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statistics-canada-plans-workforce-reduction-affecting-about-850-employees
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Statistics Canada plans workforce reduction affecting about 850 employees

Statistics Canada says it will cut approximately 850 positions as part of a broader effort to adjust its operations, along with a reduction of about 12 per cent of its executive team. Carter Mann, a spokesperson for the national statistical agency, said affected employees are expected to be notified within the next two weeks. He added that the agency remains focused on meeting its mandate to provide reliable data for Canadians while adapting to internal changes. According to data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Statistics Canada employed 7,274 people as of March 31, 2025. Of tha
BCJan 13, 2026

Lake Country RCMP arrest two suspects in break and enter investigation linked to Kelowna

Lake Country RCMP say two men have been arrested following an early morning break and enter that investigators believe is connected to a series of similar crimes targeting businesses in Kelowna. Police were called to a business in the 11,000 block of Oceola Road around 3:00 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a break and enter in progress. Officers contained the area and arrested two male suspects as they exited the building carrying tools commonly associated with break and enter offences. RCMP say a search of the suspects uncovered identifiable property and Canadian currency believed to b
atmospheric-river-soaks-b-c-south-coast-as-rainfall-tops-200-millimetres-in-some-areas
BCJan 13, 2026

Atmospheric river soaks B.C. south coast as rainfall tops 200 millimetres in some areas

Communities across British Columbia’s south coast and Vancouver Island have been hit with intense rainfall over the past three days as an atmospheric river moved through the region, prompting evacuation orders, alerts and ongoing flood warnings. Environment Canada says several areas recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain between Saturday and Monday, with the Kennedy Lake Forestry Station on Vancouver Island measuring nearly 286 millimetres during the period. On the mainland, Port Mellon reported 204 millimetres, while Ucluelet recorded 168 millimetres and Squamish received 132 millimetre
teen-critically-injured-in-richmond-hit-and-run-as-police-seek-suspect-vehicle
BCJan 13, 2026

Teen critically injured in Richmond hit-and-run as police seek suspect vehicle

A 17-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene late Saturday night in Richmond, according to RCMP. Police say officers were called just after 11:25 p.m. to reports of a disturbance in the 4200 block of No. 3 Road. When they arrived, they found the teenager unconscious and suffering serious injuries. He was taken to hospital by paramedics, where he continues to receive life-saving care. Investigators believe the collision followed an altercation near the roadway. The incident has prompted a parallel investigation into an alleged assault causi
alberta-ndp-urges-smith-government-to-act-as-doctors-warn-of-hospital-overcrowding
FeaturedJan 13, 2026

Alberta NDP urges Smith government to act as doctors warn of hospital overcrowding

Alberta’s Official Opposition NDP is pressing Premier Danielle Smith and the province’s four health ministers to implement emergency measures as doctors raise alarms over overcrowded hospitals. The call comes after the Alberta Medical Association reported that hospitals have been operating at more than 110 per cent capacity for over a year, creating strains on both staff and patient care. Dr. Brian Wirzba, president of the association, said public statements are a last resort for physicians who have repeatedly voiced concerns through internal channels without seeing adequate action. Meanwh
AlbertaJan 13, 2026

Alberta health official to update public as flu season strains hospitals

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health is expected to provide an update today on the province’s respiratory virus season, as hospitals across Alberta continue to face significant pressure. Health care leaders say elevated influenza activity has been a major factor behind ongoing capacity challenges, particularly since mid-December. Physicians have repeatedly warned that high patient volumes are limiting the system’s ability to respond to routine and urgent care needs. The provincial ministry responsible for hospitals has linked the surge in admissions to a sharp increase in flu cases
kelowna-rcmp-launch-gang-enforcement-team-pilot-after-drug-and-firearm-seizures
BCJan 13, 2026

Kelowna RCMP launch gang enforcement team pilot after drug and firearm seizures

The Kelowna RCMP have launched a new gang enforcement pilot program following several months of targeted policing that led to the seizure of firearms, weapons and illicit drugs across the city. Police say enhanced enforcement efforts began in September 2025, focusing on disrupting organized crime and removing weapons and toxic drugs from local streets. Those initiatives resulted in multiple significant seizures, prompting the detachment to expand its approach through a dedicated gang enforcement team. The new Kelowna Gang Enforcement Team is a four-member unit made up of officers from differen
prime-minister-carney-departs-for-china-on-high-stakes-trade-and-diplomacy-visit
CanadaJan 13, 2026

Prime Minister Carney departs for China on high-stakes trade and diplomacy visit

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to depart this evening on a five-day official visit to China, a trip being closely watched for its potential impact on trade, agriculture, and Canada’s broader foreign policy direction. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe will accompany the prime minister as part of the delegation, highlighting the importance of agricultural trade to Western Canada. Saskatchewan farmers have been particularly affected by Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola, a key export for the province and a major source of farm income. During the visit, Carney is expected to meet with Chinese Pr
carney-to-meet-coastal-first-nations-in-prince-rupert-on-major-projects-marine-protection
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Carney to meet Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on major projects, marine protection

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to meet with leaders of Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on major resource projects and marine conservation along British Columbia’s coastline. Carney will be joined by Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, whose early dealings with the alliance have drawn criticism. Hodgson faced backlash after failing to consult Coastal First Nations before the federal government signed an agreement with Alberta that could advance a new pipeline to the B.C. coast. The minister later apologized for remarks made du

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surrey-man-charged-after-newton-area-shooting
CanadaJan 30, 2026

Surrey Man Charged After Newton-Area Shooting

Police have laid multiple criminal charges following a shooting at a Surrey home on New Year’s Day. Officers from the Surrey Police Service (SPS) responded around 11:45 p.m. on January 1, 2026, to reports of gunfire in the area of 140B Street and 59 Avenue in Newton. At the scene, they found an injured man who was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound. Officials said his condition was stable. A second man was arrested at the location. The SPS Serious Crime Unit took over the investigation. On January 28, the BC Prosecution Service approved charges against 49-year-old Chanchal Badwal. He fac
b-c-based-jim-pattison-developments-cancels-virginia-warehouse-sale-to-ice
BCJan 30, 2026

B.C.-based Jim Pattison Developments cancels Virginia warehouse sale to ICE

Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Developments has announced it will not proceed with the sale of a Virginia warehouse property to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which had planned to use the site as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility. The 43.5-acre property in Hanover County, Virginia, faced public scrutiny after news emerged that it could be converted into a holding and processing centre amid a wider U.S. immigration crackdown. The company, owned by Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison, had previously stated it was unaware of the final purchaser or the intende
israel-to-reopen-gaza-egypt-border-crossing-after-nearly-two-years-of-closure
WorldJan 30, 2026

Israel to reopen Gaza–Egypt border crossing after nearly two years of closure

Israel says it will reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, allowing limited movement of people in and out of the territory for the first time in nearly two years. The Israeli military agency COGAT, which oversees civilian coordination with Gaza, said the reopening will permit “limited movement of people only,” with both Israel and Egypt screening those seeking to cross. European Union border assistance personnel will supervise operations at the crossing, Gaza’s primary link to the outside world. The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, following ren
federal-court-of-appeal-set-to-rule-on-ottawas-single-use-plastics-ban
CanadaJan 30, 2026

Federal Court of Appeal upholds Ottawa’s authority to maintain single-use plastic b

Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that the federal government acted within its authority when it classified certain plastic products as toxic, clearing the way for Ottawa to maintain its ban on several single-use plastic items. In a unanimous decision released Friday, a three-judge panel overturned a 2023 lower court ruling that had found the federal government overreached by broadly labeling plastic manufactured items as toxic under environmental legislation. That earlier decision had cast uncertainty over the future of the single-use plastics ban. The appeal court concluded the go
cfia-says-threats-against-staff-escalated-during-b-c-ostrich-cull-forcing-family-relocation
BCJan 30, 2026

CFIA says threats against staff escalated during B.C. ostrich cull, forcing family relocation

A senior Canadian Food Inspection Agency official says agency employees faced escalating threats and harassment during preparations for the culling of hundreds of ostriches at a British Columbia farm, including incidents serious enough to force the relocation of a worker and their family. In an interview with The Canadian Press, the official said opposition to the cull intensified both online and in person, culminating in what they described as extreme cases of direct threats involving physical violence and sexual assault. One CFIA employee and their partner were relocated along with their chi