Parm Jawanda has assumed the role of chair of the Surrey Police Board, with the board announcing the launch of a comprehensive financial review of the Surrey Police Service (SPS). According to the board, an independent accounting firm will be retained to conduct the review. The process is intended to assess the service's financial position, resource requirements and long-term budget planning needs. In a statement, Jawanda said the review will help identify areas where Surrey Police Service may require additional resources and provide a clearer picture of its operational and financial needs. Sh

Langley RCMP say a shooting at a residential property last week has now been identified as an extortion-related incident following several days of investigation. Police said officers responded to a report of shots fired at a home in the 21500 block of 45A Avenue shortly after 12:40 a.m. on Friday. According to Langley RCMP, investigators initially had no information indicating the incident was connected to extortion. Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said new evidence gathered during the investigation has since clarified the motive. Police now believe the property was deliberately targeted as part of an exto

A woman in Abbotsford is facing potential criminal charges after allegedly attempting to drive through a police road closure during a collision investigation, according to Abbotsford Police. Police said officers had closed a section of Whatcom Road on Saturday evening while investigating a motorcycle crash. During the road closure, a woman driving an SUV reportedly insisted on passing through the restricted area despite directions from officers. According to police, the driver mounted a sidewalk in an attempt to bypass a police vehicle. An officer narrowly avoided being pinned between the SUV

British Columbia's Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has launched an investigation following the death of a man while in Vancouver Police Department custody. According to the police watchdog, the man was arrested by Vancouver police officers at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday and lodged in the Vancouver Police Department jail on Cordova Street. Jail staff found him unresponsive at about 8 a.m. Monday. BC Emergency Health Services personnel attended the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead. The IIO said its initial investigation will focus on determining w

The British Columbia government is considering a new hydroelectric project in the province as electricity demand is expected to increase significantly over the coming decades. According to BC Hydro projections, electricity demand in the province could rise by about 20 per cent by 2030 and roughly 50 per cent by 2050. The utility says the trend reflects long-term growth in population and electrification across the province. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said while presenting the plan that rising electricity demand is a positive indicator for the province’s economic outlook, adding it reflects on

Burnaby Traffic Services caught up with 170 drivers over the month of May who were found to be speeding excessively, as part of a high-risk driving enforcement campaign. Enforcement was carried out at various locations and times of day. The drivers were all travelling over 40 kilometres above the posted speed limit, and had their vehicles impounded for seven days. They also received a $368 violation ticket. In one incident, a 19-year-old new driver was travelling at 146 kilometres an hour in a 50-kilometre zone. “When our officer indicated the driver needed to pull over, the vehicle was trav

One person has died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a truck in Maple Ridge on Saturday night. The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 287 Street. According to information provided by authorities, the collision caused significant damage to the motorcycle, while the truck's airbags deployed. Paramedics responded to the scene and provided emergency medical treatment to two people before transporting them to hospital in stable condition. Authorities later confirmed that one person died as a result of the crash. The collision prompt

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government's proposed online harms legislation does not go far enough in addressing risks associated with artificial intelligence chatbots. Eby criticized the bill for not requiring technology companies to report dangerous or suspicious user activity to police. He said companies should be obligated to notify law enforcement if a user is believed to be using an AI chatbot to plan a violent crime. The premier pointed to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, stating that the suspect's chatbot account had been flagged before the attack. According to E

Patients in Mission continue to face disruptions to emergency care after Mission Memorial Hospital's emergency department was temporarily closed for a third consecutive Sunday. According to Fraser Health, the closure was caused by an ongoing shortage of physicians available to staff the department. The health authority said it is continuing recruitment efforts aimed at stabilizing services and addressing staffing challenges at the hospital. The emergency department closed at 5 p.m. Sunday and reopened at 8 a.m. Monday, according to hospital service notices. During the closure, patients requiri