RCMP are asking for help identifying suspects after a series of suspicious fires at a residential building in central Richmond. Fires were reported in the 5600 block of Arcadia Road. Mounties say in a news release the fires were set November 16th, November 19th and December 29th. The first time, they allege a small appliance fan being used to air out the building was set on fire, then someone set a 20-foot boat ablaze in the underground parkade, and then there was a fire in a stairwell. RCMP say all fires have been deemed suspicious, however the motive remains unclear and it is also unclear i

Transport Minister Marc Garneau is expected to unveil more details today on COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers returning to Canada. Garneau announced last week that air travellers coming from abroad will have to show proof of negative test results, starting this Thursday at 12:01 a.m. He said the PCR test — distinct from a rapid test, and taking up to several days to process must occur less than 72 hours before takeoff.Airlines and passengers say the plan leaves a swirl of unanswered questions and threatens to leave travellers stranded overseas.Carriers say they were not consulted

The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned to January 11 the hearing of a petition seeking the quashing of the Centre's farm laws, noting that "we understand the farmers' situation". The petitioner, a lawyer claimed that the Parliament doesn't have the power and authority to bring such laws.Meanwhile amidst the farmers' agitation, which is in full swing and the central government is making an effort to resolve the deadlock over its farm laws, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar is ensuring that the agenda on reforms should continue.Ensuring that reforms to make the country and farmer

British Columbia has again extended its state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic nearly 10 months after it was first declared. The Ministry of Public Safety says in a news release the extension until Jan. 19 will allow officials to use powers under the Emergency Program Act. Premier John Horgan says in the statement there's hope with the provincial immunization program getting underway, but it's too early to ease restrictions in the pandemic that has claimed 954 lives in B.C. A joint statement from Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Tue

A 37 year old man has died after being shot by police in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood early Tuesday. Police say in a news release paramedics called for help in response to a man who was acting aggressively and erratically at a residential building. They say the man sustained injuries after smashing his window and throwing large objects into the street before police arrived. Police say they received reports the man was chasing people on the street with a weapon, "using it in an aggressive and threatening manner." He was subsequently shot by police. Police did not provide further

British Columbia's chief veterinarian says a mink farmer decided to euthanize the remaining 1,000 animals on his Fraser Valley operation after some of the mink tested positive for COVID-19. Dr. Rayna Gunvaldsen says the operator was not ordered by the provincial government to euthanize the animals as more tests are underway to determine the extent of the presence of COVID-19. The first farm where the virus spread to mink also had eight workers who tested positive and Gunvaldsen says both farms remain under quarantine. She says there are no other reports of COVID-19 at B.C.'s eight other mink f

A grant that helps British Columbia homeowners offset a portion of their property tax is being raised to reflect an increase in the assessed value of their homes. The Ministry of Finance says the threshold for the 2021 homeowner grant has been set at $1.625 million, a $100,000 increase over last year. It says the increase means the same percentage of homeowners remain eligible for either the basic grant or an enhanced grant that's available to those over 65 or people with disabilities. About 92 per cent of homeowners were eligible last year. In Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley Regional Dist

Vancouver Coastal Health say there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 on the cardiac ward in St. Paul's Hospital in downtown Vancouver, closing the unit to all but end-of-life visits. Although the rest of the hospital remains open. Interior Health says weekly case numbers of COVID-19 are higher, per capita, in Revelstoke than in many other areas of B.C.Interior Health says weekly case numbers of COVID-19 are higher, per capita, in Revelstoke than in many other areas of the province and it is urging residents to take steps to curb the spread of the virus. The health authority has issued a news re

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the federal government will look at just about any measure to discourage people from travelling internationally. But he says Canada doesn't want to join the short list of countries that require government approval for travel, with measures such as exit visas. He says the federal government has been crystal clear since early last year that travelling abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic is a bad idea. Starting Thursday, Canada is requiring incoming air travellers to present evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test before being allowed t