Data from the 2021 census shows 34.6 per cent of Canadians don't have any religious affiliation. That's up from 16.5 per cent 20 years ago. Statistics Canada is also seeing another trend, with the number of Canadians who identify as Christian shrinking from 77.1 per cent in 2001 to 53.3 per cent last year. Analysts say the growth in the non-religious population and the decline in people reporting Christian denominations are linked. Islam is the second most commonly reported religion in Canada.

New census data shows immigrants made up nearly one-quarter of all people in Canada last year, the highest proportion since Confederation. Statistics Canada reports immigration is driving population growth, partly because of the aging population and low fertility rates. Most immigrants used to come from Europe, but now they arrive from Asia, including the Middle East. One in five people coming to Canada were born in India.

An early morning fire in a hotel parking lot in Smithers caused significant damage to multiple vehicles including several police vehicles. Just before 4:30 am on October 26, 2022, Smithers RCMP received a request to assist the Smithers Fire Department at the Sunshine Inn located in the 3800 block of 4 Avenue in Smithers, for a report of multiple vehicles on fire in the parking lot. Frontline officers attended and were able to assist in getting the fire under control. The fire did not cause any damage to the hotel, however 8 vehicles, including 4 RCMP and one BC Ambulance were damaged or comple

Peel Regional Police Specialized Enforcement Bureau (SEB), through funding provided by the Government of Ontario and Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (C.I.S.O) were involved in an 11-month long investigation involving an intricate international drug trafficking enterprise. The investigation resulted in the seizure of illegal narcotics with a street value of over $25 million, including: 182 kilograms of Methamphetamine166 kilograms of Cocaine38 kilograms of Ketamine"Guns, gangs and drugs are of the highest priority for our service. With funding from the C.I.S.O. and collaborations with the

Planning for Cst. Shaelyn Yang’s funeral is now underway. A statement from the family is expected in the days to come, however, the need to provide the family time and space is important as they go through the grieving process and prepare for the funeral.The details for the funeral at this time are as follows:Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 11 a.m.Venue: Richmond Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road, Richmond, B.C.The RCMP is working with a number of individuals, groups and businesses that may be directly impacted, prior to providing recommendations and directions such as traffic closures to t

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers has released its list of BC's five most wanted criminals. Topping the tally is Rabih Alkhalil, the man being tried for a brazen, suspected targeted murder in Vancouver, who broke out of jail in July with the help of two accomplices, just weeks before his first-degree trial was supposed to end. The 35 year old, who uses the first name of Robbie, also tops the national list of most-wanted criminals, and is the subject of a $250,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. The other four men on the Crime Stoppers list are wanted for various offences ranging fr

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal says a 40-billion-dollar settlement agreement announced in January over child-welfare on First Nations hasn't met all of its orders. It is urging the parties to negotiate further. But Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse says it's time for the legal wrangling to be over and for children and families to receive the compensation they are owed. The agreement initially awarded 40-thousand dollars to each child and their families who suffered. The tribunal appears to have an issue with exactly which children will receive the full compensation

The federal government has appointed three new judges to the British Columbia Supreme Court and raised another to the B.C. Court of Appeal. A statement from the Department of Justice says Justice Ronald Skolrood, who has served on the B.C. Supreme Court since 2013, has been raised to the province's highest court, replacing Justice G. Bruce Butler, who is scaling back to a part-time workload.The three newly appointed justices include Anita Chan, a Crown prosecutor with 27 years of experience, Joseph Doyle, a private practice lawyer with experience in civil, criminal and administrative law, and

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified new information that is believed to be linked to the homicides of brothers Chaten and Joban Dhindsa with a series of Lower Mainland shootings. Background: On March 19, 2021, Richmond RCMP officers responded to the 22000-block of Rathburn Drive to assist with a structure fire. Once the fire was extinguished, two deceased individuals were located inside the residence. The deceased were identified as brothers, Chaten Dhindsa, 25 and Joban Dhindsa, 23, both of Richmond. The injuries sustained by the Dhindsa brothers were consistent