British Columbia Chief Coroner Jatinder Baidwan announced Tuesday that a formal investigation will be conducted into the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria, Baidwan said the purpose of the investigation is to establish the facts surrounding the incident and issue recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. He said the process is also intended to help restore public confidence in the system. According to the BC Coroners Service, the investigation will examine how individuals experiencing a mental health crisis are identified and w

The BC government has introduced Bill 7, in the legislature to provide education quality assurance, strengthen oversight, and crack down on bad actors. In this regard, in an exclusive interview with Connect FM today, BC's Minister of Post-Secondary education and Future Skills, Jessie Sooner, answered questions about the need for the bill, its timeline, identification of bad actors and penalties, and its alignment with federal laws. Minister Sunner said, “this legislation will provide more tools and will be useful in maintaining international education standards.” Minister Sunner said that

The Kelowna RCMP says provincial funding through British Columbia’s Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement program has led to 121 arrests, the recommendation of 163 criminal charges and the seizure of firearms, drugs and cash over a seven-month period. According to a Kelowna RCMP news release, the detachment received funding from the Province of British Columbia and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to support additional intelligence-led enforcement between June 1, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026. The initiative focused on violent crime, repeat offenders and organized crim

Two Langford residents were arrested after police seized more than 350 grams of suspected cocaine, cash and silver during a drug trafficking investigation in the West Shore area. According to a release from the Westshore RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Unit, the investigation began in February 2026 into a suspected drug trafficker operating in the region. On February 20, officers arrested a 44-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman and executed two search warrants at a Langford residence. Police said investigators located evidence consistent with a drug trafficking operation, including packaging

Unseasonably warm weather has returned to British Columbia, with five communities setting new daily high temperature records this week, according to Environment Canada. In Pemberton, about 150 kilometres north of Vancouver, temperatures reached nearly 16 C on Monday, surpassing the previous daily record by almost 13 degrees. The earlier record had been set in 2025. In Trail, in the West Kootenay region, the temperature climbed to 14 C, breaking the previous record of 11 C set in 2021. Cranbrook, near the Alberta boundary, recorded 12.4 C, edging out the 12.1 C mark set in 1986. Environment Can

More than 250 flights were cancelled at four major Indian airports as tensions escalate between the United States, Israel and Iran, airport authorities said. According to airport officials, 80 flights were cancelled at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, while 107 flights were cancelled at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. In Bengaluru, approximately 42 flights were cancelled for the day at Kempegowda International Airport, and 30 flights were cancelled at Chennai International Airport. Officials said the cancellations are linked to disruptions in inter

Canada could play a larger role in global oil and liquefied natural gas supply as conflict in the Middle East disrupts energy markets, federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson said. According to Hodgson, several countries have contacted Canada about increasing oil and LNG shipments to offset supply shortfalls. He did not identify which countries had made recent approaches. The minister acknowledged that production of LNG or oil cannot be significantly increased within days, but said the situation underscores the need to further develop Canada’s natural resources. “It is not possible to ramp up

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the provincial government will provide $15 million to support a bid to host the 2028 World Cup of Hockey in Alberta. Smith announced Monday that if the bid is successful, games would be played in Calgary and Edmonton. She said the tournament could become the second most-watched hockey competition globally. According to the premier, the bid decision will be made by the National Hockey League and the NHL Players' Association. Smith said she hopes league officials will select either Calgary or Edmonton to host the event. Carson Ackroyd, vice-president of sales

Israel’s military has entered parts of southern Lebanon and ordered evacuations in 59 areas following renewed cross-border attacks involving the Lebanese group Hezbollah. According to statements carried by international media, the Israeli military said the evacuation orders were issued as it targeted what it described as Hezbollah positions. Israeli forces carried out airstrikes for a second consecutive day, with the military saying the operations were aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities. Lebanese authorities reported that more than 50 people were killed and over 150 injured in str