A 33-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter following a fatal assault outside a downtown Nanaimo nightclub, according to the Nanaimo RCMP. Police said the incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. on July 17 outside the Sweet Spot Lounge, where an altercation left a 27-year-old man with serious injuries. The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition and later died despite medical efforts. The investigation was led by the Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crime Unit. Following the investigation, officers arrested a 33-year-old suspect, who has since been charged with manslaughter. The char

About 10,000 federal public servants have applied for the federal government's early retirement program, introduced as part of its plan to reduce the size of the public service. According to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, 10,006 applications had been received as of Tuesday, following last week's application deadline. The program was offered to eligible employees after the government began sending information packages to about 68,000 public servants in December. Employees aged 50 and older with at least 10 years of federal employment and a minimum of two years of pensionable service

Approximately 7,500 vehicles crossed the Gordie Howe International Bridge during the first 12 hours after the new Canada–U.S. border crossing opened to traffic, according to bridge officials. The bridge officially opened on Monday. The first private vehicle to cross carried members of hockey legend Gordie Howe's family, while an Onfreight Logistics truck became the first commercial vehicle to use the new crossing. Most of the traffic on opening day consisted of private and local vehicles. Officials said many commercial truck operators are still completing the required customs and border docu

Edmonton has already recorded its wettest summer on record before the start of August, following weeks of persistent rainfall that has caused localized flooding and forced the cancellation of several events across the city. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Edmonton had received 580 millimetres of precipitation by Tuesday morning. The total surpasses the previous summer record of 417 millimetres, set between June and August in 1953. Environment Canada says Edmonton typically receives an average of 213.3 millimetres of precipitation during the three-month period from June thro

Homeless encampments located along both sides of Highway 99 in Richmond are raising public safety concerns, with one of the sites situated directly above a newly installed jet fuel pipeline. According to Richmond City Councillor Kash Heed, multiple fires have been reported at the encampments, increasing concerns about the potential risk of an explosion. Heed also said dozens of edged weapons, including swords and machetes, have been seized from the camps over the past year. The councillor said the land is under the jurisdiction of the British Columbia government and alleged the province has no

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to join Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in Red Deer on Wednesday to announce a new joint initiative aimed at accelerating homebuilding across the province. According to the Prime Minister's Office schedule, Carney and Smith will outline the housing program before touring a residential construction site in Red Deer. Additional details about the initiative were not available before the announcement. The visit also includes a stop at a canola farm, where Carney is expected to meet with local farmers. Housing has been a key priority for the federal government

Former federal Industry Minister Navdeep Singh Bains has emerged as the top fundraiser in the Ontario Liberal Party leadership race, according to the latest financial disclosure reports from Elections Ontario. The filings show Bains' campaign has raised approximately $350,000 in donations, placing him ahead of Etobicoke–Lakeshore MPP Lee Fairclough, whose campaign has reported raising about $258,200. According to Elections Ontario, the fundraising advantage positions Bains as one of the leading contenders in the race to succeed the party's current leadership. Fundraising totals are widely vi

Canada's Immigration Minister Lena Diab has announced the removal of limits on the federal government's online passport renewal service, making it available to all eligible Canadian adults aged 16 and older. Speaking at a news conference in Vancouver, Diab said eligible applicants living in Canada can now submit passport renewal applications online at any time without waiting for appointment availability. According to the federal government, the expanded digital service is intended to make passport renewals more accessible and reduce the need for in-person visits. Under the new system, applica

A 97-year-old Kelowna man has died after a collision involving his mobility scooter and a charter bus on Sunday afternoon, according to the RCMP. Police said officers and BC Emergency Health Services responded to the crash on Benvoulin Road near Rampone Road at the same time on Sunday. The man was taken to hospital, where he later died from his injuries. RCMP confirmed no one aboard the charter bus was injured. Investigators said a collision reconstruction specialist attended the scene to assist with the investigation. According to police, investigators do not believe criminality or impairment