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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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one-charged-second-suspect-sought-in-granville-street-face-slashing
BCSep 23, 2026

One Charged, Second Suspect Sought in Granville Street Face-Slashing

Crown Counsel has approved charges after a 19-year-old man was allegedly slashed in the face with a blade during an early-morning robbery on Vancouver’s Granville Street last month. Vancouver Police are also asking the public to help identify a second suspect. The incident happened around 3:20 a.m. on August 8 in the 900-block of Granville Street. Police say two men approached the victim and his friends, removed a chain necklace from the victim’s neck and slashed him. The victim suffered a five-inch cut stretching from the tip of his nose, beneath his eye and ending near his eyebrow. On Se
canadas-population-growth-hits-slowest-pace-since-wwii
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Canada’s Population Growth Hits Slowest Pace Since WWII

Canada’s population grew by 0.5 per cent between July 2025 and July 2026, marking the slowest annual growth rate recorded since the end of the Second World War. According to Statistics Canada, the pace of population growth was even lower than during the period when border restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 1, 2026, Canada’s population was estimated at 41.8 million. The report says the slowdown was mainly driven by federal government measures and policy changes aimed at limiting the number of temporary residents. Statistics Canada said Ontario, Quebec and B
b-c-election-advance-voting-set-for-october-16-21
BCSep 23, 2026

B.C. Election: Advance Voting Set for October 16–21

Election activity is intensifying in British Columbia, with Elections B.C. announcing that advance voting will be held from October 16 to 21. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the advance voting period. Political parties and independent candidates will have until October 3 to enter the race and complete their registration. The 2024 provincial election cost approximately $91 million to conduct. For this election, Elections B.C. has initially requested a budget of $50 million, although the final cost will only be known after the voting process is completed. V
b-c-election-date-raises-concerns-over-voter-fatigue-and-confusion
BCSep 23, 2026

B.C. Election Date Raises Concerns Over Voter Fatigue and Confusion

Concerns are being raised about voter fatigue and confusion in B.C. after Premier David Eby announced that provincial elections will be held on October 24. The election will take place just one week after the already scheduled municipal elections, leaving voters with limited time to learn about candidates and make informed decisions. Several leaders, including Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cori Ramsay and Surrey Connect mayoral candidate Brenda Locke, have expressed concerns that overlapping advance-voting dates could confuse voters and potentially affect voter turnout. However, some
serious-crash-on-highway-1-in-burnaby-one-person-critically-injured
BCSep 23, 2026

Serious Crash on Highway 1 in Burnaby, One Person Critically Injured

A serious crash was reported on Highway 1 in Burnaby late at night. According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, they received a call about the incident at around 12:30 a.m. and transported one person to hospital in serious and critical condition. Due to the severity of the collision, Burnaby RCMP closed Highway 1 between Kensington Avenue and Sprott Street. Corporal Mike Kalanj said it was a very serious collision and that the section of Highway 1 could remain closed until this afternoon as the investigation continues. Details about the vehicles involved have not yet been released, and the id