The massive Jericho Lands development has been approved. Vancouver City Council voted unanimously in favour of the First Nations project that will create 13,000 new homes in Point Grey over the next 25 years. The 90 acres of land is owned by the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh First Nations.

“Pope Francis was a tireless shepherd of the Church, a beacon of hope, and a champion of the Gospel.” That’s how Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller describes the late pontiff. Pope Francis died Easter Monday after a stroke and several weeks of illness. He was 88. The conclave should happen within two weeks - there is widespread speculation voting archbishops will choose a new pope from Asia or Africa.

It’s about to get easier for new drivers to get their licenses in B.C. The provincial government is changing the graduated licensing system, getting rid of a second road test. Instead, new drivers will have their records closely reviewed for the first 12 months. It’s hoped the changes will cut down on long wait times for those road tests.

Most British Columbians will no longer have to cough up a sick note for their boss. The provincial government is changing the employment standards legislation allowing workers to miss a few days without proving their illness. The change comes after years of pushing from the Doctors of BC. It does not impact requests for notes involving longer periods of leave. It also doesn’t apply to those employed in federally regulated sectors.

A couple dozen protestors, mostly unionized hotel workers, have staged a Monday afternoon rally at Vancouver City Hall demanding affordable housing. It comes has City Council considers a plan for the building of more hotel rooms. Destination Vancouver claims the city is short close to 10,000 hotel rooms. One campaigner says such an idea is insulting when people who live and work in Vancouver are being pushed out due to a lack of affordable housing. They also note Mayor Ken Sim should be getting the message following ABC’s inability to win a seat in the city byelection.

The Conservatives have narrowed the gap as the Liberal lead dips for the first time in this Canadian election campaign. An Ipsos poll for Global News shows the Liberals still ahead with 42 per cent of decided voters - a drop of four points. The Conservatives are up by two points to 36 per cent. The French leaders’ debate is Wednesday while the English debate is Thursday. The campaign has now passed the halfway mark.

Two RCMP officers have been slightly injured in a multi-vehicle crash in the Brookswood area of Langley. It happened Thursday afternoon at 200 Street and 32 Avenue with the crash involving the cops and a vehicle driven by a robbery suspect. RCMP will not say whether it followed a police chase but do say Mounties from Surrey, Langley and the gang unit were following up on a robbery at the South Surrey Home Depot.

Starting next school year, Surrey will be pulling the plug on all field trips to the U.S. That includes all sports events, band recitals, dance competitions and other experiential field trips. The move comes after several high profile cases of Canadian citizens being detained by U.S. border guards. Surrey appears to be the first school district in B.C. to make such a move.

“I’m confident I’ll be able to serve the people of Burnaby Central” - that’s what NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has told party faithful during a campaign stop in Vancouver. Those words come despite various tracking polls that suggest the New Democrats may only win a single seat in B.C. and four across the country. Polls also suggest Singh will be soundly defeated by the Liberals in his riding. The latest Angus Reid Poll has the NDP at only 11 per cent support, country wide.

Part official business…part campaigning. Mark Carney has made several stops in Greater Victoria before meeting with Premier David Eby. Carney and Eby have discussed the new tariffs on U.S. bound softwood lumber. The latest Angus Reid poll has the federal Liberals with 48 per cent support in B.C. compared to 37 per cent for the Conservatives and 11 for the NDP.