8.39°C Vancouver

News

BCAug 07, 2026

B.C. considers cutting development charges to spur housing construction in high-growth communities

The British Columbia government is considering reducing development cost charges to encourage the construction of new homes in the province's fastest-growing communities. Housing Minister Christine Boyle confirmed the province is in discussions with the federal government on a proposal that would reduce development cost charges by up to 50 per cent for multi-unit housing projects in rapidly growing municipalities. According to the minister, the plan also includes exploring options to offset the funding shortfall municipalities would face if the fees are reduced. Development cost charges are pa
AlbertaAug 07, 2026

Two correctional officers and inmate die during transfer from Edmonton women's prison, CSC says

Correctional Service Canada says two correctional officers and an inmate have died during a transfer from the Edmonton Institution for Women. The federal agency announced the deaths Thursday in a social media post, describing the incident as a "tragic accident." It did not say when the deaths occurred or provide details about how the three people were killed. According to Correctional Service Canada, the transfer involved the Edmonton Institution for Women, a multi-level facility in west Edmonton that houses minimum- and medium-security inmates. No additional information about the circumstance
CanadaAug 07, 2026

CBSA spent nearly $1 million on private jets for deportation and detainee transfers, report says

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) spent nearly $1 million over a two-year period chartering private aircraft to deport foreign nationals or transfer detainees within Canada, according to a report by The Globe and Mail citing internal CBSA documents. The report says the agency chartered a Dassault Falcon 900EX private jet in January 2022 to deport three individuals at a cost of approximately $438,000. According to the internal records reviewed by The Globe and Mail, the aircraft was used for a single removal operation. The documents also indicate that in September 2022, CBSA paid $130,432 to
BCAug 07, 2026

RCMP seek public's help after suspected series of fires at Kelowna park

The RCMP are asking the public for assistance after investigators identified a series of suspected deliberately set fires at Gopher Creek Linear Park in Kelowna. According to the RCMP, several small fires were discovered in close proximity inside the park at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. People who were in the park and nearby residents spotted the fires and extinguished them before notifying the fire department, preventing any significant damage. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the park or near the Gallagher Road and Lynrick Road area that afternoon
BCAug 07, 2026

Nova Scotia to ban e-bikes and e-scooters for children under 14 starting this fall

Nova Scotia will prohibit children under the age of 14 from operating e-bikes and e-scooters beginning this fall as part of amendments to the province's Traffic Safety Act. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley announced the new minimum age requirement, saying the changes are intended to improve road safety as electric mobility devices become faster and more widely used. According to the provincial announcement, the updated rules respond to advances in technology that allow many e-bikes and e-scooters to travel at significantly higher speeds than conventional bicycles. The changes come as injuries
canada-adds-75-000-jobs-in-july-as-unemployment-rate-falls-to-two-year-low
CanadaAug 07, 2026

Canada adds 75,000 jobs in July as unemployment rate falls to two-year low

Canada's economy added 75,000 jobs in July, bringing the national unemployment rate down to 6.4 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. The agency said the unemployment rate is now at its lowest level in two years. The latest Labour Force Survey marks the third consecutive monthly decline in unemployment. Since April, the jobless rate has fallen by 0.5 percentage points. The July employment gain also exceeded economists' expectations, with forecasts having called for approximately 15,000 new jobs. Statistics Canada reported that both full-time and part-time employment contributed almost equa
BCAug 06, 2026

Fort St. John RCMP investigate second targeted drive-by shooting in recent weeks

RCMP are investigating a targeted drive-by shooting in Fort St. John that damaged several properties but did not result in any reported injuries. The incident marks the second targeted shooting in the city within the past few weeks. According to Fort St. John RCMP, officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 1:37 a.m. Thursday in the 9800 block of 108 Avenue, near the city's downtown area. Investigators found bullet damage to a travel trailer, two nearby homes and a vehicle. Police said no injuries were reported. As of publication, investigators have not released a description of any sus
federal-government-restores-full-health-coverage-for-refugees-and-asylum-claimants
CanadaAug 06, 2026

Federal government restores full health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants

The federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has reversed recent cuts to health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants, restoring full benefits under the Interim Federal Health Program. New rules introduced on May 1, 2026 required eligible refugees to pay a $4 co-payment for prescription medications. The changes also required them to cover 30 per cent of the cost of supplemental services, including dental care, vision care, physiotherapy and mental health services. The policy drew criticism from frontline physicians, human rights organizations and community advocates, who argued
rcmp-warn-western-canada-trucking-businesses-about-credit-card-fraud-scheme
CanadaAug 06, 2026

RCMP warn Western Canada trucking businesses about credit card fraud scheme

The Saskatchewan RCMP is warning trucking and transportation-related businesses across Western Canada about a credit card fraud scheme targeting commercial suppliers. According to an RCMP news release, suspects are contacting businesses by phone and using fraudulent credit cards to purchase truck tires, engine oil, trailer parts and other high-value items. Police say the fraud typically begins with a phone order and payment by credit card. The initial transaction may appear as approved or pending, prompting businesses to ship the goods by courier. After the shipment is delivered, the credit ca

Just In

b-c-ndp-pledges-legally-enforced-nurse-to-patient-ratios-in-hospitals
BCOct 22, 2026

B.C. NDP Pledges Legally Enforced Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in Hospitals

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby announced during a campaign event in Vancouver on Thursday morning that his party would legally establish nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals, setting limits on the number of patients each nurse can care for. Eby said the policy would initially be implemented in emergency departments. He also claimed that British Columbia is the first province in Canada to offer such a guarantee, adding that more than 4,700 nurses have already been added to the health-care system under the initiative. As part of its election platform, the NDP is also promising to add 1,000 new traini
bc-conservative-leader-lorne-doerkson-accuses-ndp-of-failing-surrey-residents
BCOct 22, 2026

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson Accuses NDP of Failing Surrey Residents

BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson has sharply criticized David Eby’s BC NDP government, accusing it of making empty promises to Surrey residents over the past nine years. Doerkson said Surrey continues to face overcrowded schools, emergency room closures, a shortage of doctors and a growing extortion problem. He alleged that the Eby government has failed to deliver on its promises to the city, while major projects have gone over budget and areas such as Newton have been neglected. Unveiling his Surrey Success Plan, Doerkson pledged that a BC Conservative government would fulfill its comm
punjab-cms-osd-rajbir-ghuman-skips-cbi-questioning-in-alleged-corruption-case
IndiaOct 22, 2026

Punjab CM’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman Skips CBI Questioning in Alleged Corruption Case

Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, did not appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Chandigarh for questioning in an alleged corruption case. This is the third time the CBI has summoned Ghuman for questioning. During two previous sessions, the agency reportedly asked him a total of 90 questions. Meanwhile, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia targeted the Punjab government over allegations of corruption. He called for investigations into various matters, including alleged bribery in the transfer
CanadaOct 22, 2026

Direct Flights Between Canada and Türkiye to Nearly Double

Canada and Türkiye have signed a new air transport agreement to increase passenger flights between the two countries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that trade negotiators from both countries will begin discussions in Ankara next month to lay the groundwork for a first round of free trade agreement talks. Carney said bilateral trade between Canada and Türkiye has increased by 50 per cent over the past five years, highlighting significant potential for further growth. During his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Carney also signed a defence cooperation agree
AlbertaOct 22, 2026

Alberta Reports Sharp Rise in Flu Cases, 5 Deaths and 26 ICU Admissions

Alberta is seeing a significant rise in influenza cases well before the official flu season begins. As of October 11, the province had recorded 366 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, compared with just 42 during the same period last year. Hospitalizations have also increased, with nearly 300 Albertans hospitalized due to influenza since August. Among them, 26 patients, including two young children, have required intensive care. Five people have died from influenza since August, including four in the Calgary zone. Flu vaccines became available to the general public on October 19. So far, approxima