10.99°C Vancouver

News

b-c-government-hit-by-sophisticated-cybersecurity-incidents
BCMay 09, 2024

B.C. government hit by 'sophisticated cybersecurity incidents'

British Columbia's premier says the province has identified "sophisticated cybersecurity incidents" involving government networks. David Eby says the provincial government is working with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and other agencies to determine the extent of the incidents, but there is no evidence at this time that sensitive information has been compromised.
london-drugs-president-says-sorry-for-cyber-breach-no-evidence-customer-data-taken
BCMay 08, 2024

London Drugs president says sorry for cyber breach, no evidence customer data taken

The president of London Drugs has issued a letter apologizing for a cybersecurity incident that forced the company to close stores for more than a week, but he says there's no evidence customer databases were compromised. The letter from Clint Mahlman says the Richmond, B.C.-based company is still investigating the April 28 incident, and should it find that any customer information was affected, it would inform people according to privacy laws. Mahlman says London Drugs works with experts to ensure its systems are secure, and independent auditors regularly review the company's security practic
b-c-insurance-corp-announces-110-vehicle-rebate-rate-increases-on-hold-until-2026
BCMay 08, 2024

B.C. insurance corp. announces $110 vehicle rebate, rate increases on hold until 2026

Most drivers in British Columbia will receive a $110 vehicle insurance rebate this year. The Insurance Corporation of B.C. says strong investment and financial returns and the 2021 shift to the "enhanced care" model for providing health coverage for people involved in crashes has put the Crown corporation in a solid position to offer rebates. Corporation president David Wong says vehicle insurance rates will also remain frozen until at least March 2026. He says the last basic insurance rate increase was 2019. Wong says preliminary financial results show ICBC will earn net income of $1.5 billio
b-c-court-date-set-for-third-suspect-in-hardeep-singh-nijjar-killing
BCMay 08, 2024

B.C. court date set for third suspect in Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing

A court date has been set for the third man charged with the murder of British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, coinciding with that of the other two suspects. Case listings from Surrey Provincial Court in B.C. show that Kamalpreet Singh will appear next on May 21. Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Karan Brar are Indian nationals who were arrested in Edmonton last week for the June 2023 death of Nijjar, who was shot dead in his truck while leaving the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh temple. Appearance dates had already been set for Karanpreet Singh and Brar, but fixing a da
dozens-of-london-drugs-stores-reopen-after-cybersecurity-shutdown
BCMay 06, 2024

Dozens of London Drugs stores reopen after cybersecurity shutdown

London Drugs is gradually reopening its stores across Western Canada more than a week after a cybersecurity breach forced the retailer to close. The company says it is working with independent cybersecurity experts to securely bring its systems back online after it was discovered April 28. The Richmond, B.C.-based pharmacy and retailer operates about 80 London Drugs locations across Western Canada. The retailer says on its website more than two dozen stores are back in operation in B.C., while six are open in Alberta, three in Saskatchewan and one in Manitoba. The company notes that some store
princess-anne-to-take-part-in-b-c-ceremony-bringing-new-ship-into-pacific-fleet
BCMay 03, 2024

Princess Anne to take part in B.C. ceremony bringing new ship into Pacific fleet

Canada's first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel will officially be brought into the Pacific fleet today and Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles, is scheduled to take part in its commissioning ceremony. A news release says Anne will be attending the ceremony in her role as commodore-in-chief for the Canadian Fleet Pacific. National Defence says HMCS Max Bernays arrived in its new home port in Esquimalt last month, calling it a "pivotal milestone" in the expansion of the fleet. It says the introduction of the ship, named after a Canadian naval hero during the Second World War’s Battle o
woman-with-a-knife-arrested-at-new-westminster-b-c-post-secondary-school
BCMay 02, 2024

Woman with a knife arrested at New Westminster, B.C., post-secondary school

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. Police in New Westminster, B.C., say they were called to a post-secondary school in the city when staff reported that a woman armed with a knife was inside the building. The woman was not a student at the institution and police say students and staff feared for their safety. Before police arrived, security had isolated the armed woman and police cleared out the building. Police called in the emergency response team, which convinced the woman to give herself up and she was safely arrested. Charges related to mischief and threats are being considered, police say. Royal Aven
biological-sex-sports-bill-is-quickly-quashed-in-b-c-legislature
BCMay 01, 2024

'Biological sex' sports bill is quickly quashed in B.C. legislature

A B.C. Conservative private member's bill to classify publicly funded sports teams and events according to the "biological sex" of participants, banning transgender athletes, didn't make it out of the starting blocks. The Fairness in Women's and Girls' Sports Act was voted down at first reading, a fate that's a rarity in the legislature. The majority New Democrats, joined by two Green Party members and two Independents, voted down the proposed bill introduced by Conservative Leader John Rustad. New Democrat House Leader Ravi Kahlon said outside the legislature the proposed bill was "hateful an
london-drugs-probes-if-personal-data-was-breached-in-cyber-incident-that-shut-stores
BCApr 30, 2024

London Drugs probes if personal data was breached in cyber incident that shut stores

London Drugs is investigating whether personal data was compromised in a cybersecurity incident that prompted the company to close all of its stores across Western Canada until further notice. A statement from the retailer and pharmacy chain says it will notify "affected individuals" if the probe finds their data was breached. The company says it's working with third-party cybersecurity experts to securely bring its operations back online after discovering the incident on Sunday. An earlier statement said there was no reason to believe customer or employee data had been affected by the inciden

Just In

b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level
measles-exposure-reported-at-grande-prairie-hospital-emergency-department
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Measles exposure reported at Grande Prairie hospital emergency department

Alberta health officials are warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital emergency department in Grande Prairie. According to an Alberta Health Services advisory, the exposure is believed to have occurred on April 20 and April 22 at the emergency department. Officials say individuals who were present at those times may have been exposed to the virus. Health authorities say people who are not fully vaccinated are at higher risk of infection. Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough and a spreading rash. Alberta Health Services is urging residents to review their immunization recor
netherlands-considering-rose-imports-from-punjab-says-cm-bhagwant-mann
IndiaApr 28, 2026

Netherlands considering rose imports from Punjab, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says the Netherlands is considering importing roses from the state following discussions during his recent visit. According to a statement shared by Mann, Dutch officials indicated interest in sourcing roses from Punjab, which he said could offer better-quality flowers at competitive prices. He noted that the Netherlands currently imports roses in large quantities from Ethiopia. Mann said the discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the horticulture sector, highlighting what he described as untapped opportunities for Punjab farmers in international fl
eu-says-carney-to-attend-armenia-summit-as-canada-expands-role-in-european-security-talks
CanadaApr 28, 2026

EU says Carney to attend Armenia summit as Canada expands role in European security talks

European Union officials say Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to attend a summit in Armenia this weekend focused on political, security and infrastructure co-operation across Europe. According to a social media post from European Council President Antonio Costa, Carney will participate in the European Political Community summit in Yerevan. Carney’s office has not publicly confirmed the visit. The European Political Community brings together EU member states and partner countries, including Iceland, Azerbaijan and Montenegro. The forum was launched in 2022 following Russia’s full-scal