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BCJan 14, 2026

Kelowna driver arrested after police allege drug-impaired driving on Harvey Avenue

A Kelowna man is facing potential criminal charges after BC Highway Patrol officers allege he was driving while impaired by drugs on one of the city’s busiest roads. Police say the incident happened just after 10:30 a.m. on Harvey Avenue, when an officer in an unmarked patrol vehicle was passed by a driver who appeared to have a glass pipe in his mouth. The vehicle was stopped a short time later. According to BC Highway Patrol, the 56-year-old driver told officers he was “only” smoking marihuana. Corporal Michael McLaughlin said any form of drug impairment, including cannabis, is illegal
BCJan 13, 2026

School bus crash in western Manitoba sends several children to hospital

Several children were taken to hospital after a school bus left a highway in western Manitoba on Tuesday morning, according to RCMP. Police say the bus rolled off the road south of Mafeking, near the community of Swan River, roughly 550 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. Emergency crews responded to the scene shortly after the crash was reported. RCMP confirmed that four people on board the bus suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment. Other passengers were assessed at the scene and were also taken to hospital as a precaution. The cau
statistics-canada-plans-workforce-reduction-affecting-about-850-employees
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Statistics Canada plans workforce reduction affecting about 850 employees

Statistics Canada says it will cut approximately 850 positions as part of a broader effort to adjust its operations, along with a reduction of about 12 per cent of its executive team. Carter Mann, a spokesperson for the national statistical agency, said affected employees are expected to be notified within the next two weeks. He added that the agency remains focused on meeting its mandate to provide reliable data for Canadians while adapting to internal changes. According to data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Statistics Canada employed 7,274 people as of March 31, 2025. Of tha
BCJan 13, 2026

Lake Country RCMP arrest two suspects in break and enter investigation linked to Kelowna

Lake Country RCMP say two men have been arrested following an early morning break and enter that investigators believe is connected to a series of similar crimes targeting businesses in Kelowna. Police were called to a business in the 11,000 block of Oceola Road around 3:00 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a break and enter in progress. Officers contained the area and arrested two male suspects as they exited the building carrying tools commonly associated with break and enter offences. RCMP say a search of the suspects uncovered identifiable property and Canadian currency believed to b
atmospheric-river-soaks-b-c-south-coast-as-rainfall-tops-200-millimetres-in-some-areas
BCJan 13, 2026

Atmospheric river soaks B.C. south coast as rainfall tops 200 millimetres in some areas

Communities across British Columbia’s south coast and Vancouver Island have been hit with intense rainfall over the past three days as an atmospheric river moved through the region, prompting evacuation orders, alerts and ongoing flood warnings. Environment Canada says several areas recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain between Saturday and Monday, with the Kennedy Lake Forestry Station on Vancouver Island measuring nearly 286 millimetres during the period. On the mainland, Port Mellon reported 204 millimetres, while Ucluelet recorded 168 millimetres and Squamish received 132 millimetre
teen-critically-injured-in-richmond-hit-and-run-as-police-seek-suspect-vehicle
BCJan 13, 2026

Teen critically injured in Richmond hit-and-run as police seek suspect vehicle

A 17-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene late Saturday night in Richmond, according to RCMP. Police say officers were called just after 11:25 p.m. to reports of a disturbance in the 4200 block of No. 3 Road. When they arrived, they found the teenager unconscious and suffering serious injuries. He was taken to hospital by paramedics, where he continues to receive life-saving care. Investigators believe the collision followed an altercation near the roadway. The incident has prompted a parallel investigation into an alleged assault causi
alberta-ndp-urges-smith-government-to-act-as-doctors-warn-of-hospital-overcrowding
FeaturedJan 13, 2026

Alberta NDP urges Smith government to act as doctors warn of hospital overcrowding

Alberta’s Official Opposition NDP is pressing Premier Danielle Smith and the province’s four health ministers to implement emergency measures as doctors raise alarms over overcrowded hospitals. The call comes after the Alberta Medical Association reported that hospitals have been operating at more than 110 per cent capacity for over a year, creating strains on both staff and patient care. Dr. Brian Wirzba, president of the association, said public statements are a last resort for physicians who have repeatedly voiced concerns through internal channels without seeing adequate action. Meanwh
AlbertaJan 13, 2026

Alberta health official to update public as flu season strains hospitals

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health is expected to provide an update today on the province’s respiratory virus season, as hospitals across Alberta continue to face significant pressure. Health care leaders say elevated influenza activity has been a major factor behind ongoing capacity challenges, particularly since mid-December. Physicians have repeatedly warned that high patient volumes are limiting the system’s ability to respond to routine and urgent care needs. The provincial ministry responsible for hospitals has linked the surge in admissions to a sharp increase in flu cases
kelowna-rcmp-launch-gang-enforcement-team-pilot-after-drug-and-firearm-seizures
BCJan 13, 2026

Kelowna RCMP launch gang enforcement team pilot after drug and firearm seizures

The Kelowna RCMP have launched a new gang enforcement pilot program following several months of targeted policing that led to the seizure of firearms, weapons and illicit drugs across the city. Police say enhanced enforcement efforts began in September 2025, focusing on disrupting organized crime and removing weapons and toxic drugs from local streets. Those initiatives resulted in multiple significant seizures, prompting the detachment to expand its approach through a dedicated gang enforcement team. The new Kelowna Gang Enforcement Team is a four-member unit made up of officers from differen

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u-s-signals-no-full-tariff-relief-for-canada-in-future-trade-talks
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

U.S. signals no full tariff relief for Canada in future trade talks

The United States is signalling that Canada should not expect full relief from American tariffs in any future trade agreement, according to comments from President Donald Trump’s chief trade representative following the State of the Union address. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill after President Donald Trump’s speech Tuesday night, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said any new trade arrangement with Canada would likely include tariff measures. He indicated that even a renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement may not guarantee a fully tariff-free framework. Greer su
prime-minister-narendra-modi-begins-two-day-visit-to-israel-defence-cooperation-on-agenda
WorldFeb 25, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins two day visit to Israel, defence cooperation on agenda

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a two day official visit, marking his first trip to the country in nearly nine years. He was received at the airport by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his spouse, Sara Netanyahu. During the visit, Modi and Netanyahu held a one on one meeting in Tel Aviv to discuss bilateral cooperation. Officials indicated that security and strategic partnerships are expected to feature prominently in the talks, reflecting the growing ties between the two countries in recent years. Modi is also scheduled to address the Isr
richmond-rcmp-arrest-14-in-targeted-retail-theft-crackdown
BCFeb 25, 2026

Richmond RCMP arrest 14 in targeted retail theft crackdown

Richmond RCMP say 14 people were taken into custody during a one day retail theft enforcement operation earlier this month, marking the first Boost and Bust initiative of 2026. The February 15 operation focused on businesses in the city’s downtown core and commercial areas. Police said 13 individuals were arrested in connection with alleged shoplifting incidents. Investigators plan to recommend charges in 10 of those cases. Two of those arrested were youths and will be referred to restorative justice programs. Officers also offered referrals to social services for everyone who was taken into
nanaimo-rcmp-warn-residents-after-24-000-lost-in-bank-impersonation-scam
BCFeb 24, 2026

Nanaimo RCMP warn residents after $24,000 lost in bank impersonation scam

Police in Nanaimo are urging residents to remain cautious after a local resident lost about $24,000 in a fraud scheme involving suspects posing as bank officials. The Nanaimo RCMP say the victim believed they were communicating with representatives from the Royal Bank of Canada after receiving multiple phone calls and text messages that appeared to come from an official bank number. According to investigators, some of the messages included security verification codes. The victim, thinking the communication was legitimate, shared personal details with the caller. Police say that information was
alberta-returns-to-court-to-contest-federal-impact-assessment-act-amendments
AlbertaFeb 24, 2026

Alberta returns to court to contest federal Impact Assessment Act amendments

The Alberta government is once again asking the courts to strike down Ottawa’s Impact Assessment Act, arguing that recent amendments still infringe on provincial jurisdiction over natural resources and development. The Alberta Court of Appeal began hearing arguments in Calgary this week in the province’s renewed constitutional challenge. The legislation, first enacted in 2019, establishes a federal review process for major infrastructure and resource projects, including pipelines, mines and energy developments, assessing potential environmental, economic, health and social impacts. Alberta