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BCMay 13, 2026

B.C. 911 emergency workers begin strike vote over staffing and workload concerns

Workers at British Columbia’s 911 emergency service centres began voting Wednesday on potential strike action, with the union citing staffing shortages, rising call volumes and increasing workplace pressure. The union representing E-Comm employees said staff are already facing significant mental strain as members respond to more than two million emergency calls each year. The union said the work is stressful even under normal conditions, but current staffing levels have added to the pressure on employees. A key issue in the dispute involves mandatory overtime tied to the upcoming FIFA World
two-surrey-men-charged-following-alleged-shooting-linked-to-extortion-investigation
BCMay 13, 2026

Two Surrey Men Charged Following Alleged Shooting Linked to Extortion Investigation

Two Surrey men are facing firearm-related charges following an investigation into an alleged shooting at a Surrey residence connected to reported extortion threats, according to Surrey Police Service. Police said frontline officers responded to reports of shots fired at about 12:40 a.m. on April 22 in the 13400 block of 87A Avenue. Investigators confirmed damage to a home and a vehicle. The residence was occupied at the time, but no injuries were reported.According to Surrey Police Service, the file was transferred to the department’s Extortion Response Team, which identified a suspect vehic
surrey-man-charged-with-multiple-firearm-offences-after-traffic-stop-in-city-centre
BCMay 13, 2026

Surrey man charged with multiple firearm offences after traffic stop in City Centre

A 24-year-old Surrey man is facing several firearm-related charges following a vehicle stop by Surrey Police Service officers in the City Centre area Sunday evening. According to Surrey Police Service, officers with the Crime Reduction Unit stopped a vehicle near 146 Street and 108 Avenue at about 7:45 p.m. on May 11 for a traffic-related infraction. During the investigation, police allege one of the occupants was found in possession of a firearm. Police said Gurwinder Singh has been charged with seven Criminal Code offences, including possession of a loaded restricted or prohibited firearm, c
b-c-nurses-vote-overwhelmingly-in-favour-of-strike-action
BCMay 12, 2026

B.C. nurses vote overwhelmingly in favour of strike action

Members of the British Columbia Nurses Union have voted 98.2 per cent in favour of strike action as contract negotiations with the province remain stalled. The union said more than 50,000 of its roughly 55,000 members participated in the vote after bargaining talks reached an impasse in April. Key issues in negotiations include wages, benefits and ongoing staffing shortages across the health-care system. The BCNU has not announced a strike date. Any potential job action would follow further negotiations and could involve mediation or additional bargaining steps under provincial labour rules. T
oakridge-park-mall-in-vancouver-to-open-may-28-as-major-redevelopment-project-advances
BCMay 12, 2026

Oakridge Park mall in Vancouver to open May 28 as major redevelopment project advances

Oakridge Park, the retail and residential redevelopment under construction in Vancouver, is scheduled to open its shopping mall component on May 28, developers QuadReal Property Group and Westbank announced. The project, located at the former Oakridge Centre site, is part of a broader redevelopment expected to total about five million square feet by its planned completion in 2029. Developers have previously estimated the full project cost at approximately $6.5 billion. According to project details released by QuadReal and Westbank, the first phase opening later this month will include about 2.
telus-ottawa-announce-ai-data-centre-expansion-in-b-c-to-strengthen-canadian-computing-capacity
BCMay 11, 2026

Telus, Ottawa announce AI data centre expansion in B.C. to strengthen Canadian computing capacity

The federal government and Telus announced plans Monday for a multi-site artificial intelligence data infrastructure project in British Columbia that officials say is intended to expand Canada’s domestic computing capacity and support what they described as “sovereign” AI infrastructure. Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon joined Telus representatives in Vancouver to outline the project, which includes an expansion of Telus’ existing data centre in Kamloops and two new facilities planned for Vancouver – one in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood and another in the downtown core. According
bc-conservatives-criticize-ndp-government-following-two-surrey-shooting-incidents
BCMay 11, 2026

BC Conservatives criticize NDP government following two Surrey shooting incidents

The BC Conservative Party is criticizing the provincial NDP government following two separate shooting incidents in Surrey that left two people dead and two others injured. BC Conservative representative Harman Bhangu questioned the province’s approach to public safety, saying shootings, gang violence and homicides are increasingly affecting residential neighbourhoods. Bhangu said residents are frustrated by repeated political statements following violent incidents and are demanding stronger action to address public safety concerns. Surrey–Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko also called on the p
motorcyclist-seriously-injured-in-delta-crash-that-left-bike-suspended-from-traffic-light
BCMay 11, 2026

Motorcyclist seriously injured in Delta crash that left bike suspended from traffic light

A motorcyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash in Delta on Saturday that left the motorcycle hanging from a traffic light, according to Delta police. Delta Police said officers responded to the 7100 block of Scott Road shortly before 3 p.m. following reports of a collision involving a motorcycle and another vehicle. Police said the motorcyclist suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.According to a Delta Police news release, speed is believed to have been a contributing factor in the crash. Investigators hav
illegal-gambling-investigation-in-metro-vancouver-leads-to-11-arrests
BCMay 08, 2026

Illegal gambling investigation in Metro Vancouver leads to 11 arrests

Police in British Columbia say 11 people have been arrested following an investigation into an alleged illegal gambling operation in Metro Vancouver. According to investigators, the probe began in November 2025 after police received information about a suspected gaming house operating in Maple Ridge. Officers executed search warrants on April 29 at locations in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Surrey. Police said investigators seized gambling equipment, more than $34,000 in cash, and a shotgun fitted with a suppressor during the searches. Authorities have not released details about the identities of

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lake-america-in-the-u-s-lake-ontario-in-canada-google-maps-name-change-sparks-controversy
CanadaAug 31, 2026

‘Lake America’ in the U.S., ‘Lake Ontario’ in Canada: Google Maps Name Change Sparks Controversy

Amid the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States, Google has renamed Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for users in the U.S. The move comes after U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the lake’s name to be changed in U.S. government databases. Google has clarified that it updates its maps in accordance with government directives. As a result, users located in the United States will now see the body of water listed as Lake America, while it will continue to appear as Lake Ontario for users in Canada. In other parts of the world, Google Maps will
abbotsford-mission-byelection-set-for-sept-26-as-parties-name-candidates
BCAug 31, 2026

Abbotsford-Mission byelection set for Sept. 26 as parties name candidates

B.C. Premier David Eby has called a byelection in the Abbotsford-Mission riding for Sept. 26, following the resignation of B.C. Conservative MLA Reine Gasper. Gasper recently stepped down from the legislature to run for the leadership of the B.C. Conservative Party, whose leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay does not currently hold a seat in the legislature. The governing B.C. NDP has nominated former agriculture minister Pam Alexis. Alexis lost to Gasper in the previous election by roughly 3,000 votes. Centre BC has also entered the race, naming Lakhwinder Jhajj as its candidate. Jhajj said the campaig
AlbertaAug 28, 2026

RCMP Seek Public’s Help to Identify Suspect in Attempted Abduction of 9-Year-Old Girl

Lloydminster RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a person of interest in connection with the attempted abduction of a nine-year-old girl. Police received a report of the incident on August 14 and immediately launched an investigation. No further details about the circumstances have been released. As part of the investigation, RCMP investigators worked with a forensic sketch artist to create a composite sketch of the person believed to be involved. Police say the suspect’s age is unknown and describe the individual as having short hair, a nose ring and a moustache. An
dripa-repeal-petition-approved-as-harman-bhangu-takes-aim-at-eby-government
BCAug 28, 2026

DRIPA Repeal Petition Approved as Harman Bhangu Takes Aim at Eby Government

B.C. Opposition MLA Harman Bhangu has criticized Premier David Eby and the NDP government after the Elections Department approved the launch of a petition seeking to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Bhangu welcomed the approval, accusing the Eby government of failing to take action on what he described as a controversial law. He said British Columbians now have a direct opportunity to push for the repeal of the legislation, which he claims has raised significant concerns about jobs, land rights and the province’s future. Bhangu said the B.C. Conservativ
BCAug 28, 2026

Amid U.S. Trade War, B.C. Takes Major Steps to Remove Internal Trade Barriers

The B.C. government says provinces and territories have reached agreements on several measures aimed at removing internal trade barriers across Canada amid ongoing trade uncertainty with the United States. Jobs and Economic Development Minister Adrian Dix said the federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for internal trade met Thursday and approved key changes to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Under the changes, a 30-day service standard will be introduced for labour mobility applications across Canada. Ministers also agreed to approve free trade in services nationwide by