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environment-canada-expands-air-alerts-as-wildfire-smoke-spreads-over-b-c
BCSep 05, 2025

Environment Canada expands air alerts as wildfire smoke spreads over B.C.

Environment Canada's special air-quality statements for wildfire smoke have now expanded to cover most of British Columbia, with air quality at its worst possible level in parts of the Fraser Valley. The alerts advise people to limit or avoid outdoor activity and are now in place for all of B.C. outside of Vancouver Island, the Central and North Coast, Haida Gwaii and about a quarter of the province on its northern edge. An air-quality warning continues to be in effect in Metro Vancouver, covered by orange smoke haze for a third day. Monitoring from the Metro Vancouver Regional District shows
wanted-person-25-year-old-storm-kehler
BCSep 04, 2025

Wanted person- 25 year-old Storm Kehler

The Nanaimo RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 25-year-old Storm Kehler. Kehler recently failed to appear in Nanaimo Provincial Court for a scheduled court appearance on a variety of charges ranging from Break and Enter, Theft Under $5000, Mischief, Resist Arrest and Breach of Probation. Kehler is a Caucasian man, 5 foot ten inches, 155 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is of no fixed address and is believed to be in Nanaimo. The picture provided is recent. Of note, Kehler has a tattoo of a diamond on his left hand. If anyone has information on the whereabouts o
ottawa-must-cancel-or-significantly-reform-temporary-foreign-worker-program-says-eby
BCSep 04, 2025

Ottawa must cancel or significantly reform temporary foreign worker program, says Eby

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the temporary foreign worker program should "be cancelled or significantly reformed" because the province can't have an immigration system that takes young people's jobs, while filling up homeless shelters and food banks. Eby says one reason B.C. is facing "significant fiscal headwinds" is because of "very high unemployment rates" among young people, linked to both the temporary foreign worker program and the international student program. He says B.C. is willing to "convene provinces that are interested in this issue" to have a "serious, grown-up" conve
guns-drugs-and-stolen-goods-recovered-in-pair-of-search-warrants
BCSep 04, 2025

Guns, drugs and stolen goods recovered in pair of search warrants

Prince George RCMP’s Downtown Safety Unit and Problem Oriented Policing team have been cracking down on those involved in the illicit drug trade, recently executing a pair of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrants at two different locations within the city. The searches were conducted at residences on the 2600-block of Quince Street and the 1600-block of Eighth Avenue on August 27 and 28, 2025. Due to the high-risk nature of these investigations, and the potential for violence from those believed to be living at the two locations, the North District Emergency Response Tea
new-middle-school-coming-for-kelowna-students
BCSep 04, 2025

New middle school coming for Kelowna students

With funding approved for a new middle school, 800 new seats are coming to support students in Kelowna. “As more families choose Kelowna, we need to make sure students have the schools they need to succeed,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This new middle school is just one of many investments we’re making in the Okanagan to help meet growing demand and ensure students are supported for years to come.” The new Burtch Road Middle school will add 800 new seats for young learners in the Glenmore neighbourhood of Kelowna. “We welcome this provincial investment in our stude
bc-highway-patrol-asks-for-more-witnesses-and-video-after-serious-rollover-crash-shuts-highway-1
BCSep 04, 2025

BC Highway Patrol asks for more witnesses and video after serious rollover crash shuts Highway #1

Highway #1 is open again after a serious collision shut the eastbound lanes for almost eight hours, and now BC Highway Patrol is asking for more witnesses and dash camera video to determine exactly what happened. On September 3, 2025, just before 3:30 p.m., a white Toyota Tacoma pickup and a black GMC Sierra pickup collided in the eastbound lanes of Highway #1 east of the Yale Road exit, Chilliwack. Due to the speed of the collision, both vehicles rolled into a deep ditch at the side of the highway.The 18-year-old Chilliwack man who was driving the white Toyota Tacoma received minor injuries.
BCSep 04, 2025

Building up Surrey with 1,000 new student seats on the way

Surrey’s ongoing infrastructure expansion continues with Clayton Heights Secondary adding 1,000 new student seats for families. “At our house, back-to-school is a time of excitement and anticipation for our kids and us parents,” said Premier David Eby. “The last thing families need to worry about is whether their kids’ school has enough space. That’s why our government is building, expanding and upgrading a record number of new schools throughout the province, including right here in Surrey. This will help ensure every student in our province has the safe, comfortable and inspiring
union-escalates-b-c-public-service-job-action-saying-no-improved-offer-in-sight
BCSep 04, 2025

Union escalates B.C. public service job action, saying no improved offer in sight

The union representing thousands of British Columbia public service workers says it is escalating job action in the dispute. The BC General Employees' Union says pickets are being expanded today to include the Ministry of Finance office in downtown Vancouver. It's the third day of job action by the union after a strike deadline expired on Tuesday morning. The union is seeking improved wages and says there's no indication the provincial government's Public Service Agency is willing to get back to negotiations with an improved offer. The BCGEU, which represents about 34,000 public service worker
BCSep 03, 2025

Phone services, including the 911 landline, down in northern Vancouver Island

Residents in parts of northern Vancouver Island are without landline and cellphone service due to what telecom provider Telus says was damage to infrastructure caused by vandalism. The company's service status map shows both Port McNeill and Port Hardy without home phone, mobile, internet and 911 landline service due to what it says is "damage inflicted upon Telus infrastructure." Other communities on Vancouver Island, including Alert Bay, Campbell River and Port Alice, have also been affected. Emergency Info B.C. says on social media that residents should still try to call 911 if they have an

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carney-targets-new-trade-agreements-with-asean-india-and-other-asian-partners-by-year-end
CanadaJul 29, 2026

Carney targets new trade agreements with ASEAN, India and other Asian partners by year-end

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada aims to finalize new trade agreements with ASEAN member states, India, Thailand and the Philippines by the end of 2026, a move the federal government says would give Canadian businesses access to markets representing nearly three billion consumers. Speaking to reporters in Red Deer, Alta., Carney said the government intends to conclude free trade agreements with India and other key partners before the end of the year. According to the prime minister, the agreements are expected to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses in some of the Asia-Pacifi
BCJul 29, 2026

Four arrested after anti-gang probe uncovers suspected synthetic drug lab in Abbotsford

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) says four people were arrested after investigators uncovered a suspected clandestine synthetic drug laboratory in rural Abbotsford and seized drugs, firearms and commercial explosives during coordinated search warrants. According to CFSEU-BC spokesperson Sgt. Sarbjit Kaur Sangha, the investigation began in February 2026 after police received information suggesting a suspect was involved in firearms trafficking and illicit drug production. On May 21, officers executed simultaneous search warrants at multiple properties
federal-alberta-governments-announce-510m-housing-infrastructure-agreement
AlbertaJul 29, 2026

Federal, Alberta governments announce $510M housing infrastructure agreement

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have announced a new infrastructure agreement aimed at supporting housing development across the province through upgrades to essential municipal services. Under the agreement, the Government of Canada will invest more than $510 million over the next eight years through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF). According to the federal and provincial announcement, the funding will help municipalities build and upgrade drinking water, wastewater, sewer and stormwater infrastructure needed to support new housing construction. In
more-than-100-aftershocks-follow-powerful-earthquake-in-japans-kyushu-region-death-toll-rises-to-13
WorldJul 29, 2026

More than 100 aftershocks follow powerful earthquake in Japan's Kyushu region; death toll rises to 13

Rescue crews in Japan's Kyushu region continued search operations Wednesday after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake triggered more than 100 aftershocks, leaving at least 13 people dead, according to Japanese authorities. The hardest-hit areas include Kumamoto Prefecture, where emergency crews are searching through the rubble of a paper factory and a shopping mall despite high temperatures. Authorities said the damage worsened after an explosion occurred at the shopping mall about an hour after the initial earthquake. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said rescue efforts remain focused on reachin
westjet-flight-attendants-sign-operational-wind-down-agreement-as-aug-2-strike-deadline-approaches
CanadaJul 29, 2026

WestJet, flight attendants sign operational wind-down agreement as Aug. 2 strike deadline approaches

WestJet and the union representing approximately 4,400 flight attendants have signed an operational wind-down agreement outlining procedures to safely land aircraft and return cabin crew home in the event of a strike. Flight attendants could begin strike action as early as Aug. 2 if the two sides fail to reach a new collective agreement. A work stoppage could disrupt travel plans for thousands of passengers during the August long weekend. Under Canada's labour rules, the union must provide at least 72 hours' strike notice before any job action can begin. If notice is issued, some flight cancel