In British Columbia’s 2026 provincial election, 47 candidates of South Asian and Punjabi origin are contesting from 27 different ridings. One of the most notable aspects of this election is that more than half of these candidates are running in the Surrey area. Of the 47 candidates, 28 are representing B.C.’s two major political parties. The B.C. NDP has fielded 16 candidates, while the B.C. Conservatives have 12 candidates. The remaining candidates are running under the Centre BC, B.C. Greens, OneBC and as independents. Meanwhile, Surrey North and Surrey-Newton are the two ridings where o

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, who is seeking another term as premier, has announced plans to raise taxes on millionaires if his party returns to power. Eby said the additional revenue would be used to help cover rising health-care costs. Under the proposal, the tax rate on annual income above $1 million would increase to 24.5 per cent from the current 20.5 per cent, a four-percentage-point increase. The NDP estimates the measure would generate about $1 billion in additional provincial revenue each year. The B.C. Conservatives have criticized the proposal, warning that higher taxes could drive doc

The names of candidates for the upcoming B.C. provincial election have been finalized, with the B.C. NDP failing to field candidates in all 93 ridings. The party has nominated candidates in 92 of the province’s 93 electoral districts. According to Elections B.C., the NDP failed to submit the required nomination documents within the deadline for Peace River North, leaving the party without a candidate in the riding. The B.C. Conservatives are the only party contesting all 93 ridings. Meanwhile, the B.C. Greens are running candidates in 73 ridings, Centre B.C. in 35, and One B.C. in 33. Electi

Abbotsford Police have arrested 48-year-old Brian Barker in connection with two residential break-ins in a rural area. Police say the first incident occurred on September 3, 2026, in the Bradner Road area, when an unknown person entered a home while the family was inside and stole several valuables. Eleven days later, on September 14, another home on Montesina Avenue, about two kilometres away, was targeted. After identifying similarities between the two incidents, officers executed a search warrant at a home on Fraser Highway in Aldergrove and arrested Barker. Sgt. Hanninen said the suspect h

Five young men have been arrested in a joint police operation in connection with an extortion investigation in British Columbia. Four foreign nationals were arrested in Surrey, while the fifth suspect was taken into custody at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Langley RCMP Supt. Harm Dosange and B.C. Extortion Task Force Chief Supt. Duncan Pound announced the arrests at a news conference on Friday. Police said all five suspects were arrested on Thursday and have been charged with extortion-related offences. According to Supt. Dosange, the investigation began in June 2025 after threats wer

Chinese steel will once again be used in the $33-billion LNG Canada Phase 2 project in Kitimat, British Columbia. The joint venture will purchase components from China Offshore Oil Engineering Co., a Chinese state-owned company that also built two liquefied natural gas processing units during the project’s first phase. The decision comes despite the Canadian government’s earlier commitment to prioritize locally produced steel under its Buy Canadian policy. The government now says private-sector companies have the right to make their own supply-chain decisions. LNG Canada spokesperson Paul

Vancouver-area home sales fell 8.4% in September as prices also declined. According to the Greater Vancouver Realtors, 1,717 homes were sold last month, about 25% below the 10-year seasonal average. The decline was largely driven by weaker sales of apartment-style homes. The board’s chief economist, Andrew Lis, said sales of attached and detached homes were slightly higher than a year earlier despite the overall decline. The benchmark home price fell to $1,075,900, down 5.5% from September 2025 and 0.6% from August 2026. Total inventory was also 4% lower year over year but remained 24.3% abo

Langley RCMP are investigating a shooting in which one person was injured in the Brookswood area. Police said the incident occurred early Monday morning in the 3000-block of 205 Street. Langley RCMP officers and BC Emergency Health Services personnel responded shortly after receiving reports of gunfire and transported the injured person to hospital. According to Sgt. Zanel Sharoum, investigators believe the shooting was a targeted incident based on preliminary findings. Police are speaking with witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage as part of the investigation. The victim's identity has not bee

The B.C. Conservatives have launched an attack on the B.C. NDP and Leader David Eby during the provincial election campaign, accusing them of breaking election promises and pursuing failed economic policies. The Conservatives claim that exactly two years ago, the B.C. NDP promised to provide every family in British Columbia with a $1,000 grocery rebate but abandoned the commitment after winning the election. B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson questioned how voters could trust the NDP after the alleged broken promise, arguing that the province needs a change in government. Doerkson also cr