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BCSep 14, 2021

B.C. not effectively overseeing safety of dams: Auditor General

British Columbia's auditor general says the provincial government has not effectively overseen the safety of the 1,900 dams it regulates. In a news release, Michael Pickup says the Ministry of Forests, Land, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has not adequately verified or enforced dam owners' compliance with key safety requirements. The report says that while the owners of the dams are responsible for their safety, the ministry has a mandate to see that they comply with provincial regulations. It also says the ministry had gaps in its records, which resulted in it being unawar
the-search-for-naomi-onotera-continues
BCSep 14, 2021

The search for Naomi Onotera continues

Serious crimes investigators in Langley hope sharp-eyed witnesses can help them uncover more clues about the disappearance of 40 year old Naomi Onotera. She was last seen August 28th near her Langley home and police confirm she left without her car, but they are now appealing for information about the movements of her white 2018 Subaru Crosstrek any time after August 25th. The vehicle is distinctive because of a Greater Vancouver Zoo sticker on the passenger-side front window. In the meantime, RCMP say they continue to follow up on tips that could lead them to the married Kindergarten teacher
BCSep 14, 2021

Crowd of about 400 gathered to protest against vaccinations and vaccine passports outside Vancouver city hall

Police estimated a crowd of about 400 gathered to protest against vaccinations and vaccine passports outside Vancouver city hall yesterday as similar demonstrations were held across the country. Some protesters carried signs that read ``My body, my choice.'' Police in Victoria say a man was arrested for assault during a protest at the BC legislature after a person was doused with hot liquid. Police say no charges have been laid in the incident, which remains under investigation.
b-c-reports-1-984-covid-19-cases-and-9-deaths
BCSep 14, 2021

B.C. reports 1,984 COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths

Over a 3 day period, B.C. is reporting 1,984 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 175,142 cases in the province. Sept. 10-11: 823 new casesSept. 11-12: 641 new casesSept. 12-13: 520 new casesNote: The numbers of total and new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh and will be verified once confirmed.There are 5,825 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 167,078 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 278 individuals are in hospital and 139 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 72 hours, nine
BCSep 14, 2021

B.C. introducing COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all health-care workers

All health-care workers and volunteers will soon have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in British Columbia as the provincial government expands its immunization program. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says additional pandemic measures are needed to fight the spread of COVID-19. She says the vaccine mandate will take effect Oct. 26 and it will be a condition of employment for all workers, physicians, contractors and volunteers in health facilities. It also applies to people who work in home and community care locations, including client homes. The province is also giving third vacc
vancouver-police-stretched-thin-during-violent-weekend
BCSep 13, 2021

Vancouver Police stretched thin during violent weekend

Vancouver Police were kept busy during the weekend, with a series of shootings, stabbings, and other major crimes that sent several people to hospital with serious injuries."Our front-line officers and specially-trained detectives have been going full tilt since Friday in an effort to stem the violence and make headway on these cases," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "Dozens of police officers have been assigned to these investigations. We’re doing everything we can to solve them and to prevent more violence."More than 30 officers were already investigating the case of a 76-year-old woman
BCSep 13, 2021

Date set for inquest into death of Peter John De Groot

The BC Coroners Service has announced new dates for an inquest examining the death of Peter de Groot, who was fatally shot by police at a cabin in southeastern BC in October 2014. The inquest will begin September 27th in Nelson after being cancelled in May of last year due to the pandemic. The 45 year old was shot at a cabin in Slocan four days after he disappeared into the bush following a confrontation with officers. A report released by the Independent Investigation Office in 2018 ruled police were justified in shooting de Groot when they believed he raised a rifle as a Mountie opened a ca
BCSep 13, 2021

B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card system takes effect, one dose required in many settings

British Columbia's COVID-19 vaccine card system is now in effect as the province aims to curtail cases and hospitalizations in the fourth wave of the pandemic.Anyone who wants to access a range of non-essential indoor settings must show proof of at least one dose of vaccine, with a second shot required by Oct. 24. The digital or paper vaccine card is required at settings such as ticketed sports events, concerts, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos, gyms and movie theatres. The card will not be required at grocery and liquor stores, pharmacies, fast food restaurants, salons, hotels, banks, r
rcmp-name-homicide-victim-found-critically-hurt-on-penticton-school-playing-field
BCSep 13, 2021

RCMP name homicide victim found critically hurt on Penticton school playing field

The RCMP say the death of a man who was found critically injured on a school playing field in Penticton, B.C., is now being treated as a homicide. Police have identified 22 year old Taig Savage as the man who was found at Penticton Secondary School on Sept. 5. A statement from the police says Savage's name and photo are being released in the hope someone will come forward with information. Savage died in hospital shortly after a passerby reported seeing him unresponsive early last Sunday morning. The RCMP have not said how Savage died. He was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and grey pants, a

Just In

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