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BCSep 17, 2020

Vancouver records increase in crime with particularly high numbers in some areas

Vancouver police say the latest statistics suggest an uptick in crime across the city. A report comparing numbers for the first six months of 2020 to the same period last year suggests an increase in violent crime by more than five per cent. Police noted increases in all areas of the city but they say areas including Strathcona, downtown and Yaletown recorded particularly high numbers. Deputy Chief Constable Howard Chow says police are, ``very concerned about the increase in the most serious crimes across the city.''
three-found-dead-in-two-separate-homicides-in-vancouver-police
BCSep 17, 2020

Three found dead in two separate homicides in Vancouver: police

Three people have been killed in what Vancouver police say are two separate homicides in the city. Const. Tania Visintin says two people were found unresponsive in a hotel room in the Downtown Eastside at about 7 p.m. Wednesday. She says one died at the scene while the other died later in hospital. Officers were called to a southeast Vancouver neighbourhood about 30 minutes later for a report of shots fired. One person was found dead in front of a home. Visintin says the shooting and the two hotel deaths are not linked and the public is not believed to be at risk.
b-c-mental-health-minister-becomes-latest-cabinet-member-not-to-run-again
BCSep 17, 2020

B.C. mental health minister becomes latest cabinet member not to run again

British Columbia's minister of mental health and addictions says she won't seek re-election, joining a string of senior cabinet ministers who are bowing out of provincial politics. Judy Darcy, who represents New Westminster in the legislature, says in a statement that it's been an ``enormous privilege'' to serve as B.C.'s first-ever minister of mental health and addictions. She added that she's proud of the way B.C. has worked to tackle both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing overdose crisis. Before being elected as a New Democrat to represent New Westminster in 2013, Darcy worked for the C
federal-government-causing-a-covid-19-disaster-by-not-quickly-approving-rapid-testing-methods-erin-otoole
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Federal government causing a COVID-19 disaster by not quickly approving rapid testing methods: Erin O'Toole

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says the federal government is causing a COVID-19 disaster by not moving more quickly to approve rapid testing methods that are already in use in other countries. O'Toole and his family were tested this morning for COVID-19 through a program for MPs, after waiting for several hours to be tested in Ottawa Wednesday and having to give up. O'Toole, his wife Rebecca and their children Mollie and Jack are all in isolation after an O'Toole staff member he was travelling with tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Demand for COVID-19 testing has skyrocketed this wee
wage-subsidy-extension-into-2021-critical-for-tourism-sector-to-survive-industry
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Wage subsidy extension into 2021 critical for tourism sector to survive: industry

A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the federal government must keep its wage-subsidy program in place well into next year for businesses with dire prospects for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. A coalition of organizations representing the tourism sector says the phasing out of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program could result in the loss of millions of jobs. The Coalition of Hardest Hit businesses says without the federal program covering as much as 75 per cent of wages, many tourism-related businesses simply won't survive. The president of the Hotel As
harsimrat-kaur-badal-resigns-from-union-cabinet-over-anti-farmer-legislation-capt-amarinder-singh-calls-the-deecision-a-part-of-long-chain-of-theatrics
IndiaSep 17, 2020

Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigns from union cabinet over `anti-farmer legislation'; Capt. Amarinder Singh calls the decision a part of long chain of theatrics

Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday resigned from Union Cabinet in protest against "anti-farmer ordinances and legislation".The resignation came soon after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal opposed the two farmer-related bills in the Lok Sabha. SAD is an ally of ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre and in Punjab."I have resigned from Union Cabinet in protest against anti-farmer ordinances and legislation. Proud to stand with farmers as their daughter and sister," Harsimrat Kaur Badal said in a tweet.The two bills seek to replace two ordinan
post-secondary-students-paying-for-inaccessible-services-as-they-study-online
CanadaSep 17, 2020

Post-secondary students paying for inaccessible services as they study online

The Canadian Federation of Students is crying foul over fees post-secondary institutions are charging for services and facilities students can't use. With classes having moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students aren't on campuses to visit libraries and athletic centres, if they're even open.The federation's deputy chairperson Nicole Brayiannis says the fees are an added burden on young people who have been left behind throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.The federation is calling on the federal government to provide immediate financial support for post-secondary students.Universit
BCSep 17, 2020

200-member B.C. crew off to Oregon wildfires, 200 more may be assigned: Premier

Two hundred British Columbia firefighters are heading to Oregon to help with devastating wildfires in that state.A joint statement from the premier's office and the Ministry of Forests says the firefighters and related personnel are being sent to Redmond, Ore. 'It also says discussions are underway with officials in Oregon and Washington state regarding deployment of another 200-member contingent from B.C. All the firefighters are BC Wildfire Service employees and officials say they will work separately from U.S. crews given the challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.Premier John Horgan says
b-c-government-set-to-release-plan-to-recharge-economy-after-covid-19-blow
BCSep 17, 2020

B.C. government set to release plan to recharge economy after COVID-19 blow

The British Columbia government is expected to reveal how it plans to stimulate an economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan and Finance Minister Carole James are scheduled to release details today of the $1.5-billion economic recovery plan.Last week, James announced the province's most recent financial numbers from April to June project an economic decline of 6.7 per cent for this year.She said the budget is forecast to post a deficit of almost $13 billion for the 2020-21 fiscal year.The Opposition Liberals have accused the NDP government of being too slow in respondin

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BCDec 30, 2025

Heavy rainfall closes Highway 16, isolates Prince Rupert and parts of B.C. north coast

Persistent and intense rainfall across British Columbia’s north coast has forced the closure of major highways and temporarily cut off road access to Prince Rupert, raising concerns about travel disruptions and infrastructure damage in the region. Provincial transportation officials say Highway 16, the primary route linking Prince Rupert with Terrace and other inland communities, has been closed in both directions due to flooding. DriveBC reports water over the roadway and unsafe driving conditions following days of sustained rain. Environment Canada says more than 200 millimetres of rain fe
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BCDec 30, 2025

Burnaby RCMP seize nearly $4 million worth of drugs, arrest one man after six-month investigation

Burnaby RCMP say a lengthy gang enforcement investigation has led to the seizure of more than 97 kilograms of illicit drugs, over $70,000 in cash, and the arrest of one suspect in Metro Vancouver. Police say the Burnaby RCMP Gang Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at a residence in New Westminster on December 17 as part of a six-month drug trafficking probe. A 29-year-old man was taken into custody and remains under investigation for multiple potential drug-related charges. Officers seized approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine, 41 kilograms of methamphetamine, 30 grams of fentanyl, and
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CanadaDec 30, 2025

One killed, three hurt in shooting on Big Island Lake Cree Nation, RCMP issue regional alert

One person has died and three others were injured following a shooting on Big Island Lake Cree Nation in western Saskatchewan, according to RCMP. Police say officers were called to the community Monday morning after reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found one victim deceased at the scene and three others suffering from injuries. RCMP have not released details about the condition of those injured or whether additional people were taken to hospital. Mounties are searching for two suspects who remain at large and are considered armed and dangerous. Investigators are still working to det
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BCDec 30, 2025

Odd complaints about haircuts, hornets and luggage top B.C.’s unusual 911 calls of 2025

British Columbia’s main emergency call centre says complaints about luggage size, a bad haircut and even a household hornet were among the most unusual 911 calls received this year, highlighting ongoing misuse of the emergency line. E-Comm, which answers about 99 per cent of 911 calls across the province, says it handles roughly two million calls annually. While most callers use the service appropriately, officials say a small number continue to call for situations that do not require police, firefighters or paramedics. Among the calls flagged in E-Comm’s year-end list were reports about a
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CanadaDec 30, 2025

Dozens of luxury motorcycles tied to Canadian fugitive Ryan Wedding seized in Mexico, FBI says

U.S. authorities say they have recovered dozens of high-end motorcycles linked to Ryan Wedding, the former Canadian Olympic snowboarder now accused of leading an international drug trafficking operation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates the motorcycles, seized during raids in Mexico City and the surrounding State of Mexico, are worth approximately US$40 million. The raids, conducted last week, targeted four properties connected to a suspect whose description matches Wedding’s, according to Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection. In addition to the motorcycles,