Vancouver police say a man with a lengthy criminal record - including more than 50 prior convictions - is back in custody after allegedly stealing a police car and driving it dangerously through a park filled with families on Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 10:45 a.m. in East Vancouver, when officers stopped to assist a woman in distress. While police were helping the woman, the 41-year-old suspect allegedly jumped into the unattended patrol vehicle and sped off, driving toward a group of families gathered at Templeton Park. Police say the man, described as a “prolific offender,

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby says a re-elected New Democrat government will strengthen police resources to fight illegal guns and gang-linked violence, pledging continued support for federal gun control laws and provincial anti-gang programs. Speaking at a news conference in Surrey, flanked by four NDP candidates with law enforcement backgrounds, Eby said his government would ensure police have the tools, training, and technology needed to keep weapons out of the hands of criminal organizations and prevent domestic violence tragedies. Eby highlighted Surrey as a community that has “felt the rea

With less than two weeks until election day, B.C. NDP Leader David Eby is expected to unveil his party’s full election platform today at a news conference in Surrey, marking a key moment in a campaign that has focused heavily on affordability, housing, and public services. Surrey - one of the province’s fastest-growing and most diverse cities - has become a central battleground in this fall’s election. Eby’s choice to launch the NDP’s complete platform here underscores the region’s political importance, where housing affordability, infrastructure expansion, and transit remain top v

British Columbia’s political leaders spent Wednesday outlining their visions for the province’s future during a day that mixed debate, policy talk, and controversy - all closely watched by voters in key battlegrounds like Surrey. Premier and NDP Leader David Eby, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, and Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau took part in a one-hour debate on Vancouver’s CKNW radio before meeting business representatives at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event. The Board also released findings from its 2024 provincial election survey, which highlighted affordability, hou

Vancouver police have opened a hate crime investigation following a violent clash between opposing groups during a protest over the war in the Middle East. Police said the confrontation occurred Sunday night outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, where demonstrators gathered expressing differing views on the conflict involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah. According to investigators, a 34-year-old woman was assaulted, knocked to the ground, and subjected to antisemitic slurs. She required medical attention for her injuries. Police said the suspect fled into the crowd, but officers later arrested a

B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau is set to hold a news conference in Victoria this morning as the second week of the provincial election campaign continues. The Greens have already detailed several key commitments, including a plan to create a network of 93 community health centres across the province and to provide coverage for six annual mental health visits under the Medical Services Plan. The party has also pledged to maintain the carbon tax while expanding the size of the climate rebate for residents. All three major party leaders are expected to meet face-to-face on Wednesday for

British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby says his government would fast-track factory-built homes as part of its strategy to ease the province's housing crisis. At an election campaign stop on Vancouver Island, Eby says pre-built homes cut waste, reduce emissions, and the advances in the industry mean the homes are "beautiful and high-quality." A statement issued by the NDP says its government would work with the industry, municipalities and First Nations to create a provincewide framework so builders know what's required in every community. It says there would also be a pre-approved set of const

Tactical evacuations are underway outside the B.C. southern Interior town of Grand Forks, as an out-of-control wildfire in Washington state surges north and threatens to cross the border. The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary says the evacuations are taking place west of Grand Forks as embers from the Goosmus wildfire shower the area. Emergency Info BC says evacuation orders posted Wednesday are in place for west of Highway 41 and south of Highway 3, as well as properties west of Highway 3 from Sleepy Hollow Rd to Phoenix Rd. It says residents need to evacuate immediately because the fire

British Columbia's New Democrats and Conservatives issued their plans for the mining industry while campaigning in the province's resource-rich communities. Both NDP Leader David Eby and Conservative Leader John Rustad say they will support the industry by improving permitting, with the NDP committing to permit review timelines and the Conservatives proposing "One Project, One Permit." In Terrace, Eby said an NDP government would upgrading key highway infrastructure in the northwest, while Rustad in Kimberley, in the southeast, said his government would invest in gaps in rural infrastructure.