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recent-rain-wont-make-difference-to-drought-bowinn-ma
BCJul 27, 2023

Recent rain won't make difference to drought: Bowinn Ma

Recent rain and cooler weather have sharply cut the wildfire risk across B.C., but Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma says the showers won't make any difference to the severe drought gripping the province. Ma made the comment while delivering an update today on wildfires in B.C. which have already charred more area than during any other fire season on record.The number of active wildfires has fallen to about 400 down roughly 100 since earlier this month, while the B.C. Wildfire Service says just eight new fires were recorded over the last 24 hours.But there is concer
surrey-mayor-demands-respect-during-tense-police-board-meeting
BCJul 27, 2023

Surrey mayor demands respect during tense police board meeting

The meeting of the Surrey Police Board was held for the first time yesterday after the instructions given by the state government regarding the transfer of the Surrey Police.This meeting was very stressful.The meeting was chaired by Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey and Chair of the Surrey Police Board.Mayor Locke meanwhile asked all the members present to treat each other with respect.It is worth noting that some board members mentioned that the Mayor and Council should have stood firm in keeping the RCMP.The Mayor while reading a pre-prepared statement, pleaded that while she would encourage pro
b-c-wildfire-service-website-releases-latest-data
BCJul 26, 2023

B.C. wildfire service website releases latest data

British Columbia's wildfire season is the most destructive on record, with more than 15,000 square kilometres of the province burned, surpassing the previous high of 13,543 square kilometres set in 2018.Here are some statistics about the current season from the BC Wildfire Service website, as of 12 p.m. Pacific time, July 26.Burnt area:15,055 square kilometresFires currently burning: 439, including 23 fires of noteNew fires in the past 24 hours:9Out-of-control fires:246Total number of fires this season:1,486Causes of all fires:Lightning, 69 per cent; humans (deliberate and accidental), 25 per
amber-alert-kids-taken-off-grid-after-preplanned-abduction-by-b-c-mom-rcmp
BCJul 25, 2023

Amber Alert kids taken off grid after 'preplanned' abduction by B.C. mom: RCMP

Police say they have credible information that two children who are the subject of an Amber Alert have been taken 'off the grid' in an alleged preplanned abduction by their mother.Surrey RCMP say they believe Verity Bolton, along with her father Robert and boyfriend Abraxus Glazov, are living in trailers in a rural area after the woman failed to return the children to their father earlier this month.Police say they've received 180 tips on the case, but the whereabouts of 8-year-old Aurora and 10-year-old Joshuah Bolton remain unknown, with the last confirmed sighting at a Merritt, B.C. gas sta
b-c-overhauling-policing-standards-for-sexual-assault-investigations
BCJul 24, 2023

B.C. overhauling policing standards for sexual assault investigations

Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth has announced new programs and policing standards to support sexual assault survivors.A statement from the ministry says stable funding for programs, plus new policing standards for responding to sexual assaults, will support survivors while ensuring more effective investigations.Farnworth says the annual funding is immediately available for 68 new sexual assault programs across the province.The new police standards due to start next year will include police and victim-services working together to consider a person's unique needs when
worksafe-b-c-reminds-employers-to-keep-workers-safe-from-heat-stress
BCJul 21, 2023

WorkSafe B.C. reminds employers to keep workers safe from heat stress

WorkSafe B.C. says heat warnings issued by Environment Canada should be a wake-up call to employers to protect employees working indoors and outside. WorkSafe say employers need to take steps to protect employees, especially farm workers, construction workers and those in restaurant kitchens. It says the number of claims related to heat stress has been increasing in recent years. Environment Canada says temperatures in the B.C. interior today and tomorrow will reach the mid 30s and is warning people of the dangers of heat-related illnesses.
with-increased-bc-family-benefit-more-than-285-000-families-to-see-payments-in-bank-accounts
BCJul 20, 2023

With increased BC Family Benefit, more than 285,000 families to see payments in bank accounts

With increased BC Family Benefit, more than 285,000 families throughout B.C. will see bigger payments in their bank accounts starting this month."Global inflation and higher interest rates continue to be hard on many families right now," said Grace Lore, Minister of State for Child Care. "The BC Family Benefit is one way we're helping families provide the food, clothes and opportunities their kids need to have the best start possible."The BC Family Benefit is a regular monthly payment from the provincial government. Eligibility is based on income and number of children.The benefit reaches fami
university-of-british-columbia-announces-neuropsychologist-as-new-president
BCJul 20, 2023

University of British Columbia announces neuropsychologist as new president

The University of British Columbia has named neuropsychologist and Carleton University leader Benoit-Antoine Bacon as its new president and vice-chancellor.The university says Bacon will take over from interim president Deborah Buszard, who has served in the role since the October 2022 exit of Santa Ono.Nancy McKenzie, chair of UBC's board of governors, says Bacon has strong leadership qualities and brings a wealth of experience to the role with a track record as a researcher, teacher, and senior administrator at major Canadian research universities.Bacon has served as president and vice-chanc
b-c-orders-surrey-to-continue-transition-to-surrey-police-service
BCJul 19, 2023

B.C. orders Surrey to continue transition to Surrey police Service

The provincial government has ordered the City of Surrey to proceed with the Surrey Police Service and recall its plan to retain the services of the RCMP as the city’s police of jurisdiction.During a press conference in Victoria on Wednesday, Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth confirmed the same in accordance in accordance with Section 2 of the Police Act.He said that this is the final decision and he fully expects the elected government in Surrey to follow the law.Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke could not be immediately reached for comment.

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trump-expresses-caution-on-missile-sales-as-zelenskyy-visits-washington
WorldOct 17, 2025

Trump expresses caution on missile sales as Zelenskyy visits Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, signalling reluctance to approve Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles. The talks focused on military aid and the ongoing war with Russia, as Kyiv continues to seek advanced weapons to bolster its defence. The meeting followed a lengthy phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier, during which the two discussed the conflict in Ukraine. While Trump had recently indicated a willingness to consider missile sales, he appeared to scale back exp
bank-of-canada-to-resume-economic-forecasts-with-cautious-outlook-amid-global-uncertainty
CanadaOct 17, 2025

Bank of Canada to resume economic forecasts with cautious outlook amid global uncertainty

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem says the central bank will take a cautious approach as it resumes formal economic forecasting later this month, acknowledging the need for “humility” in the face of continued trade uncertainty. The Bank of Canada is expected to release its next economic outlook alongside an interest rate announcement on October 29 its first full forecast this year. The central bank paused detailed projections earlier in 2025, citing unpredictable global conditions tied to U.S. tariffs and shifting trade relations. Speaking from Washington, D.C., where he is attending th
montreal-man-admits-to-threatening-parti-québécois-leader-and-his-family
CanadaOct 17, 2025

Montreal man admits to threatening Parti Québécois leader and his family

A Montreal resident has pleaded guilty to making death threats against Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and his family. Court records show that 42-year-old Philippe Clément-Laberge entered the plea on Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse. The threats were reportedly made in early March 2024, prompting a police investigation that led to his arrest shortly afterward. St-Pierre Plamondon publicly addressed the incident last year after news of the threats surfaced, saying he was concerned for his family’s safety but expressed confidence in the justice system’s response. The cas
reconstruction-approved-for-hazel-trembath-elementary-after-2023-fire
BCOct 17, 2025

Reconstruction approved for Hazel Trembath Elementary after 2023 fire

The British Columbia government has approved plans to rebuild Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam, nearly two years after a fire destroyed the original building. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma announced Friday that a new, 240-seat school will be constructed on the same site where the blaze occurred in October 2023. The province says the $39-million project will be developed through an accelerated model designed to shorten construction timelines, marking what officials describe as a first-of-its-kind approach in B.C. Ma said the school’s loss was deeply felt across the commu
ottawa-announces-plan-to-hire-1-000-new-border-officers-expand-benefits-for-frontline-responders
CanadaOct 17, 2025

Ottawa announces plan to hire 1,000 new border officers, expand benefits for frontline responders

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will move ahead with new border security and public safety investments as part of the upcoming federal budget, including hiring 1,000 additional Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers. According to the announcement, the new officers will focus on curbing the movement of stolen goods, illegal firearms, and drugs, while enforcing import measures and investigating unfair trade practices. The government also plans to increase the CBSA recruit stipend from $125 to $525 per week the first raise since 2005 to attract and retain new recruit