LOCAL

Twin Blow to BC Travel: Crowsnest Highway Damage Paired with Coquihalla Snowfall Warnings

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10 months ago

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Twin Blow to BC Travel: Crowsnest Highway Damage Paired with Coquihalla Snowfall Warnings
Source: New damage discovered on Crowsnest Highway, no timeline for reopening

Key Takeaways

  • The Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) is experiencing significant new damage, leading to an indefinite closure and no clear timeline for its reopening.
  • Simultaneously, a severe snowfall warning has been issued for critical sections of the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) and other portions of Highway 3, creating extremely hazardous driving conditions.
  • These dual disruptions severely impact vital transportation corridors in southern British Columbia, affecting commuters, commercial traffic, and regional connectivity.

The Deep Dive

New damage has been discovered along the Crowsnest Highway, also known as Highway 3, a crucial east-west artery through southern British Columbia. This latest setback has forced an extended closure of the route, with authorities unable to provide a timeline for its repair or reopening. The nature of the damage remains undisclosed, but its severity is sufficient to halt traffic indefinitely, posing significant logistical challenges for those who rely on this corridor for travel and commerce.This infrastructure failure is compounded by an active snowfall warning blanketing key sections of the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) and other parts of Highway 3. Forecasts predict substantial snow accumulation throughout the day, rendering travel exceptionally dangerous. Drivers traversing these mountain passes face treacherous conditions, including reduced visibility, slippery roads, and potential for sudden closures, further exacerbating the region’s transportation woes.

Why It Matters

The simultaneous disruption of two major provincial highways due to both infrastructure failure and severe weather presents a formidable challenge for British Columbia. These routes are essential for connecting communities, facilitating trade, and ensuring the flow of goods and services. The indefinite closure of the Crowsnest Highway, coupled with hazardous conditions on the Coquihalla, strains alternative routes and creates widespread delays. This situation underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to both natural events and unforeseen damage, demanding heightened vigilance from travelers and robust response strategies from provincial authorities to maintain safety and connectivity.

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LOCAL

Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September

Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.

Published

9 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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National and Provincial Jobless Figures

Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.

Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.

In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.

Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data

In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.

Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.

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LOCAL

Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?

Check the full list of official candidates who have filed nomination papers for Kamloops, Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap ridings.

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9 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Candidates Confirmed Across Five Regional Ridings

Nomination papers have been officially submitted by individuals seeking election as local Members of the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming 2026 BC election.

In Kamloops Centre, voters will see a five-candidate field consisting of incumbent Peter Milobar for the BC Conservatives, Annelise Beach representing the BC Greens, Rocky McAfee for OneBC, Thaelo Proctor running as an Independent, and Mike Wisla representing the BC NDP.

To the north, the Kamloops-North Thompson constituency features incumbent Ward Stamer of the BC Conservatives, alongside Kory Clark running for the BC NDP and Deborah Friesen for OneBC.

Contests Set for Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap

In the Fraser-Nicola riding, incumbent Conservative Tony Luck faces challenges from Jason Leboe of the BC NDP and Patrick Mitchell of the BC Greens.

The Cariboo-Chilcotin ballot includes incumbent Lorne Doerkson running for the BC Conservatives, Kathryn Askew representing the BC NDP, and Douglas Gook representing the BC Greens.

Meanwhile, five candidates are contesting the Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding. Incumbent David Williams represents the BC Conservatives, joined on the ballot by Gloria Morgan for the BC NDP, Barbara Presch for OneBC, Denise Reimer for CentreBC, and Jed Wiebe for the BC Greens.

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COMMUNITY

How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving

RDCO warns Central Okanagan residents to dispose of Thanksgiving cooking fats in the garbage to avoid costly sewer blockages and plumbing damage.

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9 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Preventing Sewer Overflows During Holiday Gatherings

As Central Okanagan families come together for Thanksgiving between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12, regional officials are offering guidance to keep home plumbing systems safe. Disposing of fats, oils and cooking grease improperly remains the primary reason sewer lines block and overflow throughout the community.

Kit Caufield, Manager of Engineering Services for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), explained that grease accumulation inside pipe infrastructure restricts wastewater flow over time. Caufield noted that “Over time, grease builds up inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow and creating problems not only for homeowners, but across the entire sewer system. These blockages can damage household plumbing, result in costly repairs and interfere with critical wastewater infrastructure, including sewer lift stations,”

Proper Waste Disposal Guidelines

To prevent damage to both private plumbing and public infrastructure like sewer lift stations, the RDCO recommends catching leftover food particles using a drain basket or strainer. Residents should pour warm cooking fats into a covered tin container, which can be lined with a cooking bag if intended for reuse. After the grease cools and hardens, the container should be sealed and discarded in the trash.

Additionally, fatty foods such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other sauces must be thrown into the garbage rather than rinsed down sinks. For larger quantities of used cooking oil, individuals can take up to two 20-litre pails to the Glenmore Landfill for recycling, though commercial amounts are prohibited. Further details can be found on the RDCO website.

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