The number of people looking for work across Canada climbed by half a percentage point last month to 5.4 per cent, but the jobless rate in BC barely budged. Statistics Canada says unemployment in this province was 4.8 per cent in August, up one tenth of a point from July, and the second lowest rate in the country after Quebec. StatsCan blames the hike in the national jobless numbers on losses in the education services and construction sectors, although it says those declines were offset by more jobs in professional, scientific and technical services. Unemployment in Vancouver and Kelowna was

A book of condolence in memory of Queen Elizabeth is now available in BC and mourners can choose to sign in person or online. Physical books of condolence are available in the Hall of Honour at the BC legislature, at Government House in Victoria, or in the Great Hall at the law courts in downtown Vancouver. The online book can be found via the home page of the BC government website. The books will be available until the day after the Queen's funeral which is expected within the next two weeks.

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver is stepping down as leader of the Liberal party in Yukon, but says he will stay on as a member of the legislature until the next election, expected in 2025. In an unexpected announcement, Silver has asked the party to start the proceedings for a leadership vote. He says he will remain as premier of the territory until his successor is chosen. He has served in the legislature for 11 years and led the Liberals for a decade, including the last six years as premier.

A Vancouver man has been charged in connection with a single-vehicle collision in which two students were struck and killed near the University of British Columbia. On September, 26, 2021, two UBC students were killed while walking on a sidewalk near North West Marine Drive at approximately 1:46 a.m.The University and Richmond RCMP worked tirelessly on this investigation for nearly one full year to get to this point of charge approval, says University RCMP Detachment Commander Staff-Sergeant Chuck Lan.Our partners with the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS), Integ

Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for BC's north coast and Haida Gwaii with the first major winds of the season set to arrive tomorrow. The weather office says winds could gust up to 100 kilometres per hour along exposed coastal areas, with the strongest southeasterly winds expected to hit the eastern side of Haida Gwaii but affecting the coast of the mainland as well. It says the winds should subside around midnight on Saturday. On the south coast, heat warnings remain in effect but temperatures are expected to cool over the weekend.

Surrey RCMP is advising the public that a 28-year-old man involved in gang and organized crime-related violence was arrested and remains in custody. On August 31, 2022, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Shakiel Singh Basra and an associate were arrested by Surrey RCMP with assistance from the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team in Richmond, BC. Shakiel Singh Basra was one of 11 individuals named in a public warning issued by Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) and policing partners on August 3, 2022, due to the significant risk they pose to public safety. Sh

A former coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian national youth soccer teams is expected to make a public apology today in court for sex crimes. Bob Birarda pleaded guilty in February to three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual touching for offences involving four soccer players who were under 18 at the time of the incidents between 1988 and 2008. His lawyer Bill Smart told a sentencing hearing in provincial court in North Vancouver that the former coach, who was dismissed by both the Whitecaps and Canada Soccer in 2008, will make a statement today. Smart is arguing Birard

Surrey RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance with locating Tevain Lloyd who is wanted on a Canada wide warrant.On April 19, 2022, Surrey RCMP issued a media release requesting the public’s assistance with locating Tevain Lloyd who was wanted on a Canada Wide warrant in relation to a shooting (media release 2022-04-19) . Later the same day Tevain Lloyd was located in Vancouver, arrested and held in custody.On April 27, 2022, Tevain Lloyd was released on conditions by the courts. He was due to appear in court on August 4, 2022, and failed to appear; therefore, a warrant was issued for h

Surrey RCMP is currently on scene following an assault that has left one man deceased. On August 31, 2022 at 1:50 p.m., Surrey RCMP responded to 14100-block of 61 Avenue after a report of an altercation between two men. Upon police attendance, an adult male was located in medical distress. Despite all attempts by first responders to save the man’s life, he succumbed to his injuries on scene. A suspect was taken into custody by police. The area surrounding the scene will be cordoned off for a significant amount of time. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has been called and wil