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outbreak-in-kelowna-forces-about-1-000-people-into-self-isolation
BCJul 23, 2020

Outbreak in Kelowna forces about 1,000 people into self-isolation

A jump in COVID-19 infections in British Columbia has prompted a tightening of restrictions by health officials for bars and nightclubs in the province. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the rise in cases, including 34 more today, is a wake up call that residents need to pay more attention in areas where transmission is spread. The amended health order prohibits liquor self service and dance floors, and says all patrons of bars and clubs must be in designated seats and measures must be in place to reduce lineups. Henry says about 1,000 people are in self-isolation after being in
off-duty-abbotsford-b-c-police-officer-dies-after-trying-to-stop-disturbance
BCJul 22, 2020

Off-duty Abbotsford, B.C. police officer dies after trying to stop disturbance

The 55 year old Abbotsford police officer critically injured when he intervened in a dispute while visiting in Nelson last week, has now died. Constable Allan Young had been on life support since the assault last Thursday and the Abbotsford Police Department says he died last night, surrounded by family. A statement from the department says the smile and character of the Scottish-born officer who immigrated to Canada in 1997 ``can never be replaced.'' A 26 year old was arrested in Nelson after Young was injured and Nelson police say the man remains in custody, currently charged with aggravate
criminal-investigation-in-the-murder-of-two-young-sisters-by-their-father-complete-quebec-police
CanadaJul 22, 2020

Criminal investigation in the murder of two young sisters by their father complete :Quebec Police

Quebec provincial police say the criminal investigation into the murder of two young sisters by their father earlier this month is complete. Police have provided an update on the investigation into the deaths of 6 year old Romy and 11 year old Norah Carpentier and the discovery of the body of Martin Carpentier, who took his own life. Authorities say Carpentier used a blunt object to kill the girls before an Amber Alert was triggered on July 9th -- two days before their bodies were found. Carpentier's body was found this week, following an intense manhunt.
BCJul 22, 2020

5.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Vancouver Island

A 5.4 magnitude earthquake shook an area about 200 kilometres off the west coast of Vancouver Island early this morning but did not generate a tsunami. It happened at 4:33 and seismologist John Cassidy says in a social media post that it was not strong enough to be felt on the Island. It occurred in the Cascadia subduction zone which Cassidy says is one of the most seismically active areas in Canada, ``with earthquakes every day.'' About five hours earlier an unrelated quake measuring 7.8 struck off the Alaska Peninsula and was strongly felt across the state but no damage has been reported an
finance-minister-testifies-pm-trudeau-to-appear-before-the-house-of-commons-finance-committee
CanadaJul 22, 2020

Finance Minister testifies, PM Trudeau to appear before the House of Commons finance committee

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will appear before the House of Commons finance committee at a date and time yet to be arranged. The committee is investigating his government's decision to give the WE Charity a contract to run a 900-million student-volunteer program. Both Trudeau's family, and that of Finance Minister Bill Morneau have ties to the organization. Morneau testified today he unknowingly failed to repay the costs of a trip to Ecuador in 2017 to see some of WE's humanitarian work. Morneau says he sent the charity a cheque today for more than 41,000 dollars to cover the travel expense
CanadaJul 22, 2020

Funding for long-term care needed before second wave of COVID-19: advocates

With an uptick in new cases of COVID-19 in Canada sparking concerns about a second wave of the illness, advocates for seniors in long-term care say more federal support must start flowing immediately to ensure elders do not again become the primary casualties.The Canadian Association for Long Term Care says the sector has long fallen through the cracks and that this lack of support helped create the conditions that led to widespread outbreaks and deaths from COVID-19 in nursing homes across Canada.Now that the pandemic has laid bare the fragility of the long-term care system, association chai
CanadaJul 22, 2020

Information czar finds numerous shortcomings at National Defence

The federal information watchdog has identified several shortcomings — from inadequate training to cumbersome paper-based processes — that hamper National Defence's ability to answer formal requests from the public.In a special report tabled in Parliament today, information commissioner Caroline Maynard says her systemic investigation found Defence did not meet its obligations under the Access to Information Act because of dated or inefficient practices.The access law allows people who pay $5 to request an array of federal files but it has been widely criticized as outdated, clumsy and of
CanadaJul 22, 2020

Judge strikes down Safe Third Country Agreement

Federal Court Justice Ann Marie McDonald has struck down a key agreement on refugees between Canada and the United States.She says elements of the law underpinning the Safe Third Country Agreement violate constitutional guarantees of life, liberty and security.Canada and the U-S have recognized each other as safe places to seek protection, but Canadian refugee advocates have argued America is not always a safe country for people fleeing persecution.They told the court that Canada is exposing ineligible refugee claimants to detention and other rights violations in returning them to the U-S.
trudeau-must-look-into-complaints-about-governor-general-singh-says
CanadaJul 22, 2020

Trudeau must look into complaints about Governor General, Singh says

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has an obligation to look into allegations that Gov. Gen. Julie Payette mistreated staff members.Singh says workplaces need to be safe, and employees must feel they are heard when they raise concerns.Singh was responding to questions today about a CBC News report that quoted anonymous sources as saying Payette has created a toxic environment at Rideau Hall.The CBC reported Tuesday that Payette had yelled at, belittled and publicly humiliated employees, reducing some to tears or prompting them to quit.In a statement Tuesday, the Gover

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new-westminster-police-officers-help-rescue-15-residents-from-apartment-fire
BCJul 31, 2026

New Westminster police officers help rescue 15 residents from apartment fire

New Westminster Police Department officers helped rescue 15 residents from a burning apartment building Thursday evening after spotting smoke while working nearby, according to the police department. Police said officers were in the 800 block of 5th Avenue at about 6 p.m. when they became aware of the fire. As they approached the building, they saw several older adults leaning out of windows to avoid the smoke. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers entered the building alongside crews from New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service and assisted 15 residents to sa
BCJul 31, 2026

Coquitlam man faces six firearms charges following Surrey and Coquitlam searches

A 35-year-old Coquitlam man is facing six firearms-related charges after a joint investigation by B.C.'s anti-gang police and the Surrey RCMP Provincial Operations Support Unit. According to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), the investigation began in June. On July 16, officers executed search warrants at two residences in the 11500 block of 141A Street in Surrey and the 4300 block of Quarry Road in Coquitlam. Police said investigators seized several firearms during the searches, including two Beretta handguns. Officers arrested Sadiq Azimali Daya at
man-dies-after-fleeing-surrey-traffic-stop-struck-by-vehicle-on-highway-10
BCJul 31, 2026

Man dies after fleeing Surrey traffic stop, struck by vehicle on Highway 10

A man died after being struck by a vehicle while fleeing on foot following a traffic stop in Surrey late Thursday night, according to the Surrey Police Service. Police said an officer stopped a westbound vehicle for a traffic enforcement check at about 11 p.m. in the 15600 block of 56 Avenue, along Highway 10. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. According to the Surrey Police Service, the man was crossing the roadway when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle. Surrey police officers, Surrey Fire Service crews and BC Emergency Health Services paramedics attempted life-saving me
suspect-arrested-after-firearm-reported-at-new-westminster-shopping-centre
BCJul 31, 2026

Suspect arrested after firearm reported at New Westminster shopping centre

A suspect is facing potential charges after allegedly brandishing a firearm at a patron outside a coffee shop in New Westminster on Wednesday morning, according to the New Westminster Police Department. Police said officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at about 6 a.m. on July 30 after receiving reports that a person had pointed a firearm at someone seated on the patio of a business in the Columbia Square shopping centre. Investigators determined the suspect fled across Columbia Street, passed through a hole in a fence and crossed nearby railway tracks. Officers searched the area with assistance f
b-c-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-mental-health-act-allowing-treatment-without-consent
BCJul 31, 2026

B.C. Supreme Court strikes down parts of Mental Health Act allowing treatment without consent

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that portions of the province's Mental Health Act that allow patients to receive psychiatric treatment without their consent are unconstitutional, giving the provincial government six months to amend the legislation. Justice Lauren Blake found that British Columbia was the only province in Canada where patients could be subjected to psychiatric treatment without an assessment of their decision-making capacity. The court concluded that the provisions violate constitutional protections. The ruling comes as the B.C. government is pursuing plans to expand involunta