Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says Ottawa is reaffirming its support of Lytton's recovery on the anniversary of the devastating wildfire that destroyed 90 per cent of the village last June. Blair also thanked first responders, volunteers and community members who stepped up over the past year. The federal government announced 77 million dollars in funding earlier this month to help rebuild a fire-resistant and energy-efficient community. BC's public safety minister Mike Farnworth says he expects many houses and the municipal infrastructure to be rebuilt by this time next

In August 2020, The New Westminster Police Department Major Crime Unit arrested an adult male masseur after an allegation of sexual assault during a massage. Since the initial media release and arrest of a suspect, Major Crime Unit investigators had identified additional victims who were allegedly sexually assaulted by the same male masseur. On June 27th 2022, 64 year old Jin Han Liu of Richmond BC, was found guilty of:Two (2) counts of Sexual Assault contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada."While this trial is over, the New Westminster Police Department Victim Assistance Unit c

BC Ferries says it has been forced to pull the Queen of Alberni from service today, impacting sailings between Nanaimo and West Vancouver. It says the repairs are ``significant'' and there is a chance that sailings will be impacted tomorrow as well. Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says disruptions like this have a lasting impact on the Vancouver Island economy and his community. He says more needs to be done to ensure the ferries are a reliable service in the province.

Vancouver police say a 31 year old man has been arrested for allegedly throwing a bottle at a baby in a stroller earlier this week. Police say they believe the attack on Monday was unprovoked and that it ``must have been terrifying'' for those involved. They say the family left the scene before police arrived and haven't yet been identified. Officers are asking them to call police to help with the investigation. Vancouver Police on Twitter: Vancouver Police are investigating an attack on a baby in a stroller, and are appealing for the baby’s parents or guardians to call police. Media Releas

Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says weekly COVID-19 case counts and severe illness trends are stable or declining in many parts of the country. But COVID-19 is still circulating. And with two new sub-variants of Omicron on the rise, Tam expects we'll see an increase in cases over the weeks ahead. Yesterday, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization advised provinces to prepare to offer another round of shots to people at increased risk of severe COVID-19, regardless of how many booster doses they've already received. The World Health Organization is reporting the number of

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on his way home from a trio of summits that saw leaders focus heavily on Russia's war in Ukraine. Before heading home from summits in Rwanda, Germany and Spain, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed Canada will be sending more troops to Latvia. But he stopped short of divulging the exact number. Trudeau also announced more military equipment for Ukraine, saying the decision to send drone cameras and armoured combat vehicles was based on conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government's ministers. After the NATO summit wrapped u

In view of the surge in COVID-19 cases in Odisha, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday issued an advisory making face masks mandatory for people living in areas under its jurisdiction. "All citizens residing within BMC area as well as outside citizens coming to BMC area or present in BMC area shall have to wear mask appropriately while moving out and while in public places," the advisory read. It further stated that all citizens need to maintain a social distance of two metres among themselves at all times while in public places. In the order, the BMC said, "All malls, shops

The Calgary Stampede has received more than $10 million from the federal government to help it bounce back after last year's event was scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A report to the city this week showed the Stampede had an operating loss of $8.3 million in 2021. Last year's Stampede ran at half capacity because of COVID-19 public health measures and was cancelled all-together the year before. Daniel Vandal, the federal minister for Prairies Economic Development Canada, says the money aims to support a full-scale Stampede to deliver the ``authentic western experience'' this year. He

Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to regularise the services of all the eligible contractual employees, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today announced to constitute a three-member Cabinet committee comprising Cabinet Ministers Harpal Cheema, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and Harjot Singh Bains to remove all the legal hurdles for passing a new bill in this regard, said the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Thursday. Announcing this at the floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister said that the state government is fully sensitive towards the need for regularising