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firefighters-join-widening-b-c-public-service-strike-as-mediated-talks-continue
BCOct 22, 2025

Firefighters join widening B.C. public service strike as mediated talks continue

The labour dispute between the British Columbia government and its public service workers has intensified as more members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) join ongoing strike action. The union confirmed that employees from the BC Wildfire Service and the Ministry of Forests have joined the picket lines, even as mediated discussions with the province continue. The BC Wildfire Service reports 94 active fires across the province, most of which are under control, and essential operations remain in place to protect public safety. With the latest escalation, more than 25,000 of the BCG
vehicle-recovered-from-squamish-river-passenger-remains-unaccounted-for
BCOct 22, 2025

Vehicle recovered from Squamish river, Navdeep Singh remains unaccounted for

A car that plunged into the Squamish river near Squamish B.C. with four people inside earlier this year has been recovered, yet one of its occupants (Navdeep Singh Sidhu) remains missing, say police. According to a Squamish RCMP release, on October 18, 2025, the vehicle involved in a single-vehicle collision that entered the Squamish River in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025 was recovered. Police say, the recovery marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation. At the time of the incident, four individuals were reported to be in the vehicle. Three of the occupants have been a
vancouver-police-seize-336-000-in-drugs-arrest-three-in-downtown-eastside-investigation
BCOct 22, 2025

Vancouver Police seize $336,000 in drugs, arrest three in Downtown Eastside investigation

Vancouver Police say three men have been arrested following a six-week investigation that uncovered an organized criminal network operating from a Downtown Eastside rooming house. Officers seized more than $330,000 worth of toxic drugs, stolen property, and weapons as part of the operation. The investigation, launched in August by VPD’s Task Force Barrage, focused on criminal activity around Carrall and East Hastings Street — one of the city’s most crime-affected intersections. Police allege the group used rooms in the West Hotel, a building intended for low-income tenants, to traffic dr
west-shore-rcmp-officers-begin-using-body-worn-cameras-to-enhance-transparency
BCOct 21, 2025

West Shore RCMP officers begin using body-worn cameras to enhance transparency

Frontline RCMP officers in the West Shore area are now equipped with body-worn cameras as part of a new initiative aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in policing. The detachment says the cameras will record officers’ interactions with the public in real time, helping gather evidence and document events more clearly. Officers have received training on the proper use of the technology, including how and when to activate the devices and how to securely store recorded footage. According to the RCMP, the program is governed by national privacy and data management standards to ens
lamborghini-impounded-as-bc-highway-patrol-reminds-drivers-of-winter-tire-rules
BCOct 21, 2025

Lamborghini impounded as BC Highway Patrol reminds drivers of winter tire rules

BC Highway Patrol is reminding drivers across the province to equip their vehicles with proper winter tires after a luxury sports car was impounded for speeding and failing to meet seasonal driving requirements. On October 13, 2025, a Highway Patrol motorcycle officer on Highway 99 near Porteau Cove clocked a northbound Lamborghini Huracán travelling at 165 kilometres per hour in an 80 zone. The 34-year-old North Vancouver driver was stopped and received multiple fines under the Motor Vehicle Act, including for excessive speed, failing to display a front licence plate, and not meeting winter
b-c-to-extend-unpaid-leave-for-catastrophic-illness-injury-eby
BCOct 21, 2025

B.C. to extend unpaid leave for 'catastrophic' illness, injury: Eby

The British Columbia government is proposing changes to the province's Employment Standards Act to allow up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave each year for people facing what Premier David Eby described as "catastrophic" illness or injury. Eby told a news conference in Victoria that the change would take effect this fall if the bill is passed by his New Democrat majority government. He says the leave would ensure people undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy could take the time they need without worrying about job security. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside joined Eby, saying workers deserve to
pedestrian-killed-after-early-morning-crash-in-langley-rcmp-investigating
BCOct 21, 2025

Pedestrian killed after early morning crash in Langley, RCMP investigating

Langley RCMP say one person has died following a collision early Tuesday morning near 264 Street and 0 Avenue. Police were called to the scene around 6:42 a.m., where emergency crews from the British Columbia Ambulance Service and the Township of Langley Fire Department also responded. Investigators say a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and died at the scene despite life-saving efforts. Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP said officers remain on site as investigators work to determine the circumstances leading up to the crash. The area around 264 Street and 0 Avenue is closed to traf
reconstruction-approved-for-hazel-trembath-elementary-after-2023-fire
BCOct 17, 2025

Reconstruction approved for Hazel Trembath Elementary after 2023 fire

The British Columbia government has approved plans to rebuild Hazel Trembath Elementary School in Port Coquitlam, nearly two years after a fire destroyed the original building. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma announced Friday that a new, 240-seat school will be constructed on the same site where the blaze occurred in October 2023. The province says the $39-million project will be developed through an accelerated model designed to shorten construction timelines, marking what officials describe as a first-of-its-kind approach in B.C. Ma said the school’s loss was deeply felt across the commu
surrey-café-linked-to-indian-star-kapil-sharma-hit-by-gunfire-for-third-time-this-year
BCOct 16, 2025

Surrey café linked to Indian star Kapil Sharma hit by gunfire for third time this year

Surrey RCMP are investigating another shooting at Kap’s Café, a local restaurant associated with Bollywood comedian and television host Kapil Sharma. Police say the business was struck by multiple bullets early Thursday morning, marking the third such incident at the location this year. Officers were called to the café just before 4 a.m. and found damage to the building caused by gunfire. Staff members were inside at the time, but no injuries were reported. Authorities have not released information about suspects or a possible motive. The same café was targeted by two separate shootings e

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bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level