Vancouver Rundown

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.

Dozens of firefighters from B.C. and Alberta are heading to Los Angeles. The federal government is working with the provinces in deploying more resources as LA continues to deal with uncontained, deadly wildfires. More than two dozen people are now confirmed dead in fires that have consumed homes, businesses and land around Los Angeles County.

Crews from B.C. have now arrived in Southern California to help battle the deadly wildfires around Los Angeles. Helicopters from Port Alberni-based Coulson Aviation have been working the frontlines. Wind gusts of over 100 kilometres an hour continue to challenge firefighters working on massive wildfires in Palisades and Pasadena as well as smaller ones around the county. A new fire erupted in the Calabasas area Thursday afternoon, forcing hundreds more to evacuate.

‘The skies [are] black and you can see the fires from everywhere’ - that’s just one description from one of the many people who have returned to Vancouver from Los Angeles. Passengers arriving at YVR describe horrific scenes of smoke, flame and carnage as crews continue to fight to control the wildfires burning in several areas around LA. At least five people have died, hundreds are injured and thousands of homes have been destroyed as strong Santa Ana winds continue to blow embers across properties.

Breaking News: Massive wildfires, fueled by hurricane force Santa Ana winds, continue to grow in suburbs around Los Angeles. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed by the Palisades Fire that started late Tuesday morning. Several people have been injured and crews have had a difficult time trying to get water to control the spread. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire to the south - which broke out early Tuesday evening - has forced a new round of evacuations including close to a hundred people from a care home. Winds of over 100 kilometres an hour grounded fire fighting aircraft Tuesday evening. Extra ground crews have been called in from across Southern California.

Justin Trudeau calls it quits after nine years as Prime Minister. Trudeau made the announcement Monday morning saying he intends to stay on as PM until the Liberals choose a new party leader. Parliament will not be recalled until March 24. Opposition leaders have responded by demanding an immediate election while a Dairy Queen in Langley is offering $2 ‘Trudeau Resignation Burgers.’

Police have been looking for the driver of a Maserati after a Saturday night hit-and-run in Surrey. Two pedestrians are injured after the high-end sportscar hit several vehicles near 75th Avenue and 124 Street at around 10:00 p.m. One of the injured, a 29-year-old man who was freed after being pinned under a car, was in critical but stable condition on Sunday.

A woman has been charged with double counts of attempted murder after a car with two children was driven toward the Fraser River. Delta Police say there was an attempt to drive into the Fraser on the morning of Nov. 29. Police found the car stuck in the mud. There’s a publication ban to protect the identities of the kids.

B.C.’s deficit has jumped to $9.3 billion. That revelation comes in the provincial government’s fiscal update. The debt is expected to rise to $130 billion by the end of the government fiscal year. Provincial Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says she expects modest economic growth of 0.9 per cent but also warns there’s looming uncertainty including Donald Trump’s threatened 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports.

Breaking: Conservative Tamara Jansen has flipped Cloverdale-Langley City Conservative. Jansen soundly defeated all her opponents in Monday’s federal byelection - getting more than three times as many votes as Liberal Candidate Madison Fleischer. The loss for the Liberals comes as another blow to the Justin Trudeau government…on the same day Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit cabinet. Voter turnout in this byelection was extremely low.

Breaking News: A body has now been recovered in a weekend landslide that hit a home before closing the Sea to Sky Highway near Lions Bay for hours. That confirmation came early Sunday evening. Searchers are continuing to look for a second victim. The slide happened on Saturday, blocking the highway between Squamish and West Vancouver. Canada Task Force 1, along with at least one dog, has been involved in the search and recovery effort.

A stretch of the Sea to Sky Highway was closed for hours near Lions Bay this weekend after a mudslide knocked a home off its foundation and spread mud and debris over the road. Drones have been used to see if there are any possible victims. Canada Task Force 1, along with a search dog, has also been searching through the debris.

B.C. is once again offering huge tax breaks to film and TV production companies in an effort to keep studios shooting in the province. Premier David Eby has announced the BC Film Incentive tax credit will increase slightly from 35 to 36 percent. The production services tax credit will go up from the current 28 per cent to 36 per cent starting in January. Bonuses are also being offered for big budget productions. The Surrey Board of Trade calls the announcement a win for both film production and businesses across the province.

Seven Vancouver police officers will soon face a public disciplinary hearing centred on their parts in the beating death of a 33-year-old man during a mental health crisis. Myles Gray died outside an East Vancouver home in 2015 after police were called to reports of a man behaving erratically. The Independent Investigations Office found three of the seven officers should face charges of manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm. However, charges were never laid even though a Coroners Inquest also found the death was a homicide. The new Police Complaints Commissioner has now ordered a public hearing so a retired judge can reassess the case.

Vancouverites will indeed pay a 3.9 per cent increase in their residential property taxes. That’s the smallest increase since Ken Sim became mayor, two years ago. City council approved its operating budget Tuesday afternoon but some point out it lacks detail. The Vancouver Police Department will get an extra $2.6M over what had been approved in a previous draft budget.

Many blame the Taylor Swift concerts for extra long lines at the Blaine border crossings for drivers heading into the U.S. Some had to wait for hours at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings on Monday. Long northbound lines were also reported on Saturday and Sunday as the concerts combined with a low Canadian dollar, making shopping in Canada cheaper for some Americans.

The BC Conservatives have turned on one of their own - 13 MLA’s are asking fellow Conservative Elenore Sturko to apologize to an ex-Vancouver Police Board member. They’ve sent a letter to Leader John Rustad saying Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba was a victim of ‘cancel culture.’ The Surrey-Cloverdale MLA says she thought it was appropriate for the Board to accept its vice-chair’s resignation following comments about gender transition and erasing Christian values from the lives of children.

Expect traffic chaos in and around downtown Vancouver - that’s the warning as the Taylor Swift concerts combine with a Friday night Canucks game, six weekend Cirque du Soleil shows and the Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza this weekend. People are being encouraged to walk, bike or take public transit to avoid jammed streets. A number of downtown road closures and passenger zones will be in effect.

A Taiwanese company has pulled the plug on plans to build a $1B battery plant in Maple Ridge. Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier David Eby attended last year’s announcement, promising a combined $285 million in government funding to help kickstart construction of the lithium-ion battery cell plant. Now the plant’s parent company, Taiwan Cement, says Canadian plans have been put on hold to concentrate on Taiwanese production. Experts continue to predict a lower demand for EV batteries heading into 2025 and beyond.

A young man from North Vancouver is one of two people charged in a failed murder plot in California. The 25-year-old, along with a co-accused from Ontario, are in custody after three people were stabbed at a home in Monterey County - all are expected to survive despite suffering serious to critical injuries. Charges include attempted murder and conspiracy to commit attempted murder. The two suspects are being held on bail of more than $2M each.

Blame the fog. Drivers around the Lower Mainland have been trying to navigate through thick fog since early Monday morning. One driver missed the curve on 8th Ave in Langley Monday evening, landing a car in the middle of a concrete barrier. Environment Canada’s continued its Weather Advisory saying the fog could continue through all of Tuesday morning.

Tragic news in the search for a Surrey teen who has been missing since Oct. 22. The body of 18-year-old Joseph Maku has been found in Delta. In a Facebook post, Maku’s sister says the discovery was made on Friday but it may be a long time before the cause of death is known. Neither Delta Police nor Surrey Police are commenting on the death. Investigators believe Maku boarded several buses between King George Blvd and Scott Road before he disappeared.

Expect to pay a lot more to use BC Ferries. Despite several government cash bailouts, BC Ferries says demand continues to grow and the fleet is being pushed to the limit. A 30 per cent increase in fares is possible. The cost of replacing ferries has increased 40 per cent since 2020. The provincial government imposed a temporary cap on fare increases last year after giving BC Ferries and additional 500 million dollars.

A Metis society is questioning the status claims of the Liberal candidate in the Cloverdale-Langley City federal byelection. The Waceya Metis Society says it wants to distance itself from Madison Fleischer’s claims of Metis identity. The Waceya says it met with Fleischer over the weekend and is disappointed she could not provide any evidence to support her heritage. Fleischer now says she’s collecting the necessary documentation for application through the BC Metis Nation.

A missing hiker has been found alive in a provincial park north of Fort St. John, close to five weeks after he went missing. CBC News reports 20-year-old Sam Benastick was reported missing after he failed to return home from a 10-day camping trip back on Oct. 17. He was found by workers attending natural gas wells in the area. The RCMP have not yet commented on the case.

B.C. business leaders, including those with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, warn U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps promise to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports will have a serious impact on the province’s economy. Trump said he would slap the tariffs on Canada and Mexico on his first day in office. The reason - Trump says both countries have failed to stem the flow of illegal aliens and drugs like fentanyl coming into the U.S. B.C. is a major supplier of resources for American housing and manufacturing.

Some Chinese nationals blame the strike at Canada Post for a situation that’s left them stuck in Vancouver, waiting for critical documents. Stella Xing, a Chinese national who has been working in the U.S., tells CBC News her passport and work visa were approved last week but are now caught up in the mail. She says she travelled to Vancouver earlier this month to renew her documents. She’s one of several in the same situation who say they are losing hundreds of dollars each day because of the delay.

Two more South Coast ski hills are opening this weekend - Grouse and Seymour. It follows this week’s fresh snow dumps on the North Shore Mountains. On Thursday, Whistler-Blackcomb re-opened. All mountains are operating with a few of their runs set to go…full-openings usually start during the winter break.