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public-service-workers-pickets-expand-to-b-c-liquor-stores
BCSep 24, 2025

Public service workers' pickets expand to B.C. liquor stores

Striking public service workers in British Columbia have expanded their picket lines to 25 Liquor Distribution Branch retail stores in the latest escalation of job action. The B.C. General Employees’ Union says more than 600 workers at the liquor stores have walked of the job across the province in an effort to push the government back to the negotiating table. The union says the store locations were chosen because they are a "significant source of government revenue."
eighteen-charges-approved-against-55-year-old-man-after-residential-break-and-enter-series-investigation
BCSep 24, 2025

Eighteen charges approved against 55-year-old man after residential break and enter series investigation

Burnaby RCMP’s Strike Force Unit investigated a series of residential break and enters that occurred between September 2023 and June 2024. After an extensive investigation, on May 21, 2025, the BC Prosecution Service approved 18 charges against Shane Conrad Takakenew. On August 27, 2025, Burnaby RCMP’s Strike Force Unit arrested Takakenew on 14 warrants. Takakenew now faces the following charges: 7 counts of break and enter9 counts of possession of stolen property2 counts of breaching a release orderAs a result of the investigation, 34-year-old Burnaby resident Fabiola Diaz is also fac
the-supreme-court-of-canada-grants-stay-on-ostrich-cull-farms-lawyer-says
BCSep 24, 2025

The Supreme Court of Canada grants stay on ostrich cull, farm's lawyer says

The Supreme Court of Canada has granted a last-minute stay over the destruction of a flock of ostriches until the court mulls an application for leave to appeal. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been on the farm in northeastern B.C. for days preparing for the cull of nearly 400 birds. The high court's document, supplied by the farm's lawyer Umar Sheikh, says the order stays the enforcement of the CFIA's ``stamping-out policy'' until the application for leave to appeal is dismissed or, if leave to appeal is granted, until the case is disposed of. The news came on the farm
BCSep 24, 2025

Illicit drug operation disrupted; drugs and gun recovered

A coordinated investigation led by the RCMP Federal Policing – Pacific Region (FPPR) Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) with the assistance of partner law enforcement agencies, has resulted in the dismantling of a clandestine drug lab and the seizure of illicit drugs and a firearm. On September 17, 2025, IBET officers with assistance from the Island District Emergency Response Team (ERT), Victoria Police Department’s Strike Force Unit, Sooke RCMP and the FPPR Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) team executed a search warrant at a property in the 3800 area of T
b-c-advances-new-mass-timber-demonstration-projects
BCSep 23, 2025

B.C. advances new mass-timber demonstration projects

Four new buildings in B.C. are each receiving $500,000 — totalling $2 million — to demonstrate and showcase the benefits of mass-timber construction. “Mass timber represents a transformative, locally sourced solution that’s generating significant employment opportunities, spurring cutting-edge innovation, and revitalizing rural economies across British Columbia,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Through our continued strategic investments in projects throughout the province, we’re positioning B.C. as a leader in mass-timber construction, while building the
frauds-frauds-and-more-frauds
BCSep 23, 2025

Nanaimo RCMP warns about frauds

Frauds are increasingly woven into the fabric of our daily lives, through emails, phone calls and social media. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of deceit and their delivery. By staying informed and skeptical, we can better protect ourselves and our communities. Nanaimo file # 2025-29161 Grandson scam Caller told police she was scammed for $1700 after being led to believe her grandson needed money to get out of jail. Caller that that in September 2025, she received a phone call from a private number who said they were the RCMP and that her grandson had been arrested after being inv
BCSep 23, 2025

RCMP seeking public’s help following two suspicious residential fires

North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance with information regarding two suspicious residential fires in North Cowichan and Duncan, B.C. On September 21, 2025 in the early hours of the morning, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP responded to two separate house fires, on Vista Avenue and Alexander Street in North Cowichan/Duncan. Through the initial investigation it was determined that the fires were suspicious in nature. “We want to thank citizens who were instrumental in notifying the occupants of the homes, negating any possible injuries or death,” said Constable Tessa McD
cfia-says-b-c-ostrich-farmers-must-leave-by-tuesday-or-face-arrest
BCSep 23, 2025

CFIA says B.C. ostrich farmers must leave by Tuesday or face arrest

The owners of an ostrich farm, whose flock is subject to a cull order, must leave today or face removal by police called in by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. RCMP and CFIA officials arrived Monday and served a warrant on the farm in southeastern British Columbia, where the owners have been fighting the cull order prompted by an outbreak of avian influenza that went on to kill 69 ostriches. Katie Pasitney, whose mother is a co-owner of Universal Ostrich Farms, posted a video to her Facebook page Monday evening showing a CFIA official telling the farmers they would be allowed to stay in th
coquitlam-rcmp-phone-number-spoofed-in-scam-calls
BCSep 22, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP phone number spoofed in scam calls

Coquitlam RCMP is alerting the public about “spoofing scams” after receiving several reports that the Coquitlam RCMP Burquitlam Community Police Office phone number (604-949-5000) has been used for multiple frauds. Spoofing is a type of fraud where the fraudsters manipulate their caller ID to display “Coquitlam RCMP” or other police agencies. The fraudsters would pretend to be police officers and tell potential victims they are under investigation for a criminal offence. The fraudsters then attempt to obtain personal or financial information from the victim. “Scammers are pretend

Just In

how-to-build-a-successful-business-exclusive-with-dragons-den-star-manjit-minhas
BCApr 17, 2026

How to build a successful business? Exclusive with Dragon's Den star Manjit Minhas

Canada's renowned business personality Manjit Minhas was in Surrey on Thursday. She attended the Surrey and White Rock Women in Business Awards. Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with Connect Media Network, she discussed business, investment, start-ups, Dragon's Den and some unique problems faced by women in business.Manjit Minhas in conversation with Connect Media Network News Director, Pervez Sandhu. (Photo - Connect FM)How to make start-ups successful?In an exclusive conversation with Connect FM, when Manjit Minhas was asked about making a start-up successful, she said that many peopl
AlbertaApr 17, 2026

Sexual assault charges against Edmonton-area spiritual leader, wife stayed by Crown

Sexual assault charges against an Edmonton-area spiritual leader and his wife have been stayed, the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Friday. Johannes “John” de Ruiter and Leigh Ann de Ruiter each faced six counts of sexual assault and were scheduled to stand trial in September. The charges, first laid in 2023, will not proceed after prosecutors determined there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction, according to a statement from the Crown. Police previously alleged that John de Ruiter, described as the leader of a group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy, also ca
students-abducted-after-gunmen-attack-passenger-bus-in-central-nigeria
WorldApr 17, 2026

Students abducted after gunmen attack passenger bus in central Nigeria

Gunmen attacked a passenger bus in Nigeria’s Benue state on Thursday, abducting several students who were travelling to sit for university examinations, according to a statement from the state government. Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia said the attack occurred along the Otukpo–Makurdi highway. The number of people taken has not been officially confirmed. Local media reports indicate there were 14 passengers on board at the time of the напад. “The targeting of innocent citizens, particularly students on their way to sit for examinations, is unacceptable and stands against every norm of hum
air-canada-to-suspend-toronto-montreal-flights-to-new-york-jfk-over-fuel-costs
CanadaApr 17, 2026

Air Canada to suspend Toronto, Montreal flights to New York JFK over fuel costs

Air Canada says it will suspend flights from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting June 1 through Oct. 25, citing rising jet fuel prices. In a statement, the airline said fuel costs have “doubled since the start of the Iran conflict,” making some lower-profit routes no longer economically viable. The company said it is adjusting its schedule accordingly. The suspension affects service to JFK from Canada’s two largest cities, key routes for business and international connections. Air Canada said customers with affected bookings will be contact
WorldApr 17, 2026

U.K., France signal joint maritime mission after leaders’ meeting on Strait of Hormuz access

Leaders from multiple countries met Friday under the leadership of the United Kingdom and France to discuss access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. According to a statement from the U.K. prime minister’s office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said participating countries welcomed Iran’s decision to keep the waterway open. He said leaders agreed the route must remain accessible without tolls or restrictions, citing its importance to global trade and energy supply. Starmer said reopening and maintaining shipping through the strait is critical to stabilizing economic pressur