British Columbia Archives - National Times

09 Aug

Toronto Murder Case: Man Arrested Months After Indian-Origin Partner’s Death

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingToronto

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A 32-year-old Toronto man has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of his 30-year-old Indian-origin partner, Himanshi Khurana, nearly seven months after she was found dead at a residence in the Canadian city. Toronto Police said Abdul Ghafoori was taken into custody at a Toronto airport on Friday. He had been wanted on a first-degree murder charge after investigators linked him to Khurana, whose death was later classified as an incident of intimate partner violence. Investigation began after woman was reported missing Police were alerted at around 10.41 pm on December 19 after receiving a…

27 Jul

A Historic Western Canada Tour: His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V Connects Faith, Civic Leadership, and Social Innovation in Calgary and Vancouver

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, British Columbia, Canada, TrendingPrince Rahim Aga Khan V

Calgary/Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A transformative chapter in Canadian civic and religious history unfolded across Western Canada as His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th Imam of the Shia Nizari Ismaili Muslims, completed his inaugural official tour of the region. Accompanied by his sons, Prince Irfan Aga Khan and Prince Sinan Aga Khan, the multi-day visit marked the Imam’s first regional tour since succeeding his late father, Shah Karim al-Husseini (Aga Khan IV), following his passing in February 2025. Spanning high-level engagements and spiritual assemblies across Alberta and British Columbia, the visit celebrated over five decades of deep-rooted partnership…

26 Jul

Toronto Woman of Punjabi Origin Killed in Suspected Targeted Shooting; Brampton Resident Arrested

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingToronto

Toronto (Rajeev Sharma): A young woman of Punjabi origin lost her life in a fatal shooting in Toronto's Etobicoke neighbourhood, with investigators describing the incident as a deliberate attack. Police have arrested a 37-year-old Brampton resident in connection with the case and charged him with first-degree murder. The victim has been identified as Navneet Kaur, 26, a Toronto resident. According to the Toronto Police Service, officers responded to reports of gunfire early Friday morning and found Kaur suffering from critical injuries. Despite immediate medical intervention by emergency responders, she died at the scene. Investigators believe the suspect approached Kaur shortly…

22 Jul

Renowned Sufi Singer Sagar Bhatia to Headline Grand Qawwali Night in Coquitlam on August 9

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada

Coquitlam, B.C. (Richa Walia): Mason Entertainment, in collaboration with the local Indo-Canadian community, is set to present a spectacular Qawwali Night on August 9 at the Great Canadian Casino, Coquitlam. The event has generated considerable excitement among music enthusiasts across British Columbia, with organizers anticipating a capacity audience for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of Sufi music and cultural celebration. Addressing to media, event organizers Akash, Pranav, Jatinder Sodhi, Mukul, and Bhanu announced that acclaimed Bollywood playback singer and celebrated Sufi artist Sagar Bhatia will be travelling from New Delhi, India, to headline the event. Widely recognized for…

22 Jul

Alberta Expands Alcohol Trade Deal With Eight Provinces, Pushes for Nationwide Market Access

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, British Columbia, Canada, OntarioAlberta

Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta has broadened its efforts to remove interprovincial trade barriers by signing a new direct-to-consumer alcohol sales agreement with eight Canadian provinces, a move the provincial government says will create fresh business opportunities for local liquor producers and offer consumers greater choice. In a joint statement issued on Monday, Premier Danielle Smith and Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally announced that Alberta has reached agreements with Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia. Under the arrangement, Alberta-based breweries, wineries, distilleries and other liquor manufacturers will…

22 Jul

Langley City Voters to Decide Future of Major Community Facility Expansions in October Election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingLangley City

LANGLEY ( Richa Walia): Langley City residents will have an opportunity to shape the future of two major community infrastructure projects during the upcoming Local Government Election on October 17, 2026, through a non-binding Community Opinion Vote. Along with their regular election ballot, eligible voters will receive a separate ballot asking whether they support continued planning for two proposed projects: the expansion of Timms Community Centre alongside the development of a new Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, and the expansion of Al Anderson Pool to provide year-round public access. City officials said the proposed projects represent significant long-term investments that…

17 Jul

Culture Chats BC Unites Community Through Free Health & Mental Wellness Events

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCulture Chats BC

Surrey (Richa Walia): Demonstrating its commitment to community well being, Culture Chats BC Association organized two successful back-to-back free public events promoting mental health, healthy living, and preventive wellness. The volunteer led initiatives brought together healthcare professionals, community organizations, and residents to encourage meaningful conversations, practical learning, and stronger community partnerships. The first event, a Mental Health Forum, was held on June 28, 2026, at Surrey City Hall. The forum addressed growing mental health concerns, particularly within the South Asian community where cultural stigma often discourages open discussion. Speakers explored important topics including children’s and youth mental health, women’s mental…

16 Jul

Surrey Mayor Faces Fresh Pressure Over Police Chief’s Exit, Calls Grow for Full Disclosure

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingSurrey

Surrey, British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): The controversy surrounding the dismissal of former Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski has intensified, with Surrey First councillor and mayoral candidate Linda Annis demanding complete transparency and opposing any confidentiality agreement linked to the chief's departure. Annis has written to Mayor Brenda Locke and the chair of the Surrey Police Board, urging them not to approve a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that could prevent the public from learning the circumstances surrounding Lipinski's dismissal and the financial details of his severance package. According to Annis, Surrey residents have a right to know how much public money is…

10 Jul

Metro Vancouver Governance Reform Moves Ahead as Committee Backs Board Size Cap

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, Trending

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A proposal to reduce the size of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors has cleared a key hurdle after the regional district’s Governance Committee endorsed a recommendation to limit the number of directors each municipality can appoint. The proposal, initiated by Delta Councillor Dylan Kruger, will now be placed before the full Metro Vancouver Board for consideration. If adopted, municipalities would be restricted to appointing a maximum of three directors, while the existing weighted voting system based on population would remain unchanged. The recommendation is part of a broader governance reform effort launched last year, when Kruger introduced…

08 Jul

Foreign Crime Networks Face U.S. Crackdown as B.C. Communities Demand Stronger Action Against Extortion Gangs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A major law enforcement crackdown in the United States targeting alleged international organized crime networks has reignited concerns over the growing threat of extortion, intimidation and targeted violence affecting communities in British Columbia, especially in Surrey and the Lower Mainland. The latest action by U.S. authorities against individuals accused of involvement in transnational criminal activities has drawn strong reactions from B.C. opposition leaders, who say the move highlights the need for a more aggressive approach to organized crime investigations and prosecutions within the province. For years, South Asian communities and local business owners in parts of…