NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — Fraser Health has taken a major step forward in surgical innovation with the arrival of the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system at Royal Columbian Hospital, marking a significant milestone in the region’s expanding robotic surgery program. The advanced system, funded by the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, positions the hospital at the forefront of next-generation medical technology. Surrey Memorial Hospital is also slated to receive its own da Vinci Xi unit in the coming months, supported by the Surrey Hospitals Foundation. The two hospitals will serve as the cornerstones of a regional program designed to enhance…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a business correspondent for Wire Service Canada, reporting on corporate developments, market trends, and economic news with clarity and accuracy. With over a decade of experience in journalism, he has covered stories ranging from financial results and trade agreements to emerging innovations, offering readers both local insight and global context. Known for his balanced and engaging reporting style, Sam is committed to delivering reliable, relevant, and timely business news that helps audiences make informed decisions.
Charlottetown is getting ready to welcome the return of one of Prince Edward Island’s most anticipated fall celebrations. The Charlottetown Scarecrow Festival, running from October 3 to 31, 2025, marks its fifth year of transforming the city’s downtown into a whimsical autumn wonderland filled with creativity, community spirit, and festive fun. A Month of Fall Fun and Community Creativity The month-long festival will feature over 800 handcrafted scarecrows, each adding colour and character to the city’s streets. The installations—many designed by local artist Julie Doneff—have become a hallmark of the event, delighting both residents and visitors. This year, Creative PEI…
The Ontario government is taking a major step to make fertility care more accessible for families across the province. With a $250 million investment to expand the Ontario Fertility Program (OFP), the province plans to triple the number of families who can access publicly funded in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility services. The announcement, made by Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, underscores the province’s commitment to improving public services and reducing wait times for Ontarians seeking fertility treatment. The funding will support 25 fertility clinics, including six new IVF centres, with the goal of expanding capacity…
As the fall season brings vibrant floral arrangements and festive home décor across Atlantic Canada, experts are warning that some of these displays may be doing more harm than good. Invasive plant species commonly used in decorative arrangements are spreading into local ecosystems, posing serious risks to biodiversity and increasing management costs for governments and landowners. According to the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council (NSISC) and the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council (NBISC), popular ornamental plants like the Common Reed (Phragmites australis spp. australis) and Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) are among the most harmful offenders. These species, while visually appealing,…
The Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FoKLSS) is inviting residents, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts to gather later this month for the 10th Annual Kootenay Lake Summit, a community-driven event celebrating environmental stewardship and collective action for the region’s ecosystem. Set for Saturday, October 25, 2025, the summit will be held at Harrop Hall from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., with doors opening at 5:00 p.m.. This year’s theme, “Stewardship in Action,” reflects FoKLSS’s ongoing commitment to empowering communities to protect and restore the Kootenay Lake watershed. A Decade of Local Stewardship The Kootenay Lake Summit has grown into a cornerstone…
Campbell River’s Emergency Communications Team Partners with Scouts for Worldwide Event The Strathcona Regional District’s (SRD) Emergency Communications Team will lend its technical expertise and mentorship to Scouts Canada later this month as part of a global youth communications initiative. The collaboration will take place during the annual Jamboree-On-The-Air (JOTA) exercise, a worldwide event connecting Scouts through amateur radio. Scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the event will primarily be held at the Campbell River Search and Rescue Hall. The SRD Communications Team will play a key role in helping local Scouts establish radio…
Date and Details Announced An inquest has been scheduled into the deaths of two men who died in hospital after sustaining injuries while in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC). The proceedings, announced Tuesday by Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, will begin later this month and are expected to provide insight into how the incidents occurred. Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office, confirmed that the inquest will commence at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025. The hearings will be presided over by Dr. Richard Wells, with Peter Napier serving as inquest…
The Ontario government is positioning itself as a global leader in cancer care with the launch of the Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program — a new initiative designed to give patients faster access to breakthrough cancer drugs. The program makes Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to fast-track public access to innovative, life-saving therapies. The three-year pilot program will allow patients to receive some of the world’s most advanced cancer treatments almost a full year sooner than current timelines, dramatically reducing delays that have long hindered access to new medicines. “For thousands of Ontarians facing a cancer diagnosis,…
The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $41 million over four years to build and revitalize Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) infrastructure, a move aimed at supporting farmers, boosting competitiveness, and driving innovation across the province’s agri-food sector. The investment, part of Ontario’s broader plan to protect and strengthen the province’s food systems, is designed to give farmers access to cutting-edge research and technology. The initiative comes as farmers face growing pressures from global competition and new U.S. tariffs. “Our government is taking action to protect Ontario’s agri-food sector, and we are proud to support farmers…
Global renewable energy capacity is on track to more than double by 2030, according to a new forecast from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which projects that solar photovoltaic (PV) power will dominate the sector’s expansion despite ongoing challenges in supply chains, grid integration, and financing. The IEA’s Renewables 2025 report, released Tuesday, forecasts that renewable power capacity worldwide will increase by 4,600 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 — equivalent to adding the total power generation capacity of China, the European Union, and Japan combined. This growth underscores the accelerating global transition toward cleaner energy sources, even as developers navigate complex…