Vancouver Rundown

Canadians will go to the polls in a snap federal election. On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney will ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call an election. That vote will take place either April 28 or May 5. The latest polls show a huge uptick in support for the Liberals following Justin Trudeau’s resignation - the Liberals and Conservatives appear to be in a dead heat right now.

A Canada-wide search is underway for a Surrey man after a murder in the Northwest Territories. Twenty-two-year-old Krystian Cogswell is charged with one count of murder, one count of attempted murder and a count of aggravated assault after a man was found shot dead in a home in Fort Providence over the weekend. Two others were wounded. Police believe Cogswell is armed and dangerous and is likely headed south. The killings are believed to be linked to the drug trade.

Southbound trips at the Peace Arch crossing have dipped to levels experienced during the COVID pandemic. Data from U.S. Customs shows 53 per cent fewer people crossed during the first three days of spring break compared to spring break last year. This past February saw a 23 per cent drop over February 2024. Americans are also taking fewer trips heading north at the Peace Arch - down almost 8 per cent over last year. Travel experts are also seeing a notable drop in people flying from Vancouver to Southern California or Arizona.

A man’s been released from custody even though RCMP say a Langley nurse was attacked by a suspect with a sharp-edged weapon. The Mounties say they were called to Langley Memorial Hospital just after midnight on March 8 after the nurse was assaulted. She’s okay. The BC Nurses Union says it happened after the nurse tried to grab a knife from a patient. A 37-year-old from Surrey is expected to appear in court at a later date.

A man’s in custody after a daylight stabbing in Surrey’s Clayton Heights neighbourhood. Police say a woman managed to make her way to a neighbour’s house after being stabbed near Sundance Drive and 64 Avenue during the noon hour on Sunday. Her injuries are not life-threatening. The man who drove away was later arrested in Langley.

The Eby government has introduced wide scoped emergency legislation giving the province broad powers to respond to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Premier David Eby says the measures are needed to ensure B.C. is not at the whim of one person in the White House. The move is intended to remove interprovincial trade barriers, slap tolls on bridges and ferries and unilaterally change any rules impacting B.C.’s economy. The legislation is supported by both the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the Business Council of B.C.

The Bank of Canada has cut its key lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 2.75%. The move comes as the Canada-U.S. trade war continues to redefine its tariffs and counter tariffs. BoC Governor Tiff Macklem says the impact of the tariffs could be severe depending on the extent and duration of the trade war. He also says ‘uncertainty’ is already causing harm.

Go north - that’s the message to American doctors and nurses who may want to consider a career in B.C. The provincial government is launching a plan to fast-track the recognition of American credentials. The move comes as Donald Trump moves forward with plans to leave the World Health Organization. It also echoes the Eby Government’s belief that many American health professionals are unhappy with perceived uncertainty south of the border.

You won’t be able to buy any American-made booze in B.C.’s government liquor stories. Premier David Eby says the BCLDB has stopped purchasing American beer, wine and spirits. The stores have also removed all existing stock from the shelves. It’s the latest counter response to Donald Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs on Canadian goods. Eby claims British Columbians don’t even want to see those American products on the shelves anymore.

Mark Carney has been chosen the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, replacing Justin Trudeau. That means Carney will become the country’s 24th prime minister. He promises to call a federal election soon. Carney, who served as both the head of the Bank of Canada and then the Bank of England, claimed 86 per cent of the votes in the Liberal leadership race. Chrystia Freeland came in second with only eight per cent.

The trust is gone - with those words, Premier David Eby has announced a provincial toll for trucks heading through B.C. to Alaska. Eby calls it a show of strength and an answer to the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump that are hurting families on both sides of the border. The move comes as Trump announces a pause on some tariffs for Canadian and Mexican goods until April 2. The new B.C. legislation also allows for the removal of many interprovincial trade barriers.

A man’s been arrested and charged with assaulting nine people in three days in Coquitlam. All the counts relate to groping incidents during the first week of December in Glen Park. The Maple Ridge man has been released from custody with a promise to stay away from parks and show up to his next court date.

There are some mixed messages as Donald Trump appears poised to double-down on his trade war with Canada. While not mentioning this country or Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump has used his Tuesday evening address to a joint session of Congress to say reciprocal tariffs are coming April 2 for countries that impose duties on the U.S. The U.S. Commerce Secretary said earlier Trump may announce some relief for Canada and Mexico on Wednesday.

Breaking news…Canada and the United States are now engaged in a full-blown trade war. Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports are now in effect. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is responding with its own tariffs on billions of dollars worth of American goods. Trump had previously promised to increase his tariffs if Canada retaliated. Markets initially dropped on Monday in advance of the levies coming into effect at midnight.

Breaking News: There has been a 4.6 ML earthquake just east of Orcas Island and south of Bellingham, Washington. It happened at 5:02 a.m. Monday morning and has been felt by some people in northwest Washington state, parts of the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island and the B.C. Lower Mainland.There’s still no word on the whereabouts of a woman who may have been inside a home that exploded in flames in Langley late Friday morning. Two others were critically injured. Six neighbouring homes were damaged - two severely. An excavator was used late Friday to pull apart the debris. Investigators continue to go through the rubble as they piece together the circumstances, trying to figure out why there was a large explosion before the massive fire on 196 Street at 73A Avenue.

Half-a-dozen illegal ride-share drivers have been nabbed by police in Richmond. RCMP say they’ve doled out $13,000 in fines during a single day blitz two weeks ago. Officers targeted drivers they say bypassed necessary background checks and safety protocols required under provincial rules. The officers caught the drivers by booking rides using unauthorized apps.

New supportive housing in Vancouver has been put on hold. City council has approved the temporary halt. The controversial move follows an outcry at public hearings and demonstrations from those who are concerned with Mayor Ken Sim’s plan to stop new supportive housing projects including those on the Downtown Eastside. Sim maintains Vancouver has only 25 per cent of the region’s population but directly or indirectly supports 77 per cent of the supportive housing units.

Two pedestrians have been rushed to hospital with very serious injuries after being hit by a truck on Lougheed Highway in Burnaby. A section of the road was closed for several hours near North Road late Tuesday night. Speed and alcohol have not been ruled out as contributing factors.

Two pedestrians have been rushed to hospital with very serious injuries after being hit by a truck on Lougheed Highway in Burnaby. A section of the road was closed for several hours near North Road late Tuesday night. Speed and alcohol have not been ruled out as contributing factors.

Mayor George Harvie and members of his city council are expressing outrage over two nights of emergency room closures at Delta Hospital. Several concerns, including a lack of nearby alternatives, have been outlined in a letter to Premier David Eby and Health Minister Josie Osborne. ER nurses provided first aid and redirected emergency cases over the weekend following closures due to a lack of doctors. Delta South Conservative MLA Ian Paton blames the NDP government for closures that he says continue year after year.

A shortage of doctors has forced the closure of Delta Hospital’s emergency room for two nights in a row. Fraser Health says nurses remained on hand to deal with basic first aid and transfers to other hospitals over the weekend. Delta joins a growing list of Lower Mainland hospital ERs that have experienced closures over the past year, including Peace Arch in White Rock, Lions Gate in North Vancouver and Mission Memorial.

Three people, including two officers, have been injured in a crash involving an Abbotsford Police SUV and a car. The car’s driver suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to hospital - the officers’ injuries are less serious. The crash happened late Thursday afternoon near King and Gladwin roads. The Independent Investigations Office has been called-in as per protocol.

The B.C. government is backing down on its much criticized Safe Supply program in the face of growing concerns taxpayer funded prescribed medications are ending up in the wrong hands. Health Minister Josie Osbourne says the province will now move to a witnessed consumption system - starting with new patients. Last month, the BC Conservatives leaked an internal document showing the Health Ministry and police have been investigating pharmacists who were paying incentives to patients and doctors.

Fighting back against U.S. tariffs - that theme has taken centre stage in B.C.’s 2025 throne speech. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia’s outlined measures the government plans to take including strengthening and growing the province’s economy, diversifying trade relationships and responding firmly and forcefully if required. There are also strong hints of more tax incentives for American studios wanting to film in B.C. The provincial budget will be unveiled March 4.

Even flights at YVR have been impacted by the crash at Toronto’s Pearson International. Several Family Day flights between Vancouver and Toronto were delayed or cancelled after a a regional flight under the Delta Airlines banner crashed at Pearson on Monday, shedding both its wings and flipping upside down. At least 15 people were injured, three critically, as the plane slid on the tarmac. There were gusty winds and blowing snow but the official cause has not yet been determined.

The Eby government is pulling the plug on its election promise of a grocery rebate blaming Donald Trump’s planned tariffs. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey has used a Thursday news conference to also say there will be a hiring freeze on new public servants…except for the essential ones that support core programs and services. The BC General Employees Union says it was not given the heads up about the announcement. The provincial budget will be delivered on March 4 with strong hints that much of the bad news will be blamed on Donald Trump’s yet-to-come tariffs.Other news…Breaking News: A small earthquake has been recorded in Juan de Fuca Strait, south of Victoria Thursday night. The quake had a very preliminary magnitude of 3.8 at a depth of 40 kilometres below the sea. It happened just before 10:00 p.m.

Premier David Eby says B.C. is looking for other, non-American customers. The comment comes as Eby and some fellow premiers wrap up their meetings with members of the Trump Administration in Washington, D.C. The premier described the meetings as mostly positive but lawmakers are already pushing back on Eby’s comments that Canada becoming a 51st state is a non-starter. Donald Trump did not meet with the premiers.

The Independent Investigations Office and the RCMP in Surrey continue to withhold information and details after a Mountie shot an autistic 15-year-old dead on Sunday. IIO Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund defends the lack of info saying patience is appreciated while the investigation is conducted thoroughly, fairly and to the highest standard possible. The Clayton Heights Secondary student died after falling into the snow with gunshot wounds - police say they had a lengthy interaction with the person after receiving reports of someone with a weapon. There is no indication anyone weapon was ever found. Friends describe the boy as friendly and kind. Classmates continue to receive grief counselling.

Students at Surrey’s Clayton Heights Secondary are receiving grief counselling after learning police shot an autistic Grade 10 classmate dead on Sunday. Family members say the 15-year-old was not suicidal and not carrying a real gun despite what officers believed when they opened fire. The Independent Investigations Office continues to look into the actions of police - standard protocol when any person is injured or dies.

Donald Trump is going ahead with his 25 per cent tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. The U.S. president is using a Monday announcement to green light the first of his tariffs on Canadian imports. He also says he’ll impose extra penalties on any countries that reciprocate. The aluminum smelter in Kitimat is a major exporter to the States. Canada and Mexico continue to prepare for what will likely be tariffs on all goods in three week’s time.

The BC Conservatives are demanding a public inquiry into allegations of fraud, abuse, drug trafficking and organized crime infiltration linked to the provincial government’s prescribed opioid alternatives program. This follows the explosive findings in an internal Health Ministry report into the PharmaCare harm reduction program. There are concerns millions of taxpayer dollars are being diverted into drug trafficking networks instead of going to people in need. The NDP government’s safer supply program was launched in 2020 as a way to help combat B.C.’s opioid crisis.

Another truck has hit a Lower Mainland overpass, snarling traffic during the afternoon rush. A truck, with an load that was not properly secured, hit the Gilmore Diversion over Highway One in Burnaby. It happened Wednesday afternoon causing minor eastbound delays. Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement officers are still investigating.

Police are now looking for those responsible for the kidnapping of a 19-year-old who died after being found in the Crescent Beach area of Surrey. Investigators say the man died five days after being attacked and shoved in a vehicle in Abbotsford in the early morning hours of Jan. 27. Police say the victim was targeted and there is no risk to the public.

Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports to the U.S. are now on hold - for 30 days. Trump’s tenuous change of heart comes as Justin Trudeau promises to appoint a Canadian fentanyl czar and beef up patrols along the border. The development also means most of Canada’s counter actions are also on hold including B.C.’s ban on booze from many southern States. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke is urging senior levels of government to use the next month to get into a better negotiating position. Almost 40 per cent of Surrey businesses plan to seek government support in light of the pending tariffs.

Trudeau and Trump will be talking Monday. Word of that major development comes as the trade war involving the U.S., Canada, Mexico and China ramps up before it even starts. The Prime Minister has announced a long list of 25 per cent tariffs on American imports as a reaction to the Trump Administration’s tariff assault. A number of B.C. businesses have joined in supporting Premier David Eby in his ban on U.S. based companies doing business in the province and his ban on booze from Republican-led states. Meanwhile, hockey fans at Rogers Arena booed the U.S. national anthem before the Canucks-Red Wings game.

Donald Trump has confirmed Canada and Mexico will be hit by 25 per cent tariffs on U.S. bound exports on Saturday. The U.S. President also warns those tariffs could go up if both countries fail to meet American demands over fentanyl and migrants crossing the border into the States. Trump does say oil might be excluded from the tariffs.

Breaking News: A passenger plane has crashed into the Potomac River in Washington D.C. It’s believed 60 passengers and four crew were on the American Airlines regional jet when it reportedly collided with a Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport Wednesday evening - a closure will remain in effect until at least Friday. It appears the pilots of the airliner were not aware of the approaching helicopter. Search and recovery efforts continued through the night. There’s no reliable early word on the possible cause of the crash.

Sonia Furstenau is stepping down as leader of the BC Greens. The 54-year-old was first elected as an MLA in 2017 and became leader five years ago. But Furstenau failed to win a seat in last fall’s election after choosing to run in the NDP stronghold of Victoria-Beacon Hill. A new leader will be chosen by the party in September.

A snowboarder from Richmond has been found dead at Cypress. The 21-year-old, was found in a gully next to a ski and snowboarding run. It followed an extensive search effort. The man was skiing with friends when he was reported missing late Friday morning.

One of B.C. and Canada’s best known hereditary chiefs has died. Vancouver Island’s Bill Wilson passed away on Friday according to an announcement by his daughter - former federal attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould. She described her father as living a life of leadership and always striving to make change. Wilson pushed to make sure Indigenous title to land and treaty rights were enshrined in Canada’s Constitution. Bill Wilson was 80.

One of B.C. and Canada’s best known hereditary chiefs has died. Vancouver Island’s Bill Wilson passed away on Friday according to an announcement by his daughter - former federal attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould. She described her father as living a life of leadership and always striving to make change. Wilson pushed to make sure Indigenous title to land and treaty rights were enshrined in Canada’s Constitution. Bill Wilson was 80.

The class action lawsuit against companies that make opioids has been certified by the B.C. Supreme Court. The provincial government launched the lawsuit six years ago in an effort to recover health care costs for wrongful corporate conduct. B.C. has been the hardest hit province with the most per capita deaths due to opioid related overdoses.

A convicted killer has pleaded guilty to a second deadly attack - this one at a motel in Langley’s Walnut Grove neighbourhood. Justin Bos has entered the plea for a lesser manslaughter charge in the killing of Cody Mostat in March of 2022. Mostat could not be revived after being found outside the Highway Hotel on 88 Avenue. In November, Bos was convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of a man in Surrey in that same year. Bos also has a criminal record that includes drug, firearms and stolen property convictions.

Premier David Eby says British Columbians should rethink their American vacations now that Donald Trump appears poised to slap that 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods as early as February 1. Eby is also not ruling out banning the sale of American wine in B.C. liquor stores, stopping U.S. companies from bidding on infrastructure projects and slapping new charges on truckers crossing the border to head up to Alaska. BC Conservative Leader John Rustad accuses Eby of being focused on framing Trump as a political enemy.

TEAM for a Livable Vancouver will run two candidates in the Vancouver by-election - that announcement comes from party president Colleen Hardwick. The Vancouver civic party will hold its nominating meeting on February 1st in anticipation of an April 5th by-election. One City’s Christine Boyle and Adrian Carr of the Greens quit the ABC dominated council. Hardwick accuses Ken Sim and ABC of failing to deliver for taxpayers and neighbourhoods.

Those aboard a small boat in Indian Arm managed to escape after the vessel erupted in flames Sunday afternoon. It happened near the entrance to the inlet, prompting a quick response from the Kitsilano Coast Guard Base. The boat burned to the water line and smoldered for several hours. There’s no word on the cause.

Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs will cost the B.C. economy $69B over the next four years - at least according to our provincial government. The NDP government’s news release also says any 25% levy on Canadian exports will result in the loss of 124,000 jobs. The provincial budget will be unveiled in March.

SFU has made it official - the football team is no more. Simon Fraser says the university is facing an uncertain financial climate and the football landscape has changed significantly. The SFU football program started back in 1965 and has been recognized as one of the best in the country. It was put on hold in 2023 after the Texas-based Lone Star Conference decided not to renew its affiliation.

Christy Clark is out. The former premier now says she will not be seeking the federal Liberal leadership. Clark says she hasn’t been able to learn enough French to connect with voters in Quebec and there’s not enough time to launch a successful campaign. Clark has had a difficult week trying to backtrack her claim that she’s never been a member of the Conservatives. She was. Recently.

The BC Conservatives now want a police investigation into their allegations of voter irregularities in last fall’s provincial election. The Opposition is questioning what they call ‘contradictions’ in statements made by Elections BC. Conservative Leader John Rustad called for an independent review last week citing issues including those at a care home across the street from a polling station where 21 mail-in ballots were counted in a close race that a judicial review ultimately confirmed as an NDP win.