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BCJun 05, 2026

B.C. adds 25,000 jobs in May as unemployment rate holds at 6.8%

British Columbia added 25,000 jobs in May, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada, reversing part of the employment losses recorded earlier this year. The gain follows a three-month period from February through April during which the province lost approximately 40,000 jobs. Despite the increase in employment, B.C.'s overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.8 per cent. According to Statistics Canada data, much of the job growth was concentrated in the construction and manufacturing sectors. B.C. Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Ravi
richmond-rcmp-officer-charged-with-theft-and-breach-of-trust
BCJun 05, 2026

Richmond RCMP officer charged with theft and breach of trust

A Richmond RCMP officer has been charged with theft and breach of trust following an independent police investigation into an alleged incident that occurred on Christmas Day last year. According to the BC Prosecution Service, Const. Jae Suk Choi of the Richmond RCMP has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer. The charges follow an investigation conducted by Coquitlam RCMP. Authorities said the matter relates to an alleged incident in Richmond on Dec. 25, 2025. No further details about the allegations have been released publicly. C
b-c-mla-jordan-kealy-charged-with-sexual-assault
BCJun 04, 2026

B.C. MLA Jordan Kealy charged with sexual assault

Independent B.C. legislator Jordan Kealy has been charged with sexual assault, according to the British Columbia Prosecution Service. The prosecution service said the charge relates to an alleged offence or offences that occurred between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20, 2024, in Fort St. John. The allegation has not been tested in court. Kealy represents the Peace River North riding in the B.C. legislature. The prosecution service said a special prosecutor was appointed following an RCMP investigation to help ensure the administration of justice remains free from any perceived improper influence. Accordin
single-vehicle-crash-on-highway-11-leaves-three-seriously-injured-abbotsford-police-investigating
BCJun 04, 2026

Single-Vehicle Crash on Highway 11 Leaves Three Seriously Injured, Abbotsford Police Investigating

Abbotsford police are investigating a serious single-vehicle collision that left three people injured, including one person who was airlifted to hospital in life-threatening condition. According to an Abbotsford Police Department release, patrol officers responded to the crash at approximately 12:14 a.m. on June 1 near Highway 11 and Townshipline Road. Emergency crews found a black Chrysler 300 with extensive damage and three occupants suffering from serious injuries. All three were transported to hospital for treatment, police said. The investigation is being led by the Abbotsford Police Depa
BCJun 04, 2026

B.C. Review Board grants conditional discharge to man found not criminally responsible in deaths of three children

The British Columbia Review Board has granted a conditional discharge to a man who was found not criminally responsible for the deaths of his three children in Merritt, B.C. Allen Schoenborn killed his three children in 2008. The children, aged five, eight and 10, died after being stabbed and suffocated. In 2010, a court ruled that Schoenborn was not criminally responsible for the killings because of a mental disorder. According to decisions of the B.C. Review Board, Schoenborn must continue receiving psychiatric treatment while on conditional discharge. The board may also require him to resid
surrey-police-board-confirms-departure-of-chief-constable-norm-lipinski
BCJun 02, 2026

Surrey Police Board confirms departure of Chief Constable Norm Lipinski

The Surrey Police Board has confirmed that Chief Constable Norm Lipinski has stepped down from his position with the Surrey Police Service (SPS). According to a statement from the board, Deputy Chief Constable Todd Matsumoto has been appointed interim Chief Constable effective immediately. The board said the leadership transition will not affect public safety operations or policing services in Surrey. The board also stated that a recruitment process to select a permanent Chief Constable will begin shortly. Further details on the hiring process are expected to be released in the coming weeks. L
prince-george-man-sentenced-after-pleading-guilty-in-intimate-partner-violence-case
BCJun 02, 2026

Prince George man sentenced after pleading guilty in intimate partner violence case

A Prince George man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple assault-related offences connected to intimate partner violence, according to the Prince George RCMP. Police said 47-year-old Ryan Timothy Chiappe pleaded guilty in April 2026 to two counts of assault causing bodily harm and one count of assault. The charges stemmed from an investigation launched in the fall of 2024 after a victim came forward with information regarding intimate partner violence. According to the RCMP, investigators with the Prince George Serious Crimes Unit conducted a detailed investigation with the coo
BCJun 01, 2026

Fatal Maple Ridge altercation under homicide investigation, IHIT says

A homicide investigation is underway in Maple Ridge after a 28-year-old man died following an altercation on River Road, according to police. Maple Ridge RCMP said officers responded to reports of a fight in progress in the 22300 block of River Road at approximately 6:51 p.m. on May 31. Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the investigation. According to an IHIT news release, investigators are working wi
former-mp-kerry-lynne-findlay-elected-leader-of-bc-conservatives
BCJun 01, 2026

Former MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected leader of BC Conservatives

The BC Conservative Party has elected former federal Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay as its new leader following a closely contested leadership race. According to results released by the party, Findlay secured 51 per cent of the vote, narrowly defeating Caroline Elliott, who received 49 per cent. Findlay brings extensive political experience to the role. She served as a cabinet minister in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s government and most recently held the position of Opposition Whip under federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. The leadership change comes as the BC Conser

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rustad-backs-alberta-pipeline-project-criticizes-b-c-governments-opposition
BCJun 26, 2026

Rustad Backs Alberta Pipeline Project, Criticizes B.C. Government's Opposition

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad has thrown his support behind Alberta's proposed pipeline project, which is expected to submit its application by July 1. He said the British Columbia government should support the project instead of standing in its way. Criticizing Premier David Eby, Rustad argued that the pipeline is not just an Alberta project but one that would benefit all of Canada and could help address British Columbia's economic challenges. According to Rustad, the project would create real jobs, particularly in northern B.C., where the forestry sector has been struggling in
rcmp-investigating-stabbing-near-port-place-mall-in-nanaimo
BCJun 26, 2026

RCMP Investigating Stabbing Near Port Place Mall in Nanaimo

The Nanaimo RCMP are investigating a stabbing that occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at a bus stop near Port Place Mall. Police, firefighters and BC Emergency Health Services responded to the scene. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male suffering from a stab wound to his arm. Bystanders and frontline officers provided emergency first aid before the victim was transported to hospital for treatment. Investigators have determined that the incident took place near a row of benches on the south side of Port Place Mall, across from the downtown bus exchange on Fro
CanadaJun 26, 2026

Ontario Announces Major Changes to Immigrant Nominee Program

The Ontario government has announced major reforms to its Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Under the new changes, the existing eight immigration streams will be consolidated into four, making the process clearer and easier for both applicants and employers. The first new pathway, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, is being launched to provide eligible foreign workers with a new route to permanent residency (PR). A key feature of the new stream is greater flexibility for applicants to work in related occupations. For example, a nurse will be able to work as a Personal Support Worke
indo-pacific-key-to-canadas-trade-diversification-strategy-maninder-sidhu
CanadaJun 26, 2026

Indo-Pacific Key to Canada's Trade Diversification Strategy: Maninder Sidhu

Canada's International Trade Minister, Maninder Sidhu, says the Indo-Pacific region is critical to the country's efforts to increase exports beyond the United States and diversify its trade markets. Sidhu recently led a 300-member business delegation on a four-day visit to Japan, marking Canada's largest-ever trade mission to the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific is home to Canada's three largest trading partners in the region-China, Japan and South Korea. However, Canada's efforts to expand trade and investment ties there have not always achieved the desired results. Sidhu noted that pre
japanese-prime-minister-sanae-takaichi-to-visit-india-from-july-1-to-3
IndiaJun 26, 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Visit India from July 1 to 3

At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will pay an official visit to New Delhi from July 1 to July 3. During the visit, she and Prime Minister Modi will jointly chair the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be Prime Minister Takaichi's first official visit to India and is being seen as an important step in further strengthening ties between the two countries. The meeting comes at a significant time, amid indications of possible changes in the U.S. administration's policy toward the Indo-Pacific region. According to India's Minist