4.11°C Vancouver

News

b-c-reports-7-new-covid-19-deaths-hospitalizations-continue-to-decrease
BCMar 18, 2022

B.C. reports 7 new COVID-19 deaths; Hospitalizations continue to decrease

B.C. is reporting 240 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 353,379 cases in the province.There are 298 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 49 are in intensive care.In the past 24 hours, seven new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,960.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: threeVancouver Coastal Health: oneNorthern Health: twoIsland Health: oneThere have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. The outbreak at Greenwoods (Island Health) has been declared over, for a total of eight facilities with ongoing outbreaks. From March 9-15, people not fully vaccinated accoun
vpd-searches-for-man-wanted-canada-wide
BCMar 17, 2022

VPD searches for man wanted Canada-wide

Vancouver Police are asking for the public’s help to find a 40-year-old man who violated his long term supervision order, and is now wanted Canada-wide. Marcel Lawson was ordered by the courts to remain at a hospital while receiving medical treatment, but failed to do so. He has a history of committing serious sexual offences and he is at risk to re-offend.Lawson is Indigenous, five feet eight inches tall, and weighs about 230 pounds. He has short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black sweater with a white Under Armour logo on the chest, was carrying a black backpack, an
rcmp-investigating-homicide-in-lillooet-b-c
BCMar 17, 2022

RCMP investigating homicide in Lillooet, B.C.

RCMP are investigating a homicide in Lillooet. Police say paramedics found a seriously injured man on a street in the community on Tuesday night. He was taken to hospital but did not survive. Investigators are not releasing the victim's name and say the attack appears isolated and they don't believe anyone else is at risk.
b-c-government-says-transition-of-youth-from-care-among-roots-of-homelessness
BCMar 17, 2022

B.C. government says transition of youth from care among roots of homelessness

The British Columbia government is expanding supports for former youth in care as part of a cross-government approach to target the root causes of homelessness.Several cabinet ministers gathered for a news conference to share details of $633 million first announced in Budget 2022 for supports over three years for people experiencing homelessness.Mitzi Dean, minister of children and family development, says $35 million over three years will help former youth in care, almost half of whom experience homelessness at some point in their lives.It will help cover an unconditional one-year income supp
charges-approved-after-women-allegedly-sexually-assaulted-during-treatments-at-burnaby-skincare-clinic
BCMar 17, 2022

Charges approved after women allegedly sexually assaulted during treatments at Burnaby skincare clinic

A Burnaby RCMP investigation has resulted in two charges against an employee at a Burnaby skincare business, and police are urging any others with information to come forward.An investigation was launched in 2019 after a victim reported to police that she was sexually assaulted during treatment at a business operating as Fab Skin Care at 5481 Kingsway in Burnaby.In 2021, a second victim who underwent treatment by the same practitioner at the clinic also came forward to police, allowing Burnaby RCMP’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offence Unit (CASO) to gather additional evidence.On March 14, 2022 4
eight-more-covid-19-deaths-reported-one-more-health-facility-outbreak-in-b-c
BCMar 17, 2022

Eight more COVID-19 deaths reported, one more health facility outbreak in B.C.

British Columbia is reporting another eight deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 2,953.Hospitalization numbers continue to drop in the province, with 329 people in hospital Wednesday compared with 345 a day earlier while 51 people are in intensive care.Surrey Memorial Hospital is reporting a new outbreak.There are nine facilities with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks, most of them in long-term care homes.Nearly 91 per cent of eligible people aged 12 and up have had their second vaccine and 56.8 per cent of those have had a third dose.Since December 2020, almost 11.5 million doses of va
three-people-charged-for-keeping-an-illegal-gaming-house-in-vancouver
BCMar 17, 2022

Three People Charged for Keeping an illegal gaming house in Vancouver

Three people have now been charged after The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC’s) Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team (JIGIT) conducted an investigation into an illegal gaming house.In October 2020, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) responded to a residence in the 200 block of W. 45th Ave, after receiving a 911 call. When VPD officers arrived, evidence of an alleged illegal gaming house was observed.CFSEU-BC’s JIGIT was immediately engaged and began an investigation into the alleged illegal gaming house activity and executed several search w
b-c-provincial-data-shows-23-000-people-experienced-homelessness-in-2019
BCMar 17, 2022

B.C. provincial data shows 23,000 people experienced homelessness in 2019

British Columbia's housing minister says a new method for collecting data on homelessness is the first of its kind in Canada and will help the province tackle the issue. David Eby says the government used anonymized data from multiple ministry databases to paint a picture of homelessness across B.C. in 2019 that found trends like high per capita rates in northern rural communities and among men. The report shows that just over half of people experienced homelessness temporarily rather than on a chronic basis. Eby says the province previously relied on data from point-in-time counts in 25 comm
one-person-injured-in-targeted-shooting
BCMar 16, 2022

One person injured in targeted shooting

On March 16, 2022, at 3:17 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to the report of shots fired at a residence in the 11200-block of Lansdowne Drive. Police attended and located evidence consistent with a shooting. A 17-year-old youth who is known to police suffered non-life threatening injuries. They were transported to hospital and have since been released. The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has taken conduct of the investigation. The investigation is in the early stages, but all indications are that it was targeted. The shooting does not appear to be linked to the Lower Mainland gang conflict."

Just In

taxpayers-group-urges-b-c-to-suspend-fuel-tax-amid-high-gas-prices
BCMar 25, 2026

Taxpayers group urges B.C. to suspend fuel tax amid high gas prices

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Government of British Columbia to suspend its provincial motor fuels tax, arguing the move would reduce costs for drivers as gasoline prices remain elevated. In a statement, the group said drivers in regions including Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District are paying more than $2 per litre for fuel, while prices in other parts of the province are մոտ $1.80 per litre. “B.C. drivers pay the highest gas prices in the country because of the highest gas taxes from the province and regional districts,” said Carson Binda. He added
WorldMar 25, 2026

South Africa arrests 12 senior police officers in corruption probe tied to service contract

South African anti-corruption investigators have arrested 12 senior police officers on allegations of corruption and fraud, according to a statement released Wednesday by the National Prosecuting Authority’s investigative directorate. The officers appeared in court in Pretoria following their arrests. Authorities allege the case is linked to a contract involving the provision of health and wellbeing services to police personnel. A 13th individual, identified as a company director connected to the contract, was also taken into custody, the agency said. According to the prosecuting authority,
three-arrested-in-abbotsford-drug-trafficking-investigation-police-seize-cocaine-and-cash
BCMar 25, 2026

Three arrested in Abbotsford drug trafficking investigation; police seize cocaine and cash

Three people in their twenties were arrested Monday night in Abbotsford in connection with a suspected drug trafficking investigation, according to a police release. The Abbotsford Police Department said patrol officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. and located two men and one woman near the area of Gillis Avenue and McCallum Road. Police allege the individuals, who do not reside in Abbotsford, had come into the community to sell drugs. Officers seized approximately 73 grams of suspected cocaine and more than $4,500 in cash during the arrest. A 2014 Honda Civic was also seized as offence-rela
WorldMar 25, 2026

Australia to temporarily restrict Iranian tourist visa entries over overstay concerns

Australia’s federal government says it will temporarily bar Iranian nationals from entering the country on tourist visas, citing concerns about visa overstays. According to a government announcement, the measure takes effect Thursday and is expected to remain in place for about six months. Home Affairs officials say the restriction applies specifically to new arrivals on short-term visitor visas. The federal home affairs minister said the decision was made due to concerns that some travellers may remain in Australia after their visas expire. Authorities estimate about 7,000 Iranian nationals
AlbertaMar 25, 2026

Wetaskiwin residents raise concerns as mayor remains barred from city hall

Residents in Wetaskiwin, a city south of Edmonton, say frustration is growing over a lack of information surrounding restrictions placed on Mayor Joe Branco that have kept him out of city hall for more than two months. Branco has been attending council meetings virtually since mid-January. The city has said the decision relates to “confidential personnel matters,” but has not provided further details, citing privacy obligations. According to statements made during recent council discussions, the lack of public information has contributed to speculation in the community. Resident Maggie Tol