British Columbia Archives - Page 7 of 12

28 Jan

Surrey Urges Ottawa to Declare Federal Emergency as Extortion Cases Surge

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBrenda Locke, federal state of emergency, organized crime, RCMP, Surrey extortion

Surrey, B.C, January 28, 2026: The City of Surrey is calling on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in response to a sharp rise in extortion cases, with police recording 35 suspected incidents in the city so far this month alone. Surrey city council unanimously approved a motion brought forward by Mayor Brenda Locke during a public hearing Monday night, citing growing concerns over organized crime, intimidation and targeted shootings. “The City of Surrey is experiencing an acute and escalating crisis of organized extortion, intimidation, and targeted shootings resulting in fear, trauma, and economic harm to residents…

28 Jan

B.C. paramedics’ union to hold strike vote after contract talks stall

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaAmbulance Paramedics of B.C., B.C. paramedics, contract talks, staffing shortages, strike vote

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): The union representing British Columbia’s ambulance paramedics and emergency dispatchers has announced it will hold a strike vote early next month after negotiations with the provincial government over a new collective agreement reached an impasse. Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. (APBC) said in a news release on Tuesday evening that the electronic strike vote will be conducted over a two-week period beginning February 2. The announcement follows contract talks last week that the union described as yielding “no positive progress.” APBC president Jason Jackson said the government’s current offer fails to address the ongoing challenges faced by paramedics…

25 Jan

Rescue teams brave subzero cold to save stranded family in British Columbia

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A family of four was brought to safety after becoming stranded overnight in freezing conditions along a remote forest road in British Columbia’s Central Okanagan region, officials confirmed. Volunteers from Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) were mobilised in the early hours of January 24 following a distress call from the group, whose vehicle became immobilised on Bear Main Forest Service Road near Islaht Lake. The area, known for rugged terrain and limited connectivity, posed significant challenges for rescuers. According to COSAR, active logging operations had left the roadway coated in ice, making it treacherous to navigate.…

25 Jan

Winter storm disrupts air travel across Canada, leaving thousands stranded

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, Trending

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Severe winter weather sweeping across large parts of Canada has thrown air travel into disarray, forcing airlines to cancel or delay hundreds of flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major airports. Operations were heavily affected at key hubs in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and Halifax as bitter cold, strong winds and heavy snowfall created hazardous conditions for aircraft movements and ground handling. According to airport authorities and flight tracking data, more than 225 flights were cancelled while over 300 departures and arrivals faced delays through the day. Toronto Pearson International Airport recorded the highest number…

25 Jan

India emerges as key partner as British Columbia seeks deeper trade ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): British Columbia Premier David Eby has said that major Indian corporations are showing strong interest in investing in Canada’s energy and mineral sectors, signaling a significant shift in bilateral economic engagement as relations between the two countries begin to stabilize. Speaking after a trade mission to India, Eby said he held discussions with senior executives from companies including Tata Steel, Reliance Industries, Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum, focusing on opportunities in liquefied natural gas (LNG), clean energy and critical minerals. The delegation also met India’s energy minister and representatives from leading industrial groups such as…

25 Jan

Burnaby shooting: 28-year-old Indian-origin man killed, investigators probe gang rivalry angle

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBurnaby

Burnaby (Rajeev Sharma): A fatal shooting in Burnaby, British Columbia, has claimed the life of a 28-year-old man of Indian origin, prompting an intensive investigation by Canadian law enforcement agencies. Police believe the killing may be part of a wider pattern of gang-related violence that has troubled parts of the region in recent months. The victim, identified as Dilraj Singh Gill, was gunned down late Thursday afternoon near the Canada Way corridor. Emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly before 5.30 pm after residents reported hearing multiple gunshots. Gill was found critically injured and, despite sustained resuscitation attempts, was declared…

25 Jan

Surrey Basement Shooting Kills One, Injures Another; IHIT Says Attack Was Targeted

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingSurrey

Surrey ( Rajeev Sharma): A shooting inside a basement suite of a residential home in Surrey has left one man dead and another injured, prompting a homicide investigation by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). The incident occurred early Saturday morning at approximately 4:55 a.m. in the 12500 block of 91 Avenue, according to the Surrey Police Service (SPS). Police said officers, along with BC Emergency Health Services paramedics and Surrey Fire Service crews, responded to reports of gunfire at the address. Upon entering the home, first responders located two adult men suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim was pronounced…

24 Jan

RCMP Task Force Probes 111 Foreign Nationals in Extortion Network; Majority Linked to Punjab, New Details on Overseas Gangsters Surface

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCanada, RCMP

Chandigarh/Vancouver: A special task force formed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in British Columbia is currently investigating 111 foreign nationals in connection with a series of extortion cases, with a significant number of the suspects reportedly tracing their origins to Punjab. Officials associated with the probe clarified that the investigation is being conducted strictly on the basis of evidence and intelligence inputs, and not with the intent to target any specific community. The inquiry relies heavily on CCTV recordings, digital trails, financial data and forensic material to establish links between suspects and the alleged crimes. The task force…

24 Jan

Canada-Wide Manhunt Ends at Vancouver Airport in Explosive Minor Abuse Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCanada

Lethbridge ( Rajeev Sharma): A Taber, Alberta man wanted in connection with a disturbing case involving multiple minors has been arrested upon his return to Canada. According to a media release from the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS), Yuvraaz Singh, a resident of Taber, was taken into custody at Vancouver International Airport on January 19 after arriving in Canada from abroad. Singh had been the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant following an investigation that began in April 2025 in Lethbridge. Police said officers were called to a hotel in Lethbridge to assist in recovering property when they discovered Singh in…

21 Jan

Surrey Extortion Crisis Deepens as RCMP Charge 7, Deport 9, and Probe 111 Foreign Nationals

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, CanadaBC Extortion Task Force, Canada deportations, RCMP, South Asian Community, Surrey extortion

SURREY (Rajeev Sharma): — British Columbia police say they are intensifying efforts to dismantle extortion networks as investigations stretch beyond provincial borders, resulting in multiple criminal charges, deportations, and immigration reviews. Assistant RCMP Commissioner John Brewer said authorities are “actively hunting” extortion suspects across B.C., Alberta, and Ontario, as criminals adapt their tactics in response to enforcement pressure. Providing a four-month update since the launch of the BC Extortion Task Force, Brewer emphasized that law enforcement remains focused on arresting suspects and removing those without legal standing in Canada. Police are working closely with the Canada Border Services Agency, which…