Party-switching intensifies in B.C. as Surrey South MLA Brent Chapman leaves the B.C. Conservatives and joins the OneBC Party. Chapman, who is the husband of former B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, had been facing continued pressure within the party over controversial social media comments from his past. In a statement, Chapman said he had been a loyal party member for the past 15 years, but recent internal divisions, publicly exposed disagreements and what he described as a decline in the party’s principles had made it difficult for him to remain with the B.C. Conservatives. On

B.C. Premier David Eby has met with Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia. Eby is scheduled to hold a press conference at 12:15 p.m. at Government House in Victoria, where he is expected to formally announce a provincial election. The election is being called with about two years remaining in the current term of the B.C. NDP government. Eby had indicated that he was considering an early election amid recent turmoil within the opposition Conservative Party, a change in leadership and the NDP government's narrow one-seat majority in the legislature. According to Elections B.C.'s anticipated electio

A Surrey councillor is calling for province-wide regulations governing the use of e-scooters in British Columbia. Coun. Rob Stutt proposed developing a regulatory framework for e-scooter use during Monday’s council meeting. Citing safety concerns, he asked city staff to prepare a letter that will be sent by the mayor to the incoming provincial government. Under current rules, e-scooters are prohibited on Surrey roads, parks and sidewalks. However, their use continues to grow in communities. Stutt argued that instead of simply banning e-scooters, the province should provide municipalities wit

A major development is unfolding in British Columbia politics, with Premier David Eby expected to formally announce a provincial election during a news conference at the government buildings in Victoria on Tuesday afternoon. The announcement would bring an end to days of speculation over whether the NDP government would call an early election. Eby has already indicated that his caucus and Elections B.C. should be prepared for an election, while political developments within the B.C. Conservative Party have intensified speculation. The B.C. Conservatives also cancelled a news conference schedu

Two bodies were found inside burned-out vehicles in separate parts of Toronto, police say. The incidents occurred late Monday night and early Tuesday morning in Scarborough and Etobicoke. The first incident was reported around 11:24 p.m. on Reesor Road in Scarborough, where a vehicle was found on fire. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, a body was discovered inside. About 90 minutes later, around 1 a.m., police responded to another vehicle fire at James Gardens Park in Etobicoke. A second body was found inside that vehicle. The circumstances surrounding both deaths remain unclear. Toro

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in