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BCDec 30, 2022

Farm workers who hand-harvest crops get rate increase Jan. 1

Farm workers and producers are reminded that the minimum wage for agricultural piece rates will increase by 2.8% on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.The increase applies to 15 agricultural crops that are harvested by hand, as specified in the employment standards regulation, including peaches, apricots, Brussels sprouts, daffodils, mushrooms, apples, beans, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pears, peas, prune plums, raspberries and strawberries.The increase is based on B.C.'s average annual inflation rate in 2021 and is consistent with the 2.8% increase to the minimum hourly wage that came into effect on Jun
year-end-message-from-mayor-brenda-locke
BCDec 30, 2022

Year-end message from Mayor Brenda Locke

"As we say goodbye to 2022 and hello to a brand-new year, the City of Surrey continues to go through transformative changes. Though my time in the Mayor’s chair has only just begun, the new City Council and I have taken significant action to re-establish openness, transparency and citizen participation. The Ethics Commissioner will be restored and strengthened by having more independence. The Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) will also resume operations. A valuable asset to our City since 2007, SCDC will once again be advancing new and strategic investments in Surrey. "Policing in S
pele-brazils-mighty-king-of-beautiful-game-has-died
WorldDec 30, 2022

Pele, Brazil's mighty king of `beautiful game,' has died

Pele, Brazil's mighty king of soccer, has died. He was 82. Since 2021, he had been undergoing treatment for colon cancer discovered during a routine medical exam. Pele was one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century. He won a record three World Cups with Brazil and was the standard-bearer of ``the beautiful game'' with the national team and his club Santos. His exuberance and mesmerizing moves transfixed generations of fans around the globe. His flair personified his country's samba-style elegance. Late in his career, he helped popularize soccer in North America by joining t
arrest-made-for-shots-fired-in-tsawwassen-no-injuries-sustained
BCDec 30, 2022

Arrest made for shots Fired in Tsawwassen, no injuries sustained

On December 29th, 2022, at approximately 3:25 am, the Delta Police Department responded to reports of shots fired in the 5300 block of 4A Avenue, Tsawwassen. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that shots had been fired into a residence. While the home was occupied, the residents were not harmed.A youth from Surrey, known to the police, has been arrested for this shooting event and will be facing several firearms charges. The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits the release of information that can lead to the identity of the youth involved. Acting Inspector James Sandberg stated, "Our officers ar
BCDec 30, 2022

No injuries as CP freight train hits truck near Kamloops, B.C.

A Canadian Pacific freight train has collided with a CP truck that was travelling along tracks east of Kamloops, B.C. The collision happened at about 10:30 a.m. The truck burst into flames after the apparently head-on crash on tracks along the south side of the South Thompson River. First responders say the train was not carrying any dangerous goods. An emailed statement from CP says no one was hurt and there was no derailment when the train ``contacted'' the company's truck. It says an investigation is underway.
first-degree-murder-charges-filed-in-ontario-police-officers-killing
CanadaDec 29, 2022

First-degree murder charges filed in Ontario police officer's killing

Details are emerging about a criminal past of one of the two suspects charged in the killing of an Ontario Provincial Police officer. Both 25 year old Randall McKenzie and 30 year old Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry are facing a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Greg Pierzchala. Police say Pierzchala responded to a call for a vehicle in a ditch just west of Hagersville yesterday afternoon and was shot dead when he got there. Court documents show McKenzie has a history with the justice system, including an almost three-year sentence for robbery and other charges.
BCDec 29, 2022

Shooting in Richmond on Christmas Eve

On the late afternoon on December 24, Richmond RCMP received a report of a shooting in the 8000 block of Greenfield Drive. When frontline officers arrived at the residence, they discovered that a man had been shot. He was transported to the hospital for treatment of his serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A man was arrested at the scene and was taken into custody. The man has subsequently been released. This incident appears to be an issue between family members, says Staff Sergeant Gene Hsieh, Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of Major Crime Unit, Richmond Detachment. While the invest
new-westminster-police-help-us-locate-high-risk-missing-person-dakotah-jocko
BCDec 29, 2022

New Westminster police: Help us locate high risk missing person Dakotah Jocko

The New Westminster Police Department is seeking public assistance in the search for missing person Dakotah Jocko.Dakotah Jocko was last seen at approximately 8:30am near Columbia Skytrain Station in New Westminster. Dakotah Jocko is described as an Indigenous female, standing approximately 5’1" tall, with a slim build and brown eyes. She is known to wear various wigs."We are asking the public to help us locate Ms. Jocko to ensure her well-being," stated Sergeant Justine Thom. "Friends and family are concerned for her safety."If you know the whereabouts of Ms. Jocko please call 9-1-1. If you
BCDec 29, 2022

B.C. boosts funds to agency that handles disputes between landlords and tenants

The newly created B.C. Ministry of Housing says it is taking steps to speed up and strengthen the process that handles disputes between landlords and tenants. A statement from the ministry, which was boosted to full ministerial status when Premier David Eby announced his new cabinet earlier this month, says renters and landlords will benefit from the more timely and efficient services. The B.C. government will increase the operating budget for the Residential Tenancy Branch, which has seen long wait times for dispute resolutions as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, coupled with more people movin

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fifteen-people-accused-in-b-c-extortion-cases-file-refugee-claims-cbsa-confirms
CanadaDec 12, 2025

Fifteen people accused in B.C. extortion cases file refugee claims, CBSA confirms

Canada’s border agency says 15 foreign nationals linked to ongoing extortion investigations have submitted refugee claims, a move that has drawn concern from local officials in Surrey as the region continues to grapple with a surge in extortion-related crime. The Canada Border Services Agency says each claimant will be assessed under federal asylum rules, but did not disclose the individuals’ nationalities or details of their applications. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says she is troubled by the development and argues that the public expects federal systems to prevent criminal suspects from u
worksafebc-issues-more-than-1-3-million-dollars-in-penalties-after-fatal-crane-incident-at-oakridge-park
BCDec 12, 2025

WorkSafeBC issues more than 1.3 million dollars in penalties after fatal crane incident at Oakridge Park

WorkSafeBC has levied more than 1.3 million dollars in fines against EllisDon Corporation and Newway Concrete Forming following a series of crane-related safety violations, including the February 2024 incident at Vancouver’s Oakridge Park development that killed construction worker Yuridia Flores. The penalties stem from multiple investigations involving highrise projects in Vancouver and Victoria. Flores died when a large concrete form mould – measuring nearly 10 metres by six metres – fell 26 storeys after accelerating out of the side of the building while being moved between floors. E
alberta-ends-fall-sitting-after-sweeping-use-of-notwithstanding-clause-draws-scrutiny
AlbertaDec 12, 2025

Alberta ends fall sitting after sweeping use of notwithstanding clause draws scrutiny

Alberta’s fall legislative session closed this week with Premier Danielle Smith’s government advancing two major bills that relied heavily on the Charter’s notwithstanding clause, a move that has renewed debate over the limits of provincial authority and the protection of individual rights. The clause was applied four times in the sitting, shielding the legislation from certain court challenges for up to five years. The government first invoked the clause when it passed a law ordering more than 51 thousand public school teachers back to work following a three-week provincewide strike. Th
AlbertaDec 12, 2025

Advocacy groups shift legal strategy in bid to challenge Alberta’s gender care law

Two national advocacy organizations say they are pivoting their legal strategy as they continue efforts to challenge Alberta’s restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth. Egale Canada and the Calgary-based Skipping Stone Foundation launched a constitutional challenge last year after the province passed legislation prohibiting doctors from prescribing puberty blockers or hormone therapy to people under 16, and from performing gender-affirming top surgery on anyone under 18. The groups say the path through the Charter of Rights and Freedoms has become significantly more difficult since th
IndiaDec 12, 2025

Threatening email targets multiple schools in Amritsar, prompting closures and police response

Authorities in Amritsar ordered an immediate shutdown of several private schools after administrators reported receiving an email threatening bomb attacks on campus. The message, sent to multiple institutions early Tuesday, triggered evacuations and a large-scale police deployment. Local officials said at least 15 well-known private schools were identified in the threat. Police teams, including the bomb squad and fire services, secured school grounds while investigators worked to verify the credibility of the email. The Deputy Commissioner directed schools to release students for the day as a