1.96°C Vancouver

News

ottawa-reaches-deal-with-google-over-controversial-online-news-act
CanadaNov 29, 2023

Ottawa reaches deal with Google over controversial Online News Act

The federal Liberal government has reached a deal with Google over the Online News Act, following threats from the digital giant that it would remove news from its search platform in Canada. A government official confirmed that news to The Canadian Press under condition of anonymity, because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the deal. source is reporting, that the agreement would see Canadian news continue to be shared on Google's platforms in return for the company making annual payments to news companies in the range of $100 million. A formula in the government's draft re
three-in-four-canadians-say-higher-immigration-is-worsening-housing-crisis-poll
CanadaNov 29, 2023

Three in four Canadians say higher immigration is worsening housing crisis: Poll

A large majority of Canadians agree that higher immigration is fueling the housing crisis and putting pressure on the health-care system, a new Leger poll suggests. New federal voting intention numbers from the polling firm also show that the Conservatives are maintaining their sizable lead over the governing Liberals. The polling, conducted from Friday to Sunday, found that about three-quarters of respondents agreed the increase in immigrants is adding strain to both the housing market and health-care system. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, or 63 per cent, said the volume of newcomers is al
entry-232628
BCNov 29, 2023

WorkSafeBC releases first online registry of licensed asbestos abatement contractors in B.C.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, asbestos abatement employers must be licensed to operate in B.C. This means homeowners, business owners, and contractors must ensure their asbestos abatement contractor holds a valid licence before allowing them to carry out work. To enable British Columbians to verify that a contractor is licensed, WorkSafeBC has developed an Asbestos Abatement License (AAL) Registry. In B.C., asbestos is prevalent in residential and commercial buildings, posing serious health and safety risks when disturbed. Asbestos is a mineral that was used in more than 3,000 building materials f
all-41-workers-rescued-from-collapsed-indian-tunnel-after-17-days
IndiaNov 28, 2023

All 41 workers rescued from collapsed Indian tunnel after 17 days

Forty-one construction workers have been rescued from a collapsed tunnel in northern India where they had spent the last 17 days. The rescue on Tuesday marked a happy ending to an ordeal that had gripped the country and led to a massive rescue operation that overcame several setbacks. Locals, relatives and government officials erupted in joy, set off firecrackers and shouted ``Bharat Mata ki Jai'', Hindi for ``Long live mother India", as happy workers walked out after receiving a brief checkup by doctors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to some of the rescued workers over the phone. He
the-conservative-leader-rejected-the-allegations-made-by-nikki-sharma-regarding-sogi
BCNov 28, 2023

The Conservative leader rejected the allegations made by Nikki Sharma regarding SOGI

The leader of the BC Conservatives is rejecting accusations that he's stoking hateful politics with his opposition to school programs about sexual orientation and gender identity, known as SOGI. John Rustad was responding to comments Monday by Attorney General Niki Sharma about a highway chase on the weekend that ended when a tractor flying an anti-SOGI protest flag crashed with a police car and flipped over. Sharma said it was a concerning incident and Rustad's party is to blame for ``dangerous protests'' about the issue. Rustad says parents are right to raise concerns about SOGI, saying t
bc-attorney-general-to-take-steps-to-stop-online-sextortion
BCNov 28, 2023

BC Attorney General to take steps to stop online sextortion

BC's attorney general says the province is taking the next step in its plan to tackle online sextortion. Niki Sharma says the province intends to launch an online platform in January that will allow people to report if their intimate images are being distributed without their consent, and provide an order telling the perpetrator to stop distributing images and for online platforms to take it down. Her comments come after Mounties in Prince George, BC, said a 12-year-old boy had died by suicide after being targeted in an online sextortion scheme. Sharma called the boy's death ``terrible'' an
conservative-motion-seeks-support-to-order-senators-to-pass-carbon-pricing-bill
CanadaNov 28, 2023

Conservative motion seeks support to order senators to pass carbon pricing bill

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wants MPs to order the "unelected" Senate to pass a Tory bill that would take the carbon price off natural gas and propane used on farms. Poilievre introduced a motion in the House of Commons this morning looking to send a message to senators to pass Bill C-234. The House already passed the private member's bill, and all but three Liberal MPs voted against it. It would remove carbon pricing from natural gas and propane used to heat farm buildings and grain dryers for eight years.
four-large-quebec-public-sector-unions-say-they-will-strike-for-a-week-in-december
CanadaNov 28, 2023

Four large Quebec public sector unions say they will strike for a week in December

Four large Quebec public sector unions say they will strike for a week in December in an effort to accelerate contract negotiations with the provincial government. The four unions, who are negotiating together as a common front, say their 420,000 members will walk off the job from Dec 8 to Dec 14. 14 if a deal isn't reached before then. The unions represent the majority of Quebec's elementary and high school teachers, as well as education support staff and a range of workers in the health-care system, including patient care aides and laboratory technicians. Workers represented by the four u
10-people-died-23-injured-due-to-heavy-snow-storm-in-ukraine
WorldNov 28, 2023

10 people died, 23 injured due to heavy snow storm in Ukraine

At least 10 people have died and thousands remain cut off from the power grid in Ukraine. According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko more than 400 settlements in 11 regions have been affected by electricity and more than 1,500 responders are trying to reach thousands of people for rescue. Another 23 were injured, including two children, Klymenko said Tuesday, adding the deaths were in Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kyiv regions.Officials said the worst of the storm appeared to be over but another powerful low-pressure storm could hit the country late Tuesday into late Wednesday. The Ukrainian

Just In

charges-approved-after-alleged-sexual-assault-in-downtown-vancouver
BCMar 27, 2026

Charges approved after alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver

A 47-year-old man has been charged following an alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver, according to a Vancouver Police Department release. Police said officers were called at approximately 7:20 p.m. on March 25 to Granville Street between Dunsmuir and Pender streets after a woman reported she had been groped by a stranger. Witnesses also told police the same suspect had allegedly assaulted other people in the area prior to officers arriving. The suspect was located at the scene and arrested without incident, police said. Derek Jason Sangris, 47, has been charged with one count of sexual
bolsonaro-moved-to-house-arrest-after-hospital-discharge-in-brazil
WorldMar 27, 2026

Bolsonaro moved to house arrest after hospital discharge in Brazil

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been released from hospital in Brasília and will continue serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest, following a ruling by the country’s top court. According to a decision by the Supreme Federal Court earlier this week, Bolsonaro was granted permission to serve his sentence at home due to declining health. The court said the arrangement is subject to review within 90 days. Bolsonaro was discharged Friday morning from DF Star hospital in the capital. He then travelled to his residence in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood, where he lives wit
punjab-and-haryana-high-court-orders-fresh-cross-examination-in-majithia-defamation-case
IndiaMar 27, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court orders fresh cross-examination in Majithia defamation case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a fresh cross-examination in a defamation case filed by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia against Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, reviving proceedings in a matter dating back to 2016. According to court proceedings, the High Court allowed a petition filed by Sanjay Singh and directed that the case be revisited for cross-examination. The defamation complaint was originally filed by Majithia in a Ludhiana court in January 2016. The case relates to allegations made during a political rally in Moga, where Singh is accused of referring t
abbotsford-police-issue-public-safety-notice-ahead-of-offenders-release
BCMar 27, 2026

Abbotsford police issue public safety notice ahead of offender’s release

The Abbotsford Police Department says a 46-year-old man with a history of violent sexual offences is scheduled to be released into the community later this month under strict conditions. According to an Abbotsford Police Department news release, Stephen Bradley Ewing is set to be released from William Head Institution on March 30 and is expected to reside in the Abbotsford area. Police say Ewing has prior convictions from 2021 and 2023, including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, and overcoming resistance by choking. The release also states that at least one offence involved
AlbertaMar 27, 2026

Alberta man sentenced to 17 years in U.S. prison in Florida child exploitation sting

A Red Deer, Alta., man has been sentenced to 17 years in a United States federal prison after pleading guilty in a child exploitation sting tied to a planned trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. According to U.S. court documents, James Hjelmeland, 31, pleaded guilty in November to attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. The case stems from an undercover operation involving a Florida law enforcement officer. Court records state Hjelmeland began communicating online with a detective who was posing as the parent of a 12-year-old girl. The officer, acting in