The 2020 Transit Service Performance Review (TSPR) shows that transit remained a vital service for tens of thousands of people during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and public health restrictions. TransLink continued delivering more than 620,000 boardings every weekday. Even at the lowest point of the pandemic, approximately 75,000 people still relied on transit every day, including many essential workers. TransLink secured one of the highest ridership retention rates among the 10 busiest systems in Canada and the United States. TransLink retained 48 per cent

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Italian Canadian community has carried the weight of the unjust policy of internment during the Second World War. Trudeau delivered a formal apology in the House of Commons this morning to Canadians of Italian descent. He says more than 600 men were arrested and sent to internment camps, and four women were detained and sent to jail. Trudeau points out they did not face formal charges, have the ability to defend themselves in a fair trial or a chance to present or rebut evidence. He says 31,000 Italian Canadians were labelled ``enemy aliens'' after Canad

Members of a critical incident response team are working at a Kelowna, B.C., high school helping students cope with the loss of three Grade 12 classmates. The three Kelowna Senior Secondary students were in a Honda Civic sedan that RCMP say hit a utility pole in the city just after midnight Wednesday.An 18-year-old woman who was driving and two passengers, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl, died at the scene.The three were set to graduate within weeks and School District 23 Superintendent Kevin Kardaal says a specialized team of grief counsellors is at the school.He says students and

British Columbia's health minister and provincial health officer are encouraging residents to limit their socialization with others, as the number of COVID-19 cases dips. Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry say it is important to socialize with a small group of people, and take more precautions for those who are at a high risk of contracting the virus. B.C. reported 250 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, for a total of 142,886 since the pandemic began, as well as three new deaths. Dix and Henry urged residents to get vaccinated, saying the vaccines form the backbone of the province's reopening plan.

Firearms, drugs and cash seized have been by Surrey RCMP Drug Unit during the execution of a search warrant at a South Surrey residence.In April 2021, Surrey RCMP Drug Unit initiated an investigation into alleged street level drug trafficking and firearms offences occurring in Whalley. Through the investigation members located an associated residence in the South Surrey Area.On May 18, 2021, a male related to the South Surrey residence was arrested and found in possession of 8.8 grams of methamphetamine, 7 grams of Fentanyl, $895 cash, and a Karambit knife which is a prohibited weapon.On May 1

Eight people are dead after an employee opened fire at a San Francisco Bay Area transit agency. The San Jose shootings Wednesday occurred at the Valley Transportation Authority. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo says ``this is a horrific day for our city.'' He spoke after a shooting took place at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority rail yard in San Jose this morning. Officials say the dead include transit employees and the suspect. There's no motive given yet. The mass shootings this year follow a lull in mass killings during the pandemic in 2020, according to a database compiled by Th

A federal audit says the Trudeau government was able to get desperately needed medical equipment to provinces and territories last year despite long-standing stockpile issues. Auditor General Karen Hogan says before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health Agency ignored warnings that its supply of emergency medical equipment wasn't properly managed. But she says when the pressure mounted, Ottawa got the supplies to the provinces anyway. The government spent more than seven-billion dollars on medical supplies and personal protective equipment last year. The federal auditor general says the gov

A graduate of Burnsview Secondary is being congratulated by the Delta School district. Kushal Mujral has been awarded a $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship. Kushal is heading to the University of Waterloo to study Software Engineering in the fall. Mujral was selected by Burnsview Secondary for his outstanding academic and community extra curricular achievements. Delta School District on Twitter: Congratulations to Burnsview Secondary Student Kushal Mujral who has been awarded a $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship. Kushal is heading to the University of Waterloo to study Software Engineering

Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has released a statement regarding the deployment of BC Wildfire Service personnel to Manitoba. "British Columbia has a long history of offering a helping hand to other provinces and countries when they need assistance fighting wildfires. We are pleased to do that again now. "On May 26, 2021, the BC Wildfire Service will send 41 firefighters and two support staff to Manitoba to help with firefighting efforts in that province. "COVID-19 precautions will be taken to protect the health of everyone part