More than 2,000 homes in British Columbia are now protected under the province’s Rental Protection Fund, giving thousands of renters greater housing stability and access to affordable rents. Launched in 2023 with a $500-million provincial investment, the fund works with non-profit housing providers to purchase rental buildings at risk of being sold to the private market. This approach helps ensure tenants can remain in their homes and communities without facing sudden rent increases or evictions. The fund originally aimed to secure 2,000 homes over three years. That target has been exceeded

Nanaimo RCMP have arrested an adult man after a series of incidents that began with an attempted theft at a Port Place Mall grocery store and ended with an alleged break‑and‑enter on a privately owned vessel along the city’s waterfront. Police say the situation began around 2:45 PM at Thrifty Foods, where staff reported a man tried to leave the store with unpaid items. When confronted by store security, the suspect allegedly threatened a Loss Prevention Officer. Shortly afterward, the same individual was observed boarding a tugboat moored nearby. Officers who responded reported that he b

Prince George RCMP are investigating a shooting that took place shortly before 3:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, on the 600-block of Ahbau Street. Officers responding to the scene confirmed that no residents were injured during the incident. The early stages of the investigation suggest the shooting was targeted, and authorities say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Ahbau Street was temporarily closed while officers conducted their initial work but has since been reopened. Cst. Jenna Moore, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP, urged anyone who witnessed the incident or noti

U.S. President Donald Trump says his administration plans to lower tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent, down from the current 25 per cent, after India agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia. The announcement follows months of pressure from Washington urging New Delhi to reduce its reliance on discounted Russian crude amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. India has been one of the world’s largest buyers of Russian oil since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, taking advantage of lower prices as many Western countries moved to restrict energy trade with Russia. The issue has been a

Pakistan’s security forces say they have killed about 145 militants in a series of counter-operations across the southwestern province of Balochistan, following coordinated attacks that left around 50 people dead. The provincial government says the operations were launched shortly after the assaults, which targeted multiple locations early Saturday. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the army and police responded swiftly after the attacks, which were later claimed by the banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army. He stated that those killed in the security operation were

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has reopened for limited movement, according to Egyptian and Israeli security officials, marking an early practical step following the implementation of a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas conflict. An Egyptian official involved in ceasefire coordination said around 50 Palestinians were expected to cross in each direction on the first day of operations. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions surrounding the ceasefire arrangements remain confidential. Egypt’s state-run media also reported that the crossing had resume

Thousands of Alberta government employees have begun returning to their offices full time following the end of the province’s hybrid work policy that was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hybrid option officially concluded on Sunday, affecting more than 12,000 provincial workers who had been splitting their time between home and office. The Alberta government says the decision reflects changing circumstances and a renewed focus on in person collaboration, supervision, and consistent public service delivery. Provincial officials maintain that having staff back in offices will impro

Surrey police say three men were taken into custody early Sunday after a shooting outside a home in the Crescent Beach area, an incident investigators believe may be connected to ongoing extortion activity in the city. Officers on patrol shortly before 4 a.m. were alerted to reports of gunfire and a small fire near 132 Street and Crescent Road. Police say the suspects were initially linked to a vehicle at the scene but fled on foot before being arrested nearby after entering a ride-share vehicle. The Surrey Police Service says a brief fire outside the residence was quickly extinguished by Surr

Ottawa’s plan to temporarily boost the federal GST credit and issue a one-time payment to Canadians is expected to cost $12.4 billion over five years, according to new estimates from the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The budget watchdog says the proposed one-time payment, expected this spring, would cost the federal government just over $3 billion in the current fiscal year. Ongoing increases to the GST credit are projected to add between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion per year through 2031. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the measures last week as part of the federal gover