Canada’s population declined slightly during the first three months of 2026, according to new estimates released by Statistics Canada. The agency estimated the country’s population at 41,417,056 as of April 1, a decrease of 55,025 people, or 0.1 per cent, compared with Jan. 1. Statistics Canada attributed the decline largely to a reduction in the number of non-permanent residents. According to Statistics Canada, the preliminary number of non-permanent residents fell by 117,879 during the first quarter of 2026. That compares with a decline of 55,194 during the same period a year earlier. Th

Two families have been displaced after a vehicle crashed into the basement of a home and sparked a fire in Chilliwack early Tuesday morning. According to the Chilliwack Fire Department, the incident occurred at about 1:45 a.m. when a speeding vehicle left the roadway, struck a residence, and entered the home's basement. A fire broke out immediately after the collision and spread rapidly through the structure. More than 24 firefighters responded to the scene and brought the blaze under control. Fire officials said the fire had already spread from the basement to the second floor by the time eme

An 11-year-old boy has died after a suspected drowning during a school field trip at Echo Dale Regional Park in Medicine Hat, according to Alberta RCMP. Police said officers responded Monday afternoon after receiving a report that a child had gone missing during a school outing at the park. Staff from the school division, park employees and emergency responders searched the area, while drones were deployed to assist in locating the child. Staff Sgt. Darren Lole said the boy was found in the water within about an hour of the initial report. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead

Langley RCMP say a shooting at a residential property last week has now been identified as an extortion-related incident following several days of investigation. Police said officers responded to a report of shots fired at a home in the 21500 block of 45A Avenue shortly after 12:40 a.m. on Friday. According to Langley RCMP, investigators initially had no information indicating the incident was connected to extortion. Sgt. Zynal Sharoom said new evidence gathered during the investigation has since clarified the motive. Police now believe the property was deliberately targeted as part of an exto

A woman in Abbotsford is facing potential criminal charges after allegedly attempting to drive through a police road closure during a collision investigation, according to Abbotsford Police. Police said officers had closed a section of Whatcom Road on Saturday evening while investigating a motorcycle crash. During the road closure, a woman driving an SUV reportedly insisted on passing through the restricted area despite directions from officers. According to police, the driver mounted a sidewalk in an attempt to bypass a police vehicle. An officer narrowly avoided being pinned between the SUV