A union representing more than 700 emergency communications workers in British Columbia says members have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action as contract negotiations continue with E-Comm, the organization that operates many of the province’s 911 call services. CUPE 8911 said Thursday the vote reflects concerns among front-line staff about staffing shortages, workload pressures and long-term sustainability within the emergency communications system. The union said workers would be in a legal strike position once an essential services order is finalized through the labour relations p

A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a fatal stabbing outside a pub in Coquitlam last year, according to homicide investigators. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Timothy Vansnick was originally charged with second-degree murder following the incident on Jan. 31, 2025. Police said the stabbing occurred after a fight outside the pub. Bystanders attempted first aid before emergency responders continued life-saving efforts, but the victim died at the scene. Investigators said Vansnick was charged with second-degree murder on Feb. 1, 2025. On Tuesda

Water service has been restored to parts of Kamloops following a major water main break in the city’s east end, but officials say the supply remains unsafe to drink as repair work continues. The City of Kamloops said potable water trucks will remain stationed at four locations in the affected area through Friday to provide residents with safe drinking water. According to the city, residents are also being asked to temporarily stop using water again until 6 p.m. Thursday while crews complete what officials described as a critical repair to the damaged main. City officials said the temporary s

Vancouver Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 30-year-old man who was last seen near Vancouver General Hospital early Thursday morning. According to a Vancouver Police Department release, Sahil Dhallay was last seen around midnight on May 14 in the area of Vancouver General Hospital. Police described Dhallay as a South Asian man who was wearing a brown hospital gown and no shoes at the time he was last seen. Authorities said anyone who sees Dhallay should call 9-1-1 immediately and should not approach him. The case remains under investigation as police continue efforts to l

Workers at British Columbia’s 911 emergency service centres began voting Wednesday on potential strike action, with the union citing staffing shortages, rising call volumes and increasing workplace pressure. The union representing E-Comm employees said staff are already facing significant mental strain as members respond to more than two million emergency calls each year. The union said the work is stressful even under normal conditions, but current staffing levels have added to the pressure on employees. A key issue in the dispute involves mandatory overtime tied to the upcoming FIFA World

Two Surrey men are facing firearm-related charges following an investigation into an alleged shooting at a Surrey residence connected to reported extortion threats, according to Surrey Police Service. Police said frontline officers responded to reports of shots fired at about 12:40 a.m. on April 22 in the 13400 block of 87A Avenue. Investigators confirmed damage to a home and a vehicle. The residence was occupied at the time, but no injuries were reported.According to Surrey Police Service, the file was transferred to the department’s Extortion Response Team, which identified a suspect vehic

A 24-year-old Surrey man is facing several firearm-related charges following a vehicle stop by Surrey Police Service officers in the City Centre area Sunday evening. According to Surrey Police Service, officers with the Crime Reduction Unit stopped a vehicle near 146 Street and 108 Avenue at about 7:45 p.m. on May 11 for a traffic-related infraction. During the investigation, police allege one of the occupants was found in possession of a firearm. Police said Gurwinder Singh has been charged with seven Criminal Code offences, including possession of a loaded restricted or prohibited firearm, c

Members of the British Columbia Nurses Union have voted 98.2 per cent in favour of strike action as contract negotiations with the province remain stalled. The union said more than 50,000 of its roughly 55,000 members participated in the vote after bargaining talks reached an impasse in April. Key issues in negotiations include wages, benefits and ongoing staffing shortages across the health-care system. The BCNU has not announced a strike date. Any potential job action would follow further negotiations and could involve mediation or additional bargaining steps under provincial labour rules. T

Oakridge Park, the retail and residential redevelopment under construction in Vancouver, is scheduled to open its shopping mall component on May 28, developers QuadReal Property Group and Westbank announced. The project, located at the former Oakridge Centre site, is part of a broader redevelopment expected to total about five million square feet by its planned completion in 2029. Developers have previously estimated the full project cost at approximately $6.5 billion. According to project details released by QuadReal and Westbank, the first phase opening later this month will include about 2.