Richmond RCMP is warning the public of a current trend involving rental deposit scams. Since July of 2025, Richmond RCMP officers are investigating five reports of rental deposit frauds where individual losses range from $400 to $2,600. In most cases, the victims found an online advertisement on a social media platform, contacted the alleged owner and were asked to pay a deposit to secure the property via e-transfer. Once the funds were transferred, the victim soon discovered the property was not available for rent. “We realize the rental market is highly competitive, especially around this

The Federal Court of Appeal has rejected a bid by a British Columbia ostrich farm to prevent the culling of its flock that had been infected with avian flu. The court has dismissed two applications by Universal Ostrich Farms over the cull of about 400 birds, which was sought by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. It says the "stamping out" policy of the agency, in which infected poultry flocks are killed, is reasonable, and that criteria to apply it had been met in the case of the farm in Edgewood, B.C. The planned cull had drawn opposition from United States officials, including Health Secre

Two motorcycle riders are spending a week getting rides from friends after a day of weaving through traffic in Vancouver without displaying licence plates. On August 17, 2025, just before 3:00 p.m., on Highway #1 at the Cassiar Connector, two BMW sport motorcycles were observed riding in tandem. A BC Highway Patrol cruiser that was watching could not see any licence plates at all. Some sport motorcycles have their rear fenders removed and a licence plate on a folding mount under the rear tire, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. That is completely illegal. A motorcycle mus

The Province has set new housing targets for a fourth group of municipalities, bringing thousands of new homes to communities throughout B.C. Announced in May 2025, the fourth group of communities is part of the Province’s expanded housing-targets program to address high demand in growing communities and to continue to deliver the homes people need throughout the province. Effective Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, the following are the five-year targets for each municipality, which are set following consultation and reflect 75% of their estimated housing need: Burnaby - 10,240Coquitlam - 6,481Courten

Community issues addressed after multiple search warrants executed on Salt Spring Island. On August 14, 2025, Salt Spring Island RCMP, assisted by officers with the Island District RCMP General Investigation Section executed multiple search warrants in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. As a result, a significant amount of illicit drugs, including suspected cocaine and evidence consistent with drug trafficking were seized. The investigation remains ongoing, and a detailed report to Crown Counsel for consideration of criminal charges. We want to ensure the community is aware of our proa

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre unveiled a three-point action plan to combat extortion-related crime during a press conference held today at the Royal King Banquet Hall in Surrey -the same location where a shooting incident took place on July 21, 2025. Flanked by Abbotsford–South Langley MP Sukhman Gill, and candidates Sukh Pandher and Jassie Sahota (a police officer), Poilievre said extortion-related crimes have surged by 330% under Liberal rule. He attributed this rise to the repeal of mandatory jail terms for gun-related extortion under Bills C-5 and C-75. “Extortion-related

Some of the evacuation orders and alerts linked to the Mount Underwood wildfire on Vancouver Island have been lifted or downgraded, as firefighters report "minimal" behaviour from the blaze. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, the City of Port Alberni and the Tseshaht First Nation jointly issued an update at 8 a.m. saying evacuation orders are lifted for the China Creek Campground and Headquarters Bay, which remain on evacuation alert. The update also says that the City of Port Alberni and the Tseshaht First Nation's reserves are no longer under alert. The Cowichan Valley Regional Distric

British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after a man was shot dead in an alleged confrontation with officers in Vancouver. The Independent Investigations Office says the shooting took place Tuesday afternoon in an East Vancouver neighbourhood. It says there was a dispute between two people, and one man had a weapon when police arrived. The man was shot by police and died at the scene despite life-saving efforts by emergency responders. Vancouver police say the two people involved were neighbours involved in an argument. Police say no officers or other people were injured, and no fur

The president and CEO of Surrey’s Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society, Satbir Cheema, was attacked outside the organization’s office on August 11 in what police are investigating as an assault involving a chemical spray. Cheema was leaving the office around 5:30 p.m. when a white pickup truck pulled up and a man exited with what appeared to be bear spray or pepper spray. Cheema became suspicious, moved away, and shielded himself behind his vehicle. Surveillance video provided to police shows two suspects fleeing the scene immediately after the attack. In a stateme