B.C. Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu says he is leaning toward entering the race for the party’s leadership, but will wait to make a final decision until the rules are formally released in the new year. Bhangu, who represents Abbotsford-Langley, said he expects the party to outline the leadership framework in the second or third week of January. He noted that the structure of the race, including timelines and fundraising requirements, will play a key role in whether he puts his name forward. His comments come days after federal Conservative MP Aaron Gunn confirmed he will not seek the provinc

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

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

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

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

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,

The head of the national RCMP union is criticizing a provincial panel report that recommends Alberta continue efforts to replace the Mounties with a provincial police force. Brian Sauve, president of the National Police Federation, described the Alberta Next panel’s report as “misleading,” saying it relies on outdated references and misinterpreted federal policies to support its conclusions. He added the panel appears to be reviving a proposal that Albertans have already rejected in past consultations. The Alberta Next Panel, established and chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, was tasked

Premier Danielle Smith says 2025 marked a turning point for Alberta’s sweeping health-care overhaul, with the legal framework for the province’s new system now firmly in place. She says the coming year will be focused on showing Albertans whether the changes deliver measurable improvements. Smith said her government believes the restructuring will lead to better patient outcomes after years of strain on the health system. Alberta is in the process of replacing Alberta Health Services as a single province-wide provider with four separate organizations responsible for acute care, primary car

A massive earthquake off the coast of Vancouver Island could result in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction across British Columbia, according to a new provincial risk assessment. The B.C. government report estimates that a magnitude 9.0 megathrust earthquake could cause more than 3,400 fatalities and leave over 10,000 people injured. Economic losses are projected at $128 billion, with roughly 18,000 buildings destroyed and extensive damage to another 10,000. The findings are part of the province’s disaster and climate risk assessment, which identifies a large offshore earthquake a