5 more COVID-19 related deaths in BC, total number rises to 48

British Columbia is experiencing a sharp increase in wildfire activity following widespread lightning strikes across the province. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the number of active wildfires climbed from about 20 on Wednesday morning to more than 100 by the weekend. As of Monday, 102 wildfires were burning across the province, including 12 that were discovered within the previous 24 hours. The agency said approximately 40 per cent of the active wildfires are classified as out of control. Most of the fires are located in B.C.'s Southern Interior region, where firefighting efforts con

More than 100 trained volunteers joined Calgary police on Sunday as the search continued for Parker, an 11-year-old autistic boy who is non-verbal and has been missing since Thursday afternoon. According to the Calgary Police Service, approximately 120 trained volunteers are assisting officers, including police dog teams and bike patrols, in search efforts across areas connected to Parker's last known movements and reported sightings. Police are also playing his favourite Disney songs from patrol vehicles in the hope the familiar music may encourage him to respond. Parker was last seen Thursda

A tornado that touched down in central Alberta on Saturday damaged homes, knocked down trees and blocked roads in parts of Clearwater County, including the Town of Rocky Mountain House. No injuries have been reported. According to Clearwater County, the tornado touched down at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday and caused significant damage in several areas. County officials said cleanup crews are working to remove debris and reopen affected roads following the storm. Environment and Climate Change Canada has said Alberta's unusually wet and stormy summer has created favourable conditions for tornado de

A wildfire has destroyed much of the seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, marking the second First Nation community in Ontario to suffer significant wildfire damage in less than a week. According to Chief Pauline Drake, the fire destroyed multiple buildings, personal belongings and critical infrastructure at the site. Whitewater Lake First Nation is used primarily as a seasonal camp and has no permanent residents. The community is accessible only by floatplane for about six months of the year. The latest damage follows wildfire destr

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.8 per cent in June, down from 3.2 per cent in May, largely because of lower gasoline prices, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency said a decline in fuel prices helped ease overall inflation pressures. Grocery prices also continued to rise, but at a slower pace, increasing 3.9 per cent year over year in June compared with 4.3 per cent in May. Despite the slowdown, grocery inflation remained above the overall inflation rate for a 17th consecutive month, highlighting the continued impact of higher food costs on Canadian households. The Ba