B.C. still working on rainbow crosswalk policy for provincial land
A rainbow crosswalk celebrating LGBTQ people is seen at Pandora and Broad streets in downtown Victoria, B.C., June 22, 2015. (CTV Vancouver Island)
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is still working on its policy regarding road markings for pedestrian crossings, including rainbow crosswalks.
The Sounder checked in with the ministry (MOTI) in June after previous outreach in November 2021. At that time, MOTI said it was drafting a policy on such road markings and that once an approved policy was in place, it would be in a position to work with local partners to discuss locations for markings such as rainbow crosswalks.
In October 2021, Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area B Director Vanessa Craig wrote a letter, co-signed by Gabriola Local Trust Committee Chair Dan Rogers, to MOTI's central Vancouver Island office requesting the ministry support the placement of a rainbow crosswalk on Gabriola.
“Rainbow crosswalks, which are a visual symbol of a community's valuing of diversity and inclusion, have been installed in many different communities across our region,” Craig wrote. “While this is a choice made by our neighbouring municipalities, as an electoral area, we rely on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for road management.”
Nine months later, MOTI says it is continuing to engage with stakeholders to develop a policy on multi-coloured pedestrian crossing markings and expects the work to be complete later this year.
Given the policy is still in the works, Craig told the Sounder she is exploring alternative options.
“If we do a crosswalk on the Village Way Path, where we already have a management agreement, and it doesn't cross a road, that sounded acceptable to MOTI,” Craig said in May. The director is considering the possibility of a rainbow crosswalk that crosses a driveway, rather than a roadway, but said no official plan has been launched yet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it. Undiagnosed infections could be the reason why the variant spread so rapidly, according to researchers.
Canada-wide shortage of liquid Children's Tylenol now also impacting chewables
A nationwide shortage of liquid Children’s Tylenol is also impacting generic chewables, with Quebec-based Laboratoire Riva reporting a shortage due to rising demand.
BREAKING
BREAKING | Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's "Plan to Stay Open" involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy hosts talks with UN chief, Turkey leader
As a potential power broker, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will use his first visit to Ukraine since the war started nearly six months ago to seek ways to expand the export of grain from Europe's breadbasket to the world's needy. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will use his visit to focus on containing the volatile situation at a Russian-occupied nuclear power plant.
Finnish PM: No drugs, just lots of dancing at 'wild' party
Finland's prime minister says she did not take any drugs during a 'wild' party in a private home, adding she did nothing wrong when letting her hair down and partying with friends.
Children's remains found in suitcases bought by family at auction, New Zealand police say
New Zealand police have launched a homicide investigation after the remains of two children were found in suitcases bought by a family at an online auction, police said Thursday.
Japan wants young people to drink more alcohol. It's just not sure how to convince them
The Japanese government has been hit in the pocket by an unusual problem -- its young people aren't drinking enough.
Prime Minister travelling to Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is resuming his summer politicking tour today with a trip to Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula.
Discovery of 'weak spot' in COVID-19 variants could lead to better treatment options
A discovery by a team of B.C. researchers may lead to improved COVID-19 treatment options that are effective against several variants of the disease.
Vancouver
-
B.C. breaks temperature records amid brief heat wave
Wednesday’s heat wave, which gripped much of southern British Columbia, broke a number of temperature records in the province.
-
3 arrested in New Westminster for pointing bear spray at girl
Three people were arrested in New Westminster for allegedly pointing a can of bear spray at a girl last week, according to local police.
-
Discovery of 'weak spot' in COVID-19 variants could lead to better treatment options
A discovery by a team of B.C. researchers may lead to improved COVID-19 treatment options that are effective against several variants of the disease.
Edmonton
-
Sketch of sexual assault suspect, who victim escaped twice, released by police
A sketch of a male in his late teens or early 20s has been released by police after a sexual assault in the Glenora neighbourhood in June.
-
'We need funding': Alberta's lone volunteer underwater search team asks for support to bring closure to families
The volunteer underwater search team that responds to drownings all across Alberta is concerned it won't be able to survive without funding from the provincial government.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER | Josh Classen's forecast: Hottest stretch of the summer starts today
Sunshine and heat will dominate the forecast for the next few days and you can thank the upper ridge.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's "Plan to Stay Open" involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
-
Ontario mayor fires back at conspiracy theorists who tried to arrest police officers
An Ontario mayor had some harsh words for protesters who attempted to place local police officers under arrest Saturday.
-
'Novelty' screwdriver that looks like replica handgun raising concerns
Concerns are being raised about the sale of a screwdriver that looks like a replica handgun available at a popular auto retailer across Canada.
Calgary
-
Pedestrian killed by CTrain in city's southwest
One person is dead after they were hit by a CTrain along Bow Trail shortly after midnight.
-
Verbal attack on teen girls aboard Calgary bus potentially hate motivated: police
Calgary police are working to identity a woman allegedly involved in a hate-motivated incident aboard a Calgary Transit bus earlier this month.
-
Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it. Undiagnosed infections could be the reason why the variant spread so rapidly, according to researchers.
Montreal
-
Quebec COVID-19 booster rates stay low as province launches new vaccination campaign
As Quebec prepares to launch a provincewide COVID-19 vaccination campaign ahead of a potential new fall wave, it's unclear whether it will be enough to prompt a pandemic-weary public to roll up their sleeves for another booster.
-
Temperatures to soar in Southwestern Quebec ahead of school year
After a brief cool down on Thursday around Southwestern Quebec featuring clouds, showers and below-average temperatures, sunshine is expected to return on Friday, and so is the heat.
-
Fire at the Theatre du Nouveau Monde, people asked to avoid the Quartier des Spectacles
Montreal firefighters are battling a blaze in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.
Atlantic
-
Opposition parties take aim at Nova Scotia premier over health-care 'crisis'
The two main opposition parties in Nova Scotia are slamming Premier Tim Houston's record on health care after his first year in power.
-
'Captain of their own ship': debate over MAID deepens as numbers climb
Despite a growing number of people who are opting for a doctor's help in ending their own lives, the practice remains controversial, and very much up for debate.
-
RCMP track down two young boys driving truck in central Newfoundland
The RCMP in central Newfoundland have tracked down a 13-year-old boy believed to have been behind the wheel of a pickup truck that was spotted driving erratically on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Winnipeg
-
Eviction warnings handed to longtime Manitoba legislature encampments
Eviction warnings have been given to two longtime encampments on the Manitoba legislature grounds.
-
Gas leak causes fire at commercial building in Winnipeg
A gas leak at a commercial building in Winnipeg was the cause of a Wednesday evening fire.
-
Retired priest charged in residential school investigation pleads not guilty
A 92-year-old retired priest charged in connection with an allegation of sexual abuse at a residential school in Manitoba has pleaded not guilty.
Kitchener
-
'It's never been enough': ODSP recipients struggle to make ends meet
Earlier this week, the Ontario government announced it is following through with an earlier promise to bolster the support people receive through ODSP, but advocates say the government needs to do more to address the living wage gap those living on ODSP face.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's "Plan to Stay Open" involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
-
'It does reduce the strain on the emergency department:' province planning to expand paramedic powers
The provincial government is expanding the amount of power paramedics have when responding to an emergency.
Regina
-
Here's how many parking tickets have been issued in Regina this year
The number of parking tickets issued in Regina through the first six months of the year is up 115 per cent from 2021 levels.
-
'Step in the right direction': Sask. government works to end healthcare disruption in Balcarres
The Town of Balcarres has been delivered a new set of promises from the provincial government regarding the reopening of the lab department at the Balcarres Integrated Care Centre.
-
Province, VIDO encourage booster doses as COVID-19 is once again on the rise
University of Saskatchewan researchers say the viral load of COVID-19 in Saskatoon’s wastewater has shown a week-over-week increase the past month, potentially meaning cases of the virus are on the rise.
Barrie
-
Former boyfriend of still missing woman seeks bail today
Mohamad Lilo is charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnapping and kidnapping related to the disappearance of Elnaz Hajtamiri; who hasn’t been seen or heard from since January 12.
-
Newmarket, Ont. man accused in young mother's death remains on the run
Alexander Jolly, accused of shooting a young mother in Newmarket, is still on the run three weeks after her death as the woman's former partner urges the public to help track the man responsible down.
-
Rooting for A&W's Burgers to Beat MS Day
After two years of a pandemic-related reduction in fundraising, A&W is happy to announce it’s once again hosting Burgers to Beat MS Day.
Saskatoon
-
Province, VIDO encourage booster doses as COVID-19 is once again on the rise
University of Saskatchewan researchers say the viral load of COVID-19 in Saskatoon’s wastewater has shown a week-over-week increase the past month, potentially meaning cases of the virus are on the rise.
-
Some parents facing affordability challenges with increased school supply prices
With the first day of classes looming, some parents shopping for school supplies are facing affordability challenges with higher priced essentials.
-
Former Saskatoon doctor faces 3 more murder charges in Ontario
A former Saskatoon doctor charged with first-degree murder in Ontario is now facing three more murder charges in that province.
Northern Ontario
-
Majority of people with Omicron don't know they have it: study
A new study has found that more than half of people infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were unaware they had it. Undiagnosed infections could be the reason why the variant spread so rapidly, according to researchers.
-
Cambrian College offers new chemical engineering technician program
Next month, Cambrian College in Sudbury will be offering a chemical engineering technician program with hopes of helping meet the demand for skilled workers in the field.
-
As home prices drop, here's what you can get in Canada's most affordable markets
CTVNews.ca has compiled a list of homes in some of the most affordable regions across Canada, as many real estate markets see drops in average prices.