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Dr. Bonnie Henry among 16 Order of B.C. recipients for 2021

An artist, three doctors and a First Nation chief are among the 16 people appointed to the Order of British Columbia this year.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about B.C.'s plan to restart the province during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Drone video shows rescue of grey whale tangled in fishing line near Vancouver Island

Fisheries and Oceans Canada says a grey whale that was reported caught in a fishing net in Nootka Sound last week has been freed after several days of effort.

Drone video of the effort shared with CTV News shows the whale thrashing and rolling to break free of the gear, as crews hold onto the net and use poles to loosen and cut it. (DFO)

Vancouver Island's American Idol releases her first original song

Vancouver Island's Lauren Spencer-Smith, who wowed judges on American Idol last year, has released her first original song, called "Back to Friends."

Long weekend tourism returns to Victoria in a big way

Hotels and ferries have been fully booked this long weekend, and tourism operators in Greater Victoria have been scrambling to keep up with demand.

Duncan council decides to 'retire' town crier position

A Vancouver Island city has decided to move on from its symbolic town crier position, citing a need to "re-evaluate the practices and symbolism of the past."

B.C. wildfire count nears 250 but cooler temperatures, light rain bring some relief

British Columbia is reporting a slight increase in the number of active wildfires but cooler temperatures and forecasts of rain could bring some relief.

Canada marks its first federally recognized Emancipation Day

Aug. 1 marks Canada's first federally recognized Emancipation Day, the day in which the British Empire ended the practice of slavery for close to a million African people and their descendants across the former colonies.

Horse uninjured after being rescued from mud in Saanich

Firefighters in Saanich were called in to rescue a horse stuck in deep mud Saturday morning.

Off-road driver stuck in creek near Nanaimo hit with $575 fine for environmental violations

Conservation officers issued a $575 ticket to an off-road driver they found stuck in a creek near Nanaimo on Friday.

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Delta spreads 'like wildfire' as doctors study whether it makes patients sicker

With a new wave of COVID-19 infections fueled by the Delta variant striking countries worldwide, disease experts are scrambling to learn whether the latest version of coronavirus is making people - mainly the unvaccinated - sicker than before.

People wear face masks as they walk along a street in Montreal, Saturday, July 31, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

IOC says it's looking into gesture used by U.S. athlete Saunders on podium

The International Olympic Committee is looking into the gesture U.S. athlete Raven Saunders made after the shot put silver medallist raised her arms in an X above her head, a potential breach of rules banning protests on medal podiums.

Here's what Canada did while you were sleeping on day 10 of Tokyo Olympics

Team Canada will play for women's soccer gold for the first time ever after upsetting the U.S in the semifinals overnight at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday.

Sharon Stone says her calls for a fully vaccinated set have put her job in jeopardy

Sharon Stone wants a fully vaccinated set on her next gig, and says she's being threatened she'll lose the job because of it.

How COVID-19 helped Canada's most decorated Olympian put her mental health first

Canada's most decorated Olympian, Penny Oleksiak, says the COVID-19 pandemic provided her with the opportunity to step away from training and focus on her mental health – a gift she says helped her swim her way into the history books at the Tokyo Olympics.