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first-nations-group-wants-to-intervene-in-human-rights-case-against-vancouver-police
BCJun 16, 2021

First Nations group wants to intervene in human rights case against Vancouver police

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs has launched an effort to gain intervener status in a human rights case involving an Indigenous man and his granddaughter over their treatment by Vancouver police while attempting to open a bank account. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, a former judge who represents the union, says the organization wants to have a voice in Maxwell Johnson's case to highlight what it alleges is a history of systemic racism against Indigenous people by Vancouver's police force. Johnson, who is from the Heiltsuk Nation on B.C.'s central coast, says both he and his 12-year-old granddaught
discovery-of-body-in-downtown-nanaimo-being-treated-as-a-homicide
BCJun 16, 2021

Discovery of body in downtown Nanaimo being treated as a homicide

The death of 27 year old Amy Watts, whose body was discovered in downtown Nanaimo, is being treated as a homicide. The deceased was discovered on Thursday June 3, 2021, in a small wooded steep ravine near the intersection of Albert St and Victoria Crescent. The Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit has overall responsibility for the investigation. Police spoke with the family of the deceased last week and informed them on the status of the investigation. Police are fully engaged and are actively pursuing all investigative steps, said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP. To date, no arrests
british-columbia-police-watchdog-clears-terrace-rcmp-officers-of-wrongdoing-in-crash
BCJun 16, 2021

British Columbia police watchdog clears Terrace RCMP officers of wrongdoing in crash

Two RCMP officers have been cleared of wrongdoing related to the fatal crash of an all-terrain vehicle in northwestern B.C. The Independent Investigations Office, which examines all cases of death or serious harm involving police, says its review has determined two officers from the Terrace RCMP detachment did not commit any offences related to the May 23 crash. The officers had attempted to pull over the ATV on a forest service road near Terrace because none of the three riders had helmets. The ATV did not stop and continued about 10 kilometres north before crashing, injuring a woman who ev
b-c-reports-no-new-covid-19-deaths-as-it-begins-second-step-of-reopening-plan
BCJun 16, 2021

B.C. reports no new COVID-19 deaths as it begins second step of reopening plan

British Columbia health officials are reporting 108 new cases of COVID-19 as the province begins step two of its reopening plan. They say in a statement B.C. has 1,496 active cases and 143,299 people have recovered from the infection. There have been no new deaths and the total number of fatalities is 1,734. Officials say more than 76 per cent of eligible adults have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 657,491 have had their second shot. Step two of the reopening plan means indoor seated gatherings with up to 50 people are permitted at venues such as movie theatres and banque
vpd-fears-warm-weather-easing-restrictions-could-cause-spike-in-jewelry-scams
BCJun 16, 2021

VPD fears warm weather, easing restrictions could cause spike in jewelry scams

Vancouver Police are reminding east-side residents to be wary of jewelry scammers, after a Collingwood man was bilked out of thousands of dollars yesterday."With Covid restrictions easing and more people heading outside to enjoy the warm weather, these scammers will prey on people’s good will and naivety," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "We need people to know how they work and to be assertive if they are approached."VPD is investigating two incidents that occurred Monday afternoon in East Vancouver, and suspect there might be links between the cases.A 51-year-old man was walking alone ne
home-sales-fell-7-4-per-cent-in-may-buyers-are-increasingly-frustrated-by-volatile-home-sales-crea
BCJun 15, 2021

Home sales fell 7.4 per cent in May; Buyers are increasingly frustrated by volatile home sales: CREA

The Canadian Real Estate Association says buyers are increasingly frustrated by volatile home sales in this country and an expected decline in transactions could underscore their irritation with hot markets like those in Metro Vancouver. The association says home sales fell 7.4 per cent in May compared with the month earlier, and the month-over-month skid affected about 80 per cent of markets across Canada. But the association also predicts sales will hit a new, overall record by the end of the year, leaping nearly 24 per cent compared with 2020 before slipping about 13 per cent next year. As
BCJun 15, 2021

No tickets handed out as a result of road checks put for restrictions on non-essential travel within B.C.

As COVID-19 restrictions on non-essential travel within BC are lifted today, police road checks established in the first week of May have also come to an end. RCMP Staff Sergeant Janelle Shoihet says more than 14,000 vehicles were stopped at the checkpoints set up along several highways on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between May 6th and last weekend. She says just 26 vehicles were told to turn around by police and another 236 voluntarily turned around at the checks established to prevent people from travelling between three regional zones for non-essential reasons. No tickets were handed
cannabis-dispensary-in-vancouver-has-been-ordered-to-pay-40-000-dollars-to-subway
BCJun 15, 2021

Cannabis dispensary in Vancouver has been ordered to pay 40,000 dollars to Subway

The owner of the Budway cannabis dispensary in Vancouver has been ordered to pay 40,000 dollars to Subway for imitating the sandwich chain's branding. The Federal Court ruled the shop was both benefitting from and damaging Subway's brand by infringing on its trademark logo and using a mascot. Justice Nicholas McHaffie described it as ``a submarine sandwich filled with cannabis leaves.'' The pot shop has been ordered to pay 15,000 dollars in damages and 25,000 dollars to cover Subway's legal fees.
b-c-reports-lowest-daily-rate-since-last-august-277-covid-19-cases-reported-over-the-weekend
BCJun 15, 2021

B.C. reports lowest daily rate since last August; 277 COVID-19 cases reported over the weekend

BC is reporting 68 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest daily rate since last August, as the province prepares to enter the second stage of its restart plan tomorrow. The new cases announced are among 277 diagnosed since Friday for a total of one-thousand-537 active infections, including 136 people who are in hospital. Another four people have died, pushing the death toll in BC to 1,734. Just over 74 per cent of all eligible residents aged 12 and up have now had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine out of more than four million shots administered overall. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provinci

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mexico-rejects-claims-of-separate-u-s-trade-deal-reaffirms-support-for-cusma
BCJul 17, 2026

Mexico rejects claims of separate U.S. trade deal, reaffirms support for CUSMA

Mexico is not seeking a separate bilateral trade agreement with the United States that would exclude Canada, Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Velasco Álvarez said Friday, reaffirming his country's commitment to the trilateral Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Speaking alongside Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand at a joint news conference in Ottawa, Álvarez said Mexico remains committed to maintaining the existing three-country trade pact. He said ongoing bilateral meetings with the United States should not be interpreted as an effort to sideline Canada.
b-c-premier-david-eby-to-push-for-u-s-style-anti-racketeering-law-at-first-ministers-meetings
BCJul 17, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby to push for U.S.-style anti-racketeering law at First Ministers' meetings

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he will urge Canada's premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney to consider introducing federal anti-racketeering legislation similar to the United States' Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in an effort to combat extortion and organized crime. According to Eby, he plans to raise the proposal during next week's Council of the Federation meeting and the First Ministers' Meeting. He said recent arrests in a U.S. law enforcement operation, in which charges were also laid against three British Columbia residents, highlight the need for s
ontario-cabinet-minister-stan-cho-resigns-after-controversy-over-toronto-hotel-expense-claims
BCJul 17, 2026

Ontario cabinet minister Stan Cho resigns after controversy over Toronto hotel expense claims

Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, has resigned from cabinet after facing criticism over thousands of dollars in hotel expenses claimed while living in Toronto. According to reports, Cho claimed $16,203 in taxpayer-funded hotel accommodation expenses over the past three years, despite his home being only a few kilometres from Queen's Park. The expense claims were for stays at downtown Toronto hotels. In a statement, Cho described the claims as a "significant mistake" and confirmed he has repaid the full amount to the provincial government. The Ontario government has n
BCJul 17, 2026

Highway 1 through Fraser Canyon reopens with reduced speed limit as Brunswick Complex wildfire response continues

Highway 1 through British Columbia's Fraser Canyon has reopened to traffic, although wildfire crews continue efforts to contain the Brunswick Complex fires in the area. According to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, the highway reopened Friday morning with single-lane alternating traffic in both directions. A reduced speed limit of 60 km/h remains in effect along a 27-kilometre section near Boston Bar to support emergency operations and improve safety. The Brunswick Complex wildfires have forced hundreds of residents in Boston Bar and nearby communities to leave their homes. Authorities hav
CanadaJul 17, 2026

Brampton man identified as homicide victim after body found in Stoney Creek

Hamilton Police have identified a man whose body was found in a Stoney Creek creek on Wednesday morning as 29-year-old Taranpreet Singh Sidhu of Brampton. Investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide. According to Hamilton Police, Sidhu's body was discovered in a creek near Fruitland Road North and Harbour Drive after a passerby spotted him partially submerged in the water on nearby rocks. Emergency responders attended the scene and confirmed he had died. Detective Sergeant Robert Delaney said Sidhu came to Canada from India in 2022 and had worked as a truck driver whil