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BCAug 20, 2020

Ministry mislead students in wake of exam errors: Ombudsperson

British Columbia's ombudsperson says the Education Ministry has agreed to apologize and compensate students harmed by incorrect provincial exam results last year.Jay Chalke says his investigation found the ministry's communication with students and their families to be misleading and in some cases inaccurate even after the errors were identified.The ministry posted more than 18,000 incorrect exam scores, roughly half of which were lower than they should have been.Grade 12 students intending to enter Canadian universities in the fall are often accepted based on marks that only reflect their fir
liberals-to-replace-cerb-with-new-benefit-simplified-ei-program-at-cost-of-37b
CanadaAug 20, 2020

Liberals to replace CERB with new benefit, simplified EI program at cost of $37B

The federal Liberals are rolling out a $37-billion income-support plan for workers whose earnings have crashed during the pandemic. The details released today outline what will happen to some four million workers receiving the $500 a week Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which is set to wind down starting next month. The CERB will be extended another four weeks, and a new benefit that pays $400 a week for up to 26 weeks will replace it for those ineligible for employment insurance. Anyone eligible for EI will get the same minimum for at least 26 weeks and will need to have worked 120 hours
BCAug 20, 2020

Youngster dead, woman hurt as tree falls on hiking group near Chilliwack, B.C.

A five-year-old boy has been killed in an accident involving a group of hikers on a walk east of Vancouver. RCMP in Chilliwack say a tree fell on the group Tuesday as they walked along a trail in Yarrow, 90 kilometres east of Vancouver. A statement from police says the boy had died by the time officers arrived.Cpl. Mike Rail says a 22-year-old woman was also hurt. He says she was treated in hospital for what are described as non-life-threatening injuries. The BC Coroners Service and RCMP are investigating.
us-officials-install-cable-barrier-along-canadian-border
CanadaAug 20, 2020

US officials install cable barrier along Canadian border

A cable barrier was installed along a section of the border between Washington state and Canada in an effort to curb ``dangerous criminal enterprises,'' according to a statement from the U.S. Border Patrol Wednesday.KING-TV reports the U.S.-Canada border has been closed to all non-essential travel since March to help limit the spread of the virus.The section of the border near Lynden, Wash., where the barrier is being constructed, has been used as a meeting place for families and friends during the coronavirus pandemic.The new barrier is designed to prevent vehicles either ``accidentally, or
319-covid-19-cases-reported-in-canada
CanadaAug 20, 2020

319 COVID-19 cases reported in Canada

There are 123,490 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 61,316 confirmed (including 5,729 deaths, 54,238 resolved) Ontario: 40,972 confirmed (including 2,792 deaths, 37,216 resolved) Alberta: 12,501 confirmed (including 227 deaths, 11,167 resolved) British Columbia: 4,745 confirmed (including 198 deaths, 3,749 resolved) Saskatchewan: 1,586 confirmed (including 22 deaths, 1,410 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,076 confirmed (including 64 deaths, 1,007 resolved) Manitoba: 763 confirmed (including 12 deaths, 528 resolved) Newfoundland and Labrador: 268 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 263 resolved) New Bruns
increase-in-covid-testing-centres-and-hours-as-case-count-increases-in-b-c
BCAug 20, 2020

Increase in COVID testing centres and hours as case count increases in B.C.

Testing for COVID-19 is being stepped up as the number of new cases increases in British Columbia. Health Minister Adrian Dix and deputy provincial health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson say new testing centres and extended hours of service have been added in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions. In a joint statement, they say the province can now complete 8,000 tests a day. Another 68 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the province, bringing the active cases in the province to 798. A total of 4,745 cases have been diagnosed in B.C., while 3,749 people have recovered.
police-in-new-westminster-are-applauding-a-good-samaritan-who-returned-a-wallet-with-nearly-2-300-dollars
BCAug 19, 2020

Police in New Westminster are applauding a Good Samaritan who returned a wallet with nearly 2,300 dollars

Police in New Westminster are applauding a Good Samaritan who turned in a wallet stuffed with so much cash it couldn't be closed. Police say a citizen found the wallet with nearly 2,300 dollars inside while walking down the street and brought it to police in hopes the owner could be contacted. The owner told police he'd lost the wallet while heading to the bank and was very relieved to get it back. Deputy Chief Constable Paul Hyland says it's great to get a reminder of how amazing people can be, especially when so many are negatively affected by COVID-19.
b-c-teachers-union-calls-for-smaller-classes-masks-in-back-to-school-plan
BCAug 19, 2020

B.C. teachers' union calls for smaller classes, masks in back-to-school plan

The BC Teachers' Federation says it wants smaller classes and mandatory masks whereever possible as part of the provincial back-to-school plan amid the pandemic. A statement from president Teri Mooring says the restart plan for Kindergarten to Grade 12 has made no change to classroom density and it's impossible to physical distance with 30 people in a classroom. The union also wants dedicated funding for heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment and expanding mandatory mask use for children aged 10 and older. The provincial government has said masks will be required whenever student
CanadaAug 19, 2020

Raptors president Masai Ujiri files countersuit following NBA Finals scuffle

Following a TV station's release of an altercation during the NBA finals last June, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri has filed a counter-suit. The Raptors say the video proves Ujiri wasn't the aggressor in a dispute with a sheriff's deputy after the team won the NBA title at Oracle Arena. Deputy Alan Strickland filed a $75,000 suit against Ujiri, the Raptors, Raptors owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and the NBA claiming he suffered physical, mental, emotional and economic injuries. Raptors coach Nick Nurse says the video is self-explanatory.

Just In

BCJul 10, 2026

B.C. to add 132 involuntary care beds in Surrey and Prince George

The British Columbia government has announced plans to open new involuntary care facilities in Surrey and Prince George for people living with severe mental illness, substance-use disorders and brain injuries. According to the provincial government, the renovated facilities will add a total of 132 new beds, including 60 at a new involuntary care centre in Surrey. The expansion is intended to provide specialized treatment and care for people who require intensive support. Premier David Eby said the new facilities are designed to help people stabilize and rebuild their lives during periods of ac
channi-bajwa-among-senior-congress-leaders-to-meet-bhupesh-baghel
IndiaJul 10, 2026

Channi, Bajwa among senior Congress leaders to meet Bhupesh Baghel

Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and several senior Congress leaders are scheduled to meet Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday as the party continues its organisational preparations ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. Channi confirmed the meeting in a social media post, stating that senior Congress leader and MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh will host the gathering at his residence. According to Channi, the meeting will focus on various organisational matters related to the party. According to available information, former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Sing
maninder-sidhu-announces-india-trade-mission-to-lead-team-canada-delegation
BCJul 10, 2026

Maninder Sidhu announces India trade mission, to lead Team Canada delegation

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, has announced that he will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India from Oct. 12 to 17. According to the federal government, the mission is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties while creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses in the Indian market. Sidhu said Canada and India currently share approximately $31 billion in two-way trade. He said the federal government's goal is to double that figure by 2030. He added that India remains one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, offering significant oppo
saskatchewan-man-sentenced-in-cbsa-immigration-fraud-investigation
BCJul 10, 2026

Saskatchewan man sentenced in CBSA immigration fraud investigation

A Saskatchewan man has been sentenced to a conditional sentence of two years less a day after a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation into an immigration fraud scheme. According to a CBSA news release issued Friday, Balvir Singh was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The agency said the investigation began in 2018 after border services officers across Canada noticed an unusually high number of immigration applications connected to a Saskatoon-based non-profit organization. The CBSA, working with the Government of Saskatchewan, said investigators identified foreign nationals who e
CanadaJul 10, 2026

West Vancouver's Gurinder Singh Deo arrested in France

West Vancouver resident Gurinder Singh Deo has been arrested in France, the RCMP's Pacific Region Federal Policing confirmed. Police said the 40-year-old is currently in custody in France while legal proceedings are underway to extradite him to the United States. According to the RCMP, Deo was identified in the recent joint FBI and RCMP investigation known as Operation Hard Ball. U.S. authorities have charged him in connection with a drug trafficking case, alleging he helped facilitate the movement of narcotics into Southern California through alleged links to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. U.S.