B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has announced a proposed $1,000 annual provincial income-tax cut for low- and middle-income families. Speaking at a grocery store in Surrey, Doerkson said that if elected premier, his government would raise the provincial basic personal income-tax exemption to $32,000. He said this would mean British Columbians would pay no provincial income tax on their first $32,000 of income. Doerkson said a two-income household could save up to $2,000 a year under the proposal, with the money remaining in families’ pockets rather than going to the government. He al

A 27-year-old Abbotsford man has been charged in connection with a fatal crash in Burnaby that killed an elderly couple nearly two years ago. According to Burnaby RCMP, the crash occurred on December 21, 2024, at Boundary Road and Forest Street, where two vehicles collided and one vehicle struck the other from the side. A 67-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man, who were travelling in the same vehicle, died at the scene. Following an investigation that lasted nearly two years, the RCMP’s Criminal Collision Investigation Team determined that charges were warranted. The B.C. Prosecution Servic

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has promised to freeze ICBC insurance rates for another three years if his party is re-elected. Speaking during a campaign stop in Richmond, Eby said the move would mean B.C. drivers would go a total of 10 years without facing additional increases in their vehicle insurance rates. Eby credited his government’s no-fault insurance reforms for helping move B.C. from having some of the most expensive auto insurance in Canada to among the most affordable. He also criticized B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson, warning that insurance rates could double again if the Co

Canada’s House of Commons is set to vote today on the federal government’s controversial Bill C-39, which aims to fast-track approvals for major projects. The bill has drawn criticism over a provision that would amend Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, giving the Labour Minister the power to intervene in an ongoing strike by citing the national interest. NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies has called the bill an attack on workers’ and Indigenous rights, as well as environmental protections. He said he is concerned about a growing trend of power being concentrated in the hands of cabi

Vancouver’s municipal election advance voting has set a new daily record, with 25,142 people casting their ballots on Wednesday, the second day of advance voting. According to preliminary figures released by the City of Vancouver, it was the highest number of advance votes recorded in a single day in the city’s history. The previous record was set just four days earlier, on Oct. 3, when 21,824 voters cast their ballots on the first day of advance voting. In comparison, only 10,502 people voted on the second day of advance voting during Vancouver’s 2022 municipal election. This year’s f

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new $2-billion national heat pump rebate program on Thursday to help Canadians install energy-efficient heating systems and reduce carbon emissions. The federal government says the program will also help lower electricity and heating costs. The funding is expected to provide rebates to around 820,000 homeowners over the next eight years. According to the government, households that switch to new energy-efficient heat pump systems could save an average of up to $1,400 annually on heating bills. The rebate amount will depend on household income. Lo

A minor was arrested Wednesday after a report of a gun being seen at a school in Lloydminster, a city located on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. According to Lloydminster RCMP, police received a report from Lloydminster Comprehensive High School at around 11:07 a.m. The school was immediately placed under lockdown, and officers took the suspect into custody without incident. The suspect’s identity cannot be released due to their age under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Following a thorough investigation, police confirmed that no weapon was found at the scene.

Sixteen vehicles were vandalized in the parking lot of Brentwood Mall in Burnaby on Monday evening. According to the Burnaby RCMP, the incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m., when the windows of several parked vehicles were smashed. Officers were called to the scene after receiving reports from witnesses, but the suspect had already fled before police arrived. Cpl. Mike Kalanj said investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area in an effort to identify the suspect. Police have not released any image of the suspect at this time. RCMP said a total of 16 vehicles had their windows damaged

Canada’s ban on foreign homebuyers is nearing its expiry, with the federal government considering various options for what comes next. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government is looking at all aspects of the issue, including the current state of the housing market and how it has changed over the past few years. The ban was first introduced in 2023 as part of efforts to curb housing prices and was later extended for another two years. It is currently set to remain in effect until January 1, 2027. Reports suggest that higher interest rates following the COVID-19 pande