Canada’s population declined slightly during the first three months of 2026, according to new estimates released by Statistics Canada. The agency estimated the country’s population at 41,417,056 as of April 1, a decrease of 55,025 people, or 0.1 per cent, compared with Jan. 1. Statistics Canada attributed the decline largely to a reduction in the number of non-permanent residents. According to Statistics Canada, the preliminary number of non-permanent residents fell by 117,879 during the first quarter of 2026. That compares with a decline of 55,194 during the same period a year earlier. Th

Two families have been displaced after a vehicle crashed into the basement of a home and sparked a fire in Chilliwack early Tuesday morning. According to the Chilliwack Fire Department, the incident occurred at about 1:45 a.m. when a speeding vehicle left the roadway, struck a residence, and entered the home's basement. A fire broke out immediately after the collision and spread rapidly through the structure. More than 24 firefighters responded to the scene and brought the blaze under control. Fire officials said the fire had already spread from the basement to the second floor by the time eme

An 11-year-old boy has died after a suspected drowning during a school field trip at Echo Dale Regional Park in Medicine Hat, according to Alberta RCMP. Police said officers responded Monday afternoon after receiving a report that a child had gone missing during a school outing at the park. Staff from the school division, park employees and emergency responders searched the area, while drones were deployed to assist in locating the child. Staff Sgt. Darren Lole said the boy was found in the water within about an hour of the initial report. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead

Langley RCMP say a shooting at a residential property last week has now been identified as an extortion-related incident following several days of investigation. Police said officers responded to a report of shots fired at a home in the 21500 block of 45A Avenue shortly after 12:40 a.m. on Friday. According to Langley RCMP, investigators initially had no information indicating the incident was connected to extortion. Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said new evidence gathered during the investigation has since clarified the motive. Police now believe the property was deliberately targeted as part of an exto

A woman in Abbotsford is facing potential criminal charges after allegedly attempting to drive through a police road closure during a collision investigation, according to Abbotsford Police. Police said officers had closed a section of Whatcom Road on Saturday evening while investigating a motorcycle crash. During the road closure, a woman driving an SUV reportedly insisted on passing through the restricted area despite directions from officers. According to police, the driver mounted a sidewalk in an attempt to bypass a police vehicle. An officer narrowly avoided being pinned between the SUV

British Columbia's Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has launched an investigation following the death of a man while in Vancouver Police Department custody. According to the police watchdog, the man was arrested by Vancouver police officers at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday and lodged in the Vancouver Police Department jail on Cordova Street. Jail staff found him unresponsive at about 8 a.m. Monday. BC Emergency Health Services personnel attended the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead. The IIO said its initial investigation will focus on determining w

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, where the two leaders exchanged greetings and shook hands. The meeting marked their first in-person interaction in approximately 16 months and comes as both countries continue discussions on a potential trade agreement. Modi is attending the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian, where he is expected to participate in a series of diplomatic meetings with world leaders. According to official information released ahead of the summit, Modi and Trump are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on Wedne

A four-year-old girl has died after being struck by a vehicle in northeast Edmonton, according to the Edmonton Police Service. Police said the child was walking through a parking lot with her mother on Sunday evening when she broke free and ran onto a nearby street. Investigators say she was then struck by a Jeep driven by a 23-year-old man. Bystanders immediately provided assistance and the girl was transported to hospital. Police said she later died from her injuries. According to the Edmonton Police Service, investigators do not believe speed or impaired driving were factors in the collisio

The British Columbia government is considering a new hydroelectric project in the province as electricity demand is expected to increase significantly over the coming decades. According to BC Hydro projections, electricity demand in the province could rise by about 20 per cent by 2030 and roughly 50 per cent by 2050. The utility says the trend reflects long-term growth in population and electrification across the province. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said while presenting the plan that rising electricity demand is a positive indicator for the province’s economic outlook, adding it reflects on