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two-suspects-arrested-in-ongoing-lower-mainland-extortion-investigation
BCJul 03, 2025

Two suspects arrested in ongoing Lower Mainland extortion investigation

The RCMP is now able to publicly confirm the existence of an ongoing investigation into extortions, which is being managed by a Joint Force Operation (JFO). The investigation, that began in 2024, has led to the arrest of two individuals. On July 3, 2025, two suspects under investigation for extortion were arrested for careless discharge of a firearm and arson in relation to incidents that occurred in 2024, in Surrey, BC. Since late 2023, police across the Lower Mainland have been investigating a series of targeted financial extortions primarily affecting members of the South Asian business com
wheel-fell-off-rcmp-trailer-igniting-lytton-b-c-fire-that-triggered-evacuations
BCJul 03, 2025

Wheel fell off RCMP trailer, igniting Lytton, B.C., fire that triggered evacuations

Mounties say a wildfire that has triggered evacuations near Lytton, B.C. was caused when a wheel fell off an RCMP trailer in a "tremendously unfortunate" incident. Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says in a statement that the "equipment failure" that ignited the Izman Creek fire, about 250 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, happened on Tuesday afternoon on Highway 12. The wildfire began a day after the fourth anniversary of a blaze that destroyed most of the village of Lytton, and it's now grown to 130 hectares and has been upgraded to the only wildfire of note in the province. Clark says it appears the
rcmp-arrest-53-year-old-man-for-significant-fraud-in-romance-scam
BCJul 03, 2025

RCMP arrest 53 year old man for significant fraud in romance scam

On June 24, 2025 RCMP arrested 53 year old Michael Paul Snow for Fraud over $5000. Sunshine Coast RCMP began an investigation into this alleged offence in June 2023 when a Sunshine Coast woman reported a man she had met online had stolen $110,000 from her. Over the course of several months, Michael Paul Snow gained this woman’s trust and convinced her to participate in a business venture that was later learned to be non-existent. This type of offence is commonly referred to as a romance scam. As a result of a comprehensive investigation by Sunshine Coast RCMP a charge of Fraud over $5000 was
more-flexibility-for-development-charges-will-unlock-more-homes-for-people
BCJul 02, 2025

More flexibility for development charges will unlock more homes for people

More affordable homes will be on the way quicker as the Province takes steps to speed up construction timelines and reduce up-front costs for homebuilders. “We are committed to finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to build housing, so everyone has a fair chance to live in communities where they work and belong,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These changes are about supporting housing development and easing the financial burden on builders and developers so they can get shovels in the ground faster to help unlock more homes for people in B.C.”
applications-for-the-bc-governments-free-ivf-program-can-be-made-today
BCJul 02, 2025

Applications for the BC government’s free IVF program can be made today

Applications for the BC government’s free IVF program can be made today, the launch of this program is very important for those who are eager to become parents. The province’s NDP government announced this program in last year’s budget and the application process was supposed to start in March, but for some reasons it was delayed until July 2. The province’s David Ebby government has provided funding of about $68 million for two years for the free IVF program. Applications under this program will be accepted until the end of March 2026, so the age limit is up to 41 years. Eligible
wildfire-near-lytton-b-c-prompts-local-state-of-emergency-evacuation-order
BCJul 02, 2025

Wildfire near Lytton, B.C., prompts local state of emergency, evacuation order

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has declared a local state of emergency for the Blue Sky Country region due to an encroaching out-of-control wildfire near Lytton, B.C. It has also issued an evacuation order for two properties on Spencer Road South as the blaze poses "immediate danger to life." The BC Wildfire Service says the Nikaia Creek wildfire is about six hectares in size and is one of more than 70 wildfires burning across the province. It says crews, supported by firefighters from Lytton First Nation, made "good progress" overnight and they are now focused on the north and south fl
attorney-generals-statement-on-inquiry-into-event-safety
BCJun 30, 2025

Attorney general’s statement on inquiry into event safety

Niki Sharma, Attorney General, has released the following statement about the Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety in B.C. “On Saturday, April 26, 2025, British Columbia experienced one of the worst moments in our history, when a senseless act of violence turned a Lapu-Lapu Day celebration into a tragedy that left 11 people dead and countless more injured and traumatized. “In the aftermath, British Columbians understandably raised questions about enhancing public safety so people can feel safe attending and celebrating community events of all sizes this summer. That is why Pr
liquefied-natural-gas-being-loaded-on-asia-bound-tanker-docked-in-kitimat-b-c
BCJun 30, 2025

Liquefied natural gas being loaded on Asia-bound tanker docked in Kitimat, B.C.

A tanker that is set to carry Canada's first cargoes of liquefied natural gas across the Pacific to Asian markets is docked at LNG Canada's berth in Kitimat, B.C. A spokesperson for the project says the GasLog Glasgow is being loaded with LNG produced in B.C. British Columbia Coast Pilots say two of their members boarded the tanker at Triple Island and navigated the vessel on a 15-hour, nearly 300-kilometre journey to Kitimat. LNG is natural gas that has been chilled into a liquid state so that it can be transported in specialized marine vessels. LNG Canada is a joint venture between Shell and
b-c-minister-bowinn-ma-tells-of-frightening-incident-at-her-constituency-office
BCJun 27, 2025

B.C. minister Bowinn Ma tells of 'frightening' incident at her constituency office

BC Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma says a “frightening” security incident took place Friday morning at her constituency office in North Vancouver, prompting the cancellation of all meetings and appointments for the day. In a statement, Ma said no one was injured and thanked police officers for responding quickly: “We appreciate the concern expressed by community members. For the safety of staff and constituents, all appointments are cancelled today.” Her statement says that thankfully, nobody was injured, and she appreciates the concern expressed by community members. “It’s scar

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surrey-man-charged-after-newton-area-shooting
CanadaJan 30, 2026

Surrey Man Charged After Newton-Area Shooting

Police have laid multiple criminal charges following a shooting at a Surrey home on New Year’s Day. Officers from the Surrey Police Service (SPS) responded around 11:45 p.m. on January 1, 2026, to reports of gunfire in the area of 140B Street and 59 Avenue in Newton. At the scene, they found an injured man who was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound. Officials said his condition was stable. A second man was arrested at the location. The SPS Serious Crime Unit took over the investigation. On January 28, the BC Prosecution Service approved charges against 49-year-old Chanchal Badwal. He fac
b-c-based-jim-pattison-developments-cancels-virginia-warehouse-sale-to-ice
BCJan 30, 2026

B.C.-based Jim Pattison Developments cancels Virginia warehouse sale to ICE

Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Developments has announced it will not proceed with the sale of a Virginia warehouse property to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which had planned to use the site as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility. The 43.5-acre property in Hanover County, Virginia, faced public scrutiny after news emerged that it could be converted into a holding and processing centre amid a wider U.S. immigration crackdown. The company, owned by Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison, had previously stated it was unaware of the final purchaser or the intende
israel-to-reopen-gaza-egypt-border-crossing-after-nearly-two-years-of-closure
WorldJan 30, 2026

Israel to reopen Gaza–Egypt border crossing after nearly two years of closure

Israel says it will reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Sunday, allowing limited movement of people in and out of the territory for the first time in nearly two years. The Israeli military agency COGAT, which oversees civilian coordination with Gaza, said the reopening will permit “limited movement of people only,” with both Israel and Egypt screening those seeking to cross. European Union border assistance personnel will supervise operations at the crossing, Gaza’s primary link to the outside world. The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, following ren
federal-court-of-appeal-set-to-rule-on-ottawas-single-use-plastics-ban
CanadaJan 30, 2026

Federal Court of Appeal upholds Ottawa’s authority to maintain single-use plastic b

Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has ruled that the federal government acted within its authority when it classified certain plastic products as toxic, clearing the way for Ottawa to maintain its ban on several single-use plastic items. In a unanimous decision released Friday, a three-judge panel overturned a 2023 lower court ruling that had found the federal government overreached by broadly labeling plastic manufactured items as toxic under environmental legislation. That earlier decision had cast uncertainty over the future of the single-use plastics ban. The appeal court concluded the go
cfia-says-threats-against-staff-escalated-during-b-c-ostrich-cull-forcing-family-relocation
BCJan 30, 2026

CFIA says threats against staff escalated during B.C. ostrich cull, forcing family relocation

A senior Canadian Food Inspection Agency official says agency employees faced escalating threats and harassment during preparations for the culling of hundreds of ostriches at a British Columbia farm, including incidents serious enough to force the relocation of a worker and their family. In an interview with The Canadian Press, the official said opposition to the cull intensified both online and in person, culminating in what they described as extreme cases of direct threats involving physical violence and sexual assault. One CFIA employee and their partner were relocated along with their chi