RCMP in the Cowichan Valley are investigating two separate overnight shootings that police believe were targeted, involving a residence in North Cowichan and vehicles in Duncan. Officers were first called to the 5800 block of Jaynes Road in North Cowichan at around 4:45 a.m. on December 15 after reports of multiple gunshots. While initial patrols did not immediately locate the source, further searches by the Investigation Support Team, Street Crimes Unit, and a Police Service Dog led to evidence showing a nearby home had been struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported. A second incident was

Canada’s population declined modestly in the third quarter of the year, driven by a sharp reduction in the number of non-permanent residents, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. Preliminary estimates show the population fell by about 76,000 people between July 1 and Oct. 1, bringing the national total to roughly 41.6 million. This marked a reversal from the same quarter last year, when the population grew by more than 230,000. Statistics Canada said the decrease was largely due to a record decline in non-permanent residents, including temporary workers, international student

The board of directors of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation has confirmed Ray Gilmour as the organization’s new chief executive officer, formalizing a role he has held on an interim basis for the past year. AIMCo oversees more than $179 billion in assets, managing pension and investment funds on behalf of public sector workers and government entities across Alberta. Its portfolio includes retirement savings for teachers, health care workers and other public employees, making its leadership decisions significant for thousands of Albertans. Gilmour stepped into the interim CEO role

Quebec Liberal Party Leader Pablo Rodriguez is resigning amid growing turmoil linked to the party’s recent leadership contest, according to sources familiar with the decision. Two senior party sources confirmed to The Canadian Press that Rodriguez will step aside, though he has not yet made a public statement. His departure comes as the Quebec Liberals confront a criminal investigation by the province’s anti-corruption police, the Unité permanente anticorruption, following allegations connected to the June leadership race. Rodriguez’s campaign has been placed under scrutiny amid claims

A man remains in serious but stable condition after being shot by a Calgary police officer during an incident at a northwest CTrain station on Tuesday, according to police. Calgary Police Service says officers were called to the Dalhousie LRT Station parking lot following reports of a man armed with a knife who was behaving aggressively toward a peace officer. When police arrived and located the individual, an altercation took place. During the confrontation, one officer discharged their firearm, striking the man. Emergency medical services transported him to hospital, where police say his con

Strong winds moving across southern British Columbia have left close to 100,000 BC Hydro customers without electricity, with the largest number of outages reported in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, and on Vancouver Island. BC Hydro said more than 90,000 customers in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast region lost power overnight and into the morning hours, while an additional 11,000 customers were affected on Vancouver Island. Crews were dispatched across multiple regions as conditions allowed. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Metro Vancouver, warning of westerl

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a full travel ban on citizens from seven additional countries, expanding restrictions that now affect people from a total of 39 nations, according to a letter released by the White House on Tuesday. Under the new decision, full travel restrictions will apply to Palestine, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. The administration has also imposed partial travel limits on citizens from 15 other countries, though specific details of those restrictions were not immediately released. The White House said the measures are being introduced in the i

Burnaby RCMP say a two-month investigation into mail theft has led to charges against five men, following arrests carried out late last year by the detachment’s Prolific Offender Suppression Team. Police say the investigation focused on a series of break-ins and mail thefts reported across Burnaby. In December 2024, officers arrested six men in connection with the case. The BC Prosecution Service has now approved a total of 25 criminal charges against five of those individuals. Among those charged is 36-year-old Jake Dela Cruz Capinpin, who faces two counts each of break and enter and theft

A 27-year-old Chilliwack woman has died after being struck by a falling tree limb while walking along a trail near the Island 22 dog park during severe weather conditions on Monday afternoon. Chilliwack RCMP say officers were called shortly after 3:10 p.m. on December 15 after reports that a woman had been hit by a tree limb along the Island 22 trail. Police say the woman was walking with her two young children at the time, as strong winds and heavy rain moved through the area. Members of the public who were nearby immediately called 911 and provided assistance until emergency crews arrived. C