Vancouver Rundown

Vancouver Police are beefing up oversight and patrols around the city following Saturday’s U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The VPD says officers will be deployed to popular protest sites and certain places of worship, community centres and diplomatic buildings. In a media statement, the department says while conflicts in the Middle East are thousands of kilometres away, they reverberate in Vancouver’s [sic] diverse community and impact many people’s sense of security.

A hiker has been killed, at least three others are injured, after a rock fall in Banff National Park. It happened early Thursday afternoon near Bow Glacier Falls, north of Lake Louise. Alberta Premier Daniel Smith says she’s deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event. There were up to 20 people in the area when the rock fall happened. There’s no word yet on where the victims are from.

The David Eby government has pulled funding to cover a $1M drug for a nine-year-old girl with a rare, terminal disease. Charleigh Pollock has been taking Brineura to slow the progression of CLN2, also known as Batten disease, but is getting her last treatment this week. The B.C. government says it’s pulling the funding because the disease has hit the point where the Vancouver Island girl meets the discontinuation criteria. Pollock is the only person in the province with the disease. There is no cure.

David Eby is demanding the federal government declare a notorious South Asian gang a ‘terrorist organization.’ The premier says the Lawrence Bishnoi group is responsible for recent extortion attempts targeting South Asian business people in Delta, Surrey, Abbotsford and across the country. Several recent arsons and shootings are linked to the organization.

President Donald Trump has left the G7 Summit in Alberta as top U-S military commanders and advisors gather in the war room to consider next steps in the escalating Israel-Iran attacks. The two countries are exchanging missile fire on populated centres - at least two dozen civilians have been killed in Israel, 224 in Iran. People in both countries have been warned to leave if possible.

One person remains missing after a passenger vehicle went off the road and into the Squamish River early Saturday morning. It happened at around 3:00 a.m. along Squamish Valley Road. Three others managed to make it to safety. Searchers have not been able to find any trace of the missing person.

Israel has hit Iran’s nuclear sites and military commanders in a major strike on Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Operation Rising Lion is needed for ‘Israel’s very survival.’ More attacks are expected in the hours and days ahead. Iranian TV says civilians including children have been killed. The head of the Revolutionary Guard and several top nuclear scientists are also dead. The United States has neither endorsed nor condemned Israel’s move which is seen by many as the official start of war between Israel and Iran.

Alice Lake Provincial Park is being evacuated as a wildfire just north of Squamish continues to grow. The Dryden Creek wildfire near Brackendale has reached 54 hectares prompting crews to clear out the park. Several air tankers have been called in as the fire burns dangerously close to some homes. It’s hoped cooler temperatures will help those trying to contain the fire.

Close to 100 properties in Squamish’s Brackendale neighbourhood are now on evacuation alert as a wildfire continues to grow. It’s believed the Dryden Creek wildfire was caused by human activity - it’s now almost 15 hectares. People living in the area are being told to be ready to leave on short notice. Meanwhile, The massive wildfire in the northeast part of the province continues to expand. The Kiskatinaw River fire, south of Dawson Creek, is now close to 220 square kilometres. A half-dozen buildings and mobile homes have been destroyed near the small community of Kelly Lake. It’s hoped cooler temperatures later this week will help in the firefighting efforts.

Mayor Ken Sim’s former campaign manager intends to run for Mayor of Vancouver in 2026. Longtime political insider and strategist Kareem Allam says he’s received a lot of encouragement to seek the job and plans to file his papers in the weeks ahead. Allam and Sim have been involved in a recent public feud that’s spilled over into the courts. Allam is one of two people named in a defamation suit filed by Sim over public comments suggesting the current mayor had been pulled-over for drunk driving but immediately let go. An independent review found the allegation to be unfounded gossip.

A third day of violent protests has prompted leaders to declare all of Downtown Los Angeles an unlawful assembly. That decision Sunday evening came after Donald Trump called in the National Guard as anti-ICE protesters condemned the latest rounds of crackdowns on illegal immigrants. Trump says up to 2,000 members of the National Guard had been called-up and close to 500 Marines remain on standby. Close to five dozen people have been arrested after protesters used Molotov cocktails, fireworks and rocks in their confrontations with police Sunday night.

Homes are now threatened in northeastern B.C. as wildfires in the Peace River Region continues to grow. Crews fear high winds and possible thunderstorms this weekend will lead to a dangerous situation for those near Kelly Lake who are ignoring evacuation orders. The Regional District says rescuing any trapped residents may not be possible. The Kiskatinaw Lake wildfire is now more than 70 square kilometres and remains B.C.’s only major blaze.Breaking News: A sinkhole has closed the Coquihalla Highway - northbound - between Hope and Merritt. Maintenance contractor YRB Nicola says the sinkhole appeared Thursday and crews will be trying to figure out what to do about it Friday. Drivers are being told to use Highway One or Highway Three instead.

Crews are fighting a small wildfire that broke out late Wednesday afternoon near Okanagan Falls. Several aircraft, along with volunteers firefighters and BC Wildfire ground crews, have been trying to contain it. People are being asked to stay out of the area.

The Carney government has introduced sweeping legislation to crack down on security at the U.S.-Canada border. The government says Bill C-2, also known as the Strong Borders Act, is aimed at protecting sovereignty, strengthening the border and keeping Canadians safe. It cracks down on those seeking asylum while also giving enhanced powers and resources to those who inspect the mail, patrol waterways and land crossings. It comes as the Canadian government tries to placate the Trump Whitehouse which insists fentanyl continues to cross into the U.S. from areas like Vancouver.

Housing, transit and public safety are some of the top priorities to be discussed as Mayor Ken Sim heads to Ottawa this week. The Vancouver mayor and two members of council will be pushing for federal leadership and money to help deal with the problems. One of the big pushes will include advocating for more housing solutions now that the federal minister in charge, Gregor Robertson, is a Vancouver MP. The meetings will take place through Friday.

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.