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BCDec 21, 2023

Federal government’s ban on single-use plastic goes into effect

Shoppers should expect to see no single use plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores and restaurants starting tomorrow, as newfederal single-use plastics rules take effect. Cities like Vancouver and Victoria have already have their own rules in place. The BC government says food service providers will no longer be able to offer single-use plastic utensils, lids and other items like plastic sushi grass. It says such items can only be given out if a customer asks for them. federal rules will mean businesses are banned from giving out, manufacturing, and importing for sale checkout bags, cutle
quebec-to-continue-detaining-migrants-for-cbsa-into-2024
CanadaDec 21, 2023

Quebec to continue detaining migrants for CBSA into 2024

The Quebec government has extended for six months the permission for the Canada Border Services Agency to detain immigrants in the province's jails at the request of the federal government. Earlier, the controversial agreement with the state Border Services Agency was due to expire on December 31, 2023. Now its new deadline has been fixed as 30 June 2024. The Ministry of Public Security of Quebec gave this information in a statement. Let it be known that the Border Services Agency can keep any such foreign national in jail regarding whom it feels that his identity is not clear or he may be a
untitledno-charges-in-b-c-2022-christmas-eve-bus-crash-that-left-4-dead
BCDec 20, 2023

No charges in BC 2022 Christmas Eve bus crash that left 4 dead

The British Columbia Prosecution Service says there will be no charges stemming from a bus crash on an icy highway in the province's Interior last Christmas Eve that killed four people. Service spokesman Dan McLaughlin says it reached the decision after the Crown counsel assessing the allegations concluded that the standard for charges had not been met. The prosecution service guideline says in order for charges to be approved, there must be a "substantial likelihood of conviction" based on the strength of the evidence as well as the public interest being served in a prosecution. The crash of
quebec-labour-unions-threaten-unlimited-strike-in-new-year-if-no-deal-is-reac
CanadaDec 20, 2023

Quebec labour unions threaten unlimited strike in new year if no deal is reac

Four Quebec public sector unions representing hundreds of thousands of workers say they will launch an unlimited strike early in the new year if they don't reach a deal with the government.The four unions, which are negotiating together and calling themselves the "common front," say it's still possible to settle before the end of 2023 but add that negotiations need to intensify for that to happen.Common front leaders told reporters today they have not set a date for an unlimited general strike in 2024.The unions, which represent 420,000 public sector workers, including teachers, education supp
record-shattering-2023-wildfires-voted-canadian-news-story-of-the-year
BCDec 20, 2023

Record-shattering 2023 wildfires voted Canadian news story of the year

The wildfires that disrupted the lives of thousands of Canadians and shattered records for the amount of forest burned have been voted 'The Canadian Press story of the year'. An unusually mild and dry winter in much of the country set the stage for an unprecedented season that led to 200,000 people fleeing their homes. The fires consumed an area three times the size of Nova Scotia, more than doubling the previous record set in 1995. From Halifax to British Columbia to Yellowknife, Canadians were forced from their homes as the fires burned, and the resulting smoke made for hazardous air conditi
b-c-losing-people-to-alberta-amid-high-interprovincial-migration-statcan
BCDec 20, 2023

BC losing people to Alberta amid high interprovincial migration: StatCan

British Columbia is experiencing interprovincial migration and has recently experienced record increases. Since July 2022, approximately 12,800 people have left BC and moved to another Canadian province.This is the first time in a decade that there have been more people leaving the province than people coming in for 15 consecutive months, according to Statistics Canada. From July to September 2023, 4,634 people moved to other provinces and the majority to Alberta.Despite this, 1,51,437 people from outside Canada have come to the province, bringing the population of the province to 5.6 million
mcgill-announces-3k-award-to-offset-tuition-hike-for-most-out-of-province-students-2
CanadaDec 20, 2023

McGill announces $3K award to offset tuition hike for most out-of-province students

McGill University says it will offer a $3,000 annual award to new undergraduate students from other provinces to offset a tuition hike imposed by the provincial government.The university says roughly 80 per cent of Canadian undergraduate students who apply to the university would be eligible for the award, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.The new Canada Award will be guaranteed for up to four years of study as the university tries to maintain enrollment in the face of the province's plan to increase tuition for out-of-province students to $12,000 per year from from $8,992.McGill Universi
india-will-investigate-the-allegations-made-by-the-us-about-the-conspiracy-to-kill-the-sikh-leader-modi
CanadaDec 20, 2023

India will investigate the allegations made by the US about the conspiracy to kill the Sikh leader: Modi

After being accused of plotting the murder of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in America, Indian Prime Minister Modi has given his statement for the first time. Prime Minister Modi said that if they get evidence, he will definitely look into it, but some incidents cannot affect the relationship between the US and India. In an interview to The Financial Times, Modi said, "If anyone gives us information, we will definitely investigate it. We have full commitment to the law." Meanwhile, Modi also expressed serious concern over the activities of some extremist groups in foreign coun
cra-has-fired-185-employees-for-inappropriately-claiming-covid-19-cerb-benefits
CanadaDec 20, 2023

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits

The Canada Revenue Agency says 185 employees have been fired to date for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit when they were not eligible for it. That's an increase of 65 since the CRA last updated the public on its review in September. The CRA is reviewing approximately 600 cases in which current employees received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or CERB during the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit was worth $2,000 a month to Canadians whose jobs were lost or downgraded as a result of public-health restrictions. The CRA says that just because someone was employed by the agency, that does

Just In

alberta-announces-10-new-school-projects-for-edmonton-to-address-classroom-shortages
AlbertaMar 09, 2026

Alberta announces 10 new school projects for Edmonton to address classroom shortages

The Alberta government says it will move ahead with 10 new school projects in Edmonton as part of efforts to address growing classroom shortages linked to rapid population growth. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced the projects under the province’s 2026 budget. The announcement brings the total number of public school projects currently underway in Edmonton to 37. According to the Alberta Ministry of Education, the newly announced projects include eight new schools and two replacement schools. The facilities are planned primarily for fast-growing suburban areas of the city whe
BCMar 09, 2026

Cranbrook RCMP investigate targeted shooting at residence on 3rd Avenue South

Cranbrook RCMP say they are investigating a shooting that targeted a residence Sunday night in the city’s downtown area. Police said officers were called at about 9:22 p.m. on March 8 to a report of gunfire at a home in the 300 block of 3rd Avenue South. According to an RCMP news release, investigators located evidence consistent with gunshots and secured the area to allow forensic examination. No injuries were reported. Staff Sgt. Barry Graham of the Cranbrook RCMP said early indications suggest the incident was not random. “While the investigation is in its infancy, early indications are
surrey-police-launch-s-o-a-r-youth-safety-program-during-child-exploitation-awareness-week
CanadaMar 09, 2026

Surrey Police launch S.O.A.R. youth safety program during child exploitation awareness week

The Surrey Police Service has launched a youth safety initiative aimed at helping students recognize and respond to risks such as online exploitation, substance use and unhealthy relationships. The program, called S.O.A.R. – Strength, Opportunity, Autonomy, Resilience – is an interactive presentation designed for students in Grades 6 to 10. Police say the initiative is being highlighted during Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week, which runs from March 9 to 15. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, the program has reached more than 4,500 students s
foreign-national-sentenced-to-four-years-after-cbsa-finds-undeclared-firearms-at-victoria-ferry-terminal
CanadaMar 09, 2026

Foreign national sentenced to four years after CBSA finds undeclared firearms at Victoria ferry terminal

A 44-year-old foreign national has been sentenced to four years in prison following a Canadian Border Services Agency investigation into firearms offences at a British Columbia port of entry. According to the Canadian Border Services Agency, Reuben Velasquez was sentenced on Feb. 3, 2026, in Williams Lake Provincial Court after being convicted of two offences under the Criminal Code: possession of a loaded, prohibited or restricted firearm without authorization or licence under section 95(1), and unauthorized possession of a firearm under section 91(1). The charges stem from an incident on Sep
suspect-arrested-after-atm-stolen-in-abbotsford-business-break-in-police-say
BCMar 09, 2026

Suspect arrested after ATM stolen in Abbotsford business break-in, police say

A man is in custody after an ATM was stolen during a break and enter at a business in Abbotsford late Sunday night, according to the Abbotsford Police Department. Police say officers responded at about 9:09 p.m. to a report of a break-in at a business in the 36300 block of Auguston Parkway in the city’s McKee area. According to police, suspects had already fled by the time officers arrived. The business sustained damage during the incident and an ATM was reported stolen. At approximately 9:41 p.m., a resident contacted police to report a suspicious vehicle near Wells Gray Avenue and McKinley