Vancouver Rundown

Crews fear an out-of-control wildfire in the northeast part of the province will continue to grow. The Kiskatinaw River wildfire is burning south of Dawson Creek has already forced the evacuation of about 70 people from the Kelly Lake Cree Nation. While the fire has been holding at around 30 kilometres, the BC Wildfire service fears hot, dry weather conditions will lead to expansion. The Kiskatinaw River wildfire is B.C.’s only fire of note right now.

Gas prices have dropped by close to ten cents per litre across much of the Lower Mainland. In some areas of Langley, the price dipped below $1.60 litre on Thursday as supplies continue to rise faster than demand. Those linked to the industry suggest there doesn’t appear to be any reason to believe prices will increase significantly in the immediate future.

A four year old child is dead, two others including the boy’s mother are injured, after a transit bus hit a group of people in Horseshoe Bay. The bus was rounding a corner when it jumped a curb shortly before 3:30 Wednesday afternoon. Witnesses described a horrific scene which occurred only hours before the Taste of the Bay festival was set to begin…that event has since been cancelled.

Police continue to look for those responsible for the deadly stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Abbotsford Sunday night. Two teens, originally arrested, have been released and are now said to not be suspects. The stabbing happened at around 7:30 in Larch Park. Despite the efforts of those at the scene and first responders, Billy Ledoux could not be revived. Investigators think there are people who know those responsible.

Two teens have been arrested in the stabbing death of a 15-year-old boy in an Abbotsford park Sunday evening. Police think the attack in Larch Park was targeted. Details have not been released but officers want people to call-in if they have any information. The park remained closed on Monday. Breaking: The pilot and lone occupant has survived the crash of her small plane east of Agassiz. The Cessna crashed into a field between Highway 7 and the Fraser River on Seabird Island early Monday evening. A witness reported seeing a small fire with the plane.

The City of Vancouver had to clear the Burrard Street Bridge of antisemitic graffiti ahead of Sunday’s Walk With Israel event. Several beams were spray painted with anti-Israeli symbols and words along with ‘Gaza.’ A statement from the City says while the right to free speech and peaceful protest is recognized, acts of hate and discrimination are not tolerated.

High risk child abductor and sex offender Randall Hopley has been re-arrested only hours after being released from the Mission Institution. The arrest came as a violation of parole conditions involving a halfway house. Hopley was picked up by police in Vancouver Thursday afternoon and remains in custody. This is not the first time he’s been re-arrested - last year he was picked up ten days after cutting off his ankle bracelet and going AWOL. The 59-year-old Hopley made international headlines in 2011 after he abducted a three-year-old boy from a home in Sparwood.

A suspect is in custody after two Israeli Embassy staff members were shot dead in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night. Thirty-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago turned himself over to security and police after the deadly shooting outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Witnesses say he shouted ‘Free Palestine” after being arrested. Police also say he told them where his gun was stashed. The shooting has been condemned as a terrorist attack and targeted hate crime by numerous Jewish leaders.

The B.C. NDP government is dismissing the Trump administration’s new claims that fentanyl continues to cross into the U.S. at Lower Mainland border crossings. Tariff Committee Chair Ravi Kahlon says that claim is nothing more than misinformation and a distraction aimed at keeping tariffs on Canadian exports. FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News on Sunday those in Canada have partnered with criminals linked to the Chinese Communist Party, Russia and Iran to bring fentanyl into the U.S. from Vancouver.

Canada Post will likely be hit by a strike on Friday. The Crown corporation says its received notice from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers the 55,000 members will be on strike exactly when their current contract expires. On Friday, a government-commissioned report said the post office should phase-out daily door-to-door delivery. That recommendation has been blasted by CUP-W. This would be the second strike at Canada Post in less than a year.

A City of Richmond employee has been fired following the unjustified purchase of close to $300,000 worth of gift cards. The RCMP have also been notified after a review discovered the gift cards were purchased over a three-year period as part of an employee recognition program but ended up going missing. That program is also being reworked and won’t include gift cards in the future.

Protesters have gathered at an ostrich farm in southeastern B.C. where the giant birds are set to be culled. The co-owner of Universal Ostrich has asked supporters to surround her farm after a judge backed-up the Canadian Food Inspection Agency order. The CFIA says it will move ahead with the humane depopulation and disposal of the birds at the infected premises in Edgewood. Those who run the farm says the surviving ostriches appear healthy and should be retested for bird flu.

Former Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has been tapped the new federal housing minister. Robertson is one of two dozen rookie MPs appointed to a small federal Cabinet under Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Vancouver Fairview-Burnaby South MP will also oversee Pacific Economic Development Canada. Carney has named five B.C. MPs to new portfolios - the most from this province under a Liberal Prime Minister since Paul Martin.

A Maple Ridge city councillor has been charged with a half dozen assault and firearms offences. Ahmed Yousef says he’s stepping aside from council to focus his time and efforts on some personal matters. Those matters apparently include four charges of assault, one count of pointing a firearm and another gun-related offence. The City of Maple Ridge has issued a statement saying it can’t provide further details but the city will continue to conduct business as usual.

A swatting-style prank phone call to police prompted a shutdown on Vancouver’s Waterfront SkyTrain Station on Sunday morning. Transit Police say the bomb threat came in to 911 operators at about 10:30 a.m. The station was immediately cleared and shutdown for a couple hours. A suspect has not been arrested.

A swatting-style prank phone call to police prompted a shutdown on Vancouver’s Waterfront SkyTrain Station on Sunday morning. Transit Police say the bomb threat came in to 911 operators at about 10:30 a.m. The station was immediately cleared and shutdown for a couple hours. A suspect has not been arrested.

Vancouver’s Catholic Archbishop is surprised by the choice of an American as the new Pope. Archbishop Michael Miller says he’s pleased the best man available was chosen…someone who just happens to be American. Chicago born Robert Prevost was elected the 267th pope in a vote by his fellow cardinals. The 69-year-old will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

Langley City’s fire chief says his department is unable to meet the recommended minimum staffing levels. Fire Chief Scott Kennedy says a consultant’s recommendation of a six firefighter minimum per shift is not achievable without considerable use of overtime. And Kennedy says it still might not be possible even with overtime as many firefighters would not be willing to work the extra time. Langley City is trying to hire four extra firefighters to increase its strength to 30 members.

Donald Trump and Mark Carney have had a friendly visit at the White House but the U.S. president is sticking by his plan to keep the tariffs on Canadian imports. Trump commented he had a lot of respect for Carney and suggested he liked him much more than Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland. Carney calls his meetings - productive.

Those working in the B.C. film industry are trying to make sense of Donald Trump’s new threat to slap a 100 per cent tariff on films made in non-U.S. locations. The White House has dampened some of Trump’s social media rhetoric saying no decision has been made yet but all options are being explored to deliver on the president’s directive. Premier David Eby says there’s no need to panic yet as Trump tweets a lot of stuff.

Police tactical members have arrested a man who barricaded himself inside a public transit bus on Annacis Island Sunday morning. Delta Police say he was armed with a knife. The driver and several passengers were evacuated - no one was hurt. The incident closed several roads for a few hours.

Some cellphone and internet service has gone down for those needing information about wildfire evacuations in parts of northeastern B.C. A wildfire broke out in the northern part of Fort St. John late Thursday afternoon, forcing some people to leave as a precaution. Meanwhile, a cluster of smaller fires is spreading in the community of Tumbler Ridge where cell service has been sporadic. The fires come as northern parts of the province experience dryer and warmer conditions during this first week of M

Donald Trump has praised Mark Carney, calling him a ‘very nice gentleman,’ and inviting the Prime Minister to a meeting sometime next week. Trump has shrugged off previous comments by Carney noting he was running for office. Canada is still subjected to 25 per cent tariffs on several key exports including steel, aluminum and vehicles manufactured in this country.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump have had a phone chat and agreed to meet sometime in the near future. That word comes after Carney’s Liberals won a minority government Monday night. Trump’s round of trade tariffs and threat to make Canada the 51st U.S. state have soured relations over the past several months.

The federal Liberals have won a fourth consecutive mandate. Prime Minister Mark Carney has led the party to another minority government - final results are still being confirmed. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has announced he intends to step down as soon as the New Democrats choose a new party leader. Singh has lost his own seat - Burnaby Central. The Bloc Quebecois appears poised to hold the balance of power in what some consider will be a tenuous new government.

‘Shocked, devastated and angry’ - that’s how Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim describes his feelings after an SUV driver plowed into a crowd at a Lapu Lapu Day festival on Saturday, killing 11 people and injuring many others. The victims range in age from five to 65. A 30-year-old suspect with mental health issues has been arrested in the incident that happened at East 43 Avenue and Fraser Street. Eight counts of murder have been laid. Lapu Lapu Day is a celebration of a Filipino national hero responsible for fighting Spanish colonialism.

Arson is now suspected in that Wednesday morning fire that destroyed three businesses in East Vancouver. Vancouver Police confirm the Major Crime Section is investigating the blaze that started at around 4:00 a.m. and quickly spread to several historic buildings along East Hastings. No one was hurt.

A large Wednesday morning fire has badly damaged several historic businesses along East Hastings in Vancouver. One of those is Wohlford & Company - formerly known as Dayton Boots - which had been operating in the same building for 75 years. Windsor Meats and The Indian Chefs have also been damaged. The fire started just after 4:00 a.m. - half a dozen people are displaced.

The massive Jericho Lands development has been approved. Vancouver City Council voted unanimously in favour of the First Nations project that will create 13,000 new homes in Point Grey over the next 25 years. The 90 acres of land is owned by the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh First Nations.

“Pope Francis was a tireless shepherd of the Church, a beacon of hope, and a champion of the Gospel.” That’s how Vancouver Archbishop J. Michael Miller describes the late pontiff. Pope Francis died Easter Monday after a stroke and several weeks of illness. He was 88. The conclave should happen within two weeks - there is widespread speculation voting archbishops will choose a new pope from Asia or Africa.

It’s about to get easier for new drivers to get their licenses in B.C. The provincial government is changing the graduated licensing system, getting rid of a second road test. Instead, new drivers will have their records closely reviewed for the first 12 months. It’s hoped the changes will cut down on long wait times for those road tests.

Most British Columbians will no longer have to cough up a sick note for their boss. The provincial government is changing the employment standards legislation allowing workers to miss a few days without proving their illness. The change comes after years of pushing from the Doctors of BC. It does not impact requests for notes involving longer periods of leave. It also doesn’t apply to those employed in federally regulated sectors.

A couple dozen protestors, mostly unionized hotel workers, have staged a Monday afternoon rally at Vancouver City Hall demanding affordable housing. It comes has City Council considers a plan for the building of more hotel rooms. Destination Vancouver claims the city is short close to 10,000 hotel rooms. One campaigner says such an idea is insulting when people who live and work in Vancouver are being pushed out due to a lack of affordable housing. They also note Mayor Ken Sim should be getting the message following ABC’s inability to win a seat in the city byelection.

The Conservatives have narrowed the gap as the Liberal lead dips for the first time in this Canadian election campaign. An Ipsos poll for Global News shows the Liberals still ahead with 42 per cent of decided voters - a drop of four points. The Conservatives are up by two points to 36 per cent. The French leaders’ debate is Wednesday while the English debate is Thursday. The campaign has now passed the halfway mark.

Two RCMP officers have been slightly injured in a multi-vehicle crash in the Brookswood area of Langley. It happened Thursday afternoon at 200 Street and 32 Avenue with the crash involving the cops and a vehicle driven by a robbery suspect. RCMP will not say whether it followed a police chase but do say Mounties from Surrey, Langley and the gang unit were following up on a robbery at the South Surrey Home Depot.

Starting next school year, Surrey will be pulling the plug on all field trips to the U.S. That includes all sports events, band recitals, dance competitions and other experiential field trips. The move comes after several high profile cases of Canadian citizens being detained by U.S. border guards. Surrey appears to be the first school district in B.C. to make such a move.

“I’m confident I’ll be able to serve the people of Burnaby Central” - that’s what NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has told party faithful during a campaign stop in Vancouver. Those words come despite various tracking polls that suggest the New Democrats may only win a single seat in B.C. and four across the country. Polls also suggest Singh will be soundly defeated by the Liberals in his riding. The latest Angus Reid Poll has the NDP at only 11 per cent support, country wide.

Part official business…part campaigning. Mark Carney has made several stops in Greater Victoria before meeting with Premier David Eby. Carney and Eby have discussed the new tariffs on U.S. bound softwood lumber. The latest Angus Reid poll has the federal Liberals with 48 per cent support in B.C. compared to 37 per cent for the Conservatives and 11 for the NDP.

Two social advocates, running for left-of-centre civic parties, have been elected to Vancouver City Council in a byelection with near record turnout. COPE’s Sean Orr and Lucy Maloney with OneCity defeated all other candidates by at least a two-to-one margin. Former councillor Colleen Hardwick, the only candidate with elected experience, came in third. The two candidates running for Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC were far behind. A number of Vancouverites have expressed outrage over the hours-long voting lines as the City decided to cheap-out on polling stations and election day staff.

While denouncing any talk of western separatism, Premier David Eby does say he wants to bring in more U.S. immigrants. He says that would help bolster the B.C. economy. The comments come in reaction to Wednesday’s tariff announcement by Donald Trump that left the province mostly unscathed. Eby claims American medical professionals, researchers and entrepreneurs increasingly want to leave the States and work in Canada.

Many business leaders in B.C. and the rest of Canada are expressing tenuous relief as they escape Donald Trump’s additional tariffs. Canada will still be charged 25 per cent tariffs on most autos, steel, aluminum and other non-USMCA goods. The U-S president used his so-called ‘Liberation Day’ speech to list sweeping tariffs on most countries - starting at 10 per cent for those such as the UK and going into the high double digits for some Asian countries.

A Lower Mainland candidate is the third Conservative to quit in a single day. A local Conservative campaign manager has confirmed Lourence Singh is no longer running in New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville. No reason has been given. Singh joins Windsor area candidate Mark Mackenzie and Montreal area candidate Stefan Marquis in squashing their bids to become an MP.

A man from B.C. is sitting in a federal jail in Seattle, charged with smuggling military technology from the U.S. to Pakistan. Mohammad Jawaid Aziz was arrested just over a week ago while trying to enter the U.S. at the Peace Arch crossing. The 67-year-old with Canadian-Pakistani citizenship is accused of using his company to obtain American tech for those in Pakistan who are linked to that country’s nuclear and missile programs. He’s been denied bail as a serious flight risk. The allegations have not yet been proven in court.

The federal Liberals continue to lead the Conservatives heading into this second official week of the Canadian election campaign. An Ipsos poll for Global News finds the Liberals up two points to 44 per cent while the Conservatives have 38 per cent - also up two - and the NDP have dropped a point to nine per cent. The statistical margin of error is 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20. Donald Trump and the U.S. tariff threat continue to dominate all other issues so far.

Former long-time provincial cabinet minister Mike de Jong will run as an independent in this federal Election. It comes after the federal Conservative party rejected his bid to run in Abbotsford-South Langley - choosing 25-year-old blueberry farmer and university student Sukhman Gill instead. According to de Jong, party staffers declared him not qualified to run for Parliament as a Conservative.

‘A direct attack on Canada.’ That’s how Prime Minister Mark Carney describes Donald Trump’s newly announced 25 per cent tariffs on most auto imports to the U.S. The tariffs are expected to start April 2 when most other Canadian exports are hit. Carney says the tariffs will hurt the Canadian auto sector but retaliatory action may soon be introduced.

The B.C. carbon tax will be scrapped on April Fools Day. The provincial government is urging gas stations to get ready for the change which will take place on April 1 and comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the feds will back-off consumer carbon taxes next week. B.C.’s tax is said to add about 17 cents per litre to the price of regular gas.

The B.C. carbon tax will be scrapped on April Fools Day. The provincial government is urging gas stations to get ready for the change which will take place on April 1 and comes after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the feds will back-off consumer carbon taxes next week. B.C.’s tax is said to add about 17 cents per litre to the price of regular gas.

The federal leaders will take part in broadcast debates on April 16 and April 17 but there will not be a third debate in the election campaign after the Liberal’s Mark Carney said no to Quebec’s TVA. The debates will be hosted by Radio-Canada (CBC) in Montreal. Meanwhile, former Premier Christy Clark now says she will not be running for the Liberals in this federal election. Sources say Clark had been trying to seek the party nod in at least two Surrey ridings.

Former Premier Christy Clark will run for the federal Liberals in Surrey’s Fleetwood-Port Kells riding according to long-time political watcher Bill Tieleman. That word came this weekend before current Liberal MP Ken Hardie confirmed he won’t be seeking re-election in the riding. Meanwhile, former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson has announced he’s been tapped to run in Fraserview-South Burnaby. The federal campaign officially kicked off on Sunday with Canadians going to the polls in the general election on April 28. The three main party leaders are pushing hard with their ‘takes’ on how to best represent Canadian interests during the current trade war started by Donald Trump.