22.78°C Vancouver

News

BCAug 11, 2026

B.C. Wildfire Official Warns of Arson Risk as Major Fires Intensify

British Columbia Wildfire Service Director Cliff Chapman has raised concerns over the current wildfire situation in the province and warned about the risk of deliberately set fires. Speaking at a press conference alongside Forests Minister Ravi Parmar and Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene, Chapman said the wildfire service is working closely with the RCMP to investigate any suspicious fires. The department has also partnered with Crime Stoppers to help identify those responsible for deliberately starting fires. Chapman said four major wildfires currently burning across B.C., including
b-c-man-charged-after-police-find-more-than-14-000-child-exploitation-images-and-videos
BCAug 11, 2026

B.C. Man Charged After Police Find More Than 14,000 Child Exploitation Images and Videos

A 37-year-old man has been charged following a police investigation in Surrey, B.C., that uncovered more than 14,000 images and videos related to child sexual exploitation. According to police, the investigation began in May 2025 after they received reports that a suspect was possessing and accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material online. A search warrant was executed at a Surrey residence in August 2025, where investigators discovered thousands of images and videos. Police say the evidence led to charges against Wade Bruce Craig for processing and accessing child sexual exploita
68-year-old-woman-dies-after-being-struck-by-vehicle-in-north-burnaby
BCAug 11, 2026

68-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle in North Burnaby

A 68-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle in North Burnaby. According to Burnaby RCMP, the incident happened at around 6:30 p.m. Monday in the area of Pender Street and McDonald Avenue. Police said the Burnaby woman suffered serious injuries in the collision. She received medical attention at the scene and was rushed to hospital, where she later died due to the severity of her injuries. The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. Burnaby RCMP is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. Investig
BCAug 11, 2026

Punjabi Truck Driver Allegedly Targeted in Racist Attack at Edmonton Walmart

A Punjabi truck driver from B.C. was allegedly assaulted in what is being described as a racially motivated attack at a Walmart store in Edmonton. The Edmonton Police Service’s Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the incident. The incident took place on August 6 at the Walmart on Tamarack Way in southeast Edmonton. Talwinder Singh Atwal says he had stopped at the store while working when a young man and a woman allegedly began making racist remarks toward him. Atwal says he initially ignored the comments, but after being repeatedly harassed, he asked them why they were behaving that way. He al
BCAug 11, 2026

Surrey Municipal Election 2026: Candidate Nominations Open September 1

The official nomination period for candidates running in Surrey’s 2026 municipal election has been set for September 1 to 11, with prospective candidates beginning preparations for their campaigns. Voting will take place on October 17, while advance voting will be available from October 7 to 15. Surrey voters will elect a total of 15 representatives, including one mayor, eight city councillors and six school trustees. According to city staff estimates, the election is expected to cost taxpayers approximately $3.448 million. The city has also introduced strict rules governing campaign signs.
rcmp-investigating-cause-of-bald-range-wildfire-near-summerland
BCAug 11, 2026

RCMP investigating cause of Bald Range wildfire near Summerland

RCMP have launched an investigation into the cause of the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C. The Penticton South Okanagan RCMP say the fire may have been sparked by suspicious activity and investigators are looking into the circumstances. Police are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity on the afternoon of Aug. 7 near Princeton-Summerland Road, Bathville Road or Crump Recreation Site to come forward. Investigators are also asking anyone with dashcam or cellphone photos or video from the area to contact police. Police are warning the public not to spread unverified informat
BCAug 10, 2026

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the
BCAug 10, 2026

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Drivers in Delta should expect overnight closures on Highway 99 as crews install new bridge girders for the 78th Street overpass. The closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, and Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work will begin with lane restrictions before the highway is fully closed in each direction. Southbound lane closures are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with a full southbound closure at 8 p.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a full northbound closure at 9 p.m. The closures will affect Highway 99 between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges. The highway is expected
BCAug 10, 2026

Canadian Armed Forces on standby as B.C. wildfires displace thousands in Okanagan

The Canadian Armed Forces have been placed on standby to assist communities affected by wildfires in British Columbia, as thousands of residents in the Okanagan region have been forced from their homes. Defence Minister David McGuinty said military assistance will be deployed once the B.C. government makes a formal request for troops to operate on the ground. McGuinty said the provincial government submitted a formal request over the weekend through Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. Federal assistance has since been approved to help provide accommodation and temporary shelter fo

Just In

b-c-conservative-leader-attacks-eby-government-over-forestry-decline
BCAug 18, 2026

B.C. Conservative Leader Attacks Eby Government Over Forestry Decline

B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad has accused Premier David Eby of blaming U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs for the province’s forestry-sector decline in an attempt to hide his government’s own failures. In a statement Tuesday, Rustad said U.S. tariffs are harmful and should be strongly opposed. However, he said forestry production in B.C.’s Interior began declining as early as 2016, long before Trump returned to office, and has now fallen by about 50 per cent. According to Rustad, poor provincial policies, permit processes that can take two to three years, and uncertaint
trumps-presidency-delays-quebec-sovereignty-referendum-says-parti-québécois
CanadaAug 18, 2026

Trump’s Presidency Delays Quebec Sovereignty Referendum, Says Parti Québécois

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon says his party would not hold a referendum on Quebec sovereignty while Donald Trump remains president of the United States. St-Pierre Plamondon says the party still intends to hold a referendum on whether Quebec should separate from Canada during its first mandate if elected. However, he says such a crucial decision about Quebec’s future requires a clear and calm debate. He says the referendum debate should not be disrupted by American politics or unexpected announcements from the U.S. president. According to St-Pierre Plamondon, the unpredic
AlbertaAug 18, 2026

Sentencing Arguments Begin for Man Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Three Women

Sentencing arguments begin today for 62-year-old Richard Mantha, who was convicted of sexually assaulting three vulnerable women and drugging one of them. Mantha was found guilty of six offences following a trial that lasted more than two years. The full day has been set aside for the Crown and defence to present their arguments on what sentence he should receive. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault, as well as choking while committing a sexual assault and administering a noxious substance. Mantha was also found guilty of assault with a weapon and uttering threats against a fourth
BCAug 18, 2026

Goldstream Falls swimming incident: 27-year-old man dies

A 27-year-old man has died after getting into distress while swimming near Goldstream Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park on Monday evening. West Shore RCMP said officers responded to the incident at around 7:35 p.m. on August 17. The man reportedly went underwater while swimming near the waterfall and did not resurface. Bystanders pulled him from the water and immediately began life-saving measures. Police, BC Emergency Health Services and Langford Fire Department later arrived and continued the emergency response. The man was taken to hospital for further treatment but later succumbed to his
poilievre-attacks-carney-government-over-ev-mandate
BCAug 18, 2026

Poilievre Attacks Carney Government Over EV Mandate

Canada’s main opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, has launched a strong attack on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government over its electric vehicle policy. Poilievre alleges that while the government is moving to scrap the existing EV sales mandate, it is planning to bring back a similar requirement through the “back door” using tougher emissions standards. According to a notice published in the Canada Gazette, the government has recently started the process of repealing the previous EV Sales Mandate, which required 20 per cent of new vehicles sold in 2026 to be electric. Reacting to