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john-rustad-criticizes-eby-government-over-health-care-crisis
BCJan 30, 2025

John Rustad Criticizes Eby Government Over Health Care Crisis

BC opposition leader John Rustad has sharply criticized the Eby government for what he calls the province’s failing health care system. Rustad stated that British Columbia’s health care is now among the worst globally, with patients dying while waiting for treatment. A recent report highlights that the provincial government is not fulfilling its promises. Dr. Charlene Lui, president of the BC Physicians Association and a Burnaby family doctor, revealed that 700,000 residents in British Columbia currently lack a family doctor. Dr. Lui described the situation as alarming, emphasizing the ur
sonia-furstenau-resigns-as-bc-green-party-leader
BCJan 28, 2025

Sonia Furstenau Resigns as BC Green Party Leader

Sonia Furstenau has resigned as leader of the BC Green Party following her loss in the October 2024 legislative election. Although Furstenau, 54, had led the party since 2020, she decided to step down after her defeat. Furstenau had served as the MLA for Cowichan Valley since 2017. However, in the most recent election, she chose to run in Victoria-Beacon Hill, where she was defeated by NDP cabinet minister Grace Lore by 3,688 votes. The BC Greens now have only two MLAs in the province. Born in Edmonton, Sonia Furstenau earned a degree in education from the University of Victoria before workin
b-c-government-sets-five-year-housing-target-for-surrey
BCJan 28, 2025

B.C. Government Sets Five-Year Housing Target for Surrey

The B.C. government, under Premier David Eby, has set a five-year housing target aimed at delivering a total of 27,256 homes in Surrey by June 30, 2029. The provincial government has requested that the city submit an annual progress report to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. The housing target, which began on July 1, 2024, outlines specific milestones for new construction: 4,233 homes are expected to be built by June 30, 2025, followed by 4,639 homes between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. From July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, 5,248 homes are planned, followed by 6,060 new homes between July 1,
hitmen-face-sentencing-for-b-c-murder-of-former-air-india-suspect-malik
BCJan 28, 2025

Hitmen face sentencing for B.C. murder of former Air India suspect Malik

One of the admitted hitmen who killed former Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik is set to be sentenced for his part in the murder today in a New Westminster, B.C., courtroom. Tanner Fox and accomplice Jose Lopez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last October, with Fox scheduled to be sentenced today, and Lopez due back in court on Friday. Malik, who was acquitted of charges related to the 1985 Air India bombing, was shot dead in Surrey, B.C, on July 14, 2022. Fox and Lopez, who were both in their early 20s at the time of the killing, were originally charged with first-degree
bc-green-party-leader-could-announce-leadership-change-tomorrow
BCJan 27, 2025

BC Green Party Leader Could Announce Leadership Change Tomorrow

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau could announce a change in party leadership tomorrow. Furstenau suffered a defeat in the October 2024 legislative election, but despite this, the leadership of the party has remained with her so far. Furstenau first won a seat in 2017, when her party played a key role in forming the New Democrats' government. In last year’s election, Furstenau left her former seat of Cowichan Valley to run for Victoria-Beacon Hill, where she was defeated by the NDP candidate. According to sources, BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau will hold a press conference tomorr
b-c-opposition-leader-warns-premier-against-responding-to-u-s-tariff-threat
BCJan 24, 2025

B.C. Opposition Leader Warns Premier Against Responding to U.S. Tariff Threat

B.C.’s main opposition leader, John Rustad, has cautioned Premier David Eby against making a statement in response to the looming threat of U.S. tariffs. Rustad advised that while a trade war could be initiated, the reality is that Canadians would ultimately bear the cost. As leader of B.C.’s Conservative Party, Rustad emphasized that the United States has historically been Canada’s strongest ally. His remarks came as a 25 percent U.S. tariff on Canadian goods is set to take effect on February 1. While acknowledging the potential damage caused by the tariffs, Rustad made it clear that t
b-c-government-faces-challenge-as-contracts-of-400-000-public-sector-workers-expire
BCJan 23, 2025

B.C. Government Faces Challenge as Contracts of 400,000 Public Sector Workers Expire

The B.C. government is facing a challenging situation as the contracts of 400,000 public sector workers are set to expire this year, in both the spring and fall. Amid fiscal issues and potential tariffs from the Trump administration, the province will need to negotiate new contracts with unions regarding wages and other demands. These workers include nurses, hospital staff, and post-secondary school instructors and support staff. The challenge comes as the provincial government projects a $9.4-billion deficit for this fiscal year and has pledged to take steps to reduce it. The nurses’ union
john-rustad-supports-deporting-zain-haq-to-pakistan-for-violating-study-permit
BCJan 22, 2025

John Rustad supports deporting Zain Haq to Pakistan for violating study permit

B.C.’s opposition leader John Rustad has voiced support for deporting Zain Haq to Pakistan for allegedly violating his study permit. Haq is accused of participating in protests instead of focusing on his studies. In 2021, Haq was arrested along with 17 others during a demonstration on Burrard Bridge that disrupted traffic, including access to St. Paul’s Hospital. Rustad emphasized that individuals coming to B.C. to study should not break the law. Zain Haq, a prominent climate activist in B.C., was ordered deported on January 25. He and his wife Sophie are appealing to Immigration Minister
sleeping-driver-leads-to-drugs-guns-being-seized-mounties-say
BCJan 22, 2025

Sleeping driver leads to drugs, guns being seized: Mounties say

Police in Kamloops, B.C., say they seized guns and a "significant" amounts of drugs after finding a man sleeping inside a running vehicle at a restaurant parking lot. A statement from the RCMP says officers saw "numerous weapons" in plain view as they approached the truck Monday to check on the driver. Police say they found a loaded handgun, ammunition, and body armour, along with a modified rifle and loaded magazines. Supt. Jeff Pelley says police also seized more than 1.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and 85 grams of cocaine. The statement says the man in his late 30s was arrested and rele

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surrey-police-probe-early-morning-shooting-at-newton-business
CanadaJan 20, 2026

Surrey police probe early morning shooting at Newton business

Surrey Police Service is investigating an early morning shooting that damaged a business and several vehicles in the city’s Newton neighbourhood. Police say officers were called to the 7200 block of King George Boulevard around 4:30 am after reports of gunfire. When members arrived, they found evidence of shots fired at a commercial property and nearby vehicles. The business was closed at the time, and no injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has now taken over the investigation. Officers remain
woman-charged-in-alleged-downtown-eastside-stabbing-vancouver-police-say
BCJan 20, 2026

Woman charged in alleged Downtown Eastside stabbing, Vancouver police say

A 29-year-old woman is facing multiple charges following an alleged stabbing involving a stranger in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside early Sunday morning, according to police. Vancouver Police say an officer on patrol near the intersection of Hastings and Abbott streets was approached around 2:50 a.m. by several people who reported their friend had just been assaulted. Investigators allege the suspect used a knife to slash the victim’s shoulder before fleeing the area. Police located the suspect shortly afterward and arrested her following a brief foot pursuit. Officers deployed a taser duri
canadian-teens-death-on-australian-beach-shocks-friends-in-b-c
CanadaJan 20, 2026

Canadian teen’s death on Australian beach shocks friends in B.C.

Friends of a Canadian woman found dead on a remote Australian beach say the news has left them stunned and grieving, as authorities continue to investigate what happened. Police in Queensland say the body of a 19-year-old woman was discovered on a beach on K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, and that it appeared to have been interfered with by a pack of about 10 dingoes. Officials have not publicly confirmed the woman’s identity, though Australian media have reported she was Canadian. Brianna Falk, a close friend from Campbell River, B.C., says she first learned something was wrong while
fog-warning-extended-for-metro-vancouver-and-inland-vancouver-island
BCJan 20, 2026

Fog warning extended for Metro Vancouver and inland Vancouver Island

Environment Canada has extended a fog warning for parts of Metro Vancouver and inland areas of Vancouver Island, citing continued near-zero visibility conditions expected to persist into Wednesday. The weather agency says dense fog remains trapped over the region due to a ridge of high pressure that is holding moist air close to the surface. The warning covers much of Metro Vancouver, excluding the North Shore, as well as inland sections of Vancouver Island, including Port Alberni. The prolonged fog has already affected transportation across the Lower Mainland. Vancouver International Airport
AlbertaJan 20, 2026

Alberta Court of Appeal Overturns Calgary Man’s Double Murder Conviction

The Alberta Court of Appeal has overturned the conviction of a Calgary man previously sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 killings of two men in northwest Calgary. Gerald Benn was initially found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder three years after the fatal shooting. At trial, the judge cited surveillance footage and DNA found on plastic bags at the scene as key evidence. In its ruling, the Court of Appeal concluded that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to conclusively prove Benn was the shooter. The decision means Benn’s conviction has been quashed, though th