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b-c-reports-1-270-new-covid-19-cases-and-16-deaths-over-the-weekend
BCNov 16, 2021

B.C. reports 1,270 new COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths over the weekend

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 1,270 new cases of COVID-19, including 10 epi-linked cases, for a total of 213,020 cases in the province: Nov. 12-13: 502 new casesNov. 13-14: 387 new casesNov. 14-15: 381 new casesThere are 3,837 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 206,665 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 376 individuals are in hospital and 116 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 72 hours, 16 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,273.The new deaths include:Fraser H
AlbertaNov 15, 2021

Brian Jean apologized for social media post about rival UCP candidate

Former Wildrose Party leader Brian Jean has apologized for a social media post about a rival for the United Conservative Partynomination in an Alberta byelection.In a post that has since been amended, Jean said that Premier Jason Kenney's people were backing a candidate that Jean described as ``a Nigerian economist.''Joshua Gogo accused Jean of trying to make the nomination contest in Fort McMurry about his ethnicity and of trying to undermine hiscredibility by implying he is not Albertan.Jean says a campaign volunteer posted what he says was an inappropriate comment and he called Gogo to give
AlbertaNov 15, 2021

Alberta to get $ 3.8B child care federal funding

Alberta will receive 3.8-billion dollars in federal funding over the next five years after signing onto the federal government's universal child-care program.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the program will make a huge difference in the lives of families in the province but also in Canada's economic recovery. Under the deal, fees in licenced child-care facilities are to be cut in half next year and fall to 10-dollars a day, on average, within five years.Choice of child care had been a sticking point in negotiations and Premier Jason Kenny says he will make subsidies eligible for alltypes of
pm-trudeau-asks-people-of-merritt-and-all-british-columbians-affected-by-the-flooding
BCNov 15, 2021

PM Trudeau asks people of Merritt and all British Columbians affected by the flooding

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shown concern about conditions in B.C. Trudeau tweeted about the situation and asked the people in the affected areas to stay safe. PM Trudeau's tweet: To the people of Merritt, and to all British Columbians affected by the flooding: please stay safe. And as Minister Blair said, we’re ready to provide whatever assistance is needed as you deal with and recover from the flooding and this extreme weather. We’re here for you.Bill Blayer's tweet: We will always be there for Canadians in need, and are closely monitoring the situation in Southern BC. We have been
city-of-abbotsford-declares-state-of-local-emergency
BCNov 15, 2021

City of Abbotsford declares state of local emergency

A state of local emergency has been declared for the City of Abbotsford following extreme rainfall that has resulted in several localized emergencies within the City. Various small mud slides and localized flooding have occurred in many areas within the City. The honourable Mayor Henry Braun declared the state of local emergency on November 15, 2021 and it will remain in effect for seven days until November 23, 2021 at midnight unless cancelled by order of the City of Abbotsford Emergency Operations Centre. Declaring a state of local emergency allows the City of Abbotsford to provide enhanced
uk-raises-terror-threat-level-after-liverpool-taxi-blast
WorldNov 15, 2021

UK raises terror threat level after Liverpool taxi blast

The U.K. government has increased the terror level to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. The decision follows an taxi explosion in Liverpool on Sunday that killed a man. Home Secretary Priti Patel said the terror threat level had been raised because there had been two attacks in a month. British police say the explosion in a taxi outside the Liverpool Women's Hospital is being treated as a terrorist incident, but the motive remains unclear. Russ Jackson, the head of Counterterrorism Policing in northwest England, said the blast involved an improvised explosive device. The male passen
vpd-investigates-after-pedestrian-struck-and-killed
BCNov 15, 2021

VPD investigates after pedestrian struck and killed

Vancouver Police are investigating the city’s 9th pedestrian fatality of the year, after a 59 year old man was struck and killed in East Vancouver this evening. Investigators believe the man was crossing Kingsway, near St. Catherines Street, around 7 p.m., when he was struck by a car that was heading west. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.The driver involved in the collision remained at the scene. Speed and alcohol are not considered factors, and VPD’s Collision investigation Unit is working to determine the cause of the collision. Vancouver police on Twitter: VPD inv
relentless-rain-causes-mud-and-rock-slides-in-several-locations-in-southern-b-c
BCNov 15, 2021

Relentless rain causes mud and rock slides in several locations in southern B.C.

Relentless rain has caused mud and rock slides in several locations in southern B.C., displacing some residents and prompting highway closures. The City of Abbotsford opened a reception centre Sunday for residents who couldn't get home or who were evacuated because of mudslides or flooding at several locations. The city says in a statement that mud or rock slides have cut off several routes, and that those who need shelter or assistance can go to the Abbotsford Recreational Centre. Several highways connecting the Lower Mainland and B.C.'s Interior were also severed by rock, mud and debris, in
evacuation-order-issued-for-the-entire-city-of-merritt
BCNov 15, 2021

Evacuation Order issued for the entire City of Merritt

Statement issued by City of Merritt: An Evacuation Order has been issued for the entire City of Merritt.Our staff have been working diligently throughout these changing circumstances with one main priority in mind: the safety and wellbeing of our residents. The flood waters have now inundated two bridges across the Coldwater River, and flood waters prevent access to the third.High flood waters have rendered the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant inoperable for an indefinite period. Continued habitation of the community without sanitary services presents risk of mass sewage back-up and persona

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BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T