BCNov 19, 2020
Border officer can't recall where idea to collect Meng's phone passcodes came from
The border officer who led the examination of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver's airport before her arrest two years ago says he can't recall whose idea it was to collect the passcodes to her phones. Sowmith Katragadda told a B.C. Supreme Court hearing he asked another officer to collect the codes from Meng but can't remember if the order came from one of his supervisors or if it was his own idea. Katragadda is testifying as part of an evidence-gathering hearing in Meng's extradition case. Her lawyers are collecting information to support an abuse of process argument in court next y
WorldNov 19, 2020
President Trump invites Michigan GOP leaders to White House
President Donald Trump has summoned Michigan's Republican legislative leaders to the White House for a meeting Friday. The meeting comes amid a longshot GOP push to overturn the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the battleground state. Two people familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press that Trump invited Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield. They agreed to go, according to a state official aware of the leaders' plans. The two officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. It was not immediately clear wha
CanadaNov 19, 2020
National police force's culture is toxic and tolerates hateful and homophobic attitudes, says report on harassment of women in RCMP
An independent report on harassment of women in the RCMP says fundamental change is needed to rid the national police force of a toxic culture that tolerates hateful and homophobic attitudes. And RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki says, as she has said previously, that such harassment must stop. A report on harassment of women in the RCMP says fundamental change is needed to rid the national police force of a toxic culture. Former Supreme Court of Canada justice Michel Bastarache says the national police force's culture is toxic and tolerates hateful and homophobic attitudes. He has drafted 52 re
CanadaNov 19, 2020
Liberals introduce a bill for net-zero emissions Canada; PM Trudeau says bill cements his promise to mostly eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
The Liberals have introduced a bill in the House of Commons that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says cements his promise to mostly eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Bill C-12 promises both transparency and accountability to reach what Trudeau admits is an ambitious goal. He told a virtual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum that net-zero is as much about avoiding the worst impacts of climate change as it is about creating good jobs and a competitive economy for years to come. Trudeau told a conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum today that Canad
BCNov 19, 2020
Six arrested after raids in Richmond, B.C., uncover drugs and guns
Six people have been arrested after RCMP in Richmond, B.C., conducted a series of raids on what they say were drug labs. Police say in a news release they uncovered hundreds of thousands of doses of suspected illegal drugs, six weapons and three pill presses. The weapons found ranged from handguns to carbine-style rifles, and police say they also discovered cash and high-end items believed to be proceeds of crime. Mounties say they began their investigating into suspected drug labs back in March, culminating in arrests on Oct. 28. Police say drug labs pose a significant threat to public safet
BCNov 19, 2020
RCMP warn of toxic drugs after three deaths in 12 hours in Surrey, B.C.
Police suspect a deadly batch of drugs may be circulating in Surrey, B.C.
A statement from Surrey RCMP says three people have died within 12 hours in the city and fatal overdoses are suspected in each case.
Investigators say there do not appear to be any other connections between the victims.
The statement says it is dangerous to use non-prescription drugs purchased from unregulated sources but anyone who makes that choice should follow several safety measures.
Those measures include not using them alone and being careful about dosage size.
Police say users should also have a naloxone kit cap
BCNov 19, 2020
Record breaking COVID-19 numbers reported in B.C. for third consecutive day
BC has recorded 762 new cases of COVID-19, another record as the province battles a second wave of infections. Health officials are also reporting 10 new COVID-19 related deaths, for a total of 320. The province currently has 6,861 active cases of COVID-19, including 209 individuals who are hospitalized. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says BC needs to put the brakes on COVID-19 because the second surge is putting a strain on the health-care system, workplaces and everyone. The health authorities in a joint statement said, "This second surge is putting a strain on our health-care s
BCNov 19, 2020
PM Trudeau should tell people to stay in their own provinces until a COVID-19 vaccine is available
Premier John Horgan wants Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to tell people to stay in their own provinces until a COVID-19 vaccine is available. Horgan says he's not asking for federal travel restrictions but says the connection between travel and the spread of COVID-19 needs to be addressed nationally. He says he plans to bring up his proposal at the first ministers' meetings this week. The premier says he's confident Trudeau will agree to tell Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel between provinces.
BCNov 19, 2020
Proposed two-week quarantine for anyone travelling to Vancouver Island may not be the best way to proceed: Premier Horgan
British Columbia Premier John Horgan says a proposed two-week quarantine for anyone travelling to Vancouver Island may not be the best way to proceed. Horgan was commenting on a proposal from Dr. Richard Stanwick, the chief medical officer for Vancouver Island, on limiting the potential spread of COVID-19 through mandatory quarantines. The premier says he will let provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry determine whether the plan should be implemented, but he says a quarantine plan may not be the right approach. Dr. Stanwick says in an interview that roughly half of the COVID-19 cases on V