11.8°C Vancouver

News

harman-bhangu-expresses-disappointment-over-court-ruling-in-elderly-couples-murder-case
BCOct 20, 2026

Harman Bhangu Expresses Disappointment Over Court Ruling in Elderly Couple’s Murder Case

B.C. Conservative Leader Harman Bhangu has expressed disappointment over a B.C. Supreme Court ruling declaring unconstitutional a Criminal Code provision that prevents offenders from receiving parole earlier than otherwise permitted in connection with the murder of an elderly couple in his Abbotsford riding. Bhangu said 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, were brutally murdered after being tied up and assaulted inside their own home. Three young men responsible for the crime have been convicted of first-degree murder. However, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Economic Growth Forecast Cut Amid U.S. Tariffs, Budget Deficit Expected to Rise

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027, citing the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canada’s retaliatory measures. According to the federal budget watchdog’s latest report, Canada’s real GDP is expected to grow by 0.9 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027. The PBO had previously forecast growth of 1.1 per cent for 2026 and 1.6 per cent for 2027 in June. The report also projects an increase in Canada’s budget deficit following the breakdown of trade negotiations between Canada and the Unit
bsf-arrests-gunman-of-former-punjab-mla-kulbir-singh-zira-with-opium
IndiaOct 20, 2026

BSF Arrests Gunman of Former Punjab MLA Kulbir Singh Zira With Opium

The Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly arrested the gunman of former Punjab Congress MLA Kulbir Singh Zira with opium in Ferozepur district. Aam Aadmi Party leader Baltej Pannu shared the information on social media. However, the identity of the arrested individual, the quantity of opium seized, and further details about the case have not yet been disclosed.
alberta-referendum-majority-support-immigration-and-constitutional-reform-proposals
FeaturedOct 20, 2026

Alberta Referendum: Voters Back Several Government Proposals

Preliminary results from Alberta’s referendum on nine questions related to immigration and constitutional reforms show majority support for most of the provincial government’s proposals. About 58.6 per cent of voters supported giving Alberta greater control over immigration. Meanwhile, 57 per cent backed restricting access to services such as health care and education to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, while charging temporary residents fees for these services. A total of 58.4 per cent supported requiring temporary residents to live in Alberta for 12 months before qualifying for
alberta-voters-reject-separation-from-canada-76-vote-to-stay
AlbertaOct 20, 2026

Alberta Voters Reject Separation from Canada, 76% Vote to Stay

Alberta voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to separate from Canada in a referendum, with preliminary results indicating that approximately 76 per cent voted to remain in the country, while only 24 per cent supported initiating the separation process. Following the historic vote, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith thanked Albertans, describing the result as a victory for a united and strong Canada. Carney said the strong support for remaining in Canada sent a clear message that Albertans had chosen unity, cooperation and standing together as a country. He
abbotsford-double-murder-sentencing-delayed-until-february-2027
BCOct 20, 2026

Abbotsford Double Murder Sentencing Delayed Until February 2027

The sentencing hearing for Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh and Khushveer Toor, convicted of the first-degree murders of 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, has been postponed until February 2027. The couple were killed during a home invasion at their Abbotsford residence nearly four years ago. The three men were found guilty of first-degree murder in May, an offence that carries a mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years. However, the three convicted men have sought the right to apply for early parole under the Criminal Code’s “faint-h
online-drug-trafficking-ring-uncovered-in-edmonton-five-people-charged
AlbertaOct 20, 2026

Online Drug Trafficking Ring Uncovered in Edmonton, Five People Charged

Edmonton police have laid a total of 133 criminal charges against five individuals allegedly linked to a national online drug trafficking network. The charges include organized crime, drug trafficking, money laundering and possession of proceeds of crime. The arrests stem from a lengthy investigation conducted between March 2024 and January 2025 into an online group known as BlueBuddhaCo, which allegedly laundered money through banking and cryptocurrency platforms. In January 2025, police executed search warrants at several storage and distribution locations in central Edmonton and the Hollick
canada-declares-two-year-measles-outbreak-over-after-6-417-cases
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada Declares Two-Year Measles Outbreak Over After 6,417 Cases

Canada’s two-year measles outbreak has officially been declared over, with the Public Health Agency of Canada confirming that no new cases of the virus have been reported in the past two months. The outbreak began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and quickly spread across 10 Canadian provinces and territories, infecting a total of 6,417 people. Ontario and Alberta were among the hardest-hit provinces. The outbreak also resulted in the deaths of two newborn babies who were infected during pregnancy. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, most people who contracted the disease were u
surrey-police-arrest-28-year-old-in-electronics-store-robberies
BCOct 19, 2026

Surrey Police Arrest 28-Year-Old in Electronics Store Robberies

The Surrey Police Service’s Prolific Offender Unit has arrested a 28-year-old suspect in connection with a series of break-ins and robberies at electronics stores across Surrey. According to police, Austin Thomas Romeo Hogan is accused of smashing display cabinets at electronics retailers, assaulting staff members and stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise between June and October 2026. The BC Prosecution Service has approved 17 charges against Hogan, including robbery and assault with a weapon. Police said the incidents caused an estimated $100,000 in losses for Surrey busine

Just In

IndiaOct 21, 2026

CBI Takes Over Jhota Murder Probe, Post-Mortem Decision Still Pending

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun investigating the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab. The central agency has registered an FIR in Chandigarh in connection with the case. CBI officials met Jhota’s family and recorded their statements. The team also collected evidence from the shop of the accused, Ashwani Kumar, and other locations linked to the case. The agency is reportedly trying to persuade the family to agree to a post-mortem examination. The CBI has assured them that a medical board of doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Educatio
carney-says-federal-government-wont-back-down-on-immigration-targets
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the federal government will maintain sustainable immigration levels and will not back away from its targets. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, Carney said his government is consulting provincial governments on bringing immigration to appropriate levels and distributing newcomers more effectively across the country based on economic needs. His remarks came after Alberta’s referendum, in which approximately 53 per cent of voters supported giving the province greater control over immigration policies to reduce the number o
canada-interest-rate-hike-looms-putting-more-pressure-on-homebuyers
CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada Interest Rate Hike Looms, Putting More Pressure on Homebuyers

Canada’s real estate market could face renewed pressure if the Bank of Canada raises interest rates, with mortgage and lending experts warning that higher borrowing costs could discourage homebuyers and push house prices lower. The central bank has not raised interest rates since July 2023. While it is expected to keep its benchmark rate unchanged for an eighth consecutive decision, many economists and traders believe rate hikes could be on the horizon as policymakers seek to contain inflation. The Bank of Canada’s policy rate has remained at 2.25% since a 0.25-percentage-point cut in Octo
BCOct 21, 2026

Former Surrey Massage Therapist to Be Sentenced November 12 in 12 Sexual Assault Cases

A former Surrey massage therapist is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12 after being found guilty of 12 counts of sexual assault. Following a 35-day trial at the B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, Justice Lance Bernard found Leonard Krekic guilty in 12 separate cases. The incidents occurred between December 30, 1994, and April 25, 2017, at a clinic in Surrey and the surrounding area. In December 2022, the College of Massage Therapists banned Krekic from practising for 25 years and imposed a fine of more than $105,000. Under Canadian law, sexual assault convictions can carry a maximum
alberta-premier-danielle-smith-to-face-media-questions-on-referendum
AlbertaOct 21, 2026

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to Face Media Questions on Referendum

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will answer media questions about the referendum at 11:30 a.m. today. The announcement comes after her televised address, in which she promised not to hold another referendum on Alberta’s separation from Canada during her time as premier. It will be the first opportunity for reporters to question Smith since Alberta voters chose to remain in Canada on Monday. In her address on Tuesday evening, Smith said the result gave her government a clear mandate to work for Alberta’s future within Confederation. She urged Albertans to move forward together while reaffirm