John Rustad has been fired as leader of the BC Conservatives according to his own party. The party’s board has issued a statement saying Rustad has been removed as leader because he lost the confidence of the majority of caucus. Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been named by the party as the interim leader. Rustad remains defiant saying he is still the leader.

Vancouver Island’s Crofton pulp mill will permanently closed. Pulp and Paper company Domtar says the mill will shut down Dec. 15. Close to 350 jobs will be lost. The news comes after the recent closure of the nearby Western Forest Products Mill that resulted in 150 layoffs. North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas has a Wednesday meeting with Premier David Eby and two cabinet ministers to discuss next steps.

David Eby may be backing down on his hard stance, opposing another oil pipeline to the West Coast. Speaking on CTV’s Question Period, the B.C. Premier says his anxiety is centered on removing the north coast oil tanker ban. That comment paves the way for discussions about a southern route. The BC Conservatives accuse Eby of flip-flopping on the pipeline issue, demanding the premier make up his mind.

Indigenous groups remain split on whether to support Alberta’s Memorandum of Understanding with the feds on a new oil pipeline to the West Coast. The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations says it’s disappointed it was not included at the decision-making table. The Confederacy’s Treaty covers a large portion of the proposed pipeline route. Meanwhile, the Coastal First Nations in B.C. says it remains opposed to any exemption for a tanker ban. The federal government says it has support from Indigenous groups which would see co-ownership and economic benefits.

A distraction from real projects - that’s how David Eby describes a Memorandum of Understanding between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney. The two leaders announced a deal that would pave the way for a new oil pipeline to the West Coast. Premier Eby remains opposed to any new bitumen pipeline or removal of a ban on oil tankers along the north coast. Eby also says there is no proponent, no route, no money and no First Nation support. B.C. was excluded from final talks between the PM and Alberta.

The Vancouver Celebration of Light fireworks competition has been permanently cancelled. Organizers announced the end of the long standing summer event blaming rising costs and declining government investment and private sponsorship. They say the decision is disappointing but the numbers just don’t add up. In 2000, the fireworks competition came close to being axed after Benson and Hedges pulled out due to changes in rules around tobacco advertising.

Job losses and cuts to programs are coming as the City of Vancouver pushes ahead with its zero per cent property tax increase. Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC councillors have voted as promised, after a series of sharp increases over the past three years. The tax freeze has the support of Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and several other business improvement and hospitality groups.

Meanwhile,

The price tag for a new amphitheatre at the PNE has almost tripled to $184M. The City blames the huge cost increase on rising construction prices, building materials and challenging ground and soil conditions. It’s hoped the outdoor theatre will be ready in time to host some events connected to Vancouver’s portion of the FIFA World Cup.

Two Surrey Police officers are hurt after crashing their cruiser and a suspect remains at large following an injury shooting west of Whalley Sunday evening. Police say the suspect fired multiple rounds at a home on 101B Avenue just after 9:00 p.m. A woman is expected to recover after being hit. Police admit two officers were hurt after their cruiser hit another vehicle while responding to the scene with lights and siren on. Police are not saying whether this latest incident is related to any ongoing extortion investigation.

The hunt continues for three grizzlies believed responsible for a brutal attack on a group, including elementary school students, in Bella Coola on Thursday. Three students and a teacher were injured when the bears attacked 11 people on a trail just outside the community. No decision has been made on what to do with the bears once they’re tracked down.

An instructor at Langara College who was fired after praising the pro-Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel two years ago has won her job back. An arbitrator has reinstated Natalie Knight and told the college she should be ‘made whole’ for the loss of compensation. Three weeks after the Oct. 7, 2023 assault, Knight told anti-Israeli demonstrators at the Vancouver Art Gallery the attacks were '“an amazing, brilliant offensive.” Her comments sparked outrage in the Vancouver Jewish community. Knight was put on paid leave and later fired after making more remarks in support of Hamas. The Langara Faculty Association backed Knight citing a tolerance for all views.