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john-rustad-criticizes-eby-government-over-health-care-crisis
BCJan 30, 2025

John Rustad Criticizes Eby Government Over Health Care Crisis

BC opposition leader John Rustad has sharply criticized the Eby government for what he calls the province’s failing health care system. Rustad stated that British Columbia’s health care is now among the worst globally, with patients dying while waiting for treatment. A recent report highlights that the provincial government is not fulfilling its promises. Dr. Charlene Lui, president of the BC Physicians Association and a Burnaby family doctor, revealed that 700,000 residents in British Columbia currently lack a family doctor. Dr. Lui described the situation as alarming, emphasizing the ur
sonia-furstenau-resigns-as-bc-green-party-leader
BCJan 28, 2025

Sonia Furstenau Resigns as BC Green Party Leader

Sonia Furstenau has resigned as leader of the BC Green Party following her loss in the October 2024 legislative election. Although Furstenau, 54, had led the party since 2020, she decided to step down after her defeat. Furstenau had served as the MLA for Cowichan Valley since 2017. However, in the most recent election, she chose to run in Victoria-Beacon Hill, where she was defeated by NDP cabinet minister Grace Lore by 3,688 votes. The BC Greens now have only two MLAs in the province. Born in Edmonton, Sonia Furstenau earned a degree in education from the University of Victoria before workin
b-c-government-sets-five-year-housing-target-for-surrey
BCJan 28, 2025

B.C. Government Sets Five-Year Housing Target for Surrey

The B.C. government, under Premier David Eby, has set a five-year housing target aimed at delivering a total of 27,256 homes in Surrey by June 30, 2029. The provincial government has requested that the city submit an annual progress report to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. The housing target, which began on July 1, 2024, outlines specific milestones for new construction: 4,233 homes are expected to be built by June 30, 2025, followed by 4,639 homes between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. From July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, 5,248 homes are planned, followed by 6,060 new homes between July 1,
hitmen-face-sentencing-for-b-c-murder-of-former-air-india-suspect-malik
BCJan 28, 2025

Hitmen face sentencing for B.C. murder of former Air India suspect Malik

One of the admitted hitmen who killed former Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik is set to be sentenced for his part in the murder today in a New Westminster, B.C., courtroom. Tanner Fox and accomplice Jose Lopez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last October, with Fox scheduled to be sentenced today, and Lopez due back in court on Friday. Malik, who was acquitted of charges related to the 1985 Air India bombing, was shot dead in Surrey, B.C, on July 14, 2022. Fox and Lopez, who were both in their early 20s at the time of the killing, were originally charged with first-degree
bc-green-party-leader-could-announce-leadership-change-tomorrow
BCJan 27, 2025

BC Green Party Leader Could Announce Leadership Change Tomorrow

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau could announce a change in party leadership tomorrow. Furstenau suffered a defeat in the October 2024 legislative election, but despite this, the leadership of the party has remained with her so far. Furstenau first won a seat in 2017, when her party played a key role in forming the New Democrats' government. In last year’s election, Furstenau left her former seat of Cowichan Valley to run for Victoria-Beacon Hill, where she was defeated by the NDP candidate. According to sources, BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau will hold a press conference tomorr
b-c-opposition-leader-warns-premier-against-responding-to-u-s-tariff-threat
BCJan 24, 2025

B.C. Opposition Leader Warns Premier Against Responding to U.S. Tariff Threat

B.C.’s main opposition leader, John Rustad, has cautioned Premier David Eby against making a statement in response to the looming threat of U.S. tariffs. Rustad advised that while a trade war could be initiated, the reality is that Canadians would ultimately bear the cost. As leader of B.C.’s Conservative Party, Rustad emphasized that the United States has historically been Canada’s strongest ally. His remarks came as a 25 percent U.S. tariff on Canadian goods is set to take effect on February 1. While acknowledging the potential damage caused by the tariffs, Rustad made it clear that t
b-c-government-faces-challenge-as-contracts-of-400-000-public-sector-workers-expire
BCJan 23, 2025

B.C. Government Faces Challenge as Contracts of 400,000 Public Sector Workers Expire

The B.C. government is facing a challenging situation as the contracts of 400,000 public sector workers are set to expire this year, in both the spring and fall. Amid fiscal issues and potential tariffs from the Trump administration, the province will need to negotiate new contracts with unions regarding wages and other demands. These workers include nurses, hospital staff, and post-secondary school instructors and support staff. The challenge comes as the provincial government projects a $9.4-billion deficit for this fiscal year and has pledged to take steps to reduce it. The nurses’ union
john-rustad-supports-deporting-zain-haq-to-pakistan-for-violating-study-permit
BCJan 22, 2025

John Rustad supports deporting Zain Haq to Pakistan for violating study permit

B.C.’s opposition leader John Rustad has voiced support for deporting Zain Haq to Pakistan for allegedly violating his study permit. Haq is accused of participating in protests instead of focusing on his studies. In 2021, Haq was arrested along with 17 others during a demonstration on Burrard Bridge that disrupted traffic, including access to St. Paul’s Hospital. Rustad emphasized that individuals coming to B.C. to study should not break the law. Zain Haq, a prominent climate activist in B.C., was ordered deported on January 25. He and his wife Sophie are appealing to Immigration Minister
sleeping-driver-leads-to-drugs-guns-being-seized-mounties-say
BCJan 22, 2025

Sleeping driver leads to drugs, guns being seized: Mounties say

Police in Kamloops, B.C., say they seized guns and a "significant" amounts of drugs after finding a man sleeping inside a running vehicle at a restaurant parking lot. A statement from the RCMP says officers saw "numerous weapons" in plain view as they approached the truck Monday to check on the driver. Police say they found a loaded handgun, ammunition, and body armour, along with a modified rifle and loaded magazines. Supt. Jeff Pelley says police also seized more than 1.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and 85 grams of cocaine. The statement says the man in his late 30s was arrested and rele

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WorldMar 16, 2026

U.S. trade agreement signing delayed pending U.S. tariff policy implementation

The signing of a proposed trade agreement between India and the United States has been postponed for now, according to India’s commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Agrawal said the agreement will move forward only after the United States fully implements its new tariff policy. He said the timeline for finalizing the deal is tied to the outcome of tariff changes currently under consideration by U.S. authorities. According to Agrawal, previously imposed global tariffs that were struck down by a U.S. court must be replaced with new global tariff measures before the trade agreement can be finalize
AlbertaMar 16, 2026

Driver killed in shooting on Queen Elizabeth II Highway near Leduc, police investigating

A driver was killed after shots were fired at a moving vehicle Saturday afternoon on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway near Leduc, according to police. Investigators say the incident happened around 2:50 p.m. near Township Road 490. Police said a black Honda Civic was travelling on the highway when a white or grey pickup truck pulled alongside and gunfire was directed at the car. The driver of the Honda Civic was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene, police said. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity. Police say the suspects fled the area in the pickup truck at a high rate
traffic-stop-in-salmon-arm-leads-to-arrest-and-seizure-of-loaded-handgun
BCMar 13, 2026

Traffic stop in Salmon Arm leads to arrest and seizure of loaded handgun

A traffic stop by Salmon Arm RCMP on March 11 resulted in the arrest of one person and the seizure of a loaded handgun, according to a police news release. RCMP said officers conducted the stop and observed indicators consistent with suspected drug trafficking. Both the driver and passenger were arrested, and a search during the investigation led officers to locate a loaded firearm. Police said the firearm and other items were seized as evidence. The driver was later released pending further investigation. Police said charges have been approved against the passenger, identified as Kale Skjeie.
cbsa-seizes-112-kg-of-opium-at-pacific-highway-commercial-border-crossing
BCMar 13, 2026

CBSA seizes 112 kg of opium at Pacific Highway commercial border crossing

The Canada Border Services Agency says officers seized 112 kilograms of opium earlier this year after examining a commercial truck at the Pacific Highway Commercial Operations port of entry in Surrey. According to a CBSA statement, border services officers inspected the truck on Jan. 9 after observing what the agency described as an anomaly in the trailer as the driver returned to Canada from the United States. During the examination, officers found cardboard boxes that did not match the type of packaging typically used to transport produce. A detector dog team was deployed and gave a positive
conservatives-nominate-diana-filipova-for-scarborough-southwest-federal-byelection
CanadaMar 13, 2026

Conservatives nominate Diana Filipova for Scarborough Southwest federal byelection

The Conservative Party has nominated middle school teacher Diana Filipova as its candidate in the upcoming federal byelection in Scarborough Southwest. The seat became vacant after former Liberal cabinet minister Bill Blair resigned his position as member of Parliament to become Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. The byelection is scheduled for April 13. Scarborough Southwest is one of three ridings where voters will head to the polls that day. The Conservatives have now nominated candidates in all three contests. Another vote will take place in the Toronto riding of Universit