British Columbia Archives - National Times

12 Feb

British Columbia Community Devastated After Teen Gunwoman’s Rampage Leaves Nine Dead

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A remote town in northern British Columbia is grappling with grief after an 18-year-old carried out a deadly attack that began inside her home and ended at a local school, claiming nine lives including her own. Authorities identified the shooter as Jesse Van Rootselaar, a transgender woman who had previously attended the school in Tumbler Ridge. Investigators revealed that before heading to the campus on Tuesday, she fatally shot her 39-year-old mother and her 11-year-old stepbrother at their residence. The violence then shifted to the school, where a teacher and several students were killed. Police said…

11 Feb

B.C. Teacher Suspended for Assisting Students in Standardized Test Cheating

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish ColumbiaB.C. teacher suspension, cheating scandal, Grade 12 Literacy Assessment, Okanagan high school

Okanagan. B.C. (Rajeev Sharma): A high school teacher in British Columbia has been suspended for five days after admitting to helping students cheat on a provincially mandated literacy assessment, according to the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation. Tasha Dawn Whitney agreed to the disciplinary action through a consent resolution published online Tuesday. The misconduct occurred in June 2024 while she was teaching at a high school in the Okanagan. According to the resolution, Whitney exchanged text messages with a Grade 12 student who expressed a desire to have someone else complete the Literacy Assessment on their behalf — a requirement…

11 Feb

Mass Shooting at Remote B.C. School Leaves Eight Dead, Community Placed Under Emergency Response

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): Canada was shaken on Tuesday after a deadly shooting unfolded at a secondary school in the northeastern part of British Columbia, claiming the lives of eight people, including the alleged attacker. Authorities later confirmed that two more individuals were found dead at a residence believed to have a connection to the incident, deepening concerns over the scale of the tragedy. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said the violence erupted at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, a small institution serving students from Grades 7 to 12. More than 25 people were injured during the attack, with at…

09 Feb

Impaired driver crashes car into Abbotsford home, arrested by police

Navdeep Ghai0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaAbbotsford crash, British Columbia accident, drunk driving arrest, Impaired Driving

Abbotsford (Rajeev Sharma): A 23-year-old woman was arrested for impaired driving after her vehicle crashed into a residential house in Abbotsford, British Columbia, early Sunday morning, authorities said. The Abbotsford Police Department stated that officers were dispatched to the 3700 block of Nanaimo Crescent shortly before 12.30 am following reports of a serious collision involving a vehicle that had rammed into a home. Police said the driver was taken into custody at the scene. She was found to be driving under the influence and had alcohol levels more than twice the legal limit. Fortunately, no one inside the residence was…

09 Feb

Rajeev Sharma Appointed Vice President Communications of Canada Hindu Chamber of Commerce

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingRajeev Sharma

Toronto (Bureau): In a key organizational development, the Canada Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) has appointed Rajeev Sharma of Alberta as its new Vice President Communications, signaling a strategic push to strengthen the Chamber’s national communication and outreach framework. In his new role, Rajeev Sharma will lead the Chamber’s communication strategy across Canada, overseeing media relations, public messaging, and digital platforms. His mandate includes enhancing engagement with members, business leaders, and strategic partners, while expanding the Chamber’s visibility and influence within the broader Canadian business and community landscape. The Alberta Chapter Committee will concurrently focus on implementing the Chamber’s policies…

09 Feb

Quality of Life Keeps British Columbia a Top Choice for Newcomers Amid Security Concerns

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia remains Canada’s leading destination for new immigrants, holding its appeal even as parts of the province face heightened concern over organised extortion rackets. Recent livability rankings indicate that newcomers continue to prioritise employment prospects, lifestyle advantages and community support over fears related to crime. An assessment referenced by the Asian Pacific Post shows British Columbia securing a dominant presence in the Globe and Mail’s Most Livable Cities for Newcomers Index 2026. The province accounted for 12 of the top 20 cities, underscoring its popularity among immigrants who have arrived in Canada within the last…

08 Feb

Concerns Grow as B.C. Expands Indigenous Land-Use Agreements, Raising Questions Over Property Control

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): The British Columbia government is facing renewed scrutiny over its approach to land governance after quietly finalizing another land-use agreement with an Indigenous group on Vancouver Island—an agreement critics say further reshapes decision-making authority and adds to uncertainty around property rights in the province. The latest agreement, reached with the ’Na̱mg̱is First Nation, establishes shared management over roughly 166,000 hectares in the Nimpkish Valley on northern Vancouver Island. The arrangement spans multiple land-use areas, including forestry, and represents one of the largest co-management frameworks announced by the province in recent years. The deal comes amid ongoing debate…

07 Feb

Lamborghini Seized After Being Clocked at Nearly 200 km/h on Vancouver Bridge

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish ColumbiaAlex Fraser Bridge, excessive speeding fine, Lamborghini impounded, Metro Vancouver speeding

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A high-end Lamborghini SUV was impounded by traffic police this week after it was caught speeding at almost three times the permitted limit on a major bridge in Metro Vancouver, authorities said. According to the B.C. Highway Patrol, the luxury vehicle was recorded travelling at 197 km/h in a 70 km/h zone on the Alex Fraser Bridge, which connects Delta and Richmond. The incident occurred shortly after 8 pm on February 4. Police stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as a 51-year-old man from Surrey. Officials said multiple traffic violation notices were issued on the spot.…

05 Feb

Unseasonal warmth grips British Columbia as February temperatures smash records

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia, Canada

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia is experiencing an unusually warm February, with temperatures soaring into spring-like territory and setting new daily records across much of the province, prompting fresh concern over the future of winter weather. A stretch of persistent high-pressure systems has pushed daytime highs well above seasonal averages, with record-breaking warmth reported in more than a dozen communities, ranging from coastal areas to the Interior and the North. Cities including Vancouver, Cranbrook and Dawson Creek have all logged temperatures rarely seen this time of year. One of the most striking readings came from Bella Bella on the…

31 Jan

B.C. Introduces Competitive Power Allocation for AI and Data Centres to Manage Rising Demand

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canadaartificial intelligence, B.C. Hydro, British Columbia, data centres, electricity supply

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): The British Columbia government has rolled out a new electricity allocation system requiring data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) companies to compete for power as demand from energy-intensive industries continues to grow. Under the new framework, B.C. Hydro will distribute electricity to high-load sectors through a competitive bidding process. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the move is aimed at ensuring the stability of the provincial power grid while supporting sustainable economic growth. B.C. Hydro president and CEO Charlotte Mitha said a structured process is essential to manage the surge in large power requests from AI firms and…