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liberals-propose-federal-criminal-reforms-aimed-at-systemic-racism-in-justice-system
CanadaFeb 18, 2021

Liberals propose federal criminal reforms aimed at systemic racism in justice system

The Trudeau government has tabled legislation to repeal mandatory minimum penalties for certain drug offences, saying they do not deter crime and unfairly affect Indigenous and Black offenders. The bill introduced today would also allow for greater use of conditional sentences, such as house arrest, counselling or treatment, for people who do not pose a threat to public safety. In addition, it would require police and prosecutors to consider alternative measures for cases of simple possession of drugs, such as diversion to addiction-treatment programs. The office of Justice Minister David Lam
homicide-team-called-to-surrey-b-c-after-assault-leads-to-death-of-man
BCFeb 18, 2021

Homicide team called to Surrey, after assault leads to death of man

RCMP say they were called Wednesday night to a report of an assault at a home in the Panorama Ridge area of south Surrey. The critically injured man was found outside the home. He was given CPR and other emergency treatment but police say he died at the scene. Officers believe the victim and his attacker knew each other, but details are still being gathered. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has joined the case and will handle the release of any further information.
427-new-covid-19-cases-and-3-deaths-reported-in-b-c
BCFeb 18, 2021

427 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths reported in B.C.

British Columbia is recording 427 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 4,150. Health officials say three more people have died and the death toll now sits at 1,317. There are 232 people in hospital, 63 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say in a joint statement that chains of transmission are broken when everyone works together. To date, 176,015 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.
police-say-latest-targeted-shooting-in-surrey-b-c-sends-one-man-to-hospital
BCFeb 17, 2021

Police say latest targeted shooting in Surrey, sends one man to hospital

One man is recovering from injuries linked to the latest targeted shooting in Surrey, B.C. RCMP say officers, including members of the gang enforcement squad, responded to reports of shots fired just after 10 p.m., Tuesday. The injured man was found in a residential area of central Surrey suffering from a gunshot wound. He has not been named but investigators say the attack was aimed at him and was not random. There have been more than half a dozen fatal, targeted or gang-related shootings across Metro Vancouver since last December. No arrests have been made in any of those cases and police
dr-bonnie-henry-says-the-seven-day-average-of-cases-in-b-c-is-creeping-up
BCFeb 17, 2021

Dr. Bonnie Henry says the seven-day average of cases in B.C. is creeping up

British Columbia's provincial health officer is warning that COVID-19 cases and test positivity rates are ticking up in some jurisdictions due to increased interactions. Dr. Bonnie Henry says that while the overall number of cases has slowly been coming down across B.C., the seven-day rolling average is starting to creep up. She says this is particularly true in the Fraser Health region, where the viral reproductive rate has risen above one, meaning each infected person is passing the virus on to at least one other person on average. Dr. Henry says that over the past four days, 1,533 new case
freeland-appeals-to-tories-to-hurry-passage-of-covid-19-relief-bill
CanadaFeb 16, 2021

Freeland appeals to Tories to hurry passage of COVID-19 relief bill

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is appealing to the official Opposition Conservatives to hasten passage of a COVID-19 relief bill through the House of Commons.The appeal is in a letter from Freeland to Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole in which the deputy prime minister says the Tories are dragging their feet on the proposed legislation for no good reason.Freeland goes on to say the bill should not be "a political football," and asks O'Toole to support its passage to help Canadians struggling during the pandemic.The Liberal government introduced the proposed legislation at the beginnin
senate-acquits-trump-of-inciting-capitol-attack
WorldFeb 13, 2021

Senate acquits Trump of inciting Capitol attack

The Senate has acquitted Donald Trump of inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, bringing his trial to a close and giving the former president a historic second victory in the court of impeachment.Trump is the first president to be impeached twice, and he is also now twice acquitted as the majority of Republicans defended his actions. The Senate voted 57-43 that Trump is “not guilty” of incitement. Two thirds of the Senate, or 67 votes, was needed for conviction.House Democrats argued that Trump caused the violent attack by repeating for months the false claims that the election wa
b-c-s-top-doctor-says-nigerian-variant-identified-in-b-c
BCFeb 13, 2021

B.C.'s top doctor says Nigerian variant identified in B.C.

British Columbia's top doctor says 47 cases of COVID-19 variants have been identified in the province, including one believed to be linked to Nigeria. Dr. Bonnie Henry says 29 cases are related to a variant first identified in the United Kingdom, 17 are associated with South Africa and the latest one involves a person who travelled to Nigeria and returned to the Interior Health region. Dr. Henry says lab teams in B.C. are working with their counterparts across Canada and internationally to get a better understanding of whether the Nigerian variant that has been identified elsewhere is also ea
strict-new-quarantine-and-testing-measures-for-travellers-arriving-in-canada-will-begin-feb-22
CanadaFeb 12, 2021

Strict new quarantine and testing measures for travellers arriving in Canada will begin Feb. 22

Strict new quarantine and testing measures for travellers arriving in Canada will begin Feb. 22. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the new measures are necessary to protect Canadians and help stop the spread of COVID-19, especially new variants. The government had previously announced incoming travellers will have to pay the cost of a 72-hour hotel stay and a COVID-19 test. More details of how that will work and who will be covered will come later today. Trudeau says there will be exceptions for some essential workers but says no one should be travelling for any non-essential reason right no

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CanadaJul 10, 2026

Charges withdrawn against Ontario man in Canada's largest gold theft case

Criminal charges against an Ontario man accused in connection with what investigators have described as Canada's largest gold theft have been withdrawn. The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General confirmed that charges against 46-year-old Ammad Chaudhry were withdrawn in a Brampton court. Chaudhry had been arrested in 2024 and charged with theft over $5,000 and accessory after the fact. The ministry did not provide a reason for the withdrawal of the charges. According to investigators, the case stems from the April 17, 2023 theft of approximately $20 million worth of gold from an Air Canada
BCJul 10, 2026

B.C. adds 7,800 jobs in June as unemployment rate falls to 6.5%

British Columbia's labour market added 7,800 jobs in June, while the province's unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage points to 6.5 per cent, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey released Friday. Statistics Canada reported that the health care sector led job growth with 8,500 new positions, followed by transportation and warehousing, which added approximately 7,300 jobs. At the same time, the accommodation and food services sector lost about 9,000 jobs, while professional, scientific and technical services shed 3,100 positions. The report also showed gains in both full-time
CanadaJul 10, 2026

Canadian Punjabi man sentenced to 20 years in U.S. for leading cross-border drug trafficking operation

A Canadian man of Punjabi origin has been sentenced to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison after admitting to leading an international drug trafficking organization that smuggled large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from the United States into Canada. According to U.S. court documents, 63-year-old Guramrit Sidhu pleaded guilty on March 26, 2026, to charges related to his role in the trafficking operation. He had been in U.S. custody since October 2024. Prosecutors said Sidhu led the criminal organization between September 2020 and February 2023. Investigators determined that between S
BCJul 10, 2026

Wildfire rages out of control near Boston Bar in B.C., Highway 1 closed

Wildfire activity near Boston Bar in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon continues to pose a significant threat, with Highway 1 closed due to uncontrolled fires burning on both sides of the Fraser River. According to authorities, the closure is in place to protect public safety. Many residents have already left for safer locations, while others remain on alert as conditions continue to evolve. Amid the emergency, Jagdeep Singh Bahl, owner of JB's Drive-In Restaurant near Highway 1, has opened his restaurant earlier than usual to provide meals for wildfire crews battling the blazes. Bahl said he i
amber-alert-issued-after-alleged-abduction-of-six-year-old-near-b-c-alberta-border
BCJul 10, 2026

Amber Alert issued after alleged abduction of six-year-old near B.C.–Alberta border

Alberta RCMP have issued an Amber Alert after the alleged abduction of a six-year-old child from northern Alberta, with investigators believing the child may now be in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories or Yukon. According to RCMP, Lanakai Morrison was allegedly taken Tuesday from Valhalla Centre, a hamlet about 63 kilometres northwest of Grande Prairie. Police said the child was last seen at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Fort St. John, B.C. Investigators believe Lanakai may be with the child's 35-year-old mother, Krista Morrison, and her 35-year-old partner, Daniel Ludwig. Police also