The town of Jasper says early numbers indicate last month’s wildfires destroyed $283 million worth of property. The town also reports that while 358 structures were destroyed, mostly businesses and homes, the total number of housing units lost is about 800. The figures were delivered to councillors by chief administrative officer Bill Given at a virtual meeting today. Given says the numbers get even more daunting as the town moves forward with rebuilding because the lost structures equate to a $2.2-million loss in annual property tax revenue. Councillors, meanwhile, approved motions to suspe

Dr. Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi, the current MLA of Shiromani Akali Dal from Banga assembly constituency of Punjab, has joined the Aam Aadmi Party. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at his residence Dr. Sukhi was included in the party. Sukhi is a doctor by profession. This is a big blow for the Shiromani Akali Dal, which is struggling with insurgency, as the party had only three MLAs in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, which is now reduced to two. They include Manpreet Singh Ayali from Mullanpur Dakha and Ganiv Kaur Majithia, wife of Bikram Majithia from Halka Majitha. Manpreet Singh Ayali has also shown rebel

A British Columbia man is facing almost two dozen charges over allegations of online sexual extortion that police say stem from reports by several victims in Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. A statement from RCMP in Burnaby, B.C., says they began an investigation in December 2022 after 19-year-old Anwer Jelassi was identified as the suspect. It says the victims had come forward to report they were being extorted after sharing explicit images with someone they met on social media platforms. The Mounties say the suspect then allegedly demanded money under threat of sending those images to the vi

The leader of British Columbia's Opposition says he would introduce the largest provincial income tax cut in provincial history if his party is elected to form government this fall. Kevin Falcon says BC United would eliminate the tax on the first $50,000 earned by every person in B.C., allowing taxpayers to keep an additional $2,050 on average. He says the cut would eliminate provincial income tax for 60 per cent of B.C. residents, or more than 2.4 million people. Falcon says the tax cut would benefit many elderly people on fixed incomes and families who struggle with the high costs of living.

The mayor of Banff, Alta., says the town plans to find ways to reduce vehicle traffic after residents voted in favour of removing a pedestrian zone in the downtown. Corrie DiManno says the vote to reopen Banff Avenue year-round doesn't change the need for more public transportation into the popular tourist destination west of Calgary. The town has reported there were 1,328 votes cast against council's decision to have the pedestrian zone every year from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving long weekend. It says 1,194 residents voted in favour of the zone. DiManno says the pedestrian area cause

The decision on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's silver medal has been postponed once again. The Court of Arbitration has fixed a new date for Tuesday. Now the decision regarding this will be pronounced on August 16. On behalf of the Indian Olympic Association, senior advocate Harish Salve has represented Vinesh. Vinesh Phogat won 3 bouts and reached the finals of the 50 kg weight category in the wrestling Olympics, but was disqualified before the final match for being overweight by just 100 grams. Vinesh challenged this decision in the Court of Arbitration Sport and appealed to be given a si

A House of Commons committee will investigate how a man facing terror charges was admitted to Canada and obtained citizenship. Members of Parliament on the national security committee voted unanimously to launch a study on the terror suspects arrested in the Toronto area last month. Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and his son Mostafa Eldidi, 26, were arrested in Richmond Hill, Ont., and face nine terrorism charges including conspiracy to commit murder on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The RCMP announced the charges on July 31 and said the two men were "in the advanced stag

Punjab Congress Lok Sabha Member and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has hit out at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government for granting a new parole of 21 days to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that the surprise is that why the Bhagwant Mann government is not speaking on this issue, while the sentiments of the Sikh panth and the victims are being hurt due to the repeated parole of Sauda Saad and the atmosphere of Punjab. can be damaged Referring to the Assembly elections in Haryana, Randhawa has demanded that the Aam Aadmi Pa

Police in British Columbia's southern Interior say a single-vehicle crash on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Savona has killed one person. RCMP say they were called Sunday to respond to the crash involving two women from the Metro Vancouver community of Port Coquitlam. Police say their early investigation suggests the pickup truck hit the ditch, then rolled over into the opposite ditch after "overcorrecting." Both women were trapped inside, and police say firefighters helped get them free. They say the passenger was found dead, while the driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The