BC News

Avalanche control closes Highway 1 between Revelstoke and Golden for several hours

Rogers Pass closed

Another major BC highway is expected to be closed for most of Monday.

Photo: Parks Canada

A Canadian Armed Forces artillery team undertakes avalanche control work in Rogers Pass

Drive BC announced that the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) would be closed between Revelstoke and Golden for avalanche control. The closure began at 3 a.m. The estimated time of opening is not until 11 p.m.

Drive BC said no detour would be available.

Last week, there was also a lengthy closure on Highway 1 through the Rogers Pass for avalanche control work.

The avalanche risk is high in many parts of B.C., including through the mountain passes into Alberta.

Avalanche Canada warned that Heavy snowfall, extreme winds, and warm temperatures will cause a widespread avalanche cycle on Monday. Large portions of Glacier National Park are closed due to avalanche control using explosives.

B.C. braces for 'high impact' rain in flood-struck Fraser Valley and beyond

'We aren't through this yet'

Photo: The Canadian Press

A Highway 1 speed limit sign pokes out from the floodwaters in Abbotsford, B.C., on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

UPDATE 7:50 p.m.

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.

Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene said Sunday that flood and landslide risks in parts of the province will increase with more stormy weather in the forecast, even as floodwaters receded in Abbotsford after heavy rains last week.

"We aren't through this yet," Greene said during an update alongside other provincial officials. "While road conditions are currently improving, they may change quickly due to flooding."

Environment Canada issued orange rainfall warnings for the west and central Fraser Valley regions — including Abbotsford and Chilliwack — as well as the Skagit Valley, with up to 80 millimetres of rain in some areas where localized flooding is likely.

The orange warnings mean rain is expected to cause significant damage, disruption or health impacts, and Environment Canada says there will be high impacts with a high degree of likelihood.

The heaviest rains were expected on Monday, before tapering off in the evening.

Lower-level yellow rain warnings were also up for Metro Vancouver and about 10 other regions.

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said 56 farms remain under evacuation order, with 13 on alert, as flooded barns led to deaths of chickens on some affected poultry farms in Abbotsford.

Connie Chapman with the province's water management branch said Sunday that flood warnings remained for the Sumas and Chilliwack Rivers, and there were high stream flow advisories in several other parts of B.C. including Haida Gwaii, the north, central and south coast and on Vancouver Island.

"We do know that the precipitation amounts going to fall are going to land differently than what we saw last week," Chapman said. "How that's fully going to play out … is a little uncertain."

She said the forecast was less intense than last week, but officials were still concerned about areas impacted by flooding being hit again.

Abbotsford fire chief Erick Peterson said Sunday that the city was hoping to lift remaining evacuation orders for more than 300 properties in the Sumas Prairie, as floodwaters in the city receded.

Peterson said the city was still maintaining an up-to-date map of affected properties online, and he was happy to see that damage assessments have shown most evacuated homes have been deemed safe to re-enter.

He said drivers should still avoid floodwaters in evacuated areas.

Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens said the incoming weather won't make it easy for many residents to return to their homes and farms, especially for those still under evacuation in the Sumas Prairie.

He said the city's emergency operations centre was still active, and would continue to closely monitor river levels and the weather in the coming days.

The B.C. government said Sunday that Highway 1 out of Abbotsford was reopened in both directions, but officials said there could be short-notice closures on some stretches due to flood risk on Highway 5, the Coquihalla Highway, Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon, and Highway 99 from Cache Creek to Pemberton.

The Transportation Ministry said that one eastbound lane of Highway 1 opened Sunday morning and both westbound lanes on the highway through Abbotsford reopened Saturday night.

The ministry said in a statement that drivers should expect congestion and slower speeds moving eastbound and should give themselves more time to get where they're going.

It said the highway was still vulnerable after heavy rains caused flooding in Abbotsford, closing side roads and the highway before floodwaters began receding.

The ministry said it was still monitoring the weather situation before reopening the second eastbound lane, and warned that the highway could again be closed at any time should conditions change.

Siemens said he was happy that Highway 1 was reopened, as it was a welcome relief for the city after its closure cut off the community from the eastern parts of B.C.

The City of Abbotsford said in a statement Sunday that the flooding situation had notably improved as floodwaters gradually receded, but overflow from the Nooksack River in Washington State continued.

Abbotsford said it lifted evacuation alerts and downgraded evacuation orders placed on hundreds of properties Saturday night as city staff surveyed the damage from the flooding.

While many evacuation alerts were rescinded in Abbotsford on Saturday, the forecast called for the rain to continue until Monday evening, with warnings also up for Metro Vancouver and elsewhere.

Some evacuation orders were downgraded to evacuation alerts Sunday, including 248 properties in Sumas Prairie allowing some residents to return home, but evacuation orders remained in place for 77 properties, with 408 properties continuing to be under alert.

Officials in Chilliwack have also warned that local rivers were expected to swell, which may cause localized flooding, but not as much as earlier in the week.

ORIGINAL 12:10 p.m.

Rainfall warnings have gone up across British Columbia's flood-drenched Fraser Valley as another wave of soaking weather hits the region.

Environment Canada says the valley, including Abbotsford, which was inundated by cross-border flooding last week, can expect the new system to bring "significant rain" of up to 80 millimetres with the heaviest downpours on Monday.

While many evacuation alerts were rescinded by the City of Abbotsford on Saturday, the forecast calls for the rain to continue until Monday evening, with warnings also up for Metro Vancouver and elsewhere.

Officials in Chilliwack have warned that local rivers are expected to swell, which may cause localized flooding, but not as much as earlier in the week.

Receding floodwaters meant the City of Abbotsford on Saturday could rescind evacuation alerts for 1,069 properties in Sumas Prairie West and Sumas Prairie East.

Some evacuation orders were downgraded to evacuation alerts, allowing some residents to return home.

Evacuation orders remain in place for 325 properties throughout Sumas Prairie, with 160 under evacuation alert.

Dallas Brodie fires back after ousted as OneBC leader, party alleges she yelled at staff

Dallas Brodie fires back

Photo: Castanet

Dallas Brodie, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena and leader of the OneBC Party, at an event in Kamloops on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

UPDATE: 6:00 p.m.

OneBC has expanded on its allegations against ousted leader Dallas Brodie, while Brodie claims people within the party were making deals with the BC Conservatives behind her back.

In a statement issued Sunday, the party claims that Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong lost confidence in Brodie’s leadership, “in light of Brodie’s increasing instability, paranoia, erratic behaviour, and abusive conduct."

“Ms. Brodie has frequently yelled at employees, used abusive language, and severed communications with senior staff and caucus for extended periods of time,” said the statement from OneBC.

The party alleges she had a “major outburst” towards staff members at the OneBC caucus offices.

“She yelled, used abusive language, and demanded the termination of multiple employees.

“Senior staff members met with Ms. Brodie to address concerns regarding her pattern of unprofessional and unstable conduct and requested that she refrain from such behaviour in the future.

“After senior staff and caucus colleague MLA Armstrong raised concerns of her behavior, Ms. Brodie severed communications and refused to respond to senior staff or MLA Armstrong for nearly a week, despite multiple urgent requests to discuss pressing matters.”

The party said the “erratic behaviour” culminated with the former leader firing senior staff members without prior notice or explanation and then “attempting to access and copy party assets, communications software, and databases without authorization.”

The statement also said that Brodie refused to return communications to senior members of her team for extended periods of time on multiple occasions before these events.

“Recent events have left me without confidence in the leadership of Dallas Brodie. We thank her for her contributions to British Columbia and wish her well,” said Tara Armstrong.

Brodie has posted a response on social media to her removal as leader.

She claims she had raised concerns with then chief of staff, Tim Thielmann, and interim executive director of the party, Paul Ratchford, about a staffer (Othman Mekhloufi) and the values that the staffer expressed publicly. She said those values were incompatible with her views. She said instead, another member of her team was terminated.

Brodie said she issued a written demand to have Mekhloufi removed from any position within caucus or the party.

“Tim Thielmann and Paul Ratchford deliberately subverted the order to remove Othman by carrying out his termination on caucus side while simultaneously hiring him onto the party side of OneBC,” said Brodie in her post.

She said there was more going on than she was not aware of, and Ratchford and Othman were in contact with the BC Conservatives executive team, without her knowledge, to “pass information and make deals.”

Brodie added that her values have not changed, her vision for OneBC has not changed and her policy positions have not changed.

Since I was elected as an MLA and since I became the interim leader of OneBC, my commitment has always been to my constituents, to the party members, and to all British Columbians.

My values haven't changed. My vision for BC hasn't changed. My policy positions haven't changed.…

— Dallas Brodie (@Dallas_Brodie) December 15, 2025

ORIGINAL: 9:18 a.m.

Dallas Brodie has been ousted as OneBC’s leader by the party’s board of directors.

That’s what OneBC said on social media just after midnight on Sunday, hours after Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong posted on X that she had lost confidence in Brodie’s leadership.

“There have been multiple recent attempts by agents instructed by Ms. Brodie to obtain control of party assets without authorization, including multiple attempted breaches of security systems, communications software, and databases of the party,” the party said in a social media post.

The post also states the board of directors has “taken steps to protect membership and other sensitive data” and is investigating the matter.

Several hours after Armstrong announced her loss of confidence, Brodie also took to social media to say all was fine.

“Yes, we are experiencing a little turbulence but the plane is still flying and we will be in beautiful calm skies shortly,” Brodie’s post reads.

Armstrong and Brodie, two former members of the B.C. Conservative caucus, co-founded the upstart right-wing political party in June.

Brodie was booted from the party in March for comments on Canada’s residential school system, prompting Armstrong to split from the party as well.

The pair have taken turns tabling bills that have been quickly voted down in the legislature at first reading. The exception was Armstrong’s recent Freedom Convoy Recognition Act, which passed first reading earlier this month.

Last month, three Indigenous leaders called for Brodie’s resignation over what one of them called “racist residential school denialism.”

OneBC executive director Paul Ratchford also confirmed on Saturday that Tim Thielmann, OneBC's former chief of staff, was no longer with the party.

OneBC caucus advisor Wyatt Claypool, who has voiced support for Brodie amid the party infighting, alleged on social media Sunday morning that Ratchford had been meeting with the BC Conservative party about merging the two parties, without the knowledge of Brodie.

Dallas Brodie has been removed as Leader of OneBC by the Party’s Board of Directors.

There have been multiple recent attempts by agents instructed by Ms. Brodie to obtain control of party assets without authorization, including multiple attempted breaches of security systems,… pic.twitter.com/NVASARGbyE

— OneBC (@One_BCHQ) December 14, 2025

Highway 1 through Fraser Canyon, Highway 99 west of Lytton to close overnight

Hwy 1, 99 closed tonight

Photo: Ministry of Transportation

Flooding damage along Highway 3.

UPDATE 7:20 p.m.

Two Highways connecting the Southern Interior to the Lower Mainland are being closed tonight.

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has announced precautionary overnight closures of Highway 99 east of Pemberton and Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon.

Highway 99 will be closed, as of 8 p.m. Sunday until Monday morning, between Mt. Currie and Lillooet.

Highway 1 will be shut to vehicles from the Hope junction to Lytton starting at 10 p.m. and continuing until Monday morning.

“There are known slide areas along both highways, as well as slopes damaged by recent wildfires,” said the ministry. “These proactive closures are due to the risk of rockfall, debris flows and washouts as a result of heavy rain and snowpack melt. Both highways will be assessed in the morning.”

UPDATE 4 p.m.

The Ministry of Transportation is closely watching highways as more heavy rain falls over the next few days.

During a Sunday afternoon update on the flooding situation, government officials said that of particular concern are areas where rain is falling on snowpack and stretches of highway damaged during last week’s atmospheric river.

“Areas that we’ve already seen damage on Highway 3 are susceptible and vulnerable to more damage along that corridor,” said Janelle Straite, a spokesperson for the ministry.

She said they are also watching for rock or mud slides along Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon.

“So those are a bit less predictable in terms of exactly when and where, but we do know that risk is elevated, which is where we look to implement some of those proactive closures,” said Straite.

ORIGINAL 2:30 p.m.

Environment Canada has issued Orange rainfall warnings for two highways connecting the Southern Interior with the Lower Mainland.

The warnings cover the Coquihalla Highway between Merritt and Hope and Highways 3 between Princeton and Hope, through Allison Pass and the Manning-Skagit area.

“While light to moderate rainfall occurs today, a stronger frontal system will arrive tonight, bringing significant rain to the region,” said Environment Canada. “The heaviest rainfall amounts are expected on Monday with freezing levels rising to 2500 metres by Monday afternoon.”

Rainfall amounts of 60 to 80 millimetres are predicted, combined with gusty southerly winds on Monday morning, shifting to southwesterly on Monday afternoon.

Environment Canada warns that localized flooding is likely.

“Some roads may become impassable. Travel delays and/or cancellations are likely. Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas such as steep slopes, deforested areas or recent burn scars.”

Highway 3 remains closed between Hope and Manning Park, due to damage from the atmospheric river last week.

Travellers are being advised that the weather in the mountains can change suddenly, leading to hazardous driving conditions. People are also reminded not to drive through flooded roadways.

The rain is expected to ease by early Monday evening as the system moves off.

An Orange alert under the new colour-coded system used by Environment Canada means that severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruptions or health impacts. The impacts are likely to be major, widespread and/or lasting for a few days.

Highway 1 out of Abbotsford reopened, flood evacuation orders downgraded for nearly 250 homes

Some orders lifted

Photo: The Canadian Press

Floodwaters surround a house and vehicles in Abbotsford B.C., Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

UPDATE 4:15 p.m.

The City of Abbotsford has downgraded evacuation orders for some properties as flood waters recede.

Evacuation orders have been downgraded to evacuation alerts for 248 addresses in the Sumas Prairie.

Properties impacted by this change are in the eastern portion of the existing evacuation order from Sumas Dike/Marion Road west to most properties accessible from Whatcom Road and most properties south of the Sumas River. The change also includes all properties north of Sumas Dike from Lakeview Street to Barrowtown. The properties are only accessible from No. 3 Road at this time due to road closures.

Evacuation Orders remain in place for 77 properties, and 408 properties remain under Evacuation Alert.

The City of Abbotsford said that Rapid Damage Assessments were done on homes observed to be impacted by the floodwaters in the area where the order was lifted, to ensure that people returning home can do so safely. Of the homes checked, 278 were assessed as green, 9 homes were assessed as yellow (restricted access), and no homes were assessed as red (do not enter).

The City of Abbotsford has downgraded Evacuation Orders for 248 properties in Sumas Prairie. These properties remain on Evacuation Alert at this time. pic.twitter.com/Op4X5EJnDx

— City of Abbotsford (@City_Abbotsford) December 15, 2025

UPDATE 1:53 p.m.

Abbotsford fire chief Erick Peterson says the city is hoping to lift remaining evacuation orders for more than 300 properties in the Sumas Prairie today, as floodwaters in the city recede.

Peterson says the city is still maintaining an up-to-date map of affected properties online, and he's happy to see that damage assessments have shown most evacuated homes have been deemed to safe to re-enter.

Peterson says drivers should still avoid floodwaters in evacuated areas.

Environment Canada says rainfall warnings are in place across British Columbia's flood-drenched Fraser Valley as another wave of soaking weather hits the region.

Environment Canada says the valley, including Abbotsford, which was inundated by cross-border flooding last week, can expect the new system to bring "significant rain" of up to 80 millimetres with the heaviest downpours expected Monday.

Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens says it won't be easy for many residents to return to their homes and farms, especially for those still under evacuation in the Sumas Prairie.

Siemens says the city's emergency operations centre is still active, and will "continue to closely monitor" river levels and the weather in the coming days.

He says he's happy that the highway has been reopened, as it's a "welcome relief" for the city after its closure cut off the community from the eastern parts of B.C.

Abbotsford said it lifted evacuation alerts and downgraded evacuation orders placed on hundreds of properties Saturday night as city staff survey the damage from the flooding.

While many evacuation alerts were rescinded in Abbotsford on Saturday, the forecast calls for the rain to continue until Monday evening, with warnings also up for Metro Vancouver and elsewhere.

UPDATE 11:35 a.m.

The B.C. government says Highway 1 out of Abbotsford has been reopened in both directions after being closed due to flooding.

The Transportation Ministry says that one eastbound lane opened this morning and both westbound lanes on the highway through Abbotsford reopened last night.

The ministry says in a statement that drivers should expect congestion and slower speeds moving eastbound and give themselves more time to get where they're going.

It says the highway is still "vulnerable" after heavy rains caused flooding in Abbotsford, closing side roads and the highway before floodwaters began receding.

The ministry says its still monitoring the weather situation before reopening the second eastbound lane, and warns that the highway could again be closed at "any time" should conditions change.

The City of Abbotsford says the flooding situation has notably improved as floodwaters are "gradually" receding, but overflow from the Nooksack River in Washington State continues.

Abbotsford says it lifted evacuation alerts and downgraded evacuation orders placed on hundreds of properties last night as city staff survey the damage from the flooding.

UPDATE 8:07 a.m.

Vogel said it was devastating and was shocked to see the baseball diamond surrounded by water, though it had receded since the day before.

"I can't believe I was walking on that field months ago, and now you can't even go down there," she said. "When we got the news that it was flooded here at Delair, it was shocking — more shocking when you come and see it in person."

The City of Abbotsford said floodwaters were receding Saturday, with some areas seeing significant improvement. Late in the day, it announced evacuation alerts for 1,069 properties in Sumas Prairie West and Sumas Prairie East were being lifted, and that 160 properties had been downgraded from an evacuation order to an evacuation alert, meaning those residents could return home.

Evacuation orders remain in place for 325 properties throughout Sumas Prairie.

The B.C. government, meanwhile, said westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway have reopened. However, traffic for the eastbound lanes was still being directed to a detour.

But the region's flood woes may not be over.

Environment Canada warned more rain is expected across the already saturated Fraser Valley. The forecast is calling for a "potentially significant push of moisture" Monday and into early next week. The agency also warns of an increased risk of landslides, as the rainfall may destabilize slopes.

Not far from the flooded baseball field in Abbotsford, a business complex was closed due to an evacuation order, but many drivers seemingly ignored road closure signs and were seen barrelling through a flooded portion near the complex's entrance.

Dean Jeffery, who works at a veterinary clinic in the complex, said it was a "waiting game" watching the rains earlier in the week.

He said his home in the Huntington Village area has been under evacuation alert, and it was ordered evacuated in 2021 when flooding devastated Abbotsford following heavy rain.

Jeffrey said his neighbourhood has seen some flooding this time, but his home has been spared.

"We haven't been asked to leave this time, so it can't be as bad," he said. "Although I don't know what Monday's going to bring, or Tuesday."

The city issued a statement earlier Saturday warning that water continues to flow across the border from the Nooksack River in Washington state, where it first overflowed Wednesday.

The statement said side roads were still flooded, adding that online maps have been showing inaccurate information about roads that remain closed. As for the main highway, it said there was no way through Abbotsford and Chilliwack to get to the eastern reaches of B.C.

With more wet weather in the forecast for Sunday, officials in Chilliwack said local rivers were expected to swell, which may cause localized flooding. But they said flows were expected to be less severe than earlier in the week.

Cindy Braun, who lives in the Delair Park area of Abbotsford, said when she was returning home Thursday night, she was surprised to see the highway had flooded.

"We said, 'Oh, brother, not again'," she said in an interview, referring to the flooding in 2021, which she said was much worse. "Cars were still getting through, and we watched until it got that they couldn't get through ... and it still rose overnight.

"I don't know how long it will take to recede."

Repairs underway on Crowsnest Highway following rains

Highway repairs underway

Photo: DriveBC

Repairs are underway on the Crowsnest Highway this weekend.

Crews are working hard this weekend repairing the Crowsnest Highway, after last week's torrential rains caused significant damage to a number of areas.

Highway 3 remains closed between Hope and Manning Park, and it's expected to remain closed for a number of days as maintenance crews conduct repair work.

On Friday, Janelle Staite, deputy director with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, said there were 23 separate sites along the highway that had been damaged.

“The biggest site along the corridor is where we saw significant undermining of almost both lanes, and we need to go in and do a full culvert replacement,” she said.

Saturday morning, DriveBC posted that crews are working on emergency repairs and restoration today, with “slope, culvert and shoulder work in progress.”

DriveBC has not provided an estimate of when the repairs are expected to be completed, saying the highway "remains closed until it is safe to restore traffic, and the necessary repairs are completed."

Friday evening, Highway 3 was reopened between Manning Park and Princeton for local traffic only.

Photos: Widespread flooding remains in Abbotsford

Photos: Abbotsford floods

Photo: Abbotsford Police Department

Click here to view gallery

Photo: Abbotsford Police Department Photo: Abbotsford Police Department Photo: Abbotsford Police Department Photo: Abbotsford Police Department Photo: Abbotsford Police Department Photo: Abbotsford Police Department Photo: Abbotsford Police Department Photo: Abbotsford Police Department

Heavy rain this past week has brought significant flooding to Abbotsford and the surrounding areas.

While the waters from the flooded Nooksack River, which overflowed Wednesday, are gradually dropping, more rain is forecast to fall early next week.

About 450 homes in the area remain under an evacuation order, while another 1,700 are under an alert.

Highway 1 remains closed east of Sumas Way, after the highway became completely flooded.

The Abbotsford Police Department posted a series of photos taken during the day Friday, showing the extent of the flooding.

Airlines offering free flight changes, cancellations due to Abbotsford flooding

Airlines offer free changes

Photo: The Canadian Press

A couple of airlines are offering free changes for flights headed to and out of the Fraser Valley amid extensive flooding. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit issued a travel advisory for parts of the Fraser Valley with a flooding risk. People are asked to avoid travel unless necessary until water levels subside.

Flair Airlines and WestJet operate the majority of flights to YXX. Both airlines will provide free changes to customers with flights booked heading into the weekend in or out of the airport. 

Have a look at what is available to impacted travellers this weekend. 

Flair Airlines 

Flair Airlines is offering help for passengers affected by the Fraser Valley flooding. 

Flair is waiving change fees for passengers with flights booked between Dec. 12 and Dec. 14.

A spokesperson for the airline says travellers with flights out of YXX should leave early, and check DriveBC.ca for current road conditions and delays due to the flooding.

WestJet 

WestJet has also provided one-time waivers for travellers to Abbotsford departing or arriving on Dec. 12 or Dec. 13. 

The airline will allow you to do one of several options if you haven't left for your trip yet:

• Cancel your reservation. The funds will be refunded or credited based on the fare class booked. UltraBasic fares will receive a Travel Bank credit - valid for 12 months.
• Change your travel dates (subject to availability) to the same destination. Travel must be completed within 60 days of the original departure date.
• Change your destination. Pay any difference in fare. If your new itinerary costs less, WestJet will give you a Travel Bank credit for the difference.
• Changes and cancellations must be made over 2 hours before departure.     

Abbotsford floodwaters recede but more rain in store for B.C.'s Fraser Valley

Floodwaters receding

Floodwaters surround a house in Abbotsford, B.C., on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Click here to view gallery

Photo: The Canadian PressPhoto: The Canadian Press

Floodwaters that poured into Abbotsford this week are receding, but Environment Canada warns more rain is in store for the already saturated Fraser Valley.

It says while rainfall is expected to taper throughout the day, another system will move into the area tonight.

The weather office says that will be followed by a "potentially significant push of moisture" Monday and into early next week.

It is also warning of an increased risk of landslides, as rainfall may destabilize slopes.

Waters from the Nooksack River in Washington state, which overflowed Wednesday, continued to flow across the border Friday, but the City of Abbotsford says the waters have peaked and are gradually dropping.

The city says floodgates are open at the Barrowtown pump station, sending floodwaters out of the Sumas River and into the Fraser River.

Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene has said about 450 properties in B.C. have been evacuated, the majority of them in Abbotsford, with 1,700 under evacuation alert.

The flooding that has filled fields and closed Highway 1 and the Sumas border crossing is reminiscent of floods in 2021 that were also caused by overflows from the Nooksack River.

Lawyer says B.C. Mountie should be fired immediately or quit over group-chat remarks

Mountie under fire for texts

Photo: .

This composite image shows Coquitlam RCMP constables, left to right, Mersad Mesbah, Ian Solven and Philip Dick, outside their RCMP code of conduct hearing in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

A Mountie accused of making racist and sexist comments in group chats should be dismissed immediately or directed to resign within 14 days, the lawyer for the RCMP's conduct authority told an adjudication board hearing Friday.

John MacLaughlan said Constable Ian Solven "has severed the employment relationship with the RCMP" with misconduct that "strikes at the core of the RCMP organizational values."

In November, RCMP adjudicator Louise Morel found Coquitlam constables Solven, Mersad Mesbah and Philip Dick, failed to treat people with respect and courtesy and committed discreditable conduct when they posted racist, sexist, and homophobic comments in a group chat with other officers and on police computer terminals.

Court documents show the allegations against Solven, Dick and Mesbah came to light after one of their fellow officers complained about what he saw as “atrocious” and “racist and horrible” activity by his colleagues.

The RCMP is seeking the officers' dismissals, while all three members remain suspended with pay.

MacLaughlan told Friday's hearing for Solven that the officer's actions and comments raised concern about the administration of justice and RCMP operations, with comments that "denigrate colleagues" and dehumanized "the most vulnerable members of society."

At the hearing, Solven said he was proud to be an RCMP member, and still feels that way while recognizing that he failed to live up to the force's expectations and its core values. He said he "truly regrets" his actions.

He blamed his actions on his frustrations and personal issues, which got to a point where he was "taking cheap shots" at co-workers. Solven, who has been suspended since 2021, told the hearing he would "never repeat these actions again."

"I've cast a shadow over the good work that they're doing because of my inability to deal with my emotions properly at the time, and not only the RCMP, but also other first responders who are having to deal with the public," he said.

Solven's lawyer, Brad Kielmann, told the adjudicator that his client should not be dismissed or directed to resign. He argued such actions would have a "significant impact" on him financially, adding that Solven views his role with the RCMP as a "true calling."

"In any case, a transfer would be appropriate, retraining, new training would be appropriate, and there ought to be a forfeiture of pay," Kielmann said Friday.

"He accepts the stiff conduct measures should be imposed, but he only asks for the privilege to be given a second chance to serve in the RCMP."

MacLaughlan said he was not asking the board to hold anyone to the standard of perfection, but the misconduct at issue "strays far from the line of what can be considered acceptable workplace conduct."

"You have demeaning comments about colleagues based on their gender and sexual orientation that I'd submitted have no place in the RCMP, which unfortunately has been publicly plagued by reports of harassment and mistreatment of female officers," said MacLaughlan.

He said there's a recognition in the case of law that this type of commentary "gives rise to a toxic work environment or poisons the work environment."

MacLaughlan said that Solven once described a naked woman in a homeless shelter as "his entertainment," and he used the police communication system to describe other police colleagues as "retarded."

MacLaughlan also pointed to other instances including Solven characterizing the RCMP vacation plan as "one involving female officers getting pregnant and not working for three years," and once describing a sexual assault victim as a "dumb girl."

MacLaughlan said allowing Solven to return to work would be "tone deaf."

"I don't want to go on and on about it, but this is a matter that has garnered national media attention. To put it very plainly, the public is watching," he said.

Morel scheduled her oral decision for Wednesday.

Highway 3 opens between Princeton and Manning Park, east of Hope remains closed

Part of Highway 3 reopens

Photo: Ministry of Transportation

Damage on the Crowsnest Highway.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m.

A part of Highway 3 has reopened between Princeton and Manning Park on Friday evening, for local traffic only, according to DriveBC.

"There are traffic checkpoints just west of Princeton for added awareness. Be prepared to stop," they said in an update.

"The highway remains closed west of Manning Park."

The Ministry of Transportation shared earlier on Friday that the damage to the highway is significant, and it will likely be multiple days before the rest of the road opens.

DriveBC said it will issue its next update on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Photo: DriveBC

Highway 3 remains closed west of Manning Park

UPDATE 11:35 a.m.

It will likely be multiple days before Highway 3 is reopened between Hope and Princeton.

Janelle Staite, deputy director with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, described the damage to the highway as “significant,” during a news conference Friday morning.

“The biggest site along the corridor is where we saw significant undermining of almost both lanes, and we need to go in and do a full culvert replacement,” she said.

There are 23 distinct sites that have been damaged “in a varying way.”

“We don't have an estimated time of reopening, but I certainly can say we don't expect it to be open in the coming days,” Staite continued.

“As we have more information on what that construction timeline looks like, we will be providing updates.”

ORIGINAL 6:40 a.m.

After the region saw extensive rainfall this week, Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton remains closed Friday due to "extensive damage” to the roadway.

The atmospheric river event caused serious flooding across much of the Lower Mainland and on the highways connecting the region to B.C.'s Interior, and highway closures temporarily cut off all routes heading east from the Lower Mainland.

As of Friday morning, the Coquihalla and Fraser Canyon highways have reopened to traffic, but Highway 1 just east of Abbotsford was closed overnight due to flooding.

Thursday night, B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation announced the Crowsnest Highway, between Hope and Manning Park, was seriously damaged at about 23 separate locations, and will remain closed for some time.

The damage includes "rockfall, roadway debris, shoulder undermining, exposed or blocked culverts and areas of ponding water."

"Engineering teams are preparing drawings and recommendations and contractors will mobilize tonight to begin work," the Ministry said Thursday night.

One particular site has been "severely undermined,” fully exposing a culvert, and the Ministry noted this will be a priority site that will take the longest to repair.

Evacuation alerts and orders have been issued in multiple places in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, and in some small areas of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. More information can be found here.

The province is holding a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning to provide more information about the flooding in the Lower Mainland and on highways.

Photo: Ministry of Transportation

Locations of weather event-related incidents along Highway 3

Inconsistent permitting leaving B.C. small businesses stuck in costly limbo

Small businesses in limbo

Photo: Chung Chow, BIV.

Ryan Mitton, director of B.C. legislative affairs at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said complex regulations and red tape are hindering B.C. small businesses.

Angus An, an award-winning chef behind eight Metro Vancouver restaurants, said inefficient and inconsistent government processes are hurting B.C. small businesses like his.

“I open many restaurants—every single time I open, it’s a different story,” said An, who recently opened his newest Thai restaurant, Sainam, in downtown Vancouver

When An applied for Sainam’s business licence in November 2024, he said city staff first told him no building permit was required for the upgrades he planned. Three weeks later, he said he was told the opposite.

An said he had to scramble during the holidays last year to find professionals to support the permit application.

After completing all the requirements and voicing his frustrations about the wait, An said he was offered the option of paying for overtime service to expedite the application. He agreed, and received the business licence in March—two months later than planned, and potentially longer had he not paid the extra fee.

“But if this overtime thing is a legitimate option, no one said anything from the beginning,” he said. “It’s almost sort of like a hidden option. … It’s not very transparent.”

An said this was not the first time he has dealt with shifting rules. When he submitted an application for a liquor licence, he was told it would not be reviewed until he had a business licence number, which was different from his previous experience.

“In the past, they would [review] it. I don’t know what changed, but it’s always been inconsistent,” he said, adding that the new rule will further delay restaurant openings if owners want to open with a liquor license.

Such delays and inconsistencies drive up costs for new business owners, who continue paying rent while waiting for licences, according to An. After two decades in the industry, he said the environment has become tougher for small businesses like his over the past 10 years.

“It is just very frustrating. … This is very difficult for people like us trying to open a small business, and generate money and economy for the city,” he said.

“I think the city should do everything they can to try to help, rather than red tape hurting and slowing down the process.”

Businesses pinched by regulations

An’s concerns are widely shared. More than half (55 per cent) of Canadian small businesses identified government regulation and paperwork as a major pain point, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)’s Red Tape Report released last January.

Between 2006 and 2021, Canada’s regulatory burden grew by 37 per cent. In B.C., small businesses face compliance costs per employee that are seven times higher than those of large firms, according to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT).

“Businesses are telling us that it is death by a thousand cuts and that the business environment is more costly and complicated than ever,” said David van Hemmen, vice-president of the GVBOT.

The CFIB report also found that in 2024, the average small business owner lost the equivalent of 32 business days dealing with red tape, and the combined cost of regulations for Canadian businesses reached $51.5 billion, with about $17.9 billion attributed to red tape.

“It’s unnecessary paperwork. It's time wasted that could otherwise be invested by a small business owner into actually running their business,” said Ryan Mitton, director of B.C. legislative affairs of CFIB.

He said that B.C. businesses face some of the highest regulatory fees in the country. And while B.C. allows local wineries to directly ship to other provinces, beer or spirits sellers have to navigate other provinces’ alcohol distribution system, he adds.

“Those are all barriers to actually getting your product the market in those other places,” said Mitton.

B.C. scored 5.5 out of 10—the second-lowest in the country—for political priority on red tap reduction in the CFIB’s 2025 provincial red tape report card.

Van Hemmen said change is urgently needed as small businesses face U.S. tariffs, a challenging economy and a record $11.6-billion projected deficit for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

“Governments need to move faster and follow through on [their] reviews and their commitment to truly improve the business environment,” he said.

More changes need to be seen

Governments at all levels have launched programs to streamline processes and cut red tape, but more visible action is required, according to those who spoke to the magazine.

In June, B.C. launched an “ease-of-doing-business review,” inviting companies to share challenges and suggestions to reduce barriers online. A month later, Ottawa began a government-wide review aimed at eliminating outdated and overly complex regulations.

At the municipal level, the City of Vancouver introduced its 3-3-3-1 permitting targets in 2023 and reported a 40 per cent reduction in commercial renovation permit timelines in 2024 compared with 2022. The City of Kelowna, meanwhile, launched an AI chatbot to automate permit applications and answer questions.

“The city is working to make it faster, simpler and more predictable to apply and get a [business] permit in Vancouver,” according to a statement from the City of Vancouver, noting requirements can vary significantly depending on the project.

Mitton said it’s encouraging to see some progress across all levels of government, but more changes need to take place “on the ground.”

“At the end of the day, it's one thing to change the law, it's another thing to actually implement those improvements in the bureaucracy, and we need to accelerate and redouble our efforts,” he said.

The CFIB hopes the B.C. government will extend the Net Zero Increase initiative—a commitment to add necessary regulations and remove outdated ones—to 2030; and reintroduce the “one-in, one-out” rule, meaning each new regulation must be offset by removing an existing one.

The organization also urges governments to make forms shorter, easier to read in plain language and accessible online, as well as reduce barriers for small businesses operating across borders.

An said it would help if local governments could create two separate review streams—one for small businesses and another for major developers—to cut wait times for small business owners working with tighter budgets.

Van Hemmen added that governments should prioritize faster, more predictable permitting through statutory decision timelines, fast-tracking high-impact projects, and a “one and done” approach to regulatory approvals.

“We will continue to work with businesses and lead the fight for a strong B.C. and a strong Canada, to build a more independent economy that works better for people and businesses,” said Ravi Kahlon, B.C. minister of jobs and economic growth, in a statement.