LOCAL

UBC Dementia Research Receives $500,000 Boost for Revolutionary Blood-Based Testing

The Cowell Foundation invests $500,000 in CLEAR Foundation to fund UBC’s groundbreaking biomarker research and blood-based dementia testing.

Published

5 months ago

May 28, 2026

Current News Room

Transforming Dementia Diagnosis at UBC

The landscape of Alzheimer’s research in British Columbia has received a significant boost following a $500,000 investment from The Cowell Foundation. This visionary gift, directed to the CLEAR (Canadians for Leading Edge Alzheimer Research) Foundation, is set to accelerate the development of biomarker-based detection methods at the University of British Columbia’s newly inaugurated Core Facility for Neurology Biomarker Innovation (CFNBI).

Located within the UBC Hospital, the CFNBI represents a critical step forward in neurological science. Under the leadership of Dr. Cheryl Wellington, a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the facility is focused on a transformative goal: replacing expensive neuroimaging and invasive lumbar punctures with simple, accessible blood tests. These tests detect protein biomarkers that reflect real-time biological changes in the brain, offering a window into the progression of dementia long before traditional symptoms may surface.

Investing in Talent and Technology

The four-year commitment from The Cowell Foundation will be split between two primary initiatives. First, an Operating Grant will provide critical resources to established dementia researchers in British Columbia. Second, a Research Trainee Award will fund the development of the next generation of scientific talent, ensuring that the province remains at the forefront of global medical innovation.

Dr. Wellington’s team has already established a formidable track record, boasting over 50 publications and more than 70 managed projects. Their collaborative network of 140 experts has already attracted upwards of $75 million in funding, but this new investment specifically targets the practical application of biomarker technology to make diagnosis more equitable and timely for patients throughout the region.

The Growing Urgency of Dementia Research

The timing of this investment is critical. Currently, more than 770,000 Canadians are living with some form of dementia, and projections suggest this figure will nearly double by 2050. As the population ages, the demand for early and accurate diagnosis becomes a matter of public health necessity. Early detection is widely considered the key to effective intervention and, eventually, a cure.

In a statement, the Cowell family emphasized the personal nature of their contribution, noting the profound impact the disease has on families and caregivers. By funding the CLEAR Foundation—which directs 100% of public donations toward research—this gift ensures that the path toward a future free from dementia remains a top priority for Canadian science.

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Canada—and British Columbia especially—feels like it’s standing at a crossroads.

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

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

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.

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.

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

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.

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.

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

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.