Discover Narcity
Get the latest and greatest stories every day in your inbox.
Doerkson says B.C. Conservative growth projection of 3.2% 'absolutely doable'
Doerkson says growth of 3.2% 'absolutely doable'
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
British Columbia's interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson says his party's projection of 3.2 per cent economic growth by 2029 represents about one per cent "more optimism" than the New Democrats had previously budgeted.
The Conservatives' figure, which is more than 50 per cent higher than the forecast in the last provincial budget, is also considerably higher than recent projections by the Bank of Canada and International Monetary Fund at the national level.
But Doerkson told a campaign stop in Maple Ridge, B.C., in the final days before the Oct. 24 provincial election that the growth is "absolutely doable."
He says industries, including natural gas, forestry, mining and agriculture, are waiting for a change in government to invest in the province because of "fear" under the previous NDP regime.
The Conservative platform promises to create $2.6 billion in new revenue over three years, while shrinking the deficit to $10.8 billion based on gross domestic product growing by 2.5 per cent next year, 2.8 per cent the year after and 3.2 per cent in 2029.
NDP Leader David Eby says the Conservatives are "torquing the numbers" and their platform has "major omissions" in how the party would pay for its plans.
"They failed to cost basic platform commitments like their cut to the (Provincial Sales Tax) on alcohol, which costs almost $300 million," Eby told a campaign stop in Vancouver on Monday.
"It is all with the aim of minimizing the reality of the cuts they're going to have to make."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.
By Brenna Owen | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Keep reading
Show less
Beluga rescued from closed Ontario park dies in California
Beluga rescued from Marineland dies in San Diego
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Facebook, SeaWorld San Diego (Mandatory Credit)
A California aquarium says a beluga rescued from Marineland in Ontario has died, adding to the number of deaths of animals relocated over the summer from the now-closed Canadian facility.
SeaWorld San Diego says in a Facebook post that Cyprus, a nine-year-old male beluga that arrived at the park on Aug. 22 stopped eating on Friday, and an ultrasound later determined the animal's intestinal tract did not appear to be functioning normally.
It says Cyprus had been doing well since his arrival, eating consistently and interacting with his trainers and animal care team, along with two other rescued belugas.
But it notes belugas can mask discomfort or underlying concerns that are not immediately visible, and it says a full necropsy will be conducted.
Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., had said it was running out of money and could no longer care for the last captive whales and dolphins in Canada, and 30 of its belugas and four dolphins were transferred to other facilities in a mass relocation effort.
SeaWorld San Diego says the other rescued belugas in its care are in stable health and remain under close monitoring as they continue to adjust to their surroundings.
"As we have indicated, this process will take a considerable amount of time. Our commitment to the health, well-being and care of these belugas, like every animal we rescue, continues," the facility said in its social media post on Sunday.
It said that after the necropsy is completed, the cause of Cyprus's death will be shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Less than two weeks ago, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago said Caspian, a 27-year-old female beluga that was relocated from Marineland, died despite efforts to save her.
Caspian had not been eating properly and blood samples showed abnormalities in her electrolyte levels, Shedd said.
Shedd said it performed necropsies on Peekachu and Rain, two other Marineland whales that died there, and concluded that they had chronic, pre-existing diseases.
A beluga named Jelly Bean and a dolphin named Echo also died at Oceanografic Valencia in Spain after the move.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Keep reading
Show less
Old Age Security payments for October are bigger and eligible Canadians will get money soon
This federal benefit now offers close to $840.
Gabriel Vergani | Dreamstime
October payments of Old Age Security (OAS) will be deposited into bank accounts and delivered to mailboxes soon.
The benefit amounts for this federal pension have increased, so eligible Canadians can now receive more money.
OAS is a monthly government payment administered by Service Canada. If you're expecting your first payment or waiting for another installment, you'll get money as a direct deposit or cheque near the end of the month.
So, here's what you need to know about OAS, including the October payment date, increased payment amounts, and more.
What is Old Age Security?
OAS is a pension for eligible people who are 65 years of age or older.
It can also include additional amounts from the Guaranteed Income Supplement, Allowance, and Allowance for the Survivor benefits.
Who is eligible for Old Age Security?
You must be 65 years of age or older to be eligible to receive the OAS pension.
If you live in Canada, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen or a legal resident at the time your OAS pension application is approved
- have resided in Canada for at least 10 years since the age of 18
If you live outside Canada, you must:
- have been a Canadian citizen or a legal resident of Canada on the day before you left Canada
- have resided in Canada for at least 20 years since the age of 18
You can receive OAS even if you've never worked or you're still working because your employment status doesn't affect your eligibility.
If Service Canada has your information, you'll get an enrollment letter close to your 64th birthday. That means you're automatically enrolled and don't need to apply for the pension.
If it's been one month since your 64th birthday and you haven't received an enrollment letter, you may need to apply for OAS.
How much money can you get from Old Age Security payments?
The amount of money you get from OAS depends on the age you started receiving the pension, whether you're 75 or older and eligible for an increased pension amount, your net income, and how many years you've lived in Canada.
Recently, the federal government implemented a payment adjustment to reflect cost-of-living increases measured by the Consumer Price Index.
OAS benefits are now 1.4% higher for payments in October, November and December.
The maximum payment is $762.50 if you're between 65 and 74 years old, and $838.75 if you're 75 or older. That's an increase of $10.53 and $11.58 per month, respectively.
When is the next Old Age Security payment date?
The next OAS payment date is Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
How do you receive Old Age Security payments?
You can receive your OAS payment from Service Canada by direct deposit or by cheque.
If you have direct deposit set up with Service Canada, a payment will be automatically put into your bank account every month you're eligible for the pension.
If you don't have direct deposit as your payment method, a cheque will be issued during the last three business days of each month you're eligible for OAS payments. It could take longer for you to receive the money that way because cheques are mailed.
Service Canada said you can sign up for direct deposit at any time and get money directly into your bank account in Canada, the U.S. or other participating countries.
If you were recently enrolled in this program, you'll receive your first OAS payment the month after you turn 65 or on the specific date you chose.
Keep reading
Show less
People Are Roasting The New Apple Mac Pro Made In Austin
So apparently Apple is listening to the fans by giving us what we want. They are releasing a newly, re-designed Mac Pro right out of Austin, and it's super exciting. Austin, Texas is a huge tech hub now, so to have bragging rights on an Apple product is even cooler. But while many would simply nod their heads to this news and move on, others want a say in this. Reddit users have taken to their platform to give their two cents on what they want Texans to contribute, and it's making for some hilarious reactions.
Texas is a pretty easy state to make fun of. Even people who live here find jokes about one of the most prideful states in the world hilarious. That, or they make them themselves. Reddit is probably one of the greatest platforms to roast anything going viral at the moment. So when news broke yesterday that the new Mac Pro would be manufactured in Austin, Reddit users wasted no time.
[rebelmouse-image 25949330 photo_credit="Screen Grab | Reddit" expand=1 original_size="750x187"]
BBQ and bullets are just two of the notable mentions in the comments on one particular thread. After the iPhone 11 underwent scrutiny for the way the cameras looked, you'd think the Mac Pro would be getting made fun of for it's appearance as well. But no, the fact that it's being made in Texas is funny all on its own.
[rebelmouse-image 25949331 photo_credit="Screen Grab | Reddit" expand=1 original_size="750x168"]
The company is making big moves with this decision, and we can't wait to see what they continue to come out with. For now, scrolling through Reddit and even other social media platforms where jokes about Texas can be found is the move. What's that Spongebob episode again?
[rebelmouse-image 25949332 photo_credit="Screen Grab | Reddit" expand=1 original_size="750x425"]
There are stories everywhere! If you spot a newsworthy event in your city, send us a message, photo, or video @NarcityUSA on Facebook and Instagram.