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health-canada-ending-a-ban-on-gay-men-donating-blood
CanadaApr 28, 2022

Health Canada ending a ban on gay men donating blood

Health Canada is going to end a ban on gay men donating blood. Canadian Blood Services says the ban will be replaced by new screening criteria based on sexual history and behaviour. Starting no later than September 30th, potential donors will be asked if they have had new or multiple sexual partners in the last three months, no matter their gender or sexual orientation. The agency says questions about sexual behaviour will allow more reliable risk assessments.
BCApr 28, 2022

Abbotsford Police Department investigating hit and run

Police in Abbotsford say they're investigating a hit-and-run that left a 38-year-old man with life-threatening injuries.Officers responded to the crash between a pedestrian and vehicle whose driver fled the scene just before midnight on Tuesday.Police say they're working with the R-C-M-P's Integrated Collision Analysis Reconstruction Service as they try to identify the suspect vehicle.Anyone who was in the area of Clearbook Road and Hillcrest Avenue around the time of the incident is asked to contact police.
conservatives-call-on-rcmp-to-take-another-look-into-trudeaus-2016-aga-khan-trip
CanadaApr 27, 2022

Conservatives call on RCMP to take another look into Trudeau's 2016 Aga Khan trip

Opposition Conservatives are asking the RCMP to pursue a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's trip to the Aga Khan's private island six years ago, saying there's new evidence. The Bahamian vacation Trudeau and his family embarked on in 2016 has re-emerged as an issue after the Conservative party received internal documents through an access-to-information request showing the force contemplated investigating him for fraud. The federal ethics commissioner investigated the trips and in 2017 ruled his acceptance of gifts breached conflict of interest rules because the Aga K
vpd-releases-video-asks-for-help-in-solving-a-violent-robbery
BCApr 27, 2022

VPD releases video, asks for help in solving a violent robbery

Vancouver police are appealing for help solving a violent robbery that occurred in early December. The department has released video of two masked men entering the Gucci store in the downtown core on December 9th, spraying a staff member with bear spray and making off with about $20,000 in merchandise. Police hope someone will recognize the two robbers, but they haven't explained why they waited so long to release the video, even though they obtained it early in the investigation. The 33 year old security guard who was hit with the bear spray managed to flee the store with three other employe
stanley-park-seawall-reopens-almost-4-months-after-ultra-high-tides-severely-damaged-the-walkway
BCApr 27, 2022

Stanley Park seawall reopens almost 4 months after ultra high tides severely damaged the walkway

The Stanley Park seawall has finally reopened, almost four months after ultra high tides, extreme winds and a storm surge severely damaged the popular Vancouver walkway. The Vancouver park board says the 3.5 kilometre stretch of seawall between Second Beach and Lions Gate Bridge was damaged January 7th and reopened today. The board says lock blocks have been used to prevent further erosion and rebuild parts of the damaged walls along sections where the old structure collapsed. A statement from the board says stonemasons have been working to rebuild the stone work, crews have added new capstone
2021-census-shows-number-of-seniors-over-85-expected-to-triple-in-next-25-years
CanadaApr 27, 2022

2021 census shows number of seniors over 85 expected to triple in next 25 years

Statistics Canada's director of demography says Canada is headed for a date with demographic destiny. The 2021 census shows that people over the age of 85 are the fastest-growing age group in the country, bringing Canada ever closer to what experts warn will be a crisis in senior care. The millennial population is trending toward becoming the largest generation in Canada by 2026. But experts warn the sheer number of over-85s will make it difficult to fund the increased demand for health services and care.
four-bus-passengers-injured-in-unprovoked-assault-in-abbotsford
BCApr 27, 2022

Four bus passengers injured in unprovoked assault in Abbotsford

On April 24th, at 4:18 pm, AbbyPD responded to reports of an intoxicated, assaultive passenger on a BC Transit Bus which was proceeding westbound on Highway 1 at Whatcom Road. While police were en route, passengers on the bus stepped in and assisted with restraining the suspect until police arrived. Upon police arrival, the suspect continued to resist which required additional officers to assist in his arrest. In total, four passengers were assaulted during the incident. All received minor injuries which did not require transport to the hospital. Forty-five-year-old David Allen LUCAS of Surrey
surrey-rcmp-invetigating-after-person-was-found-dead-in-the-remains-of-a-fire-at-a-homeless-camp
BCApr 27, 2022

Surrey RCMP invetigating after person was found dead in the remains of a fire at a homeless camp

Surrey RCMP say they are investigating after a person was found dead in the remains of a fire at a homeless camp. Police say the discovery was made after the fire crews put out the blaze yesterday. They say officers secured the scene for further investigation and are working closely with the BC Coroners Service and Surrey Fire Service on the case. They say the deceased person has not yet been identified.
two-b-c-men-included-in-a-list-released-today-of-canadas-25-most-wanted-fugitives
BCApr 27, 2022

Two B.C. men included in a list released today of Canada's 25 most wanted fugitives

Two men from BC are on a list released today of Canada's 25 most wanted fugitives. 36 year old Gene Karl Lahrkamp is number two on the list supplied by the Bolo, or be on the lookout program. A 100,000 dollar reward has been issued for the man wanted in connection with the death of former Abbotsford gangster Jimi Sandhu, who Crimestoppers says was found dead near a villa in Rawai Beach in Phuket, Thailand, in February. Also on the list is 61-year-old John Norman MacKenzie, a man convicted of second-degree murder, armed robbery and other offences who escaped from the Mission Institution shortl

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bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level