BC Today CBC

We bring you the latest on today's announcement of first-degree murder and conspiracy charges made in the murder of Surrey's Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Our guests are Reeta Tremblay, University of Victoria political science professor emeritus, and Stewart Prest, lecturer in political science at UBC.

CBC reporter Doug Hebert brings us a live update from Kamloops, where a fire broke out at the historic St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church building this morning.Then we discuss the month-long Loblaws boycott, food security and food systems with guest Kent Mullinix, director of sustainable agriculture and food security at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. And Cheuk Kwan, author of 'Have You eaten Yet? Stories from Chinese Restaurants Around the World,' joins us to share stories from the people he's met on his travels.

We're joined by B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon to discuss the province's new short-term housing laws that came into effect today. And, CBC News reporter Chad Pawson discusses how the laws are meant to work, and what the challenges to enforcement might be.

We begin this 4-part series with an interview with harm reduction and recovery advocate Guy Felicella. He tells host Michelle Eliot about his personal story of recovery. Then our panel discusses how barriers to care can be removed with Nicole Mucci, Union Gospel Mission's communications manager; Chapman Shaw, board member with Trinity House; and Bob Hughes, ASK Wellness' executive director.

Almost 40,000 people left B.C. for Alberta last year, according to Statistics Canada figures. BC Today and Alberta at Noon host a cross-border call-in to hear from our audience about what that means for people in both provinces. Our guests included Andy Yan, Director, City Program, Simon Fraser University; Paula Spurr, artist who is moving from Surrey to Calgary; Alicia Planincic, economist, manager of policy and economics with the Business Council of Alberta; Forrest Demman, President, Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce. Then, we have an update on the London Drugs cyberhacking closure with our guest Jamie Hari, Director of Cybersecurity and DNS, Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA).

The Ehattesaht First Nation says a killer whale calf that had been trapped in a remote Vancouver Island lagoon for more than a month is now free after it swam out on its own early Friday morning. CBC reporter Joel Ballard gives us an update. The mayor of Vancouver says he would like to organize watch parties for the Canucks' playoff run, but the city needs to proceed with caution given two previous post-season runs ended in riots. We ask viewers if they think the city can safely host these kinds of events. And, Frankie Smith, owner of Mountain Mutts & Cutts, a pet-grooming expert answers your questions on how to keep your animals looking healthy and stylish.