BC Times

British Columbia is moving toward a unified, one-window regulatory pathway for major renewable energy projects. On March 10, 2026, the Renewable Energy Projects Regulation took effect in British Columbia, establishing a lifecycle framework for high‑output wind and solar energy projects under the BC Energy Regulator (BCER).

The Port of Vancouver’s Centerm terminal became the focal point of a broader labor-automation debate on September 23, 2026, when roughly 100 dockworker union delegates from Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand gathered outside DP World’s Centerm container terminal. The demonstration capped the International Dockworkers Anti-Automation Summit held in Vancouver, and it followed a week of organized events at the Maritime Labour Centre.

In a milestone for British Columbia’s housing plans, the Province announced a new round of Local Government Development Approvals Program funding. On July 6, 2026, the Province of British Columbia disclosed that $9 million would be awarded to 56 local governments to speed up development approvals, a move designed to accelerate the delivery of homes across the province.

Vancouver-based reporters for BC Times are tracking a major development in marine safety and wildlife protection. On May 22, 2026, Transport Canada issued an Interim Order for the Protection of the Southern Resident Killer Whale in the waters of Southern British Columbia, with an enforcement window that begins June 1, 2026.

Portland Parks & Recreation announced on September 15, 2026 that three design teams have advanced to the second stage of the open international design competition for Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The move marks a pivotal milestone in the City of Portland’s efforts to revamp the bowl area and riverfront access as part of a broader downtown revitalization strategy.

The Province of British Columbia, in partnership with BC Housing and M’akola Housing Society, announced on July 29, 2026 that 28 new affordable rental homes are opening at 603 Main Street in Penticton. This development prioritizes Indigenous families, individuals, Elders, and people with diverse needs, reflecting BC’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous-led housing solutions as part of its broader housing strategy.

Jesper Sørensen Named Vancouver Whitecaps Head Coach On January 14, 2025, Vancouver Whitecaps FC named Jesper Sørensen their new head coach, marking a decisive shift in the club’s leadership and strategic direction. The club announced a two-year contract through 2026, signaling a commitment to a specific playing identity and a defined path for the coming MLS seasons.

On September 21, 2026, provincial ministers issued the Environmental Assessment Certificate for FortisBC’s Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion, clearing the project to proceed to permitting. This pivotal decision follows the Environmental Assessment Office’s (EAO) review of the application and related materials, marking a formal milestone in BC’s LNG and energy infrastructure landscape.

The resort town of Whistler, British Columbia, welcomed a new cultural milestone over Thanksgiving Weekend as the inaugural Whistler Outdoor Festival unfolded from October 9 through October 11, 2026. The three-day program, designed to fuse outdoor cinema, practical workshops, and industry dialogue, positioned Whistler as a hub for technology-inflected exploration of mountain culture.

News BC Times provides an in-depth report on the April 7, 2026, launch of the Build Communities Strong Fund and its positive infrastructure impact. The federal government on April 7, 2026 officially launched the Build Communities Strong Fund, a sweeping initiative designed to accelerate community infrastructure across Canada.