17.12°C Vancouver

News

b-c-staff-who-failed-to-check-on-two-abused-foster-children-lose-jobs-ministry
BCJun 29, 2023

B.C. staff who failed to check on two abused foster children lose jobs: Ministry

The British Columbia government says staff members at the Children's Ministry who failed to check on two Indigenous children who were systematically abused by their foster parents have lost their jobs.A judge sentenced the foster parents this month to 10 years each in prison for the death of the 11-year-old boy and his eight-year-old sister's serious injuries, saying it was incomprehensible how someone could inflict such suffering and violence on an innocent child.While the Ministry of Children and Family Development does not provide the names or the number of people involved, it says in a sta
provincial-booking-system-for-appointments-with-pharmacists-going-live
BCJun 28, 2023

Provincial booking system for appointments with pharmacists going live

Starting Thursday, June 29, 2023, people can book an appointment to see a pharmacist through a new provincial online booking system, making it even easier and more convenient to access the health care they need. The new online booking system is similar to the Get Vaccinated system where people booked appointments to get their COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations. Through the new online booking system, people can search for available appointment times at nearby pharmacies based on their minor ailment or contraceptive needs. Appointments can continue to be made by calling or visiting a pharmacy.
b-c-public-schools-move-away-from-letter-grades-from-kindergarten-to-grade-9
BCJun 23, 2023

B.C. public schools move away from letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades.A statement from the Education Ministry says that starting in the 2023-2024 school year, only students in grades 10, 11 and 12 will receive letter grades and percentages so post-secondary entry requirements are met.About half of B.C.'s students have already been getting the new progress reports in a pilot program through a curriculum modernization plan that started in 2016.The ministry says proficiency scale report cards use terms such as emerging,
sikh-liberal-mps-meet-with-public-safety-minister-over-surrey-killing
BCJun 23, 2023

Sikh Liberal MPs meet with public safety minister over Surrey killing

Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal says the shooting death of a religious leader in the parking lot of a British Columbia temple has prompted a meeting with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and members of the Sikh Liberal caucus.Dhaliwal, who represents the Metro Vancouver riding of Surrey-Newton where the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar took place, posted a statement on Twitter, saying Sikh members of the Liberal caucus met with the minister regarding the tragic incident at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.Dhaliwal says the caucus members were assured the federal government is working closely w
surrey-rcmp-looking-for-south-asian-fraud-suspect
BCJun 21, 2023

Surrey RCMP looking for South Asian fraud suspect

Surrey RCMP is releasing photos of a fraud suspect and requesting anyone with information contact police.On March 18, 2023, Surrey RCMP received a report that a currency exchange business located in the 8000-block of 128 Street had been defrauded $237,000.Two separate bank drafts were cashed and later determined to be fraudulent.Through investigation it was determined that the person who uttered the fraudulent bank drafts was utilizing another person’s identity.The suspect is described as a South Asian female, 5’7", slim build, with shoulder length dark hair.She spoke Hindi, Punjabi and En
csis-warned-sikh-gurudwara-leader-of-assassination-threat-before-killing-lawyer
BCJun 20, 2023

CSIS warned Sikh gurudwara leader of assassination threat before killing: Lawyer

The New York lawyer who says he is both the representative and a friend of the Surrey Sikh leader fatally shot earlier this week, says Hardeep Singh Nijjar knew people wanted him dead.Gurpatwant Singh Pannun says in an email that Nijjar had been warned by Canadian intelligence officials that 'mercenaries' had targeted him for assassination.Pannun says he was told by Nijjar that he, too, was on the hit list because both men were advocating for a separate Sikh state of Khalistan, within India's Punjab region.No arrests have been made since Nijjar was shot and killed on Sunday night as he left th
govt-received-report-on-city-policing-mike-farnworth
BCJun 20, 2023

'Govt. received report on city policing': Mike Farnworth

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the government has received the report it was waiting for from Surrey officials on the future of policing in the city.That's after Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke announced Friday that a majority on council had reviewed the report and voted to keep the R.C.M.P, reversing the transition to a municipal force that had been initiated by her predecessor.The B.C. government recommended in April that Surrey continue the transition to an independent force and Farnworth set out requirements for safe and effective policing, which the city would need to follow in orde
gurudwara-president-shot-dead-in-surrey
BCJun 19, 2023

Gurudwara president shot dead in Surrey

The president of a Sikh gurdwara who was accused of murder and terrorism in India has been shot dead outside his temple in Surrey, British Columbia.The general secretary of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Society said Hardeep Singh Nijjar was alone in his pickup truck when he was attacked Sunday night as he was leaving the gurdwara's parking lot.Surrey RCMP said in a news release that the shooting happened at about 8:30 p.m. and the victim died at the scene.They said they are searching for suspects and trying to confirm a motive for the homicide.India's National Investigation Agency last year iss
surrey-voted-to-move-forward-with-the-plan-to-maintain-the-rcmp
BCJun 16, 2023

Surrey voted to move forward with the plan to maintain the RCMP

Brenda Locke, the mayor of Surrey, B.C., says the council has voted to revert its policing back to the RCMP, a move than will cost the city millions of dollars.In a news conference at Surrey City Hall on Friday morning, Mayor Brenda Locke announced the decision, saying both SPS and RCMP deserve certainty about their future in the City of Surrey. The B.C. government recommended in April that Surrey continue its transition to the independent Surrey Police Service, offering $150 million over five years to help the city cover costs, but saying it would not pay the estimated $72 million in severanc

Just In

almost-half-of-canadians-want-the-temporary-foreign-worker-program-eliminated-poll
CanadaSep 08, 2025

Almost half of Canadians want the Temporary Foreign Worker program eliminated: poll

A new poll suggests 44 per cent of Canadians want to see the temporary foreign worker program scrapped as the country grapples with high unemployment, especially among young people. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently proposed eliminating the program in response to high youth unemployment. The new Abacus Data poll, which was conducted online and can't be assigned a margin of error, suggests that support for eliminating the program is higher among younger age cohorts, topping 50 per cent of 30- to 44-year-old respondents and hitting 48 per cent of those 18 to 29. Support for ending th
union-to-announce-next-phase-of-b-c-public-service-strike
BCSep 08, 2025

Union to announce next phase of B.C. public service strike

The president of the B.C. General Employees’ Union is set to make an announcement this morning laying out the next phase of the union's public service strike. The union says Paul Finch is scheduled to speak at a picket line in Surrey on the fifth consecutive day of picketing following the launch of job action last Tuesday. The union represents more than 34,000 members working for B.C.'s public service and has held picket lines at locations including government sites in Victoria, Surrey, and Prince George, and the Royal BC Museum. It says some of its key asks include competitive wages and fai
radio-connect-fm-canada-extends-a-helping-hand-to-the-flood-victims-of-punjab
CanadaSep 08, 2025

Radio Connect FM Canada extends a helping hand to the flood victims of Punjab

Connect FM Radio has decided to run a special donation and fundraising campaign on Monday, September 8, as a special initiative to help the flood affected families of Punjab. This program is being run in collaboration with Guru Nanak Food Bank Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib Surrey and Sanjha TV. The funds collected under this program will be delivered to Punjab through capable hands to the flood affected families so that their lives can be brought back on track. This program is expected to receive great support from all Canadians and especially the Punjabi community.
canadas-dabrowski-and-partner-routliffe-win-u-s-open-womens-doubles-title
EnglishSep 05, 2025

Canada's Dabrowski and partner Routliffe win U.S. Open women's doubles title

Canadian tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski has won the US Open Grand Slam title with her New Zealand partner Erin Rutliff. The Canadian player won the women's doubles title in straight sets with her partner. Together, the two defeated the pair of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Gabriela Dabrowski also won the US Open title in 2023. Pawan Sahni, of Newton Tennis Club in Surrey, says “the win is a boost for Canadian tennis.” He added, on one hand, just a few weeks ago, young player Victoria Mboko won the Canadian Open title, and now, with Canada's senior player win
BCSep 05, 2025

Coquihalla Highway reopened following wildfire closure

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt has reopened in both directions following a closure caused by the Mine Creek wildfire. Due to the proximity of the fire, drivers should be prepared for the Coquihalla Highway to be closed with minimal notice. Drivers are advised to not stop in the fire zone. Intermittent lane closures can be expected as crews continue to assess and repair roadside damage, and visibility is reduced due to wildfire smoke. Drivers should also be prepared for an increased risk of wildlife presence due to fire damage to wildlife-exclusion fencing on this s