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former-womens-soccer-coach-with-the-vancouver-whitecaps-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-offences
BCFeb 08, 2022

Former women's soccer coach with the Vancouver Whitecaps pleads guilty to sexual offences

A former women's soccer coach with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canada Soccer has pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual touching. Charges against Bob Birarda were laid just over a year ago related to offences between 1988 and 2008, and he entered the guilty pleas today in provincial court in North Vancouver. Women who played for the Whitecaps or those who were being considered for Canada's under-20 squad alleged inappropriate actions by Birarda, who coached both squads before his 2008 dismissal. He originally faced six counts of sexual exploitation, two count
significant-seizure-of-drugs-and-other-contraband-at-federal-medium-security-matsqui-institution
BCFeb 08, 2022

Significant seizure of drugs and other contraband at federal medium security Matsqui Institution

Staff at the federal medium security Matsqui Institution are reporting a significant seizure of drugs and other contraband. A statement from the prison says the package was found in late December containing crystal meth, fentanyl, crack cocaine, shatter - a highly addictive marijuana concentrate, pot, one phone charger and accessories. The Correctional Service of Canada says the estimated institutional value of the drugs and other items is nearly 71,000 dollars. Police are investigating how the package was delivered to the institution, who brought it and who was supposed to receive it.
b-c-ndp-sets-out-political-agenda-with-throne-speech-opposition-has-new-leader
BCFeb 08, 2022

B.C. NDP sets out political agenda with throne speech; Opposition has new leader

British Columbia's N-D-P government is set to outline its political agenda for the coming months with a throne speech today at the legislature. The speech kicks off the next session of the house and Premier John Horgan, who recently underwent treatment for throat cancer, will be among the returning politicians. Kevin Falcon was elected leader of the B-C Liberals last weekend, but Shirley Bond will continue to perform leadership duties in the house as he tries to win a seat in a byelection. The throne speech comes two weeks ahead of the government's budget, which is expected to include a fi
illegal-nightclub-shut-down-and-ticketed-in-new-westminster
BCFeb 08, 2022

Illegal nightclub shut down and ticketed in New Westminster

On January 29th just before midnight police were patrolling the downtown neighbourhood and noticed a party in the 400 block of Front Street. The NWPD Crime Reduction Unit stayed in the area and spoke to an individual associated to the party.Inside the building, officers saw people dancing on a dance floor, open liquor, and approximately 150 guests who were not wearing masks or social distancing. The NWPD shut down the event without issue and had the crowd leave the area."This appears to have been an illegal nightclub," stated Sergeant Sanjay Kumar. "We want everyone to know that public health
b-c-reports-3-287-new-covid-19-cases-and-32-deaths
BCFeb 08, 2022

B.C. reports 3,287 new COVID-19 cases and 32 deaths

B.C. is reporting 3,287 new cases of COVID-19, including three new epi-linked cases, for a total of 333,925 cases in the province: Feb. 4-5: 1,326 new cases Feb. 5-6: 1,118 new cases Feb. 6-7: 843 new cases There are 23,739 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 306,419 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 987 COVID-positive individuals are in hospital and 141 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. The new/active cases include: 864 new cases in Fraser Health Total active cases: 9,596 440 new cases in Vancouver Coa
new-b-c-liberal-leader-plans-to-run-for-legislature-seat-in-vancouver
BCFeb 08, 2022

New B.C. Liberal leader plans to run for legislature seat in Vancouver

The new leader of the B.C. Liberal party says his predecessor is resigning his seat in Vancouver to give him a chance to run in a byelection.Kevin Falcon was elected party leader on Saturday and said his plan was to quickly seek a seat in the house.He says Andrew Wilkinson has decided to resign his seat in Vancouver-Quilchena.The NDP government has six months to call a byelection.Falcon won the leadership on the fifth ballot in a field of seven candidates.The 59-year-old former cabinet minister held a seat in Surrey from 2001 until he left politics in 2012.
228m-flood-recovery-program-helping-b-c-farms-return-to-production
BCFeb 07, 2022

$228M flood recovery program helping B.C. farms return to production

B.C. farmers who suffered extraordinary damages during November’s devastating floods will have access to up to $228 million in federal-provincial government support to help their farms return to production and support British Columbia’s food security and agricultural communities in the years ahead.Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, have announced the Canada-BC Flood Recovery for Food Security Program, which will be delivered by the Government of British Columbia and will leverage the fed
b-c-expected-to-have-more-than-1-million-job-openings-in-the-next-decade
BCFeb 07, 2022

B.C. expected to have more than 1 million job openings in the next decade

The latest labour market outlook for British Columbia shows nearly 80 per cent of job openings over the next decade will require some level of post-secondary education, reflecting the changing nature of the economy. The outlook released today by the provincial government forecasts more than one million job openings in the province in the next 10 years, with about 63 per cent of those replacing people who retire. The Jobs Ministry says in a news release that the remaining 37 per cent of jobs will be created by economic growth and the COVID-19 pandemic recovery. It says the health care, social
b-c-reports-1-799-new-covid-19-cases-and-19-deaths
BCFeb 05, 2022

B.C. reports 1,799 new COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths

B.C. is reporting 1,799 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 330,942 cases in the province.Note: The numbers of total and new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh and will be verified once confirmed.There are currently 25,479 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 301,573 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 946 COVID-positive individuals are currently in hospital and 139 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.The new/active cases include:551 new cases in Fraser HealthTotal active cases: 9,987294 ne

Just In

two-arrested-after-gunfire-damages-surrey-home-police-probe-possible-extortion-link
CanadaOct 30, 2025

Two Arrested After Gunfire Damages Surrey Home; Police Probe Possible Extortion Link

Surrey Police Service has arrested two men following an overnight shooting that damaged a home in the area of 56 Avenue and King George Boulevard early Thursday morning. Officers were called to the scene around 2 a.m. on October 30 after reports of gunfire. When they arrived, police confirmed that the exterior of a residence had been struck by bullets. Several people were inside the home at the time, but no one was injured. Frontline officers later located a suspect vehicle nearby and arrested two men, who remain in custody as the investigation continues. The SPS Frontline Investigative Suppor
trump-administration-cuts-u-s-refugee-admissions-to-7-500-with-priority-for-white-south-africans
WorldOct 30, 2025

Trump administration cuts U.S. refugee admissions to 7,500, with priority for white South Africans

The Trump administration has announced a sharp reduction in the number of refugees the United States will accept in the coming fiscal year, setting a cap of 7,500 – the lowest in the country’s modern history. A notice published Thursday in the Federal Register confirmed the decision, which also prioritizes applications from white South Africans, a move critics say signals a major shift in U.S. refugee policy. The new ceiling marks a drastic decline from the 125,000 refugee limit set under President Joe Biden’s administration. The White House offered no detailed explanation for the cut, s
tripat-rajinder-bajwa-resigns-from-punjab-assembly-select-committee-on-sacred-texts-bill
IndiaOct 30, 2025

Tripat Rajinder Bajwa resigns from Punjab Assembly select committee on sacred texts bill

Senior Congress leader and former Punjab cabinet minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa has resigned from the 15-member select committee of the Punjab Legislative Assembly formed to review the “Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Sacred Religious Texts Bill, 2025.” According to official sources, Bajwa’s resignation was submitted to the Speaker and has been formally accepted by the Assembly. Party insiders said the veteran leader stepped down citing procedural and political differences related to the committee’s functioning. Some accounts also attribute the decision to his health condit
alberta-students-walk-out-gather-at-legislature-over-teachers-back-to-work-bill
FeaturedOct 30, 2025

Alberta students walk out, gather at legislature over teachers’ back-to-work bill

Students across Alberta left their classrooms on Thursday to rally at the provincial legislature, protesting the government’s decision to force striking teachers back to work. Many wore red clothing and carried homemade signs to show solidarity with educators. The walkouts, coordinated through social media, spread to several schools as students voiced frustration with what they described as an attack on teachers’ rights. The demonstrations followed the provincial government’s move to fast-track a back-to-work bill through the legislature earlier this week. Premier Danielle Smith’s gove
police-investigate-attempted-home-break-in-in-new-westminster
BCOct 30, 2025

Police investigate attempted home break-in in New Westminster

Police in New Westminster are investigating after a woman reported someone tried to enter her home early Thursday morning. The New Westminster Police Department said the woman called 911 around 4:30 a.m. after hearing her patio door open. When she approached the door, she reportedly saw a leg stepping inside. The intruder fled when she screamed. Officers responded to the 200 block of 11th Street but have not yet identified a suspect. Investigators continue to search for leads in the case. “It’s hard to imagine waking up to find someone trying to enter your home,” Sgt. Andrew Leaver said