Seven people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a Nanaimo motel early Friday morning, sending smoke through the building and forcing guests to evacuate. Nanaimo RCMP say officers were called to the Value Lodge on Terminal Avenue shortly after 3 a.m., alongside local fire crews, after reports of a structure fire. Emergency responders worked to clear the building and assist occupants as smoke spread through parts of the motel. BC Emergency Health Services confirmed in a statement issued Saturday that seven patients were transported to hospital for treatment related to smoke inhalat

A widespread winter storm is expected to bring freezing rain, blowing snow and strong winds to large parts of Eastern Canada today, continuing a stretch of disruptive weather across the country. Environment Canada has issued multiple warnings from Ontario through Atlantic Canada as conditions are expected to worsen through the day and into tonight. In Ontario, forecasters say residents could see a range of hazardous conditions depending on the region. Freezing rain is expected in eastern areas, including Ottawa, while parts of northern Ontario near Lake Superior could see heavy snowfall. Timmi

RCMP in northern Alberta have charged a 42-year-old man with two counts of second-degree murder following a fatal shooting that claimed the lives of a married couple on a rural road near Grande Prairie. Police say officers were called early Saturday to reports of an active shooting near the intersection of Range Road 35 and Township Road 730, north of Grande Prairie. When officers arrived, they found David Lagace, 54, and his wife Michelle Lagace, 44, dead beside their vehicle. Investigators identified Curtis Phillip Halladay as the suspect later that day. RCMP say Halladay was known to the co

Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney marked Christmas by offering holiday greetings to Canadians, reflecting on the economic pressures and uncertainties many families have faced over the past year while emphasizing the importance of solidarity and generosity. Both leaders highlighted the resilience shown by communities across the country during challenging times. In his recorded Christmas message, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the holiday season serves as a reminder of hope and renewal. He noted that light follows darkness and stressed that Canada is strongest when people look ou

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has reiterated support for Greenland’s sovereignty following renewed U.S. interest in the self-governing Danish territory. Anand spoke with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Tuesday, emphasizing “Canada’s support for the fundamental importance of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The discussion comes after U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland, with Landry stating the role aims to explore “making Greenland a part of the U.S.” Anand is sched

The federal government is suspending plans to ban the export of single-use plastics, citing economic pressures linked to tariffs and supply chain disruptions. Officials say these challenges are creating significant strain on the domestic economy. On Saturday, the government opened a 70-day public consultation on the decision through the Canada Gazette, inviting feedback from industry stakeholders and Canadians. According to the notice, the expected environmental gains from restricting plastic exports are not considered proportional to the potential economic impact. The plastics industry genera

Much of Western and Northern Canada is bracing for a bitterly cold and snowy Christmas, with Environment Canada issuing a mix of snow advisories and extreme cold warnings across several provinces and territories. Central Alberta is expected to see between 10 and 20 centimetres of snow by Christmas morning, prompting warnings for hazardous travel conditions on highways and local roads. Environment Canada is advising drivers to plan ahead and adjust travel plans where necessary as snowfall continues through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Cold warnings are also in effect across parts of Alberta

Eight people were killed after a small jet crashed near Turkey’s capital late Tuesday, including Libya’s Chief of the General Staff, Mohammed al-Haddad, Turkish authorities confirmed. The aircraft went down roughly 30 minutes after takeoff following a reported technical failure. Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the Falcon 50 jet disappeared from radar after issuing an emergency landing signal. Wreckage was later found in the Haymana district, south of Ankara, after overnight search and rescue operations by Turkish emergency crews. Those killed in the crash included General a

The B.C. Conservative candidate who narrowly lost the Surrey–Guildford riding in last year’s provincial election has withdrawn his legal challenge of the results, ending a court case that centred on alleged voting irregularities. Honveer Singh Randhawa, who was defeated by 22 votes, said Tuesday he has decided to drop his petition before the B.C. Supreme Court. In a written statement, Randhawa said his legal action had already led to what he described as a material outcome after the province’s chief electoral officer acknowledged that some violations had occurred. In his original filing,