British Columbia Archives - National Times

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…

16 Jun

School Field Trip Turns into Nightmare: 12 Students Injured in Shocking Incident at B.C. Waterpark

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Cultus Lake ( Rajeev Sharma): What was meant to be a routine school field trip turned into a frightening emergency after 12 students were injured during an incident at Cultus Lake Waterpark on Monday. Emergency responders rushed to the scene after reports of an unexpected incident at the facility involving a group of middle school students. Several students required immediate medical attention, and multiple ambulances were deployed to transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Authorities confirmed that the injuries were serious but not considered life-threatening. Early assessments suggest the incident may be linked to an electrical issue within the waterpark…

12 Apr

Legal Turmoil Sparks Calls to Overhaul British Columbia’s Indigenous Reconciliation Framework

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): Mounting legal and political challenges have prompted fresh calls for a major rethink of British Columbia’s reconciliation strategy, with critics arguing that the province’s landmark Indigenous rights legislation now risks creating more uncertainty than progress. At the centre of the debate is the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), introduced in 2019 to align provincial laws with the principles of the United Nations declaration on Indigenous rights. The law was initially hailed as a transformative step toward improving relations with First Nations communities and ensuring their voices are considered in decision-making. However, recent developments…

30 Mar

B.C. Court Dismisses Negligence Claim After $580K Condo Fraud Attempt Blocked

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingBritish Columbia

Kelowna ( Rajeev Sharma): A sophisticated real estate fraud attempt involving a condominium at Big White Ski Resort was foiled in the final stages of closing, preventing a potential loss of $580,000, according to a recent British Columbia Supreme Court ruling. Unknown individuals, posing as the legitimate property owners, attempted to complete the sale through a fully remote transaction. The deal was halted when a conveyancing lawyer was unable to verify the identities of the purported sellers, stopping the transfer of funds before completion. In a civil lawsuit filed by the legitimate owners and prospective buyers, Realtor Gary Turner and…

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,…

12 Feb

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

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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

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

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…

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…