The B.C. General Employees’ Union is urging the provincial government to allow full-time remote work for provincially regulated employees as fuel prices rise, citing financial pressure on workers. In a statement, the union – which represents about 35,000 public service workers among more than 95,000 members – said a temporary work-from-home policy would help offset costs linked to higher gasoline prices. The increase is tied to global supply concerns amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the union. The union also called on the province to consider additional relief measures for em

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer has entered into a “unite the right” agreement with former Conservative MLA Dallas Brodie, aimed at preventing vote-splitting if Fulmer becomes leader of the Opposition. According to a joint statement released by the two camps, Brodie’s OneBC party would refrain from running candidates in 88 of British Columbia’s 93 ridings. In exchange, the Conservatives would not field candidates in five unspecified ridings. Brodie, who was removed from the Conservative caucus last year by then-leader John Rustad, said she is offering her “full sup

Canadian authorities are warning residents and international visitors to be alert to fraud schemes linked to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, as demand grows for tickets, travel and accommodations. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, along with policing partners in host cities Toronto and Vancouver, issued the advisory, saying fraudsters may attempt to exploit interest in the tournament, which Canada is co-hosting with the United States and Mexico. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, investigators are tracking several types of suspected scams, including fake ticket sales, fraudulent short-ter

The number of police-reported hate crimes in Canada remained largely unchanged in 2024 following several years of sharp increases, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The agency reported 4,882 hate crimes in 2024, marking a one per cent increase over the previous year. The latest figures follow a 34 per cent rise between 2022 and 2023, and a broader trend that has seen reported incidents more than double since 2018, according to the federal data agency. Statistics Canada said incidents targeting race or ethnicity increased by eight per cent in 2024. At the same time, police-re

Search and rescue teams were deployed Monday after a passenger boat sank in rough seas off eastern Indonesia, leaving 27 people missing, according to local authorities. Muhammad Rizal, head of the search and rescue office in Palu, Central Sulawesi, said the vessel, identified as Nazila 05, was travelling from Taliabu Island in North Maluku province to the coastal village of Kema when it encountered severe weather late Sunday. According to Rizal, the boat’s captain contacted the owner early Monday to report that the bow had broken after being struck by high waves. Roughly 30 minutes later, th

A man is in hospital with life-threatening injuries following a police-involved shooting during a traffic stop early Sunday in Fort St. John, according to British Columbia’s police watchdog and the RCMP. The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. said in a statement that the incident occurred shortly after 3 a.m. near 86 Street and 97 Avenue. RCMP officers had stopped a pickup truck after determining one of the two occupants was believed to have outstanding warrants. According to RCMP, one exited the vehicle carrying a weapon, prompting an officer to discharge a firearm. The man, identifi

Police in New Westminster are asking for the public’s help following a hit and run that left a motorcyclist injured Saturday evening. According to a release from the New Westminster Police Department, officers responded to a crash in the 200 block of McBride Boulevard at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Investigators say a white van struck a motorcyclist and then fled the scene. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with injuries. Police are urging the driver involved to come forward. Investigators are also asking anyone who may have dash camera or nearby CCTV footage from the area around the time

Spain has barred U.S. military aircraft from using its airspace and bases in connection with ongoing operations involving Iran, according to a statement by the country’s defence ministry. Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Spain will not allow its territory or infrastructure to be used for military actions linked to Iran. The restriction applies to U.S. military flights, while commercial and emergency aircraft are exempt. The decision means U.S. aircraft will need to reroute operations that would typically pass through Spanish-controlled airspace or rely on Spanish military facilities. P

Air Canada says chief executive officer Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of this year, according to a company statement. The announcement follows criticism earlier this month over a video message Rousseau delivered after a deadly plane crash in New York that killed two Air Canada Express pilots. The four-minute condolence video, posted online, included only limited French, using the words “bonjour” and “merci.” Prime Minister Mark Carney said the decision to release the message primarily in English showed a “lack of judgment and lack of compassion,” high