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BCJul 15, 2025

More heat pump rebates on the way; now open for renters, condo owners

More British Columbians will benefit from a heat pump this summer with the B.C. government’s launch of a new program to reduce energy use, lower energy bills and improve comfort for income-qualified apartment renters and condo owners. The Better Homes Energy Savings Program Condo and Apartment Rebate will provide rebates up to $5,000 to support the purchase and installation of high-performance electric heat pumps in individual suites in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). “Nearly a third of homes in B.C. are in multi-unit residential buildings,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy
federal-court-of-appeal-to-hear-arguments-in-b-c-ostrich-farm-avian-flu-case
BCJul 15, 2025

Federal Court of Appeal to hear arguments in B.C. ostrich farm avian flu case

The B.C. ostrich farmers who lost dozens of birds in an outbreak of avian flu last winter will be heading to the Federal Court of Appeal on Tuesday as they try to stop the remainder of their herd from being culled. Universal Ostrich Farm near Edgewood, B.C., was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to cull approximately 400 birds after an outbreak of the highly contagious avian flu was discovered on the farm in December. The CFIA maintains a "stamping out" policy, which includes the destruction of animals and the disinfection of the premises, as defined by the World Organization of A
crime-stoppers-takes-unusual-step-of-accepting-anonymous-tips-from-victims-of-extortion-related-crimes
BCJul 15, 2025

Crime stoppers take unusual step of accepting anonymous tips from victims of extortion- related crimes

Since issuing an appeal a month ago for information on the recent extortion-related shootings largely centred in Surrey, Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers has taken the unusual step of deciding to accept tips from extortion victims, which is a break from its usual policy. “Normally, we don’t accept tips from crime victims themselves as they may be in immediate need of help and should call 9-1-1 or the police directly,” says Linda Annis, Executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. “However, in this instance we’ve to decided to relax that and accept information from targets of e
canada-cup-team-canada-finishes-second-after-losing-a-thrilling-final-against-tcc
BCJul 14, 2025

Canada Cup: Team Canada finishes second after losing a thrilling final against TCC

The Triple Crown Colorado team claimed the Canada Cup championship at Softball City in Surrey, edging out Team Canada in a dramatic 7–5 final. Colorado built an early 5–0 lead through four innings, but Canada stormed back in the fifth, closing the gap to 6–5. With the bases loaded in the final inning, Canada came within a hit of victory before a final out ended the comeback bid. It was a reversal from last year, when Canada won the tournament undefeated. This year’s 30th edition ended in disappointment, though head coach Kaleigh Rafter said she was proud of the team’s overall sho
BCJul 14, 2025

Forty-five affordable homes protected in Richmond

More Richmond residents can keep their affordable homes with support from the Province and the B.C. Rental Protection Fund. “We’re working on every front to address the housing crisis and rising costs, so people have an affordable home in the community they love,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “When a building changes hands, residents worry whether they will be forced to move or pay much higher rent. By helping non-profits to buy these buildings, we are protecting the people who have lived there for years, close to their families, their jobs and the activ
BCJul 14, 2025

BC Highway Patrol looks for witnesses and dash video after Highway 17 collision

A weekend collision between a motorcycle and a SUV in Delta is being investigated by BC Highway Patrol, and police are looking for more witnesses and dash-camera video to determine exactly what happened. On July 12, 2025, at about 11:15 a.m., a black Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a dark green Toyota SUV on Highway #17 and Tsawwassen Drive in Delta. A second SUV, a grey Honda, was damaged by debris from the initial collision. “The minutes leading up to the collision, and the moments before the collision, are crucially important to the investigation,” says Corporal Michael McL
langley-rcmp-investigating-targeted-assault-resulting-in-severe-injuries
BCJul 14, 2025

Langley RCMP investigating targeted assault resulting in severe injuries

On July 12, 2025, at approximately 6:35 pm, Langley RCMP responded to a woman in distress in the 20300 block of Fraser Highway, Langley. Upon arrival, front-line officers located a 33-year-old woman suffering from severe burns. She was immediately transported to a local area hospital for urgent medical treatment. This does not appear to be a random act. We believe the victim was deliberately exposed to an unknown substance, resulting in serious burns consistent with an intentional act, said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP. We’re urging anyone who may have information about this in
wildfire-near-princeton-golf-course-in-b-c-prompts-evacuation-order
BCJul 14, 2025

Wildfire near Princeton golf course in B.C. prompts evacuation order

An out-of-control wildfire near Princeton in British Columbia has prompted an evacuation order. The BC Wildfire Service says the August Lake wildfire, which is burning close to Princeton Golf Club, is now mapped at 14 hectares in size. The wildfire service says about 40 firefighters and three helicopters are on scene to contain the blaze. The fire has forced the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to send out an evacuation order for some areas, urging people in the area to leave, while others are under evacuation alert. The wildfire service says the August Lake wildfire is exhibiting ra
military-says-over-1-000-people-flown-from-fire-threatened-manitoba-community
BCJul 14, 2025

Military says over 1,000 people flown from fire-threatened Manitoba community

The Canadian Armed Forces says it's evacuated over a thousand residents of a northern Manitoba community threatened by a wildfire, while towns and villages in the province are welcoming cooler weather they say is helping firefighters. The military began removing people from Garden Hill First Nation on CC-130 Hercules transport airplanes on Friday, and it says that as of Sunday afternoon, over 1,550 have been flown to Winnipeg. Capt. Wyatt Shorter with Joint Operations Command says there are no more people waiting to leave Garden Hill, but a Hercules is on standby in Winnipeg in case a

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AlbertaFeb 04, 2026

Health Canada maintains ban on strychnine despite Prairie push to fight gophers

Health Canada says it will not reverse its ban on strychnine, maintaining that environmental and human health risks outweigh concerns raised by Prairie governments and farm groups. The federal department confirmed it reviewed requests from Alberta and Saskatchewan to reconsider the use of the rodent poison to control gopher populations that farmers say are damaging crops and pastureland. Health Canada concluded the risks associated with strychnine remain too significant to justify its use. Strychnine has been prohibited for most pest control uses because of its high toxicity and the risk it po
alberta-government-to-table-budget-feb-26-as-deficit-pressures-mount
AlbertaFeb 04, 2026

Alberta government to table budget Feb. 26 as deficit pressures mount

The Alberta government says it will present its next provincial budget on February 26, warning that deteriorating financial conditions will make the process difficult. Finance Minister Nate Horner says lower oil prices and ongoing global economic uncertainty are putting strain on provincial revenues, forcing the government to make what he described as tough choices. Alberta’s economy remains closely tied to energy markets, making budget planning vulnerable to swings in commodity prices. The province is currently projecting a 6.4 billion dollar deficit by the end of the fiscal year in March.
former-kamloops-lawyer-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-in-killing-of-client
BCFeb 04, 2026

Former Kamloops lawyer convicted of first-degree murder in killing of client

A former Kamloops lawyer has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of one of his clients, a Thompson Rivers University lecturer whose death shocked the local legal and academic communities. Rogelio “Butch” Bagabuyo was convicted in B.C. Supreme Court for the March 11, 2022 killing of Mohd Abdullah. The court heard that Bagabuyo stabbed Abdullah multiple times inside his law office after stealing nearly $800,000 from him, money that had been entrusted for legal matters. Prosecutors said the killing was planned and deliberate, noting that Bagabuyo attempted to conceal the c
WorldFeb 04, 2026

Deadly strikes resume across Gaza after Rafah crossing reopens, hospitals say about 20 killed

Deadly Israeli strikes hit northern and southern parts of Gaza again after Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, with local hospitals reporting that about 20 Palestinians were killed. Medical officials said casualties were brought to several facilities as attacks continued in multiple areas. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted what it described as militant positions. According to Israeli officials, the attacks were carried out in response to gunfire directed at Israeli troops operating in northern Gaza, an incident that left one Israeli officer seriously
parents-of-b-c-teen-piper-james-travel-to-australia-following-fatal-dingo-encounter
BCFeb 04, 2026

Parents of B.C. teen Piper James travel to Australia following fatal dingo encounter

The parents of Piper James have travelled to Australia to visit the beach where their daughter died while working overseas, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. The 19-year-old from Campbell River, B.C., was found dead earlier this month on K'gari, an island off Australia’s east coast formerly known as Fraser Island. Australian media reported that James’ parents arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday as they prepare to bring her remains home. James was working on the island when she went for an early-morning swim and was later discovered dead, surrounded