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BCJun 18, 2026

Surrey Police Board media policy sparks controversy after first meeting under new chair

A policy approved during the first Surrey Police Board meeting chaired by Parm Jawanda on Wednesday is drawing criticism from the Surrey Police Union and local politicians, who argue it could limit public communication by the city's police chief. Under the resolution, the Surrey Police Service chief may speak publicly only on operational policing matters. The policy restricts the chief from commenting on administrative or governance issues involving the police board, Surrey City Hall, or the provincial government. Critics have described the measure as a "gag order," raising concerns about tran
burnaby-rcmp-seek-publics-help-identifying-suspect-in-alleged-road-rage-knife-incident
BCJun 17, 2026

Burnaby RCMP seek public’s help identifying suspect in alleged road rage knife incident

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man accused of threatening another driver with a knife during an alleged road rage incident earlier this year. According to a Burnaby RCMP news release, frontline officers responded on April 19, 2026, after a driver reported being verbally threatened by another motorist on Boundary Road near Grandview Highway. Police said the suspect allegedly displayed a knife and made threatening gestures during the encounter. Investigators say the victim was able to obtain limited photographs of the suspect before he left the area. Two p
man-charged-after-alleged-attempted-child-abduction-in-surrey
BCJun 17, 2026

Man charged after alleged attempted child abduction in Surrey

A 22-year-old man has been charged following an alleged attempted child abduction in Surrey that police say was interrupted by witnesses. According to Surrey police, officers were called to the 8100 block of 136A Street at about 6:40 p.m. Saturday after reports that a stranger approached a child who was playing in a residential driveway. Witnesses told investigators the man allegedly picked up the child before bystanders intervened. Police said the suspect then released the child and left the area. A person matching the suspect's description was detained by members of the public nearby and lat
BCJun 17, 2026

Parm Jawanda assumes chair of Surrey Police Board

Parm Jawanda has assumed the role of chair of the Surrey Police Board, with the board announcing the launch of a comprehensive financial review of the Surrey Police Service (SPS). According to the board, an independent accounting firm will be retained to conduct the review. The process is intended to assess the service's financial position, resource requirements and long-term budget planning needs. In a statement, Jawanda said the review will help identify areas where Surrey Police Service may require additional resources and provide a clearer picture of its operational and financial needs. Sh
langley-rcmp-link-shooting-at-home-to-extortion-investigation
BCJun 17, 2026

Langley RCMP link shooting at home to extortion investigation

Langley RCMP say a shooting at a residential property last week has now been identified as an extortion-related incident following several days of investigation. Police said officers responded to a report of shots fired at a home in the 21500 block of 45A Avenue shortly after 12:40 a.m. on Friday. According to Langley RCMP, investigators initially had no information indicating the incident was connected to extortion. Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said new evidence gathered during the investigation has since clarified the motive. Police now believe the property was deliberately targeted as part of an exto
suv-seized-after-driver-allegedly-tried-to-bypass-police-road-closure-in-abbotsford
BCJun 16, 2026

SUV Seized After Driver Allegedly Tried to Bypass Police Road Closure in Abbotsford

A woman in Abbotsford is facing potential criminal charges after allegedly attempting to drive through a police road closure during a collision investigation, according to Abbotsford Police. Police said officers had closed a section of Whatcom Road on Saturday evening while investigating a motorcycle crash. During the road closure, a woman driving an SUV reportedly insisted on passing through the restricted area despite directions from officers. According to police, the driver mounted a sidewalk in an attempt to bypass a police vehicle. An officer narrowly avoided being pinned between the SUV
iio-investigating-death-of-man-in-vancouver-police-custody
BCJun 16, 2026

IIO investigating death of man in Vancouver police custody

British Columbia's Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has launched an investigation following the death of a man while in Vancouver Police Department custody. According to the police watchdog, the man was arrested by Vancouver police officers at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday and lodged in the Vancouver Police Department jail on Cordova Street. Jail staff found him unresponsive at about 8 a.m. Monday. BC Emergency Health Services personnel attended the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead. The IIO said its initial investigation will focus on determining w
b-c-considers-new-hydroelectric-project-on-peace-river-as-electricity-demand-projected-to-rise
BCJun 16, 2026

B.C. considers new hydroelectric project on Peace River as electricity demand projected to rise

The British Columbia government is considering a new hydroelectric project in the province as electricity demand is expected to increase significantly over the coming decades. According to BC Hydro projections, electricity demand in the province could rise by about 20 per cent by 2030 and roughly 50 per cent by 2050. The utility says the trend reflects long-term growth in population and electrification across the province. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said while presenting the plan that rising electricity demand is a positive indicator for the province’s economic outlook, adding it reflects on
high-risk-driving-enforcement-in-burnaby-puts-the-brakes-on-170-drivers
BCJun 15, 2026

High Risk Driving enforcement in Burnaby puts the brakes on 170 drivers

Burnaby Traffic Services caught up with 170 drivers over the month of May who were found to be speeding excessively, as part of a high-risk driving enforcement campaign. Enforcement was carried out at various locations and times of day. The drivers were all travelling over 40 kilometres above the posted speed limit, and had their vehicles impounded for seven days. They also received a $368 violation ticket. In one incident, a 19-year-old new driver was travelling at 146 kilometres an hour in a 50-kilometre zone. “When our officer indicated the driver needed to pull over, the vehicle was trav

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CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre