Meet Lorne Doerkson, 'guy from Williams Lake' and B.C.'s next premier
VANCOUVER -- British Columbians got their best look so far at Lorne Doerkson on Saturday night, their premier-designate, and self-described "guy from Williams Lake."
Darryl Greer
While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Darryl Greer.
B.C. billionaire's real estate firms allege 'pattern of misconduct' by CRA in tax row
Companies controlled by billionaire B.C. property developer Terry Hui allege that the Canada Revenue Agency has engaged in a "pattern of misconduct" in its attempts to collect on ballooning tax debts dating as far back as 2007.
'Excited delirium': Second Vancouver officer tells of Myles Gray's fatal arrest
VANCOUVER -- A second Vancouver police officer involved in the violent arrest that ended with Myles Gray's death says he had never encountered someone in such a state.
Vancouver officer denies giving 'lopsided' account of fatal fight with Myles Gray
VANCOUVER -- A Vancouver police officer involved in the deadly arrest of Myles Gray in 2015 says he doesn't agree that he has given a "lopsided" account of the altercation by describing Gray as "the Hulk" or a "charging bull."
Vancouver officer says Gray not lawfully entitled to repel police during fatal arrest
VANCOUVER -- A Vancouver police officer involved in the deadly arrest of Myles Gray in 2015 says he doesn't believe Gray had any lawful right to repel officers' use of force against him.
Woman's defamation defence no longer says author Galloway sexually assaulted her
VANCOUVER -- The lawyer for a woman at the heart of a defamation case brought by author and former University of B.C. professor Steven Galloway says her defence no longer includes an assertion that he sexually assaulted her.
B.C. port flagged for federal fast track, but security concerns have lasted years
George Harvie, mayor of Delta, B.C., has been sounding the alarm over security and crime at the province's port facilities for years, and he has plenty of questions as the federal government pushes a massive port expansion project in his city.
Port of Vancouver's 'transformational' upgrade is referred to Major Projects Office
TSAWWASSEN -- The federal government has referred a plan to vastly expand the Port of Vancouver to Canada's Major Projects Office for possible fast-tracking, boosting a project that environmentalists have fought for years.
B.C. settles legal debt with former aide convicted in 'quick wins' scandal
The British Columbia government says it's forgiving $340,000 in legal debts owed by a former aide who pleaded guilty to breach of trust in 2017 for his part in a political scandal involving the use of public office for partisan purposes.
Crown urges new trial in B.C. sex assault case, tossed over delays in 2025
VANCOUVER -- The B.C. Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in a sexual assault case that was tossed out last year over delays, with Crown counsel and defence lawyers pointing fingers about who was responsible for derailing the case.
B.C., feds tout 'milestone' as final LNG investment decision expected by end of 2026
VANCOUVER -- British Columbia Premier David Eby says he's hopeful that LNG Canada will come to a final investment decision at the end of the year that will be the "largest private sector investment in Canadian history."
B.C. privacy adjudicator finds short-term rental addresses should remain private
VANCOUVER -- British Columbia's Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner says the City of Vancouver is required to refuse to disclose addresses of short-term rental operators because it would reveal where "they live their private lives."
B.C. judge says former Mountie William Majcher is not guilty in Chinese security case
VANCOUVER -- Former Mountie William Majcher stood on the steps outside Vancouver's law court on Wednesday to say he was "very relieved" at being found not guilty of acting unlawfully for the Chinese government.
B.C. premier tells crowd about AI optimism despite energy, safety concerns
VANCOUVER -- The federal and B.C. governments want artificial intelligence firms to have a strong foothold in Canada to spur economic and job growth, but say there's also need for guardrails on the technology and return on public investment.
Government asks court to exclude evidence in B.C. trial over national security risk
VANCOUVER -- The federal government has made an application to exclude some evidence over national security risks at the trial of Iain Hunt, whose wife was reported missing in 2021 from their home in Port Moody, B.C.
B.C. supportive housing bill targets problem tenants. Critics fear it may worsen woes
VANCOUVER -- Housing researcher Alina McKay knows there are "tensions" in British Columbia's supportive housing buildings, as tenants face disruptive violence flowing from poverty and other issues that beleaguer a sector aimed at keeping vulnerable people off the streets.
BC United executives eye Conservative race, as donations still flow for dormant party
VANCOUVER -- It was a once-dominant force in British Columbia politics, but for more than a year and a half the party formerly known as the BC Liberals has been dormant -- at least in the public eye.
Rustad says 'dirty trick' by BC United may have cost Conservatives election victory
Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says a "dirty trick" by the BC United Party ahead of the 2024 provincial election suppressed voter turnout and may have cost the Conservatives victory.
Former Vancouver mayor laments 'normalcy' of Downtown Eastside 'despair'
VANCOUVER -- Former senator and Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell says it was a "depressing and traumatic experience" when he began his work as a provincial adviser in the Downtown Eastside last year, but his initial despair then changed to hope.
Nisga'a Nation members allege 'heightened financial risk' of B.C. LNG projects
VANCOUVER -- Two members of the Nisga'a Nation have filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court alleging the First Nation failed to adequately consult its citizens before partnering with Western LNG on the development of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project.
Former Snowbird pilot's career 'destroyed' by cancelled passport over work in China
A former captain with Canada's Snowbirds claims his passport was wrongfully cancelled after working for a pilot training company that has been targeted by the U.S. government as a "significant enabler of the Chinese air and naval forces."
B.C. Christian charity files court challenge to stave off status revocation by CRA
VANCOUVER -- A Vancouver-based Christian charity founded by a wealthy businessman has filed a constitutional challenge in B.C. Supreme Court, claiming the Canada Revenue Agency has no right to revoke its charitable status.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim started false rumour councillor 'handed out illegal drugs'
VANCOUVER -- Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim accused city Coun. Sean Orr of "handing out illegal drugs on Christmas Day" in a briefing for Chinese-speaking reporters earlier this month, in a false assertion that was partially repeated and then retracted with an apology by a Sim ally.
B.C. property firms say $91M tax bill will jeopardize future construction projects
VANCOUVER -- British Columbia property companies controlled by prominent developer Terry Hui are taking the federal government to court, claiming a tax bill of more than $91 million will jeopardize future construction projects if they're made to pay up after a 12-year audit by the Canada Revenue Agency.
B.C. property firms say $91M tax bill will jeopardize construction
VANCOUVER -- British Columbia property companies controlled by prominent developer Terry Hui say a tax bill of more than $91 million will jeopardize construction projects if they're made to pay up after a 12-year audit by the Canada Revenue Agency.
Clearview AI loses B.C. appeal of findings over facial recognition privacy breaches
VANCOUVER -- The British Columbia Court of Appeal has dismissed a bid by U.S. facial recognition firm Clearview AI to overturn findings that the company is subject to Canadian privacy laws, despite no longer doing business in the country.
B.C. Law Society names OPCC counsel in probe over obscenity that derailed hearing
VANCOUVER -- The Law Society of British Columbia has confirmed it is investigating Brad Hickford, counsel for a public hearing into the death of Myles Gray, over concerns about an obscenity resulting in the adjournment of the long-awaited proceeding this week.
B.C. Law Society identifies OPCC lawyer in probe over obscenity that derailed hearing
VANCOUVER -- The Law Society of British Columbia has confirmed it is investigating Brad Hickford, counsel for a public hearing into the death of Myles Gray, over concerns about an obscenity resulting in the adjournment of the long-awaited proceeding this week.
B.C. Law Society names OPCC counsel as source of obscenity that derailed hearing
VANCOUVER -- The Law Society of British Columbia has identified Brad Hickford, counsel for a public hearing into the death of Myles Gray, as the person who uttered an obscenity resulting in the adjournment of the long-awaited proceeding this week.
CP NewsAlert: B.C. Law Society names counsel whose obscene remark derailed hearing
VANCOUVER -- The Law Society of British Columbia has identified Brad Hickford, counsel for a public hearing into the death of Myles Gray, as the person who uttered an obscenity resulting in the adjournment of the long-awaited proceeding this week.
B.C. Law Society investigates obscene remark that has delayed Myles Gray hearing
VANCOUVER -- The Law Society of British Columbia has opened an investigation after a lawyer made an obscene comment that was broadcast over the audio stream of a public hearing into the 2015 police-involved death of Myles Gray.
Mother of Myles Gray tells of 'screaming and screaming' after police-beating death
VANCOUVER -- The mother of Myles Gray, who died after a beating from a group of Vancouver police officers more than a decade ago, has told the first day of a public hearing into his death of her shock at being told her son had died after she called 911 to report him missing.
Vancouver officers deny misconduct as hearing into Myles Gray beating death begins
VANCOUVER -- A group of seven Vancouver police officers are denying allegations of abuse of authority and neglect of duty related to the 2015 death of Myles Gray after a violent altercation with officers while suffering a mental health crisis.
Public hearing into 2015 Vancouver police beating death of Myles Gray begins
VANCOUVER -- A public hearing into the 2015 police beating death of Myles Gray is underway in Vancouver.
Public hearing into 2015 Vancouver police beating death of Myles Gray to begin
VANCOUVER -- A public hearing into the 2015 police beating death of Myles Gray gets underway today in Vancouver.
Mother of man in VPD beating death wants truth without 'institutional protection'
VANCOUVER -- The mother of Myles Gray, who died after a Vancouver Police beating more than 10 years ago, says she wants the public to hear the full truth "without institutional protection" at a hearing that begins on Monday.
B.C. braces for 'high impact' rain in flood-struck Fraser Valley and beyond
British Columbia is bracing for another "high impact" deluge of rain that's forecast to hit the province's Fraser Valley, after intense downpours and cross-border outflows last week inundated Abbotsford, triggered evacuations and cut major highways.
Canada's crypto tax crackdown reaps millions. So why no criminal charges?
VANCOUVER -- A team of Canada Revenue Agency "cryptoasset auditors" has been mining a rich seam of unpaid taxes, working on more than 200 files and reaping more $100 million in the last three years.
B.C. drug club co-founder felt 'invincible' before being arrested
VANCOUVER -- One of the founders of a "compassion club" that sold safety-tested heroin, cocaine and other drugs told a B.C. Supreme Court constitutional challenge that they felt "invincible" and hoped media coverage of their operation would spur public conversation.
B.C. police complaint commissioner's office gearing up for systemic investigations
British Columbia's police complaint commissioner says his office is gearing up to conduct systemic investigations in an expanded mandate that would go beyond individual cases of police misconduct in hopes of reducing complaints and improving public confidence in law enforcement.
B.C. couple who ran bogus anti-tax school lose CRA assessment appeal
VANCOUVER -- A British Columbia couple who ran educational seminars promoting the bogus notion that people don't have to pay taxes have lost their appeal against tax bills on $1.4 million in revenue from the scheme.
Ostrich farm rallies support as court says it will decide next week if it hears case
Canada's highest court says it will rule next Thursday whether to tackle a bitter dispute between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and a British Columbia ostrich farm over the ordered destruction of its flock due to an avian flu outbreak.
B.C. First Nations make legal challenges to huge Ksi Lisims LNG project
VANCOUVER -- Two British Columbia First Nations are taking the federal government to court to quash a decision approving the Ksi Lisims floating natural-gas facility and marine export terminal.
Jays jerseys abound as baseball fans help Seattle amid tourism slide
SEATTLE -- Pike Place Market artist and vendor Daniel Fleming says Toronto Blue Jays fans typically show up in Seattle in "droves" for games against the Mariners, and the ongoing American League Championship Series has been no different.
Chip Wilson fined over signs posted outside mansion during B.C. election period
VANCOUVER -- Elections BC has found billionaire Chip Wilson contravened election advertising rules when he put up signs in front of his Vancouver mansion ahead of the provincial election last year, one of which described the NDP as "Communist."
Former Vancouver police officer awarded $30,000 after years-long grievance process
A labour arbitrator has awarded a former Vancouver police officer $30,000 in her years-long grievance process over how the Vancouver Police Department handled sexual harassment and discrimination complaints.
B.C. strike escalates but doesn't hit liquor sites, as province unveils 4.5% offer
SURREY -- The president of the British Columbia General Employees' Union says an expansion of job action in the province's public service strike doesn't immediately include liquor or cannabis distribution sites.
'As long as it takes': Union escalates B.C. public service strike
VANCOUVER -- BC General Employees' Union president Paul Finch says public sector workers are willing to strike for "as long as it takes" to get a fair deal from the provincial government, as the union escalates job action on day three of the dispute.
'You can't go to 11': Expert sees 'escalating strategy' in B.C. public service strike
The range of British Columbia public service staff that could potentially be impacted by job action that began this week is wide, from scientists and social workers to liquor and cannabis distribution and retail staff.
Two bodies were missed at B.C. death scene. Was treatment of coroners to blame?
VANCOUVER -- When police attended a single-room occupancy building in East Vancouver three years ago, they found the body of "Jimmy" Van Chung Pham, a man with a criminal history who would later be described as a predator by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.
B.C. court squelches Vancouver bylaw that forced ride-hailing firms to pay fees
VANCOUVER -- The B.C. Supreme Court has invalidated a bylaw passed by the City of Vancouver that imposed a fee on ride-hailing companies working on city streets during peak hours.
First Nation disappointed as B.C. court rejects challenge to Mount Polley dam level
VANCOUVER -- The B.C. Supreme Court has dismissed a First Nation's bid to stop a tailings dam from being raised at the Mount Polley mine site, which suffered a catastrophic dam collapse that spilled millions of litres of waste and water 11 years ago.
B.C. mink farmers lose appeal for damages against province for pandemic-era ban
VANCOUVER -- The B.C. Court of Appeal says lawsuits launched by mink farmers over a pandemic-era ban on their farms have "no reasonable prospect of success," dismissing their bid for damages against the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and other officials.
B.C. RCMP, provincial government announce new 12-member human trafficking unit
SURREY -- The British Columbia government and the RCMP say a new 12-member specialized unit will tackle human trafficking throughout the province, with a focus on organized crime and support for "vulnerable" victims.
Explosive device damaged B.C. MLA's office, may be linked to earlier blast: RCMP
NORTH VANCOUVER -- An explosive device damaged the front door of British Columbia Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma's office on Friday morning, police said, and they're investigating whether the "jarring incident" was linked to an earlier blast nearby.
RCMP say explosive device damaged B.C. MLA's office, may be linked to earlier blast
NORTH VANCOUVER -- Police say an explosive device damaged the front door of British Columbia infrastructure minister Bowinn Ma's office, and they're investigating whether it was linked to an earlier blast nearby.
CP NewsAlert: RCMP say explosive device damaged B.C. minister's office
NORTH VANCOUVER -- Police say an explosive device damaged the front door of British Columbia minister Bowinn Ma's office, and they're investigating whether it was linked to an earlier blast nearby.
B.C. minister Bowinn Ma tells of 'frightening' incident at office that scorched door
NORTH VANCOUVER -- There's a heavy police presence at the constituency office of British Columbia's infrastructure minister, Bowinn Ma, who says it was the scene of a "frightening" security incident early Friday.
B.C. police watchdog calls hearing into officers' 'racist, sexist' WhatsApp group
British Columbia's Police Complaint Commissioner says he's called a public hearing to probe misconduct allegations against three current and three former Nelson police officers over alleged racist, sexist and inappropriate comments made in a private WhatsApp chat group.
Renewed Indo-Canada ties concern protesters on anniversary of Nijjar killing
VANCOUVER -- Protesters marking the second anniversary of the killing of B.C. Sikh community leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar say they're concerned about the renewal of Canada's relations with India, whose agents police have linked to the shooting.