B.C. Premier David Eby has met with Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia. Eby is scheduled to hold a press conference at 12:15 p.m. at Government House in Victoria, where he is expected to formally announce a provincial election. The election is being called with about two years remaining in the current term of the B.C. NDP government. Eby had indicated that he was considering an early election amid recent turmoil within the opposition Conservative Party, a change in leadership and the NDP government's narrow one-seat majority in the legislature. According to Elections B.C.'s anticipated electio

Canada’s federal NDP is opposing the federal government’s plan to allow private investment in the country’s airports. NDP Leader Avi Lewis has described the Carney government’s proposal as privatization, arguing that calling it anything else is misleading to the public. Speaking outside the House of Commons alongside party members and labour union leaders, Lewis warned that handing over the operations of Canada’s four largest airports in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver to private investors could lead to higher passenger fees. Lewis said the plan amounts to privatization beca

A 29-year-old suspect, identified as Sean Ward, has died in hospital following a shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont. The incident happened Sunday evening as members of the Jewish community gathered inside the synagogue for prayers marking Yom Kippur. At around 7:10 p.m., the suspect allegedly opened fire with a shotgun at a police officer stationed outside the synagogue. The suspect was critically injured during an exchange of gunfire and was taken to hospital in serious condition. Police said approximately 20 to 30 rounds were fired during the confrontation, with

A Surrey councillor is calling for province-wide regulations governing the use of e-scooters in British Columbia. Coun. Rob Stutt proposed developing a regulatory framework for e-scooter use during Monday’s council meeting. Citing safety concerns, he asked city staff to prepare a letter that will be sent by the mayor to the incoming provincial government. Under current rules, e-scooters are prohibited on Surrey roads, parks and sidewalks. However, their use continues to grow in communities. Stutt argued that instead of simply banning e-scooters, the province should provide municipalities wit

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has introduced Bill C-38 in Parliament to extend the federal excise tax relief on gasoline and diesel until January 31, 2027. Under the proposed legislation, Canadians will continue to receive the full tax relief of 10 cents per litre on gasoline and 4 cents per litre on diesel until the end of January. According to Champagne, the measure will save drivers about $5 on every 50-litre tank of fuel. From February 1 to March 31, 2027, the tax relief will be reduced by half, with the federal fuel excise tax returning to its full rate on April