A Surrey man has been sentenced to five years in prison for sex offences involving a minor he contacted through the social media platform Snapchat, according to the RCMP in Campbell River. Police say 33-year-old Dillon Caleb Partanen pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to charges that include sexual interference and possession of child sexual exploitation material. As part of his sentence, Partanen has also been ordered to register with the National Sex Offender Registry and provide a DNA sample. The case dates back to 2023, when investigators say Partanen began communicating online with an unidentified

Canada’s international trade minister says rebuilding and expanding economic ties with India will be a key focus of the federal government’s trade diversification strategy in the months ahead. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said it is important for Canada to engage India on expanding trade opportunities, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and energy, as Ottawa looks to reduce reliance on traditional markets and strengthen links in the Indo-Pacific region. Sidhu confirmed that formal negotiations toward a new economic agreement between the two countries are expected to

Surrey Police Service is investigating an early morning shooting that damaged a business and several vehicles in the city’s Newton neighbourhood. Police say officers were called to the 7200 block of King George Boulevard around 4:30 am after reports of gunfire. When members arrived, they found evidence of shots fired at a commercial property and nearby vehicles. The business was closed at the time, and no injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has now taken over the investigation. Officers remain

Friends of a Canadian woman found dead on a remote Australian beach say the news has left them stunned and grieving, as authorities continue to investigate what happened. Police in Queensland say the body of a 19-year-old woman was discovered on a beach on K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, and that it appeared to have been interfered with by a pack of about 10 dingoes. Officials have not publicly confirmed the woman’s identity, though Australian media have reported she was Canadian. Brianna Falk, a close friend from Campbell River, B.C., says she first learned something was wrong while

U.S. President Donald Trump is continuing to talk about taking over Greenland as he heads to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, where he is scheduled to speak Wednesday and meet with other world leaders. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says that Trump's tariff threat on European countries opposed to a Greenlandic takeover are "a mistake" and bring up questions of the president's trustworthiness after promises last year to not impose further tariffs on EU nations. Trump went on a posting blitz on his social media platform, Truth Social, in the early morning hour

Prime Minister Mark Carney is using the World Economic Forum in Davos to promote Canada as a stable and competitive destination for global investment, as economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continue to shape international markets. Carney is scheduled to deliver a speech and take part in a series of meetings with political leaders and corporate executives during the annual gathering, which brings together decision makers from governments, finance, and industry. He is also expected to meet later today with French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country is chairing the G7 this year. T

Former prime minister Justin Trudeau made a brief appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, using the global stage to speak about the role of diplomacy and soft power in international relations. During a panel discussion, Trudeau emphasized that Canada’s influence abroad has traditionally relied on cooperation and respect for sovereignty, rather than interference in other countries’ internal affairs or competition over natural resources. His remarks were met with attention from delegates as global tensions and shifting alliances continue to dominate discussions in Europe

Federal public service employees across multiple departments have been notified that their positions could be affected by upcoming workforce reductions. The notices, often called workforce adjustment notices, signal that job cuts may be coming but do not confirm who will ultimately lose employment. The Public Service Alliance of Canada reported that 1,775 of its members received notices last week. Affected employees work in areas including Public Services and Procurement Canada, Shared Services Canada, Statistics Canada, and the Treasury Board Secretariat. Similarly, the Professional Institute

Canada has raised concerns over recent U.S. threats of tariffs tied to its pursuit of Greenland, the self-governing Danish territory in the Arctic. Prime Minister Mark Carney described the situation as “concerning,” highlighting potential diplomatic tensions in the region. The warnings come after President Donald Trump announced that eight European nations-Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland-could face a 10 per cent tariff starting February 1. Trump said the tariffs could rise to 25 per cent on June 1 if no agreement is reached for the