VANCOUVER Police on Tuesday said they have identified the victim of Sunday’s homicide as 49-year-old Benn Robert Arthur Harrison.
Harrison was found deceased inside a home in East Vancouver after Vancouver Police responded to a 9-1-1 call around 4:40 a.m. on April 6.
Two people were taken into custody at the scene. The investigation is ongoing and charges have not yet been laid.
Anyone with information is asked to contact VPD’s Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500.
THE 2025 Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) has officially come to a close, marking a significant milestone for the automotive industry and the city of Vancouver. For the second consecutive year, the event has set a new attendance record, with 138,773 visitors (129,033 in 2024) experiencing the latest innovations in automotive technology, design, and performance. Additionally, the show saw a record-breaking single-day attendance on Saturday (42,761 visitors), further highlighting the growing excitement and interest in this premier automotive experience.
The five-day event, which took place at the Vancouver Convention Centre remains a standout family-friendly experience, with a strong emphasis on providing a safe and fun environment for attendees of all ages. The show ensured a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors while showcasing over 30 world-class automotive brands, featuring everything from cutting-edge electric vehicles to the most luxurious and high-performance cars on the market. Enthusiasts, industry professionals, and families alike were able to get up close and personal with the latest models and engage with exhibitors in a celebration of the future of mobility.
“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Vancouver International Auto Show,” said Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC (NCDA), which owns and hosts the auto show. “Not only did we break another attendance record, but we also witnessed incredible interest in the shift towards sustainability and electrification in the automotive sector. This year’s event truly reflected the future of transportation, and we couldn’t be more excited to have shared that vision with the community.”
Exhibitors in the show report enthusiastic crowds eager to learn about the new vehicles as well as the specialty vehicles on display.
“The Vancouver Auto Show continues to be an incredible platform for Weissach INEOS Grenadier to connect with British Columbia’s passionate automotive community,” says Weissach INEOS Grenadier COO, Kai Hensler. “Building on last year’s excitement, we were thrilled to showcase the highly anticipated Quartermaster edition—demonstrating our commitment to delivering uncompromising capability and refined adventure. We are grateful for the overwhelming support and look forward to continuing this momentum.”
A popular feature this year was the EV and PHEV Test Drive Experience presented by CleanBC Go Electric and RBC. A record 4,424 consumers had the opportunity to drive some of the newest and most highly sought after electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid EV’s in the country with 49 vehicles from 16 top manufacturers and participate in an indoor-to-outdoor test drive experience following a route around the Vancouver city centre.
Other highlights of the show included the unveiling of several Canadian and Western Canadian vehicle debuts including the SSC Tuatara Striker, the world’s fastest production car, reaching speeds of 455.3 km/h. The 2025 editions of the Mustang GTD, Corvette ZR1, Lincoln Navigator and Hyundai IONIQ 9 all turned heads, making their BC debuts at the show. Another hit for attendees was the stunning selection of five vehicles from Vancouver local Jordan Melville’s personal Ferrari collection to the show including the ultra-rare SP3 Daytona.
The Vancouver International Auto Show continues to serve as a vital platform for showcasing the dynamic evolution of the automotive industry while attracting a diverse audience from across British Columbia and beyond. With its continued growth, the event is positioning itself as a key highlight on the North American automotive calendar.
“We are proud to host an event that brings together so many passionate individuals, car enthusiasts, and professionals,” said Eric Nicholl, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Auto Show. “The turnout we saw this year is a testament to the growing interest and excitement surrounding the future of automotive technology.”
Looking ahead, the Vancouver International Auto Show is already planning for its 2026 edition which will return to the Vancouver Convention Centre West from March 25th to 29th, with hopes of continuing to break boundaries and set new standards for what the auto industry can offer.
THE City of Delta announced on Tuesday the upcoming 2025 Spring Clean-Up program. This expanded curbside collection service allows residents to dispose of household items and scrap metal alongside their regular garbage collection. The program provides an accessible way for residents to find new homes for unwanted items.
“I’m proud that the City of Delta continues to provide this unique service to our residents,” said Delta Mayor George V. Harvie. “Spring Clean-Up gives Delta residents a practical way to get rid of unwanted household items in a safe and organized manner. It’s one of the ways we’re supporting responsible disposal and helping reduce illegal dumping in our neighbourhoods. This program also provides an opportunity for items to find new homes, creating a sustainable way to reduce our waste.”
The 2025 Spring Clean-Up collection dates will take place on regular garbage collection days as follows:
* Tsawwassen: Monday, March 31
* Ladner: Tuesday, April 1
* North Delta: Wednesday, April 9 (for homes with Wednesday garbage collection)
* North Delta: Thursday, April 10 (for homes with Thursday garbage collection)
Households that receive weekly curbside garbage collection from the City are eligible to participate and may place up to one pick-up truck load of accepted items at the curb for collection. Residents are reminded that items must not be placed on the curb earlier than the weekend before your collection day. City Bylaw Officers will be patrolling neighbourhoods to help prevent illegal dumping, monitor early placement, and identifying items that are not accepted as part of Spring Clean-Up.
Recycling plays a crucial role in meeting Delta’s waste reduction goals. Items in good condition that are left at the curb are repurposed with others, preventing the needless disposal of reusable goods. Residents are encouraged to donate items to local organizations and thrift stores to further support community sustainability efforts.
For the full list of accepted and non-accepted materials, or to search local recycling and donation options, visit delta.ca/springcleanup.
THE Finance Ministry said on Tuesday that people will see immediate savings through the elimination of the consumer carbon tax in British Columbia.
With the federal government removing the federal carbon tax on consumers, the B.C. government is not only halting the scheduled tax increase, it is tabling legislation on Monday, March 31 to remove the tax, effective April 1.
The Province is notifying fuel sellers and natural gas retailers now so they can take action to stop collecting the tax from consumers as of April 1. While the Government of B.C. understands that eliminating the tax requires changes, the Province expects fuel sellers and natural gas retailers to make every effort to ensure their customers are not charged the carbon tax on purchases as of April 1.
The Province will continue to act on the commitment to battle climate change by ensuring people in British Columbia have affordable options to make sustainable choices and by encouraging industry to innovate.
Incentivizing industry to adopt lower-carbon technologies while maintaining their competitiveness is critically important in the province. While government removes the carbon tax on people, the Province of B.C will continue to ensure big industrial emitters pay their fair share through the output-based carbon pricing system. The system holds large industrial emitters accountable and offers cost-effective ways to cut emissions.
LIBERAL Leader Mark Carney on Tuesday announced a new Liberal plan to invest in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and to protect Canadian sovereignty in an increasingly dangerous and divided world.
Canada will remain a strong, secure, and sovereign nation and to maximize its economic growth it’s imperative that we invest in our military and to ensure every dollar is spent wisely and effectively, Carney said.
“Now more than ever, we need to secure Canadian sovereignty by strengthening our military. We’re going to prioritize investments here in Canada, and every dollar we spend is going to be spent wisely and effectively – and help us build our capabilities to get to our 2% NATO target by 2030 at the latest, but our first priority will be on value for money to protect Canadians,” he said.
According to Carney, the plan will:
* Expand the capabilities of the Navy with new submarines and additional heavy icebreakers to defend the North.
* Fully commit to all orders underway through the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) where 21,400 jobs across the country and 9,500 jobs for Irving Shipbuilding have been supported by the Strategy through the construction of 8 Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships and 15 River Class Destroyers.
* Work with all of Canada’s shipyards to ensure that we are maximizing their capabilities and using Canadian steel and aluminum.
* Expand the reach and abilities of the Canadian Coast Guard and integrate them into our NATO defence capabilities. Our Coast Guard carries out important work, but we need to update their mission to face changing realities to protect our sovereignty and counter criminal activity, like the trafficking of illicit drugs. That’s why we will give the Canadian Coast Guard a new mandate—and the right equipment—to conduct maritime surveillance operations to secure our coasts.
* Fill the CAF’s shortage of 14,500 members by modernizing our recruitment process, giving all CAF members a well-deserved raise, building new on-base housing, and improving access to doctors, mental health services, and childcare.
* Ensure that Canadian troops defending Canada at home have the same equipment capabilities as those defending our allies abroad.
* End the chronic lapsing of defence spending, through the creation of a defence capital account that ensures that even when the timing of an investment changes, every dollar assigned to Canada’s defence will remain for that purpose.
* From CAF infrastructure, including Naval infrastructure in Halifax, to build-ready assets or ready-to-be-purchased equipment, we must invest immediately with no excuse for leaving funds on the table to improve Canada’s defence capabilities.
* Deliver an unprecedented acceleration of investment in our Armed Forces so that we can defend every inch of our sovereign territory, while also helping to support and defend our allies abroad.
* Partner with our allies on procurement for the next generation of aircrafts.
* Modernize our procurement legislation to ensure our Forces can buy the equipment that they need, when they need it—which is now. We can also swiftly surpass our existing defence spending targets and bolster our capabilities by investing in dual purpose infrastructure—whether housing, cybersecurity, or satellite technology—that delivers immediate benefits for both our Forces and the public.
* Creating a first-in-class drone capability that will build and deploy aquatic and airborne uncrewed vehicles to defend our arctic, our undersea infrastructure, our borders, and our allies. This new capability will be matched with an industrial strategy that builds and perfects these technologies so that Canadian companies benefit from Canadian procurements.
“Our sovereignty faces the greatest threats in generations,” said Carney. “The world is becoming more divided and dangerous. This plan helps ensure that Canada is strong at home and abroad.”
He said that now more than ever we need to reaffirm our sovereignty and invest in our Armed Forces. That is why last week, we announced that the Government of Canada intends to partner with Australia to develop Over-the-Horizon-Radar Technology that will provide early warning radar coverage for the Arctic.
It was also announced that Canada will take on a greater, sustained, and year-round Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) presence in the Arctic. These investments in our Arctic defence will help ensure Canada’s north is protected, Carney noted.
These investments in Canada’s defence will need to prioritize domestic manufacturing and supply chains. This includes sourcing steel and aluminum from Canada for defence procurement which will help support jobs across the country.
Our plan will ensure that we are ‘Canada Strong,’ said Carney.
CONSERVATIVE Leader Pierre Poilievre on Tuesday announced that he will axe the federal sales tax (GST) on new homes up to $1.3 million. This tax cut will bring hope to new homebuyers after Liberal inflation drove up the benchmark housing price in Vancouver and Toronto to over $1 million, he said.
“The choice facing Canadians: do the Carney Liberals deserve a fourth term after they doubled housing costs and made Canada poorer and weaker, or is it time to elect a new Conservative government that will build homes and put Canada First – for a change,” said Poilievre. “Under my plan, it will be easier for a young couple in Surrey, a single mom in Oshawa, and a tradesman in Regina to get on the housing ladder, just like their parents did.”
Axing the GST will save homebuyers up to $65,000 on the purchase of an average home in the big cities, and save them roughly $3,000 every year in mortgage payments. It will also boost the number of new homes built each year, sparking the creation of 36,000 extra homes annually and generating income for construction workers and businesses. That will raise an extra $2.52 billion in income tax revenue from those trades workers and home builders.
A Poilievre government would fund this homebuyers’ tax cut by eliminating $8 billion of the Liberals’ bureaucratic housing schemes that have only driven up housing prices. Conservatives will also incentivize municipalities to free up land, speed up permits and cut development charges to build 15% more homes each year, Poilievre said.
The Conservative Party said: “After the ‘Lost Liberal Decade,’ the dream of a decent home on a safe street in a beautiful community has been broken. Housing costs have doubled, rising faster in Canada than in any other G7 country. It used to take 25 years to pay off a mortgage, but now it can take 25 years just to save up for a downpayment on a home.
“When Poilievre was housing minister, 39 percent of the median household’s income would cover the cost of homeownership. But with Carney’s advice and Trudeau’s leadership, the median household now has to spend up to 60 percent of their income. In Vancouver, you now need to earn $243,300 just to qualify for a mortgage on the average home, while in Toronto, that number is nearly $223,290. And that’s on top of saving for the downpayment itself.
“Meanwhile, the Liberals have given billions of dollars to local government gatekeepers that build bureaucracies, not homes. Charges by local governments mean Canada has the fewest homes per capita, even though we have the most land to build on. In Ontario and BC, for example, government charges account for almost a third of the price of a new home.
“One of the biggest government-added costs is the federal GST, which adds $50,000 in costs to a $1 million home. Carney and Trudeau have only made it worse, pushing the benchmark price in Vancouver to $1.195 million and Toronto to $1.089 million. There are now many places in Canada where a million dollars is not enough for the average home.”
“Nobody can afford this,” Poilievre said. “Mark Carney is out of touch and doesn’t understand that Canadians are being forced to move away from the towns and cities they grew up in. This ends when we elect a Conservative government. Only Conservatives will stop punishing the dream of home ownership and restore the Canadian promise by building more, taxing less and getting the government out of the way.”
ABBOTSFORD Police patrol officers on Monday responded to a report of a sexual assault in Mill Lake Park that occurred at 6:40 p.m.
The female victim reported that she walking alone westbound on the path beside the lake between Ashley Way and Alta Avenue when an unknown man approached her, asking for assistance to take a photo with his cell phone. During this encounter, the victim was assaulted. Although shaken, she was not injured, police said.
The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’8”, with a medium build, short black hair, and a short black beard. He appeared to be in his 30s and was wearing black pants, a black-and-white short rain jacket with white in the chest area and carrying a black umbrella.
The Abbotsford Police Major Crime Unit is in the preliminary stages of the investigation. This is believed to be a random incident. No suspect has been identified or arrested at this time.
Investigators are appealing for any witnesses who were in the park between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and may have information about this incident to contact the Abbotsford Police Major Crime Unit at 604-859-5225.
VANCOUVER Police announced on Tuesday that they had identified the man killed in a homicide on Saturday in Crab Park.
Brett MacDonald, 51, was found deceased by a passerby on the northwest side of Crab Park along the gravel path just before 8:30 a.m. on March 22.
Investigators believe the homicide was targeted.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500.
COQUITLAM RCMP said on Tuesday they have recently investigated a number of files where youths were targeted online, manipulated into sharing intimate photos, and then extorted for various sums of money.
RCMP pointed out that sextortion can involve both youth and adults. It frequently involves a stranger befriending the victim online before convincing them to send intimate photos. Often, the suspect may pose as a particular gender or age aimed at building trust with the victim. The suspect may initiate the sharing of explicit photos as a pressure tactic to encourage the victim to share theirs.
If photos are sent by the victim, the suspect will immediately extort the victim for money, videos, or more images in exchange for not disclosing the initial intimate photos to the friends and family of the victim.
“The resulting fear, shame and confusion that sets in can be devastating for the victim,” said Media Relations Officer, Acting Sgt. John Graham of Coquitlam RCMP. “Complying doesn’t ensure the privacy and safety of the victim, nor will it guarantee that the criminal action will stop. It can be particularly scary for the victim, as these criminals can be anywhere in the world.”
Coquitlam RCMP encourage parents and caregivers to talk openly with youth about online activities, the possible risks, and how to protect themselves.
THE Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) on Tuesday endorsed Jagmeet Singh and the NDP for the 2025 federal election.
CUPE said the NDP is the only party who has consistently fought for workers’ rights and public services and will stand up for them in a crisis. CUPE is Canada’s largest union, with 750,000 members across the country.
“I’m so proud to have the endorsement of CUPE who make this country run,” said Singh. “It’s been an honour to stand up for workers every day and fight for them. Canadian workers know the NDP will be there to protect their jobs, their healthcare, and their pension when times get tough. Millionaires and billionaires have their champions: Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre. Workers have made it clear who they can count on: New Democrats.”
CUPE represents workers in health care, emergency services, education, and more. Not only have they endorsed the NDP, but they’ve also encouraged members to get involved in local campaigns across the country. They’ve noted the NDP delivered transformative policies like pharmacare, dental care, child care, federal anti-scab legislation and much more.
“Who will fight back when health care or pensions are on the chopping block in Trump’s trade war?” asked Singh. “New Democrats will. I’m proud to stand with workers in this Canada who reject Conservative and Liberal cuts. We are the home of workers. We are proud to stand with labour – shoulder to shoulder – fight for a Canada that works for all.”
THE NDP also secured the endorsement of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Canada.
ATU represents over 35,000 Canadian bus drivers, transit operators, mechanics, and maintenance workers across the country, such as in Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Windsor and Hamilton.
“It’s an honour to have transit workers back the NDP,” said Singh. “Workers are saying loud and clear that it’s the NDP who will protect their jobs and make life more affordable as Trump wages his illegal trade war. Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre will never understand what it’s like to lie awake at night, worried about losing your job,” said Singh.
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