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

"As we say goodbye to 2022 and hello to a brand-new year, the City of Surrey continues to go through transformative changes. Though my time in the Mayor’s chair has only just begun, the new City Council and I have taken significant action to re-establish openness, transparency and citizen participation. The Ethics Commissioner will be restored and strengthened by having more independence. The Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) will also resume operations. A valuable asset to our City since 2007, SCDC will once again be advancing new and strategic investments in Surrey. "Policing in S

On December 29th, 2022, at approximately 3:25 am, the Delta Police Department responded to reports of shots fired in the 5300 block of 4A Avenue, Tsawwassen. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that shots had been fired into a residence. While the home was occupied, the residents were not harmed.A youth from Surrey, known to the police, has been arrested for this shooting event and will be facing several firearms charges. The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits the release of information that can lead to the identity of the youth involved. Acting Inspector James Sandberg stated, "Our officers ar

A Canadian Pacific freight train has collided with a CP truck that was travelling along tracks east of Kamloops, B.C. The collision happened at about 10:30 a.m. The truck burst into flames after the apparently head-on crash on tracks along the south side of the South Thompson River. First responders say the train was not carrying any dangerous goods. An emailed statement from CP says no one was hurt and there was no derailment when the train ``contacted'' the company's truck. It says an investigation is underway.

On the late afternoon on December 24, Richmond RCMP received a report of a shooting in the 8000 block of Greenfield Drive. When frontline officers arrived at the residence, they discovered that a man had been shot. He was transported to the hospital for treatment of his serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A man was arrested at the scene and was taken into custody. The man has subsequently been released. This incident appears to be an issue between family members, says Staff Sergeant Gene Hsieh, Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of Major Crime Unit, Richmond Detachment. While the invest

The New Westminster Police Department is seeking public assistance in the search for missing person Dakotah Jocko.Dakotah Jocko was last seen at approximately 8:30am near Columbia Skytrain Station in New Westminster. Dakotah Jocko is described as an Indigenous female, standing approximately 5’1" tall, with a slim build and brown eyes. She is known to wear various wigs."We are asking the public to help us locate Ms. Jocko to ensure her well-being," stated Sergeant Justine Thom. "Friends and family are concerned for her safety."If you know the whereabouts of Ms. Jocko please call 9-1-1. If you

The newly created B.C. Ministry of Housing says it is taking steps to speed up and strengthen the process that handles disputes between landlords and tenants. A statement from the ministry, which was boosted to full ministerial status when Premier David Eby announced his new cabinet earlier this month, says renters and landlords will benefit from the more timely and efficient services. The B.C. government will increase the operating budget for the Residential Tenancy Branch, which has seen long wait times for dispute resolutions as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, coupled with more people movin

Coquitlam RCMP is appealing for public assistance following an altercation that left a man with serious non-life-threatening injuries.Coquitlam RCMP Front-line officers received a report of an altercation that occurred at the basketball court of Citadel Middle School located at 1265 Citadel Drive in Port Coquitlam shortly before 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022. The victim had been involved in an altercation with a group of young men before the assault.The victim was transported to hospital to be treated for his injuries.One of the suspects can be described as:Caucasian maleBetween 16

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has charged three men with the murders of Arnold and Joanne De Jong, from May 2022 in Abbotsford. Background: On May 9, 2022, at around 10:26 a.m., Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) responded to a residence in the 33600-block of Arcadian Way at which time two adults were found deceased. AbbyPD patrol members confirmed the deaths as being suspicious and IHIT was called in to investigate. The victims were identified as 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his wife, 76-year-old Joanne De Jong, of Abbotsford. IHIT continue to work closely in partners