Here are highlights from the B.C. budget tabled Tuesday:— The government is earmarking $2.1 billion to fund disaster recovery efforts and future response to the threats from wildfires, floods and heat waves.— The deficit is forecast to be $5.5 billion for the 2022-23 fiscal year.— Average child-care fees will drop to about $20 per day after the NDP promised $10-a-day child care.— $22 million will be spent to support survivors and restore funding for 50 sexual assault centres.— A new Declaration Act Secretariat will ensure legislation is consistent with United Nations Declaration on t

Surrey RCMP is informing the public of an assault with a weapon that has left two teens with injuries at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary. The suspect, also a teen, has been taken into custody. On February 22, 2022 at 2:39 p.m., Surrey RCMP Frontline officers responded to a report of a stabbing at the school grounds of Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary school located in the 6100-block of 180 Street. Two victims were located and taken to hospital in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect remained on scene and was taken into custody. Early indications are that this incident stemmed fr

Nearly 19 million dollars in federal funding was announced today to help 11 BC airports and two BC based airlines cope with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Harjit Sajjan, the minister responsible for Canada's Pacific Economic Development Agency, says the money ensures airports and carriers can continue essential routine maintenance and facility operations during the pandemic. A statement from the government says regional airports and carriers offer vital commercial flight links, support critical supply chains, promote economic growth and help essential workers and medical pati

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is sending hundreds more troops to eastern Europe and imposing new sanctions on Russia in response to its deployment of forces into Ukraine. Trudeau says up to 460 more members of the Canadian Armed Forces are being sent to Latvia and the surrounding region to bolster NATO in response to what he described as a Russian invasion of Ukraine. The new troops are being deployed alongside an additional naval frigate and Aurora surveillance aircraft, and are on top of the 540 Armed Forces members already deployed to Latvia. Trudeau says Canada is also taking

On February 10th the New Westminster Police Department asked witnesses to come forward following an assault and robbery that occurred on Alexander Street on February 8th. Since that time, New Westminster Police Department patrol officers have made an arrest. This arrest occurred on February 15th when police were called to Alexander Street for a report of two people having a verbal altercation and one person brandishing a knife. When police arrived on scene patrol officers recognized one of the men as the suspect in the assault and robbery that occurred on February 8th.Nicholas Gelaude, a 33-ye

Ottawa's largest mall has been evacuated and a suspect has been arrested with a possible weapon, on the first day the shopping centre has been open since protests forced stores to shut down late last month. Police say they responded to Rideau Centre for a shoplifting call. On Twitter, the police wrote one person has been arrested and there is no outstanding suspect or threat to public safety. Witnesses reported they were ordered to evacuate the centre, as police told people to avoid the area just before 1 p.m. ``due to an ongoing police operation.'' One witness said parts of the mall went dar

Delta Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault in the area of Diefenbaker Park located at 5400 block of 2nd Avenue, Delta B.C on Saturday, February 19th. The incident occurred between 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm. The suspect attempted to pull the victim towards the vehicle, however the victim was able to free themselves.The suspect male is described as; Caucasian male between 30 to 40 years old, brown facial hair, 5’11" medium build, wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants and black shoes. The male was driving a black sedan with another male passenger. There has not been any similar r

Tamara Lich, one of the leading organizers behind protests against COVID-19 restrictions and the Liberal government on Parliament Hill, has been denied bail.An Ontario court judge issued the decision in Ottawa this morning, saying she believed there was a substantial likelihood Lich would reoffend if released.A separate bail hearing is scheduled this morning for fellow protest organizer Patrick King.Lich was arrested last Thursday and charged with counselling to commit mischief and promised during a bail hearing on Saturday to give up her advocacy of the protest and return to Alberta.King, 44,

B.C. is reporting 692 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 343,631 cases in the province. The new cases include:Fraser Health: 157Vancouver Coastal Health: 75Interior Health: 217Northern Health: 138Island Health: 105People who reside outside of Canada: zeroThere are 733 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 113 are in intensive care.In the past 24 hours, five new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,786.There have been two new health-care facility outbreaks at Langley Memorial Hospital and Menno Home (Fraser Health). The outbreak at Queen's Park Care Centre (Fraser Health