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city-manager-vincent-lalonde-retires-from-city-of-surrey
BCAug 14, 2023

City Manager Vincent Lalonde retires from City of Surrey

After 26 years of dedicated service, including the past 9 years as City Manager, Vincent Lalonde has decided to retire from the City of Surrey."On behalf of Surrey City Council, I want to thank Vince for his remarkable dedication to the City of Surrey," said Mayor Brenda Locke.Vincent Lalonde has held various positions at the City of Surrey over the last 26 years including GM of the Engineering Department. He has also served as the Chair of Metro Vancouver Regional Administrators Advisory Committee and as the BC Board Representative of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators.Counc
helicopter-crash-near-enderby-sent-four-people-to-hospital
BCAug 14, 2023

Helicopter crash near Enderby sent four people to hospital

Four people have been hospitalized after a helicopter crashed near B.C.'s Enderby.B.C. Emergency Health Services said that they received a call around 8:00 p.m. on Saturday about a helicopter that crashed in the Shuswap River near Mebel Lake Resort.After the incident, seven ambulances reached the spot and the paramedics admitted four people to the hospital after giving first aid.The condition of all of them is said to be stable.People living near the scene said that when they suddenly saw the plane descend from the sky and plunge straight into the river, they ran and pulled two people out of t
b-c-hydro-so-far-approved-2000-applications-for-free-air-conditioners
BCAug 11, 2023

B.C. Hydro so far approved 2000 applications for free air conditioners

B.C. Hydro is now accepting applications for government-funded air conditioners for low-income residents.B.C. government had promised to distribute 8,000 air conditioning units in the next three years.Online applications started for people who live in apartments or condos.B.C. Hydro spokesperson said they had approved 2,000 of the 3,000 applications they received from low-income households as of last week.It is worth mentioning that B.C. government has decided to provide free air conditioners to thousands of low-income people amid the rising heat.In this regard, $10 million will be spent by th
10-000-kia-cars-recalled-drivers-told-to-park-away-from-buildings-due-to-fire-risk
CanadaAug 11, 2023

10,000 Kia cars recalled; drivers told to park away from buildings due to fire risk

A recall of 10,000 Kia cars has been issued in Canada and drivers have been asked to park the vehicles away from buildings due to the risk of fire.In the notice issued by Transport Canada, three models of Kia have been recalled. These include 2023 model Soul, Sportage and 2023-2024 model Seltos.Transport Canada said in a statement that a total of 10,757 vehicles sold by the Kia company in Canada have been recalled.According to the notice, the recalled vehicles may have defects in some electrical components, and may cause fire due to short-circuit and overheating.Kia advises drivers to park aff
rent-rates-in-canada-broke-all-previous-records-in-july
CanadaAug 11, 2023

Rent rates in Canada broke all previous records in July

In the month of July, the rent rate in Canada has broken all previous records.According to data from Rentals.ca and research firm Urbanation, the average rent in Canada was $2,078 in July, which is 8.9% more than July last year.This is the fastest increase in rent during the last three months.The reason for the increase in rent is considered to be post-secondary students signing leases before the fall, population growth, and interest rate increase that forced people are to put off their idea of buying houses.
ontario-greenbelt-development-plans-were-biased-a-g-report
CanadaAug 09, 2023

Ontario Greenbelt development plans were 'biased': A.G. report

The Ontario government's process for selecting safe greenbelt land for housing development was heavily influenced by a small group of developers with good ties to the government, a new report from Ontario's auditor general has revealed.A 95-page report released on Wednesday by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk reviewed how the state government chose to exclude 810,000 hectares of farmland, forest and wetlands from the Greenbelt, which stretches from Niagara Falls to Peterborough.Lysyk explained that the selection process was not controlled by non-partisan public servants but primarily by Housing Mi
all-evacuation-orders-lifted-around-osoyoos-wildfire
BCAug 09, 2023

All evacuation orders lifted around Osoyoos wildfire

B.C. Wildfire officials say the wildfires that have spread from Washington to B.C. do not appear to be in danger of spreading further.Therefore, all evacuation orders issued due to the wildfires in Osoyoos have now been lifted.It is worth mentioning that due to this fire, an area of 71 square kilometers has been burnt.At the height of the fire, about 700 properties were evacuated and about 2,000 were placed on evacuation alert.
terms-of-new-contract-that-resolved-british-columbia-port-dispute-are-released
BCAug 09, 2023

Terms of new contract that resolved British Columbia port dispute are released

Details of new contracts between workers and their employers at 30 of B.C.'s ports have now been made public.The details of this contract have been released by Canada Industrial Relations Board.The 4-year agreement includes a 5% salary hike for the next two years and a 4% salary hike for the following two years.There was a disagreement between the two parties regarding awarding the contract to a third party for the maintenance work.Now it has also been agreed on this issue that the workers working at the ports will be given training to do maintenance.
drivers-must-slow-to-60-km-h-when-passing-roadside-workers-in-alberta
AlbertaAug 09, 2023

Drivers must slow to 60 km/h when passing roadside workers in Alberta

Alberta drivers will be expected to stop and slow down when stopped by roadside workers, or face a $243 fine and points against their license.From the beginning of September, the Traffic Safety Act will be expanded to include protecting roadside workers from injuries and collisions while on the job.Drivers in the lane closest to the roadside worker will have to do 60 km/h when the lights flash.Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen said the government wants to protect police, paramedics, maintenance workers and tow truck drivers so they can get home safely at the

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carney-targets-new-trade-agreements-with-asean-india-and-other-asian-partners-by-year-end
CanadaJul 29, 2026

Carney targets new trade agreements with ASEAN, India and other Asian partners by year-end

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada aims to finalize new trade agreements with ASEAN member states, India, Thailand and the Philippines by the end of 2026, a move the federal government says would give Canadian businesses access to markets representing nearly three billion consumers. Speaking to reporters in Red Deer, Alta., Carney said the government intends to conclude free trade agreements with India and other key partners before the end of the year. According to the prime minister, the agreements are expected to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses in some of the Asia-Pacifi
BCJul 29, 2026

Four arrested after anti-gang probe uncovers suspected synthetic drug lab in Abbotsford

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) says four people were arrested after investigators uncovered a suspected clandestine synthetic drug laboratory in rural Abbotsford and seized drugs, firearms and commercial explosives during coordinated search warrants. According to CFSEU-BC spokesperson Sgt. Sarbjit Kaur Sangha, the investigation began in February 2026 after police received information suggesting a suspect was involved in firearms trafficking and illicit drug production. On May 21, officers executed simultaneous search warrants at multiple properties
federal-alberta-governments-announce-510m-housing-infrastructure-agreement
AlbertaJul 29, 2026

Federal, Alberta governments announce $510M housing infrastructure agreement

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have announced a new infrastructure agreement aimed at supporting housing development across the province through upgrades to essential municipal services. Under the agreement, the Government of Canada will invest more than $510 million over the next eight years through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF). According to the federal and provincial announcement, the funding will help municipalities build and upgrade drinking water, wastewater, sewer and stormwater infrastructure needed to support new housing construction. In
more-than-100-aftershocks-follow-powerful-earthquake-in-japans-kyushu-region-death-toll-rises-to-13
WorldJul 29, 2026

More than 100 aftershocks follow powerful earthquake in Japan's Kyushu region; death toll rises to 13

Rescue crews in Japan's Kyushu region continued search operations Wednesday after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake triggered more than 100 aftershocks, leaving at least 13 people dead, according to Japanese authorities. The hardest-hit areas include Kumamoto Prefecture, where emergency crews are searching through the rubble of a paper factory and a shopping mall despite high temperatures. Authorities said the damage worsened after an explosion occurred at the shopping mall about an hour after the initial earthquake. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said rescue efforts remain focused on reachin
westjet-flight-attendants-sign-operational-wind-down-agreement-as-aug-2-strike-deadline-approaches
CanadaJul 29, 2026

WestJet, flight attendants sign operational wind-down agreement as Aug. 2 strike deadline approaches

WestJet and the union representing approximately 4,400 flight attendants have signed an operational wind-down agreement outlining procedures to safely land aircraft and return cabin crew home in the event of a strike. Flight attendants could begin strike action as early as Aug. 2 if the two sides fail to reach a new collective agreement. A work stoppage could disrupt travel plans for thousands of passengers during the August long weekend. Under Canada's labour rules, the union must provide at least 72 hours' strike notice before any job action can begin. If notice is issued, some flight cancel