16.73°C Vancouver

News

india-expels-canadian-diplomat-after-canada-links-indian-agents-to-sikh-leader-death
BCSep 19, 2023

India expels Canadian diplomat after Canada links Indian agents to Sikh leader death

India struck back at Canada early Tuesday after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked agents of India's government to the shooting death of a Sikh leader near Vancouver. A statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs says an unnamed senior Canadian diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said earlier on Monday that Canada was expelling India's Pavan Kumar Rai, whom her department lists in its public registry as a diplomatic agent who heads up an Indian intelligence agency based in Ottawa. Trudeau told the House of Commons on
pm-trudeau-blamed-the-indian-government-for-killing-hardeep-singh-nijjar
BCSep 18, 2023

PM Trudeau blamed the Indian government for killing Hardeep Singh Nijjar

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made a big statement after the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey.He said that India is behind the killing of BC's Sikh leader.Trudeau has accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing in the House of Commons on Monday.Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty, he said.It is worth mentioning that Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered on the night of June 18 in the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh
removal-of-bc-mla-adam-walker-from-ndp-caucus-unrelated-to-police-harassment-eby
BCSep 18, 2023

Removal of BC MLA Adam Walker from NDP caucus unrelated to police, harassment: Eby

British Columbia Premier David Eby says a complaint by an employee in late July led to the removal of MLA Adam Walker from the New Democrat caucus, but the issue doesn't involve police or sexual harassment.Speaking to reporters for the first time since Walker was kicked out over the weekend, Eby says he decided the member could no longer be part of the group after a formal investigation by NDP caucus.Eby says he wishes he could share more but rules related to human resources and privacy prevent him going into specifics about the accusations, which are not a criminal matter.The premier says he
punjabi-youth-shot-dead-in-burnaby
BCSep 18, 2023

Punjabi youth shot dead in Burnaby

The RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified the victim of a fatal shooting in Burnaby, B.C., in the hopes of advancing its investigation. Burnaby RCMP say they were called to the North Road and Cameron Street area just after 5 p.m. Saturday for reports of gunshots and arrived to find the body of a man in a parkade. About 15 minutes later, officers were called to a vehicle fire several blocks away in the Bainbridge Avenue and Greenwood Street area. IHIT is now identifying the victim as 29-year old Gagandeep Sandhu of Abbotsford, B.C. They say initial evidence suggests this wa
83-year-old-man-charged-arrested-in-double-murder-case-in-b-c
BCSep 15, 2023

83-year-old man charged & arrested in double murder case in B.C.

Homicide detectives have identified two people found dead in a home in rural Chilliwack, B.C., on Wednesday and say an elderly suspect has been charged.The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 58-year-old John Kavaloff and 67-year-old Valerie Smith were found in the home as officers responded to reports of gunfire.Police say 83-year-old Robert Freeman was nearby and was taken into custody a short time later.Court documents show he made a first appearance before a judge late Thursday and is due to return to provincial court in Chilliwack on Sept. 25.Homicide team spokesman Sgt. Timothy P
b-c-sikh-referendum-will-ask-if-indian-diplomat-was-responsible-for-nijjar-killing
BCSep 15, 2023

B.C. Sikh referendum will ask if Indian diplomat was responsible for Nijjar killing

Organizers of an unofficial worldwide referendum on Punjabi independence have added a question to the ballot in British Columbia asking if India's high commissioner was responsible for the killing of a prominent provincial Sikh leader in June.The group Sikhs for Justice, which has been staging a series of non-binding votes in several countries on the independence issue, says the first stage of balloting in B.C. on Sunday attracted more than 135,000 voters.It says the second stage will be held on Oct. 29 and will add a second question about whether High Commissioner Sanjay Verma was responsible
youth-arrested-for-bear-spray-attack-on-sikh-teen-in-kelowna-b-c-rcmp
BCSep 14, 2023

Youth arrested for bear-spray attack on Sikh teen in Kelowna, B.C.: RCMP

RCMP say they've arrested a youth after a bear-spray attack on a Sikh teenager who was riding a bus in Kelowna, B.C.Corp. Michael Gauthier with Kelowna RCMP says in a statement that video shows the suspect assaulting and spraying the victim during an attack that took place both on and off a B.C. Transit bus on Monday.Gauthier says the suspect remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a bail hearing.In a previous statement, the Kelowna detachment said the 17-year-old Sikh student had been attacked by another teenage male and the motive was unknown.The World Sikh Organi
b-c-bans-drug-use-near-playgrounds-spray-pools-skate-parks
BCSep 14, 2023

B.C. bans drug use near playgrounds, spray pools, skate parks

British Columbia has banned the use of illegal drugs on playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks.The British Columbia government says it has received approval from Health Canada to ban the possession and use of illegal drugs in certain public places where families and children gather.In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction said that the ban will come into effect from September 18.It shall be illegal to possess drugs within 15 meters of a playground, wading pool or skate park.Police will be able to enforce the B.C. Controlled Drugs and Substances Ac
sikh-student-attacked-while-going-home-from-school-in-bc-transit
BCSep 14, 2023

Sikh student attacked while going home from school in BC Transit

A case of assault on a 17-year-old Sikh student has come to light in Kelowna on Monday.The incident occurred when the student was pepper-sprayed while returning home from school on a BC Transit bus.The attack is said to have happened at a bus stop at the intersection of Rutland Road and Robson Road in Okanagan City around 4 p.m.Police said that the student was attacked by another teenager after an argument in the bus.The teenage suspect has been identified.The World Sikh Organization of Canada has issued a statement condemning the attack.The organization said the victim had just arrived in Can

Just In

b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

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
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

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
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

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
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

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