Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says some changes to Canada's immigration system could be here to stay.Last month the government welcomed a record number of permanent residents, putting the Liberals on track to meet an ambitious immigration target of 401,000 new permanent residents by the end of the year.Some of the new arrivals have been immigrants who arrived in Canada through traditional means.But others have been temporary residents allowed to make the country their permanent home because of pandemic-related restrictions at the border.Fraser says that pathway could remain open beyond the

B.C. is reporting 1,474 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 231,117 cases in the province.There are 7,253 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 221,280 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 187 individuals are in hospital and 71 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,409.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: threeNorthern Health: oneIsland Health: twoNote: The update on cases of the Omicron variant of concern will be provided in to

The approval of the R6 RapidBus service by the Safe Surrey Coalition-led City Council gives the green light toa desperately-needed upgrade to transit service along Scott Road. The new project will connect Scott Road SkyTrainStation to the Newton Exchange Bus Loop and improve commute times by 22 per cent. According to Translink, the existing 319 transit bus that currently covers this route is the top bus route and one of thefastest wing corridors in the South of the Fraser region, with 7.5 million passenger boardings in 2019. This route is a transit gap that was well known about by past Surrey

Canadian swimmers have given their best performance in the short course world championships. Canada won a total of 15 medals at the world championships played at Abu Dhabi. Canadian swimmers ended the championship with 7 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. US won the most medals and ended the championship with 30 medals that included 9 gold medals. Swimming Canada on Twitter: With 15 medals, this is Canada’s most medals won ever at any World Championships or Olympic Games!

The US has authorized a Pfizer pill that can be taken at home to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration announcement comes as America braces for a wave of new infections from the Omicron variant that is threatening already-strained hospitals. Pfizer's prescription pill is the first U-S medication that doesn't require an injection or an I-V. The drug was authorized for high-risk patients who are most likely to get severe illness.

Madagascar's police minister and an air force mechanic succeeded in swimming for 12 hours to safety after their helicopter crashed in the Indian Ocean. Officials said Gen. Serge Gelle, 57, the Secretary of State for the Gendarmerie, was discovered in the water by a fisherman in a canoe who brought him to shore. Another passenger, Chief Warrant Officer Jimmy Laitsara, also swam to the beach at Mahambo. Gelle described his swim to safety in a short video posted to Twitter by Madagascar's defense ministry. Gelle appeared on a lounge chair, still in his military camouflage, his hands pale and wri

A weather system from the Pacific Ocean is forecast to bring heavy snow and the risk of freezing rain to several areas of southern and central British Columbia. Environment Canada has issued snowfall and winter storm warnings until Thursday covering an area from the Fraser Valley to the Peace River district. The Coquihalla Highway, which was recently reopened to commercial traffic, could see between 35 and 60 centimetres of snow with the heaviest accumulations on Thursday. Higher mountain routes, including the Yellowhead, Highway 3 through the Kootenay and Allison passes, and Highway 1 headin

One person has died in a multi-vehicle crash in Surrey. RCMP say it happened just before seven last night when a Lexus sedan lost control, crossed the median and collided with a Jeep and a minivan in south Surrey. The driver of the Lexus died at the scene while those in the other two vehicles were treated for various injuries at local hospitals. Police say drugs, alcohol and speed have not been ruled out and both the Coroner's Service and the Mounties continue to investigate.

A charge of second-degree murder has been laid after a young woman was found dead in a home in British Columbia's central Interior. A statement from North District RCMP says the death of the 19 year old was confirmed on Monday when police and paramedics were called to the home in Esk'etemc, a First Nation community near Williams Lake. A 23 year old man was taken into custody at the same time. Investigators say the two knew each other. The RCMP statement says the BC Prosecution Service has approved a charge of second-degree murder against Waylon Harry. He remains in custody and court records s