Thursday, March 26, 2026
ADVT 
National

Wendy Cocchia sworn in as B.C.'s 31st lieutenant-governor

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 31 Jan, 2025 11:32 AM
  • Wendy Cocchia sworn in as B.C.'s 31st lieutenant-governor

Premier David Eby has introduced British Columbia's new lieutenant-governor, saying Wendy Cocchia's lifelong leadership and dedication to community service sets an example for everyone.

Cocchia, a longtime businesswoman and philanthropist, was sworn in at a ceremony at B.C.'s Parliament buildings on Thursday before an audience of family, friends, Indigenous leaders, members of the legislature and other dignitaries.

One of Cocchia's first acts in her role was to inspect a 50-person Guard of Honour provided by Maritime Forces Pacific and Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.

The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy played The Viceregal Salute, consisting of the six opening bars of God Save the King, followed by the four opening and four closing bars of O Canada.

A 15-gun salute was fired by troopers of the 5th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.

Cocchia succeeds Janet Austin, who spent nearly seven years in the post, and whose farewell ceremony took place at the legislature on Wednesday. 

MORE National ARTICLES

U.S. steel, plastics among items Canada may target with retaliatory tariffs

U.S. steel, plastics among items Canada may target with retaliatory tariffs
Canada is looking to target American steel, ceramics, plastics and orange juice with retaliatory tariffs in response to threats of hefty duties on Canadian imports by the incoming Trump administration. A senior government official said Ottawa has made no decisions yet on retaliation, and is not prepared to share the full list of items under consideration.

U.S. steel, plastics among items Canada may target with retaliatory tariffs

Education support workers in and near Edmonton could walk off job as soon as Monday

Education support workers in and near Edmonton could walk off job as soon as Monday
More than 3,000 educational support workers in Edmonton and some nearby communities could walk off the job as early as Monday. The Canadian Union of Public Employees says locals representing workers with the Edmonton Public School Board and the Sturgeon Public School Division were to serve strike notice on Thursday.

Education support workers in and near Edmonton could walk off job as soon as Monday

U.S. Capitol rioter arrested in B.C. ski resort after claiming political asylum

U.S. Capitol rioter arrested in B.C. ski resort after claiming political asylum
An American man convicted for his part in the riot on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has been arrested in the ski resort of Whistler. The Canada Border Services Agency says in a statement that Antony Vo, described as "a fugitive from U.S. justice," was arrested on Monday without incident.

U.S. Capitol rioter arrested in B.C. ski resort after claiming political asylum

Elections BC looks at Conservative complaint of improper voting at recovery facility

Elections BC looks at Conservative complaint of improper voting at recovery facility
British Columbia's election agency is reviewing a complaint of irregularities in a riding where a narrow NDP victory in last October's election gave the party a one-seat majority, with Conservative Leader John Rustad highlighting allegations related to improper mail-in voting at an addiction recovery facility.

Elections BC looks at Conservative complaint of improper voting at recovery facility

Backbench Ottawa MP Chandra Arya to run for Liberal leadership

Backbench Ottawa MP Chandra Arya to run for Liberal leadership
Ontario MP Chandra Arya is the second Liberal to announce he wants to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal party. Arya posted on social media Thursday morning he wants to campaign on running a "small, more efficient government" and on offering "bold political decisions" to solve the country's problems.

Backbench Ottawa MP Chandra Arya to run for Liberal leadership

Ukrainian-Canadians urge ongoing support for country amid political shifts

Ukrainian-Canadians urge ongoing support for country amid political shifts
At a meeting in Germany on Thursday of the Ukrainian Defence Contact Group, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced details of $440 million in Canadian funding for Ukraine promised earlier this year.

Ukrainian-Canadians urge ongoing support for country amid political shifts