7.5°C Vancouver

News

air-canada-phone-bookings-get-more-expensive-with-an-extra-30-fee-per-passenger
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Air Canada Phone Bookings Get More Expensive, With an Extra $30 Fee Per Passenger

Air Canada has introduced a new non-refundable fee of $30 for each passenger when booking tickets through the airline’s telephone call centre. The charge is applied per passenger, meaning a family of four booking a flight through the call centre will have to pay an additional $120. However, the fee does not apply to bookings made through the airline’s website or mobile app. Air Canada said the move is intended to allow call centre agents to focus on passengers who need personalized assistance with reservations, travel disruptions or other travel-related issues. The airline clarified that t
harman-bhangu-expresses-disappointment-over-court-ruling-in-elderly-couples-murder-case
BCOct 20, 2026

Harman Bhangu Expresses Disappointment Over Court Ruling in Elderly Couple’s Murder Case

B.C. Conservative Leader Harman Bhangu has expressed disappointment over a B.C. Supreme Court ruling declaring unconstitutional a Criminal Code provision that prevents offenders from receiving parole earlier than otherwise permitted in connection with the murder of an elderly couple in his Abbotsford riding. Bhangu said 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, were brutally murdered after being tied up and assaulted inside their own home. Three young men responsible for the crime have been convicted of first-degree murder. However, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada’s Economic Growth Forecast Cut Amid U.S. Tariffs, Budget Deficit Expected to Rise

Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has lowered its economic growth forecasts for 2026 and 2027, citing the impact of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canada’s retaliatory measures. According to the federal budget watchdog’s latest report, Canada’s real GDP is expected to grow by 0.9 per cent in 2026 and 1.5 per cent in 2027. The PBO had previously forecast growth of 1.1 per cent for 2026 and 1.6 per cent for 2027 in June. The report also projects an increase in Canada’s budget deficit following the breakdown of trade negotiations between Canada and the Unit
bsf-arrests-gunman-of-former-punjab-mla-kulbir-singh-zira-with-opium
IndiaOct 20, 2026

BSF Arrests Gunman of Former Punjab MLA Kulbir Singh Zira With Opium

The Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly arrested the gunman of former Punjab Congress MLA Kulbir Singh Zira with opium in Ferozepur district. Aam Aadmi Party leader Baltej Pannu shared the information on social media. However, the identity of the arrested individual, the quantity of opium seized, and further details about the case have not yet been disclosed.
alberta-referendum-majority-support-immigration-and-constitutional-reform-proposals
FeaturedOct 20, 2026

Alberta Referendum: Voters Back Several Government Proposals

Preliminary results from Alberta’s referendum on nine questions related to immigration and constitutional reforms show majority support for most of the provincial government’s proposals. About 58.6 per cent of voters supported giving Alberta greater control over immigration. Meanwhile, 57 per cent backed restricting access to services such as health care and education to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, while charging temporary residents fees for these services. A total of 58.4 per cent supported requiring temporary residents to live in Alberta for 12 months before qualifying for
alberta-voters-reject-separation-from-canada-76-vote-to-stay
AlbertaOct 20, 2026

Alberta Voters Reject Separation from Canada, 76% Vote to Stay

Alberta voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to separate from Canada in a referendum, with preliminary results indicating that approximately 76 per cent voted to remain in the country, while only 24 per cent supported initiating the separation process. Following the historic vote, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith thanked Albertans, describing the result as a victory for a united and strong Canada. Carney said the strong support for remaining in Canada sent a clear message that Albertans had chosen unity, cooperation and standing together as a country. He
abbotsford-double-murder-sentencing-delayed-until-february-2027
BCOct 20, 2026

Abbotsford Double Murder Sentencing Delayed Until February 2027

The sentencing hearing for Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh and Khushveer Toor, convicted of the first-degree murders of 77-year-old Arnold De Jong and his 76-year-old wife, Joanne De Jong, has been postponed until February 2027. The couple were killed during a home invasion at their Abbotsford residence nearly four years ago. The three men were found guilty of first-degree murder in May, an offence that carries a mandatory life sentence with no parole eligibility for 25 years. However, the three convicted men have sought the right to apply for early parole under the Criminal Code’s “faint-h
online-drug-trafficking-ring-uncovered-in-edmonton-five-people-charged
AlbertaOct 20, 2026

Online Drug Trafficking Ring Uncovered in Edmonton, Five People Charged

Edmonton police have laid a total of 133 criminal charges against five individuals allegedly linked to a national online drug trafficking network. The charges include organized crime, drug trafficking, money laundering and possession of proceeds of crime. The arrests stem from a lengthy investigation conducted between March 2024 and January 2025 into an online group known as BlueBuddhaCo, which allegedly laundered money through banking and cryptocurrency platforms. In January 2025, police executed search warrants at several storage and distribution locations in central Edmonton and the Hollick
canada-declares-two-year-measles-outbreak-over-after-6-417-cases
CanadaOct 20, 2026

Canada Declares Two-Year Measles Outbreak Over After 6,417 Cases

Canada’s two-year measles outbreak has officially been declared over, with the Public Health Agency of Canada confirming that no new cases of the virus have been reported in the past two months. The outbreak began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and quickly spread across 10 Canadian provinces and territories, infecting a total of 6,417 people. Ontario and Alberta were among the hardest-hit provinces. The outbreak also resulted in the deaths of two newborn babies who were infected during pregnancy. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, most people who contracted the disease were u

Just In

BCOct 30, 2026

Metro Vancouver Board Delays 2027 Budget Vote Until New Board Takes Office

The Metro Vancouver Board has postponed a vote on its 2027 budget and five-year financial plan during its final meeting on Friday. Newly elected Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum had recently called for the meeting to be cancelled, arguing that voters had replaced mayors in 13 of the region’s 21 municipalities. He said there was little point in the outgoing board making decisions about future budgets and plans. Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West and Delta Coun. Dylan Kruger were among several leaders who supported the decision. They argued that the current board had lost its mandate and that the incomi
todd-matsumoto-appointed-surrey-police-chief
BCOct 30, 2026

Todd Matsumoto Appointed Surrey Police Chief

The Surrey Police Service (SPS) has appointed a new chief following the removal of former Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. The SPS Board announced Friday that Todd Matsumoto, who had been serving as interim chief, has officially been appointed as the city's Chief Constable. Surrey Police Board Chair Perm Jawanda expressed confidence in Matsumoto, describing him as the right leader to guide the SPS. Matsumoto brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in policing and public safety. He has been serving as interim chief since June 2026, replacing Lipinski. Following his appointment, Matsumo
david-eby-absent-as-b-c-ndp-selects-jennifer-whiteside-as-interim-leader
BCOct 30, 2026

David Eby Absent as B.C. NDP Selects Jennifer Whiteside as Interim Leader

Former B.C. NDP leader David Eby was absent from a key caucus meeting held Thursday, during which Jennifer Whiteside was unanimously elected as the party’s new interim leader. Whiteside confirmed that Eby did not attend the meeting in person or join virtually. According to reports, Eby apologized and took full responsibility for the party’s election defeat during a final online meeting with outgoing MLAs on Wednesday. However, he reportedly added that he would have made the same decision under the circumstances, prompting frustration among several MLAs. The following day, Eby was absent wh
modi-to-visit-canada-on-december-11-12-may-address-30-000-person-gathering
CanadaOct 30, 2026

Modi to Visit Canada on December 11–12, May Address 30,000-Person Gathering

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Canada for two days on December 11 and 12 at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. According to reports, Modi will address a gathering of the Indo-Canadian community in Toronto on December 11, with approximately 30,000 people expected to attend. However, his visit could extend beyond two days, although the final itinerary has yet to be confirmed. After completing his official bilateral engagements in Ottawa and Toronto, Modi will travel to the United States to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit. The visit is also expected to provide a
edmonton-police-investigate-suspicious-death-of-2-year-old-girl
AlbertaOct 30, 2026

Edmonton Police Investigate Suspicious Death of 2-Year-Old Girl

Edmonton police are investigating the suspicious death of a 2-year-old girl in the Castle Downs neighbourhood. Police received a report of a sudden child death at a home in the area at approximately 2 p.m. on October 10. Officers immediately responded to the scene. The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Homicide Section has taken over the investigation. An autopsy has been completed, but the medical examiner is awaiting toxicology results to determine the exact cause of death. Police have not released any further details as the investigation continues.