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BCJul 15, 2025

More heat pump rebates on the way; now open for renters, condo owners

More British Columbians will benefit from a heat pump this summer with the B.C. government’s launch of a new program to reduce energy use, lower energy bills and improve comfort for income-qualified apartment renters and condo owners. The Better Homes Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate will provide rebates up to $5,000 to support the purchase and installation of high-performance electric heat pumps in individual suites in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). “Nearly a third of homes in B.C. are in multi-unit residential buildings,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy
federal-court-of-appeal-to-hear-arguments-in-b-c-ostrich-farm-avian-flu-case
BCJul 15, 2025

Federal Court of Appeal to hear arguments in B.C. ostrich farm avian flu case

The B.C. ostrich farmers who lost dozens of birds in an outbreak of avian flu last winter will be heading to the Federal Court of Appeal on Tuesday as they try to stop the remainder of their herd from being culled. Universal Ostrich Farm near Edgewood, B.C., was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to cull approximately 400 birds after an outbreak of the highly contagious avian flu was discovered on the farm in December. The CFIA maintains a "stamping out" policy, which includes the destruction of animals and the disinfection of the premises, as defined by the World Organization of A
crime-stoppers-takes-unusual-step-of-accepting-anonymous-tips-from-victims-of-extortion-related-crimes
BCJul 15, 2025

Crime stoppers take unusual step of accepting anonymous tips from victims of extortion- related crimes

Since issuing an appeal a month ago for information on the recent extortion-related shootings largely centred in Surrey, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers has taken the unusual step of deciding to accept tips from extortion victims, which is a break from its usual policy. “Normally, we don’t accept tips from crime victims themselves as they may be in immediate need of help and should call 9-1-1 or the police directly,” says Linda Annis, Executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. “However, in this instance we’ve to decided to relax that and accept information from targets of e
canada-cup-team-canada-finishes-second-after-losing-a-thrilling-final-against-tcc
BCJul 14, 2025

Canada Cup: Team Canada finishes second after losing a thrilling final against TCC

The Triple Crown Colorado team claimed the Canada Cup championship at Softball City in Surrey, edging out Team Canada in a dramatic 7–5 final. Colorado built an early 5–0 lead through four innings, but Canada stormed back in the fifth, closing the gap to 6–5. With the bases loaded in the final inning, Canada came within a hit of victory before a final out ended the comeback bid. It was a reversal from last year, when Canada won the tournament undefeated. This year’s 30th edition ended in disappointment, though head coach Kaleigh Rafter said she was proud of the team’s overall sho
BCJul 14, 2025

Forty-five affordable homes protected in Richmond

More Richmond residents can keep their affordable homes with support from the Province and the B.C. Rental Protection Fund. “We’re working on every front to address the housing crisis and rising costs, so people have an affordable home in the community they love,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “When a building changes hands, residents worry whether they will be forced to move or pay much higher rent. By helping non-profits to buy these buildings, we are protecting the people who have lived there for years, close to their families, their jobs and the activ
BCJul 14, 2025

BC Highway Patrol looks for witnesses and dash video after Highway 17 collision

A weekend collision between a motorcycle and a SUV in Delta is being investigated by BC Highway Patrol, and police are looking for more witnesses and dash-camera video to determine exactly what happened. On July 12, 2025, at about 11:15 a.m., a black Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a dark green Toyota SUV on Highway #17 and Tsawwassen Drive in Delta. A second SUV, a grey Honda, was damaged by debris from the initial collision. “The minutes leading up to the collision, and the moments before the collision, are crucially important to the investigation,” says Corporal Michael McL
langley-rcmp-investigating-targeted-assault-resulting-in-severe-injuries
BCJul 14, 2025

Langley RCMP investigating targeted assault resulting in severe injuries

On July 12, 2025, at approximately 6:35 pm, Langley RCMP responded to a woman in distress in the 20300 block of Fraser Highway, Langley. Upon arrival, front-line officers located a 33-year-old woman suffering from severe burns. She was immediately transported to a local area hospital for urgent medical treatment. This does not appear to be a random act. We believe the victim was deliberately exposed to an unknown substance, resulting in serious burns consistent with an intentional act, said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP. We’re urging anyone who may have information about this in
wildfire-near-princeton-golf-course-in-b-c-prompts-evacuation-order
BCJul 14, 2025

Wildfire near Princeton golf course in B.C. prompts evacuation order

An out-of-control wildfire near Princeton in British Columbia has prompted an evacuation order. The BC Wildfire Service says the August Lake wildfire, which is burning close to Princeton Golf Club, is now mapped at 14 hectares in size. The wildfire service says about 40 firefighters and three helicopters are on scene to contain the blaze. The fire has forced the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to send out an evacuation order for some areas, urging people in the area to leave, while others are under evacuation alert. The wildfire service says the August Lake wildfire is exhibiting ra
military-says-over-1-000-people-flown-from-fire-threatened-manitoba-community
BCJul 14, 2025

Military says over 1,000 people flown from fire-threatened Manitoba community

The Canadian Armed Forces says it's evacuated over a thousand residents of a northern Manitoba community threatened by a wildfire, while towns and villages in the province are welcoming cooler weather they say is helping firefighters. The military began removing people from Garden Hill First Nation on CC-130 Hercules transport airplanes on Friday, and it says that as of Sunday afternoon, over 1,550 have been flown to Winnipeg. Capt. Wyatt Shorter with Joint Operations Command says there are no more people waiting to leave Garden Hill, but a Hercules is on standby in Winnipeg in case a

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CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre