The agency that handles most emergency calls in British Columbia has announced 2022 was its busiest year, but along with managing life-saving communications, EComm says it is still receiving an unacceptable number of senseless calls. EComm, which handles all but a fraction of B.C.'s 911 call volume, has released a list of top 10 frivolous complaints it says came in last year. The list ranges from children drawing with chalk in a playground to a messy roommate, broken windshield wiper, cellphone stuck in a bench and, No. 1 on the list, a malfunctioning nozzle at a gas station. Call takers say

Surrey RCMP is advising the public of a shooting in Whalley and requesting anyone with information to contact police. On January 4, 2023, at approximately 5:10 a.m. Surrey RCMP received a report of shots fired in the 10600-block of 138 Street. Officers attended the scene and located evidence consistent with a shooting which included damage to a residence. Although there were multiple people inside the residence at the time of the shooting, no injuries were reported. Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation and are in the evidence gathering stage. The sho

People bringing forward human rights claims will soon have better access to justice through increased funding for the BC Human Rights Tribunal and the Community Legal Assistance Society. "Nobody should be forced to live with intolerance and bigotry – that’s why our government has prioritized supporting people and communities in fighting racism and other forms of discrimination," said Premier David Eby. "I’m glad that more people than ever before are standing up against discrimination and hate, including through the BC Human Rights Tribunal. By supporting faster access to justice at the t

A chronic offender with more than 115 previous convictions faces more charges after Vancouver Police arrested him for allegedly stealing nearly $40,000 in fine art from a South Granville gallery. VPD officers made the arrest Saturday, after the art gallery owner called 9-1-1 to report that a known thief had walked in and stolen a pricey piece of art. "Our officers responded quickly, reviewed security video, and immediately recognized the suspect," says Sergeant Steve Addison. "The thief had fled prior to our arrival, but the officers drove to his home in East Vancouver, waited for him, and arr

The BC Court of Appeal has refused to reverse a ministerial extradition order for a BC man facing drug charges in the United States. In a reserved decision released today, a three-justice panel of the province's highest court rejects Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's request for a judicial review of the extradition that will send him to the US to face charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin in Washington state. Sandhu is one of five people charged in the case, which allegedly occurred over several months in 2014. The Appeal Court rejects Sandhu's arguments that the extradition ord

Surrey RCMP in partnership with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) is issuing a public warning due to an increased threat to public safety posed by two individuals involved in gang activity and the violence associated with it. Due to a significant threat to the public posed by these individuals through their connection to criminal activity and high levels of violence, police believe that anyone connected to or in proximity to them may be putting themselves at risk.Police are issuing a public warning and identifying them in order for family, friends, ass

Noah is the front-runner for the most popular name for babies born this year in British Columbia.Noah is followed by Olivia, Oliver, Liam, Theodore, Jack, Emma, Lucas, Leo and Sofia, according to the Vital Statistics Agency's preliminary figures for 2022.In 2021, the top names for babies born in B.C. were Olivia, Liam, Noah, Emma, Jack, Theodore, Benjamin, Charlotte, Oliver and Ava.Only names that occur five or more times are listed.From Jan. 1 to Dec. 8, 2022, 37,801 babies were born in B.C.In 2021, 44,073 babies were born in B.C.

Richmond RCMP is asking for public assistance in locating a missing 34-year old woman. Sarah Peck of Quebec was reported missing on December 29, 2022. She had traveled to BC to visit family and was overdue in returning home. Sarah was last seen on December 18, 2022 in the South Arm area of Richmond. Sarah is described as:34 years of ageCaucasian178 cm (5’ 10") tallMedium buildBlonde hairBlue eyes The police and family are concerned for Sarah’s safety and well-being. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Sarah Peck is urged to contact their local police.

Farm workers and producers are reminded that the minimum wage for agricultural piece rates will increase by 2.8% on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.The increase applies to 15 agricultural crops that are harvested by hand, as specified in the employment standards regulation, including peaches, apricots, Brussels sprouts, daffodils, mushrooms, apples, beans, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pears, peas, prune plums, raspberries and strawberries.The increase is based on B.C.'s average annual inflation rate in 2021 and is consistent with the 2.8% increase to the minimum hourly wage that came into effect on Jun