Canada’s population grew by 0.5 per cent between July 2025 and July 2026, marking the slowest annual growth rate recorded since the end of the Second World War. According to Statistics Canada, the pace of population growth was even lower than during the period when border restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 1, 2026, Canada’s population was estimated at 41.8 million. The report says the slowdown was mainly driven by federal government measures and policy changes aimed at limiting the number of temporary residents. Statistics Canada said Ontario, Quebec and B

Election activity is intensifying in British Columbia, with Elections B.C. announcing that advance voting will be held from October 16 to 21. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the advance voting period. Political parties and independent candidates will have until October 3 to enter the race and complete their registration. The 2024 provincial election cost approximately $91 million to conduct. For this election, Elections B.C. has initially requested a budget of $50 million, although the final cost will only be known after the voting process is completed. V

Concerns are being raised about voter fatigue and confusion in B.C. after Premier David Eby announced that provincial elections will be held on October 24. The election will take place just one week after the already scheduled municipal elections, leaving voters with limited time to learn about candidates and make informed decisions. Several leaders, including Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cori Ramsay and Surrey Connect mayoral candidate Brenda Locke, have expressed concerns that overlapping advance-voting dates could confuse voters and potentially affect voter turnout. However, some

A serious crash was reported on Highway 1 in Burnaby late at night. According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, they received a call about the incident at around 12:30 a.m. and transported one person to hospital in serious and critical condition. Due to the severity of the collision, Burnaby RCMP closed Highway 1 between Kensington Avenue and Sprott Street. Corporal Mike Kalanj said it was a very serious collision and that the section of Highway 1 could remain closed until this afternoon as the investigation continues. Details about the vehicles involved have not yet been released, and the id

The death toll has risen to 28 after a passenger ferry sank near Indonesia 10 days ago, with rescue teams expanding their underwater search area as more bodies are feared to be found. The Virgo Transport 8 ferry was carrying 243 people, including 30 crew members, when it capsized and sank on Sept. 13 while travelling from Surabaya to Banjarmasin in bad weather. As of Wednesday, 28 deaths had been confirmed, while 107 people remain missing and 108 have been rescued. Rescue teams recovered 16 bodies from the ferry over the past three days, including nine on Wednesday. The search and rescue opera