.C.'s executive director is our guest, and our audience shares their experiences.

Sparse snowpack fuels drought fears | Lunar New Year | The role of assistance dogs

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