British Columbia Archives - National Times

27 Mar

Our Global Village Charitable Foundation to Host “Sandhook Sheeshean Wala 2026” – A Ladies-Only Cultural Evening

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCanada, Surrey

Surrey ( Richa Walia): The Our Global Village Charitable Foundation is set to host a vibrant and culturally rich event titled “Sandhook Sheeshean Wala –2026”, a special ladies-only gathering celebrating tradition, community, and entertainment. The event will take place on March 28, 2026, at the elegant Grand Taj Hall, with doors opening at 5:00 PM. Designed to bring women together in a festive and empowering environment, the evening will feature cultural performances, entertainment, and a delicious dinner, creating a memorable experience for all attendees. This unique celebration aims to highlight cultural heritage while fostering unity and connection among women from…

23 Mar

Happyness & Wellness Community Society Hosts Spiritual “Bhajan Clubbing” Spiritual Concert for the Community

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBhajan Clubbing, Surrey

Surrey (Richa Walia): The Happyness & Wellness Community Society successfully organized the “Unique You – 4th Edition”, featuring a spiritually uplifting and innovative “Shakti Bhajan Clubbing” concert by Bhakti Crew. The event brought together community members for an evening filled with devotion, music, and positive energy, creating a unique blend of spirituality and celebration. The concept of Bhajan Clubbing seamlessly fused traditional devotional bhajans with a contemporary musical ambiance, offering attendees a refreshing and engaging spiritual experience. Participants from all age groups joined with great enthusiasm, singing along and immersing themselves in the vibrant and uplifting atmosphere. The energy in…

20 Mar

Grand Celebration of Holi Milan & Hindu Nav Varsh in Surrey by Bhartiya Kala Evam Sahitya Parishad

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaSurrey

Surrey (Yuvraj Singh): In a vibrant display of cultural pride and community spirit, Bhartiya Kala Evam Sahitya Parishad successfully hosted a grand celebration of Bharatiya Holi Milan and Hindu Nav Varsh, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora for an evening filled with रंग, संगीत, और उत्साह. The event witnessed an impressive turnout, with attendees from across the community gathering to celebrate the festival of colors and the auspicious beginning of the Hindu New Year. The atmosphere was festive and welcoming, reflecting the rich traditions and cultural heritage of India. A key highlight of the evening was the “Karaoke &…

18 Mar

B.C. Attracts Over 400 U.S. Health Workers in Major Recruitment Push

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): The western Canadian province of British Columbia has successfully drawn more than 400 healthcare professionals from the United States over the past year, as part of an aggressive recruitment initiative aimed at strengthening its medical workforce. According to figures released by the provincial health ministry, a total of 414 workers — including doctors, nurses and allied health staff — accepted positions between March 2025 and January 2026. The intake includes 89 physicians, 42 nurse practitioners, 260 nurses and 23 other healthcare specialists. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the influx is already helping improve access to care,…

17 Mar

Justice for Gurkirat: International Student from India Killed in B.C. Boat Ramp Altercation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaCharlie Lake Altercation, Fort St. John Homicide, Gurkirat Singh Manocha, Indian Student Killed Canada, Ujjain Student Canada

Fort St. John, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma)— A 25-year-old international student from Ujjain, India, has been identified as the victim of a fatal "altercation" that took place late Friday night, March 13, 2026, in northeastern British Columbia. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) identified the deceased as Gurkirat Singh Manocha, a business management student at Northern Lights College. The incident occurred at approximately 11:10 PM at the Charlie Lake boat ramp, just outside Fort St. John. Despite life-saving efforts, Manocha succumbed to serious injuries sustained during the confrontation. Incident and Investigation According to the North District Major Crimes Unit, the investigation…

15 Mar

Fear Grips Punjabi Construction Community in Vancouver Amid Rising Extortion Threats

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingVancouver

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Growing extortion threats targeting South Asian entrepreneurs have now reached Vancouver, where several Punjabi builders say they are being forced to alter business practices out of concern for their safety. The problem, which previously emerged in Surrey and Brampton, has begun affecting Vancouver’s construction sector. Developers from the Punjabi community report receiving threatening phone calls demanding money, prompting many to remove signboards from project sites and reduce their public visibility. Reports by OMNI News suggest that some builders have even asked municipal authorities to remove their contact information and development details from publicly accessible city records, fearing…

11 Mar

LNG Canada Ramps Up Production to Shield Asian Markets from Middle East Energy Crisis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaEnergy Crisis, Gas Exports, Kitimat, LNG Canada, West Asia

Kitimat, B.C. (Rajeev Sharma)— In a critical move for global energy security, LNG Canada has significantly accelerated its production and export volumes this week as the escalating conflict in West Asia threatens to cripple the world’s liquefied natural gas supply. Data released on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, indicates that the Shell-led facility in Kitimat is operating near its full capacity of 14 million metric tonnes per year, providing a vital alternative for Asian nations currently cut off from traditional Gulf sources. The urgency comes as QatarEnergy, which normally accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s LNG trade, declared force majeure…

10 Mar

Gunfire Strikes U.S. Consulate in Toronto, No Casualties Reported

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingToronto

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): Toronto police confirmed early Tuesday that the U.S. consulate in downtown Toronto was targeted in a shooting incident, though no injuries have been reported. Authorities said they received alerts around 5:30 a.m. about shots fired at the consulate, situated near Queen Street West and University Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered clear evidence that a firearm had been discharged at the building. By 7 a.m., police stated that they had no leads on a suspect. Investigations are ongoing, with officers maintaining a strong presence at the scene. A portion of University Avenue remains closed to traffic near the…

04 Mar

121 Arrested in Kelowna After Months-Long Crackdown on Crime and Drug Networks

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, Trending

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A sweeping seven-month enforcement drive in Kelowna, British Columbia, has resulted in 121 arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal drugs, firearms and other weapons, authorities confirmed this week. The operation, carried out by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Kelowna, was supported by funding from the province’s Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) Program. Running from June 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026, the initiative focused on repeat offenders, organised crime groups and neighbourhoods experiencing higher levels of violence and disorder. Police said the funding allowed officers to conduct intelligence-led patrols and targeted…

28 Feb

“Deeply Appalled”: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim Apologizes to Councillor Sean Orr for False Drug Distribution Claims

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma) — Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has officially apologized to City Councillor Sean Orr for making unsubstantiated and "defamatory" claims that the opposition councillor was distributing illegal drugs. The apology, delivered via a phone call on Thursday and confirmed by the Mayor in a media scrum on Friday, February 27, 2026, follows a week of political turmoil at City Hall after video evidence surfaced of the Mayor initiating the false rumours. The controversy stems from a February 6, 2026, media briefing intended for Chinese-speaking reporters. During the session, Mayor Sim was recorded claiming that Orr, a COPE party…