Canada is opening its arms to Ukrainians fleeing war by relaxing immigration rules.The government is announcing expedited temporary visas for Ukrainians that will take just weeks to process, instead of the usual year.Canada is also tightening its economic chokehold on Russian oligarchs, and booting Russia and its ally Belarus off its most favoured nation list of trade partners.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada and other close partners are calling for Russia's suspension from the international policing agency Interpol.

A second round of talks has yielded what Ukraine says is a tentative agreement with Russia to set up safe corridors inside the country for evacuating citizens and delivering humanitarian aid.Russian forces are battling for control of a crucial energy-producing city in Ukraine’s south.They are also gaining ground in their bid to cut off the country from the sea by attacking seaports.Ukrainian leaders are calling on citizens to rise up and wage guerrilla war against the invaders.

Surrey RCMP is advising the public of seizure of a loaded handgun and the arrest of two men, one who was wanted on a Canada wide warrant for human trafficking. On February 25, 2022, at 11:18 pm, the Surrey RCMP Gang Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop in the area of 13200-block of old Yale Road. The driver and passenger attempted to flee on foot but didn’t make it far before they were arrested.As the driver attempted to flee, he dropped a loaded handgun as he was running away from police. SGET officers took possession of the suspected firearm. The passenger was arrested a short distanc

One-million Ukrainians have left their homes as Russian forces advance, and Canada is making rule changes to give some a safe haven.Ukrainian refugees will be able to get expedited temporary visas for emergency travel.The government will provide fast-tracked visas for any Ukrainians who wish to come to Canada to work, and then return home when it is safe, with the application process opening in about 14 days.

B.C. is reporting 442 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 349,213 cases in the province.There are 517 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 73 are in intensive care.In the past 24 hours, 10 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,883.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: twoVancouver Coastal Health: fourInterior Health: twoNorthern Health: twoThere have been five new health-care facility outbreaks at Mission Memorial Hospital (Fraser Health), Gillis House (Interior Health), Berwick House Gordon Head, The Heights at Mt. View and Greenwoods (Island Health). The outbreaks

More British Columbians and people around the world will benefit from the life-changing work of B.C.’s world-renowned life sciences sector thanks to a significant investment in health research. As announced in Budget 2022 and aligned with the StrongerBC Economic Plan commitment to position the province as a hub for life sciences and biomanufacturing, the Province is providing nearly $195 million in grant funding to Michael Smith Health Research BC (Health Research BC) and Genome BC."B.C. has so much to be proud of as we come through the last two years of the pandemic as a global leader in ne

Burnaby RCMP is asking for public assistance in locating a suspect after a woman was sexually assaulted while walking with her two children.The woman was walking near Humphries Ave. and 18th Ave. in Burnaby around 11:45 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 21 when she was approached by a stranger.The man attempted to verbally engage with the woman before making an inappropriate comment and groping her. The suspect then hugged the victim before leaving the area. The suspect is described as:Asian male5'7"70-80-years-oldGrey hairBaldingAt the time of the incident he was wearing a red jacket that is believed to b

A search warrant executed by the Chilliwack RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit resulted in multiple arrests as well as the seizure of drugs and guns. On Thursday, February 24, 2022, the Chilliwack RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit executed a search warrant in the 9700 block of Oak Street in Chilliwack. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of bulk quantities of suspected cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl as well as two loaded firearms.This location was of particular concern given its proximity to a community park and two child care centres, says Sergeant Krista Vrolyk, media spokesperson for t

Penticton RCMP is sharing street safety tips following a report that three young girls were approached by an older man asking if they wanted to go for a ride with them. On 2022-Feb-09 Penticton RCMP responded to the 1300-block of Kensington St, Penticton BC, after three young girls reported that they were approached by and 30-year old male asking if they knew where a local winery was and if they wanted to go for a ride with them.The girls demonstrated excellent Street Smarts by telling the man no, said Cst Dayne Lyons, Media Relations Officer with Penticton RCMP. The girls immediately left the