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b-c-urges-wildfire-safety-this-long-weekend
BCMay 16, 2025

B.C. urges wildfire safety this long weekend

The B-C Wildfire Service wants people to take precautions with any fire use over the long weekend, saying most wildfires are preventable.   It also suggests people planning to travel to check for wildfire activity, road closures and evacuation orders and alerts, while also paying attention to weather conditions.The service's dashboard shows there are about 30 fires currently burning in B-C. The service says the province continues to have below-average rainfall at this time of year, and is warning about prolonged drought, noting the northeast remains the driest region.
surrey-resident-justin-simporios-wins-80-million-jackpot
BCMay 15, 2025

Surrey resident Justin Simporios wins $80 million jackpot

The winning ticket for the Lotto Max jackpot sold in Surrey, and which Surrey resident has won the $80 million prize, has been revealed. The BCLC announced the winner during a media event today. Surrey resident Justin Simporios won the $80 million prize. This is the largest lottery win in BC to date. It is also the largest amount won by a single person in Canadian lottery history. Simporios said that when he found out that the winning ticket was purchased in Surrey, he jokingly told his wife that he had become a millionaire and she told him not to joke. But when he checked the ticket numbers,
early-morning-stabbing-sends-two-to-hospital
BCMay 15, 2025

Early morning stabbing sends two to hospital

On May 15, 2025 at approximately 3:40 am, Langley RCMP responded to a report of a disturbance in the 19800 block of 56 Avenue. Officers arrived in the area and located two individuals who had been stabbed. Officers immediately rendered first aid and both victims were transported to local area hospitals for further assessment. A 33-year-old Langley man has been arrested and remains in Police custody in connection to this incident. The investigation is in its early stages and officers are continuing to gather details from the scene, said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP. Anyone with in
coordinated-response-leads-to-high-risk-arrest-in-langley
BCMay 15, 2025

Coordinated response leads to high-risk arrest in Langley

A coordinated effort between Langley RCMP, Surrey Provincial Operational Support Unit (SPOSU), and the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team (LMD-IERT) led to the successful arrest of a suspect following a dangerous series of events involving a suspected stolen semi-truck. On May 14, 2025 at approximately 7:35pm, officers from the Langley Special Response Team observed a semi-truck in the area of 24 Ave and 206 Street bearing mis-matched license plates. Shortly after midnight on May 15, 2025, officers attempted a vehicle stop with the support of Integrated Police Dog Servi
conviction-secured-against-unlicensed-ride-hail-operator
BCMay 14, 2025

Conviction secured against unlicensed ride-hail operator

Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit’s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) secure conviction against unlicensed ride-hail operator. On March 26, 2025 officers from Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit (RSU) and CVSE secured three convictions against an unlicensed ride-hail operator. The convictions include: Operate without a License – S. 57(1) Passenger Transportation Act;Wrong Class Drivers License – S. 24(1) Motor Vehicle Act;Fail to Display Certificate – S. 25.07(1) Motor Vehicle Act Regulations.The driver was stopped on December 20, 2
b-c-opioid-rules-were-to-reduce-overdoses-but-they-cut-cancer-patients-pain-meds
BCMay 14, 2025

B.C. opioid rules were to reduce overdoses. But they cut cancer patients' pain meds

Rule changes designed to reduce opioid overdose deaths in British Columbia in 2016 inadvertently harmed cancer and palliative-care patients by reducing their access to pain killers, a new study has found. The study published this week in the Canadian Medical Association Journal describes the impact of a practice standard issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. that June, about two months after the province declared a public health emergency over opioid deaths. The rule changes were designed to mitigate prescription drug misuse, including the over-prescribing of opioids among p
open-fire-ban-in-bc-to-take-effect-may-16
BCMay 13, 2025

Open fire ban in BC to take effect May 16

A ban on open fires will take effect in BC’s Kamloops Fire Centre area starting May 16. This means that trash piles, grass or other similar materials cannot be burned in the open. Municipalities follow the BC Wildfire Service’s restrictions but can impose different restrictions based on local conditions. Anyone found violating the open fire ban can be fined $1,150, up to $10,000 depending on the offence. If convicted in court, the fine can be up to $100,000 and a year in prison. If an open fire causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible can be ordered to extinguish the
burnaby-hospital-calls-for-more-security-guards-after-gun-threat
BCMay 13, 2025

Burnaby Hospital calls for more security guards after gun threat

A patient threatened staff members with a gun at Burnaby Hospital on Friday night, prompting the BC Hospital Employees Union to issue a warning. According to the union, the incident occurred due to a lack of security guards. Although no one was injured during the incident, the safety of the staff has become a matter of concern. The union says that along with the recruitment of doctors and nurses in the province, it is also necessary to recruit security guards. They said that such incidents have occurred in many hospitals in this area, due to which the staff is worried about their safety.
traffic-alert-pattullo-bridge-to-be-closed-over-may-long-weekend
BCMay 13, 2025

Traffic alert: Pattullo bridge to be closed over May long weekend

B.C.’s Pattulo Bridge is being completely closed over the long weekend. It will take effect at 9 p.m. on Friday, May 16, and will reopen at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Fraser Crossing Partners said in a notice that roadworks will be underway, which will cause the bridge to be closed. Drivers are being advised to take the Port Man or Alex Fraser Bridges during this time. The N-19 night bus route will also be rerouted, so commuters may face delays of up to half an hour. However, cyclists and pedestrians will not be affected. Officials say it will be closed for the duration of the repairs. A n

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federal-ministers-signal-possible-ai-safety-reforms-after-openai-handling-of-b-c-shooting-case
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

Federal ministers signal possible AI safety reforms after OpenAI handling of B.C. shooting case

Federal ministers say Ottawa is prepared to consider new safeguards around artificial intelligence tools following questions about how OpenAI handled warning signs linked to a deadly shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The issue has drawn national attention after reports revealed that the accused shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had been removed from OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform months before the February 10 killings. According to reporting first published by The Wall Street Journal, the account was shut down over troubling posts that referenced violent scenarios, including gun use. Howe
b-c-police-step-up-enforcement-for-distracted-driving-and-seatbelt-violations-in-march
BCFeb 25, 2026

B.C. police step up enforcement for distracted driving and seatbelt violations in March

Police across British Columbia are increasing enforcement this month as part of province-wide campaigns targeting distracted driving and seatbelt compliance. BC Highway Patrol says officers will be closely monitoring drivers who use electronic devices behind the wheel or fail to properly secure themselves and their passengers. The initiative coincides with Distracted Driving Month and the Occupant Restraint Campaign, both aimed at reducing serious injuries and fatalities on provincial roads. Inspector Brian Donaldson with BC Highway Patrol is urging motorists to eliminate distractions before s
AlbertaFeb 25, 2026

Alberta introduces bill to transition sheriffs into new provincial police service

The Alberta government has tabled legislation that would shift approximately 1,200 Alberta Sheriffs employees into a newly created provincial police agency, marking a significant step in the province’s ongoing discussion about the future of policing. If passed, the bill would establish the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service and allow it to assume local policing responsibilities currently provided by the RCMP, should municipalities choose to opt in. The proposed model is designed to give communities the option of moving away from federal policing services toward a provincially managed force. Pub
two-men-charged-after-alleged-attempted-kidnapping-linked-to-organized-crime-in-calgary
AlbertaFeb 25, 2026

Two men charged after alleged attempted kidnapping linked to organized crime in Calgary

Two men are facing criminal charges after Calgary police say officers disrupted what investigators describe as a violent attempted kidnapping in the city’s downtown earlier this month. The Calgary Police Service said a patrol sergeant witnessed an assault in progress shortly after midnight on February 17 and intervened immediately. Officers allege the incident involved an attempt to forcibly abduct an individual. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been released. Police said the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle but were located and arrested a short time later. In
canada-pledges-8-million-in-food-aid-for-cuba-as-u-s-fuel-blockade-continues
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

Canada pledges $8 million in food aid for Cuba as U.S. fuel blockade continues

The Government of Canada has announced an $8 million food assistance package for people in Cuba in response to mounting shortages of basic goods aggravated by a tightened U.S. oil blockade, federal officials said Wednesday. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai said the funding is intended to help address urgent needs for food and nutrition among vulnerable communities on the Caribbean island. The aid will be delivered through United Nations partners, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF, rather than through the Cuban