Toronto police have arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with two alleged hate-motivated incidents involving Sikh men in downtown Toronto. According to Toronto Police Service, the incidents occurred on Aug. 29. Police allege the accused, Lakshitha Arakmullage, first targeted a Sikh man at Union Station, where he allegedly made racial remarks and threatened him with a knife. The victim was not injured, police said. About an hour later, police allege Arakmullage confronted two other Sikh men near Queen’s Quay West and Lower Spadina Avenue and made derogatory comments. Police say one of the

A woman was robbed in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood, and police are asking witnesses to come forward as the investigation continues. According to police, the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on August 27. The woman was walking along the west lane of the 8600-block of Granville Street near Southwest Marine Drive when a suspect allegedly punched her in the face, stole her purse and fled the scene. Police searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect. The victim’s phone was later recovered nearby. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene for injuries to her nose.

A mysterious floating island spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake has prompted authorities to issue a warning to boaters. According to BC Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer, the floating island is about one hectare in size and is covered entirely with trees and lush vegetation. It was first spotted by satellite in mid-August but later suddenly disappeared. The island was spotted again on Monday, and appears to have travelled about 30 kilometres from its previous location over the past two weeks. Gammer believes the formation is not solid land, but rather a highly unstable mass of tree roots, logs and

Surrey residents and business owners have received some encouraging news, with the Surrey Police Service (SPS) reporting that no new extortion threats or extortion-related shootings were recorded in the city throughout August. According to the latest update from SPS, the improvement is being attributed to ongoing joint efforts involving police, local businesses and the wider community. Police say these collaborative efforts are now producing positive results on the ground. SPS emphasized, however, that officers continue to actively investigate previous extortion cases, pursue legal action and

The British Columbia government has announced plans to create nearly 1,200 new licensed before-and-after-school child-care spaces across 22 school districts, including Surrey. Under the initiative, Peace Arch Elementary and Theresa Clarke Elementary in the Surrey School District will each receive 24 new child-care spaces. B.C. Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare said the time before and after school can be particularly challenging for parents who are balancing work and family responsibilities. Having child care available directly within school grounds will provide families with con

Nearly 400 specialist doctors in Alberta have expressed interest in participating in the province’s new dual-practice system, which will allow physicians to work within the public health-care system while also providing private services for selected surgeries, including hip and knee replacements. Although the legislation enabling the model is now in place, the office of Surgical Services Minister Adriana LaGrange said doctors must complete a formal application process before any private surgeries can begin. The first dual-practice surgeries are expected to take place this fall, following a r

Coquitlam RCMP are investigating a targeted shooting that occurred on Saturday, Aug. 29, and are asking drivers to review their dashcam footage from the area. Police said the incident took place in the 100-block of Schoolhouse Street between approximately 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Investigators are seeking video from vehicles that were travelling through or parked in the area during that time. RCMP said even footage that appears routine or unrelated could contain information valuable to the investigation. Police have determined that the shooting was targeted and said there is no ongoing risk to the p

Preparations are ramping up for Alberta’s 10-question referendum, with Elections Alberta beginning to distribute special mail-in ballots ahead of the Oct. 19 vote. Voters who have already registered for a special ballot will begin receiving their voting packages by mail. They can also choose to pick up their ballots in person. The special-ballot option is available to eligible Alberta voters who want to vote by mail. The referendum will feature 10 questions covering immigration, constitutional reform and Alberta’s future within Canada. The 10th question asks voters to choose between keep

The Bald Range wildfire, which caused widespread destruction about 15 kilometres west of Summerland, B.C., has finally been brought under control after nearly 25 days of intensive firefighting efforts. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the fire broke out on August 7 and has affected approximately 25,163 hectares of land. The wildfire spread rapidly in its early stages, prompting evacuation orders for nearly 20,000 people in Summerland and surrounding areas. With the fire now under control, most evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted, allowing thousands of residents to return home