An inquiry into money laundering in BC has heard the RCMP didn't have the resources to investigate illegal activities at the province's largest casino. Ward Clapham, the former officer-in-charge of the Richmond RCMP detachment, says he tried twice to establish a new unit directly assigned to the River Rock Casino but his requests were denied by the city. The provincial government launched the inquiry after commissioning reports that outlined how money laundering was affecting real estate and housing affordability, luxury car sales and gambling in BC. The inquiry also heard from Gord Friesen,

Victoria police say two men have been arrested in an investigation that led to the seizure of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs. Police say they also found a loaded firearm. The bust followed an investigation into a ``dial-a-dope'' drug trafficking operation in the city in which suspected traffickers took orders for drugs by phone or text messages. The names of the accused and what they have been charged with have not been released.

Public health officials have declared another outbreak of COVID-19 at a seniors assisted-living facility in B.C., while case counts keep climbing. A news release Wednesday says the latest outbreak in the facility in Surrey brings the total number of long-term care or assisted-living sites in the province with active COVID-19 outbreaks to 21. B.C. health officials also say there has been a new community outbreak at the Okanagan Men's Centre, a counselling and addiction treatment centre. B.C. health officials are asking people to refrain from holding private parties and gatherings this Hallowee

A lawyer representing Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has accused an RCMP officer of lying about Meng's arrest nearly two years ago at Vancouver International Airport. Richard Peck made the accusation in BC Supreme Court this morning as proceedings continue at Meng's extradition trial. Peck says he does not believe Constable Winston Yep was being honest when he testified why Meng was not immediately arrested and instead was questioned by border services officials for three hours before being taken into custody. Meng is seeking to have her case thrown out, arguing she was a victim of abuse of pr

Parents of a youth soccer club in Chilliwack are being warned they face expulsion from the club or their children could be banned from practices or games if families violate COVID-19 rules. The warning is posted on the Chilliwack FC website after what the club's chair describes as borderline violent confrontations between some parents, volunteers and club officials. Andrea Laycock says the club must enforce provincial regulations on the number of spectators and players at a game but some parents are so upset that they have created potential ``violence in the workplace'' issues. Laycock says a

Two people died in an early morning apartment fire in Penticton yesterday. RCMP spokesman Sergeant Jason Bayda says the bodies were found after a structural engineer deemed it safe for emergency personnel to enter the ruined building and begin a search. Penticton fire Chief Larry Watkinson says early indications suggest the blaze started on the building's exterior and travelled up to the roof, although he cautioned the investigation is still in its infancy and has been turned over to the police due to the two deaths. He says the wood-framed building was built in 1981 and didn't have a sprinkl

Nearly 200 BC Ferries passengers finally disembarked from a broken-down ferry Tuesday night after being stuck aboard for hours. A problem with a gearbox on the Queen of Alberni prevented the ferry from docking at the Tsawwassen terminal in the mid-afternoon. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall says passengers were provided with snacks and drinks while waiting. A tug arrived after dark to safely nudge the vessel into a berth so travellers could finally disembark. All the Queen of Alberni's remaining sailings Tuesday between Tsawwassen and Duke Point in Nanaimo were cancelled, along with the f

The province reported 217 new COVID-19 cases today for a total of 13,588, but no new deaths. With Halloween around the corner, officials in the Fraser Health region are urging people not to hold private parties this weekend to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Doctor Elizabeth Brodkin, chief medical health officer for the region, says it's fine to take children trick-or-treating in a safe way but people shouldn't be gathering in homes. Fraser Health has reported 7,674 cases since the start of the pandemic with most of the infections in people aged 20 to 29.

Roughly 80 million dollars will be spread among three BC cities as the federal government unveils its one-billion dollar Rapid Housing Initiative. The program was announced this morning and includes 500 million dollars shared among 15 Canadian cities to help buy properties to build or renovate for low-income housing. Vancouver receives 51.5 million, Surrey is in line for 16 million dollars and Victoria gets 13 million, while Canada's largest city, Toronto, receives 203 million. Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart welcomes his city's share of the cash, saying it shows the federal government suppor