Liberals revamp rent-relief program for businesses, expand loan program

Canada is increasing its financial and military support for Ukraine, with federal ministers confirming more than $200 million in new commitments as the conflict with Russia continues to dominate international security discussions. National Defence Minister David McGuinty said Canada will join NATO allies in purchasing a package of critical military capabilities sourced from the United States, with Canada contributing $200 million toward the shared procurement plan. The announcement was made as Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand attended a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Anand

A major employer on Vancouver Island is preparing to wind down permanently, with Domtar confirming that its pulp mill in Crofton will close and leave about 350 workers without jobs. The company says weak global pulp prices and rising challenges in securing affordable fibre in British Columbia made continued operations unsustainable. Domtar says it is reviewing potential future uses for the mill site, though no decisions have been made. The shutdown adds to a series of closures across the province’s forestry communities, a sector that has faced years of instability linked to supply shortages,

B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne says a recent security breach inside Surrey Memorial Hospital’s neonatal unit has raised serious concerns about patient safety across the Fraser Health region. She told the legislature the incident was “extremely distressing” for families and staff, and confirmed that Fraser Health has implemented additional safety procedures in response. Surrey RCMP allege that a woman entered the specialized care unit without authorization and made skin-to-skin contact with three newborns. Investigators say 35-year-old Lindsey Hirtreiter is now facing three counts of

Vancouver Police are urging residents to take extra precautions after a sharp increase in distraction thefts reported in the city last month, with most incidents occurring in East Vancouver. Investigators say 20 cases were recorded in November, representing a significant jump compared to the same month last year. Police say the thefts typically target older adults and involve suspects approaching victims in public areas near their homes. Officers describe a consistent pattern in which a person offers fake jewelry and invades the victim’s personal space, using sleight-of-hand techniques to qu

A months-long enforcement initiative involving the RCMP and several other police agencies across Canada has resulted in the seizure of 386 kilograms of fentanyl along with large quantities of other illegal drugs. The coordinated effort ran from late May to the end of October and focused on production sites, trafficking groups and the financial networks that support the illicit drug trade. Police say the operation led to thousands of arrests and charges nationwide. That included 217 individuals accused of trafficking fentanyl while already out on bail, highlighting what investigators describe a