The sexual assault trial of BC rocker Jacob Hoggard is underway in a Toronto courtroom after long delays because of the pandemic. Hoggard, the frontman for the Abbotsford-based pop rock band Hedley, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault causing bodily harm and sexual interference related to allegations involving a woman and a teenager in the Toronto area in 2016. Hoggard was in court today as the judge heard several procedural matters and set jury selection to begin Wednesday, with the trial now expected to run five or six weeks. Hedley was dropped by its management team and blacklisted by

Fire has damaged at least two buildings in downtown Prince Rupert. The blaze broke out just before nine last night. Photos posted by Prince Rupert Fire and Rescue show a former food store and gift shop has been gutted and the flames also damaged the neighbouring Belmont Hotel and Liquor Store. The fire department says the fire was contained by about 2 a.m. but crews remained on the scene to handle hot spots and investigate a cause.

RCMP are investigating an overnight stabbing in central Surrey. Police say a man in his 40s was stabbed several times at about 12:30 this morning. They say the unnamed victim is now in hospital listed in serious condition. Officers roped off part of a townhouse complex and the alley behind a strip mall (close to Prince Charles Boulevard and 96th Avenue) but haven't said if they have identified a motive or any suspects.

The Conservative party leadership race is moving forward with six candidates. The party confirms Pierre Poilievre, Jean Charest, Patrick Brown, Leslyn Lewis, Scott Aitchison, and Roman Baber have all submitted the full 300,000 dollar registration fee and a compliance deposit, along with signatures from 500 party members. The Conservatives will announce their new leader on September 10th.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Stellantis auto plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario, will become global leaders in electric vehicle manufacturing. Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford made a joint appearance in Windsor today to announce one-billion dollars in funding to help Stellantis retool its Canadian auto plants for EV manufacturing. The company has also said it is expanding its research facility in Windsor to include a battery pack testing hub and an electric vehicle research centre. Trudeau says today’s deal on made-in-Canada electric vehicles is another investment in our

Investigators from the Vancouver Police Department's major crime section are trying to figure out who left a ``suspicious device'' along the path of the B-MO Vancouver Marathon yesterday. The race was delayed by more than an hour while bomb experts disabled the device near Science World. Sergeant Steve Addison says it appears the device was placed along the half-marathon route to cause panic or disrupt the event, adding it's ``very disturbing.'' However, he says bomb technicians determined the device was not at risk of exploding and did not pose an immediate danger to the public.

Vancouver Police say they're investigating after the iconic steam clock in the city's Gastown neighbourhood was damaged overnight Saturday.They say glass on the side of the tourist attraction was shattered.Police are working to determine whether the clock at the corner of Cambie and Water streets was damaged intentionally.Despite its older appearance, the clock was built in 1977.

Global Affairs Canada says it knows about the Vancouver man currently being held in Indonesia and facing deportation from that country for allegedly dancing naked on a sacred volcano. A statement from the federal diplomatic agency says it is ``aware'' of the incident and consular officials are consulting with authorities in Bali. 33 year old Jeffrey Craigen is accused of making an ``immoral video at Mount Batur,'' violating Balinese culture. In a separate video posted earlier this week Craigen, an actor and self-styled mind-body healer, tearfully said his intention was not to disrespect any c

BC is making it easier for victims to obtain disaster financial assistance. Emergency Management BC and the Public Safety Ministry say the limitations of the old system were highlighted by last November's catastrophic floods that tore up highways and washed away homes and farms in many parts of southern BC. Changes will make more farmers, businesses and rental unit owners eligible for relief and the application period has been reopened until the end of July to allow new claimants to submit their paperwork. Local governments and First Nations also won't have to wait to receive funds until afte