Ashley Joannou

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Ashley Joannou.

'We will emerge stronger': Legislator praises resilience after festival attack

'We will emerge stronger': Legislator praises resilience after festival attack

British Columbia legislator Mable Elmore says people must "continue to wrap our arms around" the Filipino community as it deals with the burden of the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy that claimed 11 lives.

B.C. accepting only 1,100 new immigrant applications, nominations to focus on health

B.C. accepting only 1,100 new immigrant applications, nominations to focus on health

The British Columbia government says the odds of new applications from immigrants looking to be accepted into its nominee program this year have dropped to near zero for anyone other than health workers or entrepreneurs after the federal government slashed the number of available slots.

B.C. premier tells government to cancel American contracts 'wherever viable'

B.C. premier tells government to cancel American contracts 'wherever viable'

British Columbia's premier says U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pause much of his tariffs for the rest of the world while excluding Canada is "insulting."

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner says guardianship law 'opaque,' lacks oversight

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner says guardianship law 'opaque,' lacks oversight

British Columbia's human rights commissioner says the province is the only place that she's aware of in Canada that allows people to be detained by the state without explicit legal authority, timelines or oversight.

Yukon targets Elon Musk's companies in response to U.S. tariffs

Yukon targets Elon Musk's companies in response to U.S. tariffs

The Yukon government says it's ending rebates for all Tesla products, as it targets companies associated with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is also a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Eby says Indigenous teen shouldn't have died' as B.C. government is grilled over care

Eby says Indigenous teen shouldn't have died' as B.C. government is grilled over care

A teenager who was found blocks from her group home on a cold January night this year "shouldn't have died" British Columbia Premier David Eby said, adding that her death represented a "failure."

B.C. government grilled after January death of Indigenous teen in care

B.C. government grilled after January death of Indigenous teen in care

British Columbia Premier David Eby says a youth in government care "shouldn't have died" earlier this year and that her death represents a "failure."

'Wrong direction': B.C. Chamber of Commerce latest group to decry tariff bill

'Wrong direction': B.C. Chamber of Commerce latest group to decry tariff bill

Proposed legislation in British Columbia to give the cabinet sweeping powers to respond to threats from foreign governments amid Canada's tariff fight is getting more pushback from businesses as the Greens meet with the government about their concerns.

B.C.'s legislature could get a new party. Here's what that would mean

B.C.'s legislature could get a new party. Here's what that would mean

VANCOUVER -- Cracks in the Opposition B.C. Conservative Party became cavernous last week when one MLA was kicked out of caucus and another two followed in solidarity.

Three B.C. Conservative rebels will sit as Independents as they 'explore' new party

Three B.C. Conservative rebels will sit as Independents as they 'explore' new party

On the front steps of the B.C. legislature on Monday, three rebel former members of the B.C. Conservatives laid out their case -- Opposition leader John Rustad was beholden to "woke liberals," the party had been infiltrated and it had turned its back on "the truth" about residential schools.

Yukon budget predicts $81.9 million surplus, shrinking GDP after mine disaster

Yukon budget predicts $81.9 million surplus, shrinking GDP after mine disaster

Yukon's finance minister predicts an $81.96 million surplus this year as the territory promises record capital investment in housing.

'Not how you treat your friends': Yukon stops orders of U.S. alcohol after tariffs

'Not how you treat your friends': Yukon stops orders of U.S. alcohol after tariffs

Yukon is no longer placing orders for U.S.-made alcohol and is removing American products from for all government liquor stores in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods.

'All bets are off': B.C. pulls liquor, changes procurement after U.S. tariffs

'All bets are off': B.C. pulls liquor, changes procurement after U.S. tariffs

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the province and the country is strong enough to weather the storm in the threat to Canada's sovereignty coming from a former friend.

Musqueam and Feds make deal to share Vancouver airport lease revenue

Musqueam and Feds make deal to share Vancouver airport lease revenue

VANCOUVER -- The Musqueam Indian Band has signed an agreement with the federal government to share ground lease revenue from the Vancouver International Airport.

B.C. task force aims to grow agriculture, food processing industries

B.C. task force aims to grow agriculture, food processing industries

British Columbia is launching a task force focused on growing the agriculture and food processing industries after years of struggle due to climate, labour concerns and now the threat of tariffs from the United States.

Leak of containment pond at site of Yukon mine disaster impacting creek: officials

Leak of containment pond at site of Yukon mine disaster impacting creek: officials

Officials in Yukon say they believe about 19 million litres of cyanide-contaminated water leaked from a containment pond at the site of a mining disaster last year before the problem was spotted and the water diluted.

B.C. cancels $1,000 grocery rebate and pauses some hiring over Trump's tariff threats

B.C. cancels $1,000 grocery rebate and pauses some hiring over Trump's tariff threats

The British Columbia government is cancelling a promised $1,000 grocery rebate and will freeze hiring of some public service positions to "find dollars" in its budget as it prepares for "four years of unpredictability" from the United States, Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says.

Talk of changing Vancouver's supportive housing policy has organizations on edge

Talk of changing Vancouver's supportive housing policy has organizations on edge

VANCOUVER -- A proposal by Vancouver's mayor to halt new supportive housing projects in the city has organizations with plans in various stages of completion worried about the projects they've spent years trying to get off the ground.

Surrey, B.C., mayor joins alliance of border communities ahead of possible tariffs

Surrey, B.C., mayor joins alliance of border communities ahead of possible tariffs

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says U.S. tariffs would put hundreds of jobs in her community at risk, as she becomes the latest mayor to join an alliance advocating for Canadian border communities.

Payments to shortchanged caregivers of kids with disabilities satisfy B.C. watchdog

Payments to shortchanged caregivers of kids with disabilities satisfy B.C. watchdog

VICTORIA -- British Columbia's ombudsperson says he's satisfied the provincial government has fixed a problem that shortchanged caregivers of children with disabilities to the tune of more than $1 million in federal funding.

B.C.'s finance minister says retaliatory tariffs could target Republican 'red states'

B.C.'s finance minister says retaliatory tariffs could target Republican 'red states'

VANCOUVER -- British Columbia's finance minister says the province could focus on Republican-held states as it responds to the threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods that President Donald Trump suggests could start on Feb. 1.

B.C. court approves class-action lawsuit about privacy over Home Depot receipts

B.C. court approves class-action lawsuit about privacy over Home Depot receipts

VANCOUVER -- A British Columbia Supreme Court judge says a class-action lawsuit can go ahead alleging Home Depot violated its customers' privacy when collecting and sharing their information after emailing purchase receipts.

Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too

Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too

When Dean May's team of cleaners entered the home, dressed head to toe in protective suits, thick green dust covered every surface.

Order of Canada goes to advocates, athletes, scientists and Deadpool

Order of Canada goes to advocates, athletes, scientists and Deadpool

More than 40 years after being told she was a threat to Canada because of her sexuality, Diane Pitre is being given one of the country's top honours.

Conservatives win B.C. federal byelection amid turmoil in Ottawa

Conservatives win B.C. federal byelection amid turmoil in Ottawa

LANGLEY, B.C. -- In another blow to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals, the federal Conservatives have won a byelection in the British Columbia riding of Cloverdale-Langley City.

B.C. children's minister stepping away from role after colorectal cancer diagnosis

British Columbia's Minister of Children and Family Development Grace Lore says she has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and is temporarily stepping away from her role as minister.

Rustad seeks review as Elections BC says box of 861 votes went uncounted

Rustad seeks review as Elections BC says box of 861 votes went uncounted

British Columbia's election agency says it has discovered that a ballot box containing 861 votes wasn't counted in the recent provincial election, as well as other mistakes, including 14 votes going unreported in a crucial riding narrowly won by the NDP.

Two recounts to begin in B.C. election, as chance of NDP government grows

Two recounts to begin in B.C. election, as chance of NDP government grows

Recounts begin this afternoon in two ridings where British Columbia's New Democrats held slim leads after the initial count in last week's still-undecided election.

B.C. election down to absentee votes as mail-in tally fails to decide closest races

B.C. election down to absentee votes as mail-in tally fails to decide closest races

VICTORIA -- The result of British Columbia's election will come down to the wire on Monday when absentee ballots are counted after a tally of mail-in votes failed to resolve a handful of undecided races.

NDP widens lead in tight B.C. election races, raising chance of forming government

NDP widens lead in tight B.C. election races, raising chance of forming government

The resumption of counting in last week's nail-biting British Columbia election has seen the NDP widen its lead in two crucial races and move within 14 votes of the B.C. Conservatives in another.

Familiar faces and angry voters: Will B.C. elect an Independent MLA?

Familiar faces and angry voters: Will B.C. elect an Independent MLA?

Vicki Huntington says two things are critical to be elected as an Independent member of the legislature in British Columbia -- trusted name recognition and an angry constituency.

B.C. Muslim Association wants Conservative candidate removed for 'time bomb' post

B.C. Muslim Association wants Conservative candidate removed for 'time bomb' post

VANCOUVER -- Concerns are swirling around the candidate roster for the B.C. Conservative Party just over a week from the provincial election, with the B.C. Muslim Association calling for the removal of a candidate who called Palestinian children "time bombs."

Big NDP names exit before B.C. election. What does that mean for the party?

Big NDP names exit before B.C. election. What does that mean for the party?

VANCOUVER -- The New Democrats are campaigning for another term in British Columbia's provincial election but without many of the familiar faces that have graced lawn signs of elections past.

Electronic vote counters could bring B.C. election result an hour after polls close

Electronic vote counters could bring B.C. election result an hour after polls close

British Columbians could find out who wins the provincial election on Oct. 19 in about the same time it took to start counting ballots in previous votes.

Technology upgrades mean speedier results expected for B.C. provincial election

Technology upgrades mean speedier results expected for B.C. provincial election

British Columbians could find out who wins the provincial election on Oct. 19 in about the same time it took to start counting ballots in previous votes.

'Scotch Tape and wet paper': Healing fragile B.C. health system is key election issue

'Scotch Tape and wet paper': Healing fragile B.C. health system is key election issue

Mike Goetz has added bill collector to his list of responsibilities as mayor of Merritt in British Columbia's Interior.

Years after Insite ruling, drug policy landscape is still being shaped in B.C.

Years after Insite ruling, drug policy landscape is still being shaped in B.C.

VANCOUVER -- In 2021, the Vancouver-based Drug User Liberation Front approached Health Canada with a proposal.

A decade after Insite, drug policy landscape is still being shaped in B.C.

A decade after Insite, drug policy landscape is still being shaped in B.C.

VANCOUVER -- In 2021, the Vancouver-based Drug User Liberation Front approached Health Canada with a proposal.

B.C. premier repeats call for more federal cash, calls Ottawa's claims 'disingenuous'

B.C. premier repeats call for more federal cash, calls Ottawa's claims 'disingenuous'

VANCOUVER -- Premier David Eby is expanding his criticism of what he says is an unfair share of federal funding being given to Western Canada.

'A slap in the face': B.C. mayors decry being rejected for federal disaster relief

'A slap in the face': B.C. mayors decry being rejected for federal disaster relief

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. -- The mayors of three British Columbia communities devastated by flooding in November 2021 are calling for changes in how the federal government dispenses disaster relief after their applications were denied.