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alberta-government-to-table-budget-feb-26-as-deficit-pressures-mount
AlbertaFeb 04, 2026

Alberta government to table budget Feb. 26 as deficit pressures mount

The Alberta government says it will present its next provincial budget on February 26, warning that deteriorating financial conditions will make the process difficult. Finance Minister Nate Horner says lower oil prices and ongoing global economic uncertainty are putting strain on provincial revenues, forcing the government to make what he described as tough choices. Alberta’s economy remains closely tied to energy markets, making budget planning vulnerable to swings in commodity prices. The province is currently projecting a 6.4 billion dollar deficit by the end of the fiscal year in March.
former-kamloops-lawyer-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-in-killing-of-client
BCFeb 04, 2026

Former Kamloops lawyer convicted of first-degree murder in killing of client

A former Kamloops lawyer has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of one of his clients, a Thompson Rivers University lecturer whose death shocked the local legal and academic communities. Rogelio “Butch” Bagabuyo was convicted in B.C. Supreme Court for the March 11, 2022 killing of Mohd Abdullah. The court heard that Bagabuyo stabbed Abdullah multiple times inside his law office after stealing nearly $800,000 from him, money that had been entrusted for legal matters. Prosecutors said the killing was planned and deliberate, noting that Bagabuyo attempted to conceal the c
WorldFeb 04, 2026

Deadly strikes resume across Gaza after Rafah crossing reopens, hospitals say about 20 killed

Deadly Israeli strikes hit northern and southern parts of Gaza again after Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, with local hospitals reporting that about 20 Palestinians were killed. Medical officials said casualties were brought to several facilities as attacks continued in multiple areas. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted what it described as militant positions. According to Israeli officials, the attacks were carried out in response to gunfire directed at Israeli troops operating in northern Gaza, an incident that left one Israeli officer seriously
parents-of-b-c-teen-piper-james-travel-to-australia-following-fatal-dingo-encounter
BCFeb 04, 2026

Parents of B.C. teen Piper James travel to Australia following fatal dingo encounter

The parents of Piper James have travelled to Australia to visit the beach where their daughter died while working overseas, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. The 19-year-old from Campbell River, B.C., was found dead earlier this month on K'gari, an island off Australia’s east coast formerly known as Fraser Island. Australian media reported that James’ parents arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday as they prepare to bring her remains home. James was working on the island when she went for an early-morning swim and was later discovered dead, surrounded
alberta-to-review-rural-highway-intersection-after-fatal-crash-involving-junior-hockey-players
AlbertaFeb 04, 2026

Alberta to review rural highway intersection after fatal crash involving junior hockey players

The Alberta government says it will review a rural highway intersection near Stavely following a deadly crash that claimed the lives of three junior hockey players earlier this week. The collision occurred Monday at a highway entrance just outside the southern Alberta community, about an hour south of Calgary. RCMP say a car carrying members of the Southern Alberta Mustangs junior hockey team was travelling east across the highway when it was struck by a northbound semi truck hauling two trailers of gravel. In a statement Tuesday, Alberta’s transportation ministry said reviewing fatal collis
anand-heads-to-washington-for-talks-on-securing-critical-minerals-supply-chains
CanadaFeb 04, 2026

Anand heads to Washington for talks on securing critical minerals supply chains

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is set to meet with international counterparts in Washington on Wednesday as the United States pushes for deeper cooperation to reduce global reliance on China for critical minerals. The meeting, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department, will bring together representatives from Europe, Africa and Asia to discuss investment and coordination across critical mineral supply chains. U.S. officials say the talks are aimed at building momentum for collective action to secure access to rare earth elements that are essential for modern m
vancouver-police-probe-stabbing-after-fight-at-high-school-basketball-game
BCFeb 03, 2026

Vancouver police probe stabbing after fight at high school basketball game

Vancouver police are investigating a stabbing that left a teenager seriously injured following a high school basketball game at Eric Hamber Secondary School on Monday night. Police say the incident happened shortly after 9 p.m. as a game between Eric Hamber Secondary and Killarney Secondary was ending. Investigators believe several fights broke out among spectators, during which an 18-year-old boy was stabbed in the arm. The injured teen was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries. Police say his condition is serious but non-life-threatening. No arrests have been made, and the investiga
liberals-tap-ontario-ndp-mpp-doly-begum-as-candidate-in-scarborough-southwest
CanadaFeb 03, 2026

Liberals tap Ontario NDP MPP Doly Begum as candidate in Scarborough Southwest

The federal Liberal Party has announced Ontario New Democratic Party MPP Doly Begum will run as its candidate in Scarborough Southwest, following the resignation of longtime Liberal MP Bill Blair. Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed earlier this week that Blair, who has represented the Scarborough riding at the federal level for nearly a decade, will take on the role of Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom later this spring. Blair previously served as Toronto’s police chief before entering federal politics in 2015. Begum has represented Scarborough Southwest at Queen’s Park
vancouver-airport-reports-record-passenger-traffic-and-cargo-volumes-in-2025
BCFeb 03, 2026

Vancouver airport reports record passenger traffic and cargo volumes in 2025

Vancouver International Airport says it reached new highs for both passenger travel and cargo movement in 2025, reflecting continued recovery and growth in the region’s transportation and trade sectors. The airport recorded more than 26.9 million passengers last year, a 2.7 per cent increase compared with 2024. That figure surpasses the previous record of 26.3 million travellers set in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global air travel. Airport officials say domestic travel remained a key driver of growth, rising 3.8 per cent year over year. Passenger traffic between Vancouver an

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federal-ministers-signal-possible-ai-safety-reforms-after-openai-handling-of-b-c-shooting-case
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

Federal ministers signal possible AI safety reforms after OpenAI handling of B.C. shooting case

Federal ministers say Ottawa is prepared to consider new safeguards around artificial intelligence tools following questions about how OpenAI handled warning signs linked to a deadly shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The issue has drawn national attention after reports revealed that the accused shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had been removed from OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform months before the February 10 killings. According to reporting first published by The Wall Street Journal, the account was shut down over troubling posts that referenced violent scenarios, including gun use. Howe
b-c-police-step-up-enforcement-for-distracted-driving-and-seatbelt-violations-in-march
BCFeb 25, 2026

B.C. police step up enforcement for distracted driving and seatbelt violations in March

Police across British Columbia are increasing enforcement this month as part of province-wide campaigns targeting distracted driving and seatbelt compliance. BC Highway Patrol says officers will be closely monitoring drivers who use electronic devices behind the wheel or fail to properly secure themselves and their passengers. The initiative coincides with Distracted Driving Month and the Occupant Restraint Campaign, both aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities on provincial roads. Inspector Brian Donaldson with BC Highway Patrol is urging motorists to eliminate distractions before s
AlbertaFeb 25, 2026

Alberta introduces bill to transition sheriffs into new provincial police service

The Alberta government has tabled legislation that would shift approximately 1,200 Alberta Sheriffs employees into a newly created provincial police agency, marking a significant step in the province’s ongoing discussion about the future of policing. If passed, the bill would establish the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service and allow it to assume local policing responsibilities currently provided by the RCMP, should municipalities choose to opt in. The proposed model is designed to give communities the option of moving away from federal policing services toward a provincially managed force. Pub
two-men-charged-after-alleged-attempted-kidnapping-linked-to-organized-crime-in-calgary
AlbertaFeb 25, 2026

Two men charged after alleged attempted kidnapping linked to organized crime in Calgary

Two men are facing criminal charges after Calgary police say officers disrupted what investigators describe as a violent attempted kidnapping in the city’s downtown earlier this month. The Calgary Police Service said a patrol sergeant witnessed an assault in progress shortly after midnight on February 17 and intervened immediately. Officers allege the incident involved an attempt to forcibly abduct an individual. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been released. Police said the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle but were located and arrested a short time later. In
canada-pledges-8-million-in-food-aid-for-cuba-as-u-s-fuel-blockade-continues
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

Canada pledges $8 million in food aid for Cuba as U.S. fuel blockade continues

The Government of Canada has announced an $8 million food assistance package for people in Cuba in response to mounting shortages of basic goods aggravated by a tightened U.S. oil blockade, federal officials said Wednesday. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai said the funding is intended to help address urgent needs for food and nutrition among vulnerable communities on the Caribbean island. The aid will be delivered through United Nations partners, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF, rather than through the Cuban