9.98°C Vancouver

News

b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in
trump-signals-major-u-s-potash-deal-with-belarus-amid-canada-trade-tensions
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Trump Signals Major U.S. Potash Deal With Belarus Amid Canada Trade Tensions

Amid ongoing trade tensions with Canada, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans for a major deal to purchase potash from Belarus. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Monday, Trump said the United States is working on a “massive deal” to buy potash from Belarus. He claimed that under the proposed agreement, the price would be significantly lower than what the U.S. currently pays Canada. Trump described the potential deal as “great news” for American farmers and ranchers. Canada is the world’s largest potash exporter, and the United States has traditionally
AlbertaSep 21, 2026

Alberta Temporarily Changes Voter List Rules After Privacy Breach

Alberta’s government has temporarily changed the rules governing the province’s voter lists following a privacy breach. Under the new policy, the official voter lists provided to political parties will contain only the number of voters in each voting area and municipality. Previously, the lists included registered voters’ names, home addresses, phone numbers and other personal information. Elections Alberta shared the lists with political parties, MLAs and candidates for purposes such as election campaigning and fundraising. The changes follow the public release of a database containing
80-year-old-cyclist-killed-in-chilliwack-hit-and-run
BCSep 21, 2026

80-Year-Old Cyclist Killed in Chilliwack Hit-and-Run

An 80-year-old woman riding a bicycle was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Chilliwack on Saturday evening. According to Chilliwack RCMP, the incident occurred around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Portage Avenue and Woodbine Street, where a vehicle struck the cyclist before fleeing the scene. First responders found the woman in critical condition, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police later identified and seized the suspect vehicle, described as a dark red Chevrolet Silverado crew cab truck. The driver was arrested but has since been released pending further investigation. RCMP s
ucp-riding-group-calls-for-leadership-review-of-danielle-smith
AlbertaSep 21, 2026

UCP Riding Group Calls for Leadership Review of Danielle Smith

A UCP constituency group in Alberta’s Highwood riding has called for a leadership review of Premier Danielle Smith amid growing tensions over the province’s upcoming separation referendum. The dispute comes ahead of the October 19 referendum on whether Alberta should remain part of Canada. Smith has clearly stated that she supports a united Canada with a more autonomous Alberta and is campaigning for the province to remain in Canada. Her position has angered separatist groups. Alberta Prosperity Project leader Mitch Sylvester and other separatist figures have accused Smith of dividing the

Just In

surrey-police-arrest-28-year-old-in-electronics-store-robberies
BCOct 19, 2026

Surrey Police Arrest 28-Year-Old in Electronics Store Robberies

The Surrey Police Service’s Prolific Offender Unit has arrested a 28-year-old suspect in connection with a series of break-ins and robberies at electronics stores across Surrey. According to police, Austin Thomas Romeo Hogan is accused of smashing display cabinets at electronics retailers, assaulting staff members and stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise between June and October 2026. The BC Prosecution Service has approved 17 charges against Hogan, including robbery and assault with a weapon. Police said the incidents caused an estimated $100,000 in losses for Surrey busine
24-year-old-surrey-man-killed-in-coquihalla-highway-crash-three-others-seriously-injured
BCOct 19, 2026

24-Year-Old Surrey Man Killed in Coquihalla Highway Crash, Three Others Seriously Injured

A 24-year-old man from Surrey has been killed in a head-on collision between a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota RAV4 on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt, B.C., on Saturday morning. According to B.C. Highway Patrol, police received multiple reports of a vehicle travelling in the wrong direction on the highway. Officers were on their way to intercept the vehicle when the collision occurred near the Helmer exit. One of the four Surrey men travelling in the RAV4 died at the scene. The other three men, aged between 24 and 38, suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital, where they remain unde
canadas-inflation-rises-to-3-1-raising-prospects-of-interest-rate-hike-by-year-end
CanadaOct 19, 2026

Canada’s Inflation Rises to 3.1%, Raising Prospects of Interest Rate Hike by Year-End

Economists believe the Bank of Canada could raise interest rates by the end of 2026 following the release of the country’s September inflation figures. According to Statistics Canada, the annual inflation rate climbed to 3.1 per cent, driven by higher oil and gas prices, moving above the Bank of Canada’s target range of 1 to 3 per cent. However, underlying inflation has eased, offering some relief to the central bank. Ongoing trade tensions with the United States and the crisis in the Middle East could put further upward pressure on inflation. According to KPMG Canada, the Bank of Canada i
13-injured-in-multi-vehicle-crash-involving-semi-truck-and-double-decker-bus-in-surrey
BCOct 19, 2026

13 Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving Semi-Truck and Double-Decker Bus in Surrey

Thirteen people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck, a double-decker bus and several other vehicles on Highway 99 in Surrey on Friday evening. According to the Surrey Police Service, the collision occurred around 4:30 p.m. near the Highway 99 and Highway 91 interchange. A semi-truck first struck three cars travelling in the same direction before losing control, crossing the median and colliding with an oncoming double-decker bus and another car. Approximately 50 to 60 people were aboard the bus at the time of the crash. According to B.C. Emergency Health Services, two
BCOct 19, 2026

Eby Urges Green Party Voters to Back NDP as Emily Lowan Fires Back Ahead of B.C. Election

Political activity has intensified in the final week of British Columbia’s provincial election campaign, with NDP Leader David Eby urging Green Party supporters to vote for the NDP, prompting a sharp response from Green Party Leader Emily Lowan. On Sunday, Eby appealed to Green voters not to waste their votes on the Green Party, arguing that Lowan is unlikely to become premier. He warned that votes for the Greens could split the vote and benefit the B.C. Conservatives. Responding to Eby’s remarks, Lowan accused him of calling the election two years ahead of schedule for political gain. She