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North Vancouver RCMP seeking owner of stolen E-scooter

The e-scooter seized by police. Photo: RCMP

NORTH Vancouver RCMP are seeking the rightful owner of an e-scooter seized during an investigation. 

On April 16 at 11:30 a.m., officers from the Crime Reduction Unit stopped a man for traffic-related offences in the 400-block of West Esplanade Avenue. During the course of the investigation, the man was arrested for outstanding warrants and taken to jail. An e-scooter was seized from the man, who had an extensive history for property-related offences. 

Police have since confirmed after reviewing CCTV that the e-scooter was, in fact, stolen from the bike racks at the SeaBus on April 16 at approximately 11:30 a.m 

“Our police database and Garage529 have yielded no results in helping us track down the owner,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for North Vancouver RCMP. “We’re now appealing to the public in hopes that they can identity this e-scooter as theirs or belonging to someone they know. Of course, you will need to provide proof that you are the rightful owner.”

Anyone wishing to claim or suspect this e-scooter as their own is asked to call us at 604-985-1311 and quote file number 25-7484.

 

Tips to prevent bike / scooter theft

  • Never leave your bike unlocked in public
  • Always lock your bike with two different, high quality locks; (i.e., a U-lock and a cable lock)
  • Remove the seat or a wheel as an extra deterrent (never lock your bike by the front wheel only)
  • If you are storing your bike at your residence, store it in a safe location using a lock or on your property inside a locked area
  • Record your bike’s serial number so it can be added to police computer records if it is stolen, which will enable police to return it to you if it is recovered (you can often find your bike’s serial number on a sticker or embossed on your bike, as well as on your record of sale or at the store where you purchased it)
  • Register your bike with a bike theft recovery service, like 529 Garage
  • If you buy a bike privately (i.e., Craigslist, Facebook), before making the purchase, look up the serial number in the Canadian Police Information Centre stolen bike database
  • Photograph your bike, as a reference, to help us find it and / or return it to you

Province takes energy action to electrify economy, increase resilience

David Eby

THE Province, in partnership with BC Hydro, is launching an ambitious plan to harness British Columbia’s clean-electricity advantage, driving economic growth and transformative change, strengthening energy security and advancing climate action.

“With this work, we are securing our energy and our economy for the future by expanding one of our greatest assets: abundant clean electricity,” said Premier David Eby on Monday. “We are boosting our clean-energy supply, powering our growing communities and industries, and creating thousands of family-supporting jobs – all while advancing reconciliation and reducing pollution. Perhaps most importantly, this will help build a strong foundation for our province and our country at a time of external threats to our sovereignty and prosperity.”

The Province says the Clean Power Action Plan is a forward-thinking strategy to leverage B.C.’s clean-electricity advantage, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for British Columbia. With five transformative initiatives, the plan aims to accelerate economic growth, while securing long-term energy stability for generations to come:

* launching a second call for power to acquire a target of up to 5,000 gigawatt-hours per year of energy from large, clean and renewable projects in partnership with First Nations and independent power producers – enough to power 500,000 new homes. This builds on the success of the 2024 call for power, which resulted in 10 new renewable-energy projects, with First Nations asset ownership between 49% and 51%, capable of powering about 500,000 new homes;

* opening up the opportunity to explore B.C.’s power potential through a request for expressions of interest exploring capacity and firm, baseload electricity projects to deliver for peak demand periods and to provide back-up intermittent energy resources;

* ushering in an expanded era of energy efficiency by partnering with innovators through a request for expressions of interest to deliver market-ready demand-side management technologies that help people and businesses save energy and money;

* investing more than $12 million from the B.C. Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund in a targeted three-year call for new, made-in-B.C. clean-energy technologies that will combat climate change and create sustainable jobs; and

* streamlining connections to B.C.’s grid to enable new homes and businesses to access clean electricity faster and less expensively.

“Uncertain times demand bold, decisive action, and we need to respond with urgency and with confidence and turn adversity into opportunity,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Our commitment to strengthening energy security and building a resilient electricity system will unlock critical economic opportunities, foster innovation, deepen collaboration with First Nations and reaffirm B.C.’s leadership in climate action.”

These initiatives build on actions underway, including setting BC Hydro rate increases at 3.75% for the next two years to provide stable, affordable rates, while enabling significant investments, offering new optional rates to help residential customers save, and implementing BC Hydro’s $36-billion 10-year capital plan to expand and reinforce electricity infrastructure throughout the province.

The Province says that beyond driving economic development and ensuring energy security, the Clean Power Action Plan also supports electrification – the transition from fossil fuels to clean electricity in homes, businesses, industry and transportation, a key pillar of the CleanBC climate strategy.

“Through collaboration with government, First Nations, and the clean-energy sector, BC Hydro is making significant investments and seeking new partnerships to secure B.C.’s clean-energy future,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “The initiatives in the Clean Power Action Plan will set the stage for an increased renewable, reliable and resilient energy supply to support our growing province in the years ahead. At the same time, we remain committed to affordability by offering customers more ways to save energy and money, while maintaining stable, predictable rates.”

By taking action today, the Province and BC Hydro say they are laying the foundation for a cleaner, stronger and more resilient future. Through strategic investments, innovation and collaboration, British Columbia is poised to lead in sustainable-energy development, while driving economic progress. As the Clean Power Action Plan moves forward, it will continue to empower communities, create opportunities and secure the province’s place as a leader in clean energy and climate action.

Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, executive director, Clean Energy Association of British Columbia (CEBC), said: “The 2024 call for power was historic, showing what’s possible when First Nations, industry, and government collaborate to deliver clean electricity, drive investment, and advance reconciliation. Today’s announcement builds on that momentum with a second call and plan that prioritizes Indigenous equity, local energy solutions and jobs, and sustainable economic growth. CEBC applauds the Province for its continued leadership and remains committed to building a clean and equitable future for all British Columbians.”

 

Quick Facts:

* The 10 wind and solar projects selected through BC Hydro’s 2024 call for power will power 500,000 homes and increase electricity supply by 8%.

* These projects represent up to $6 billion in private capital spending throughout the province and will create approximately 2,000 jobs during construction.

* Nearly all the projects have First Nations majority ownership – representing up to $3 billion of asset ownership by First Nations.

* BC Hydro is investing more than $700 million over the next three years in energy-efficiency tools, technology and programs, which is expected to result in 2,000 gigawatt-hours per year of electricity savings, or enough to power 200,000 homes.

* Since 2008, the B.C. Innovative Clean Energy Fund has committed more than $124 million to support pre-commercial clean-energy technology projects, clean-energy vehicles, research and development, and energy-efficiency programs.

* BC Hydro’s residential, commercial and industrial rates are the third lowest in North America (among 22 utilities surveyed in Hydro Quebec’s 2024 Rates Comparison Report).

Competition Bureau sues Canada’s Wonderland for allegedly advertising misleading prices online

Matthew Boswell Official photo

THE Competition Bureau is taking legal action against Canada’s Wonderland Company for advertising park tickets and a variety of other items at a lower price than what consumers actually have to pay online. The Bureau alleges that Wonderland is advertising prices that do not include a mandatory fixed fee of $0.99, $6.99, $8.99, or $9.99.

Canada’s Wonderland charges a processing fee for online purchases involving park admission, starting at $6.99 and increasing to $8.99 or $9.99 depending on the number of items purchased. For most purchases of non-admission-related products, a single $0.99 processing fee applies, regardless of the number of items.

The Bureau alleges that Wonderland has made, and continues to make, false or misleading price claims by advertising lower prices than what consumers ultimately have to pay as those prices exclude mandatory fixed fees. This practice, commonly known as drip pricing, is deceptive because consumers are not presented with an attainable price upfront.

On Monday, the Bureau filed an application with the Competition Tribunal seeking, among other things, for Wonderland to:

  • stop the deceptive price advertising;
  • pay a penalty; and
  • issue restitution to affected consumers who purchased products through Wonderland’s website.

Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition, said: “Canadians should always be able to trust the initial advertised price. We’re taking action against Wonderland because misleading tactics like drip pricing only serve to deceive and harm consumers. For years, we have urged businesses to display the full price of their products upfront. I remind all businesses to review their pricing claims to make sure they do not mislead consumers.”

 

Quick Facts

  • Wonderland is the largest joint amusement and water park in Canada. With its head office located in Vaughan, Ontario, Wonderland is a subsidiary of the US based, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.
  • Amendments to the Competition Act came into force on June 23, 2022, which explicitly recognize drip pricing as a harmful business practice.
  • It is against the Competition Act to advertise unattainable prices that do not include mandatory fixed charges or fees unless those charges or fees are imposed by the government on purchasers, such as sales tax.
  • In September 2024, the Competition Bureau won a deceptive marketing case against Cineplex for making false or misleading price representations by engaging in deceptive drip pricing. The Competition Tribunal ordered the company to pay $39 million and stop the conduct at issue.
  • Prior to the June 2022 amendments, the Bureau has taken action against drip pricing for many years under the Deceptive Marketing Practices provisions of the Competition Act.
  • The Bureau issued a consumer alert to raise awareness and reporting of drip pricing.
  • The Bureau strongly encourages anyone who suspects that a company or individual is making false or misleading price claims to report it by using the Bureau’s online complaint form.

(Canada’s Wonderland, formerly known as Paramount Canada’s Wonderland, is a 330-acre amusement park located in Vaughan, Ontario, a municipality within the Greater Toronto Area – Wikipedia.)

New Westminster Police make arrest following robbery at restaurant

Sgt. Justine Thom

ON April 26 at approximately 7 p.m., New Westminster Police responded to a 9-1-1 call describing an armed man threatening staff inside a restaurant in the 700-block of 12th Street.

Police learned that a man armed with a machete screamed demands at staff before fleeing the scene. Officers collected evidence and soon arrested the suspect in the area of 8th Street and 8th Avenue. Charges related to robbery and assault with a weapon are being recommended to Crown Counsel.

“Our thoughts are with the staff who experienced this frightening incident,” said Sgt. Justine Thom. “We’re proud of the swift response by our officers, Constable Black and Constable Roach, which led to an arrest within the hour.”

Officers thanked the person who called 9-1-1 after seeing the staff in need of help. The services of the New Westminster Police Department Victim Assistance Unit have been made available to the restaurant staff.

Suspect charged with robbery while on statutory release in Downtown Eastside

Tyler Strathdee Photo: VPD

A dangerous offender who was on statutory release from prison has been charged with robbery in the Downtown Eastside, following an investigation by VPD’s Task Force Barrage.

Tyler Gordon Strathdee, 36, was subject of a public warning by Vancouver Police in December 2024, when he obtained statutory release and began residing a halfway house in Vancouver. At the time, Vancouver Police believed Strathdee posed a significant risk of harm to the community and was a high risk to commit further physical and sexual violence.

A Vancouver Police investigation has now led to a new criminal charge against Strathdee. On April 28, the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of robbery in connection with an incident that occurred in the Downtown Eastside on February 23.

Strathdee’s statutory release was suspended in February, and he is currently in custody.

Tuesday morning taxi driver gets stopped for impaired driving

Photo: BCHP

WHEN a BC Highway Patrol officer saw a taxi leaving a liquor store with no passenger, he decided it was important to check that the man behind the wheel was safe to drive.

On April 29 at 8:11 a.m., the officer pulled over the yellow Toyota Prius taxi on Alexandra Road in Richmond.

“BC Highway Patrol’s Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) is always on the lookout for impaired driving, even on a Tuesday morning,” said Cpl Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “In this case, the driver was given a mandatory breath demand, and an Approved Screening Device gave two results of ‘fail’.”

The taxi driver, a 33-year-old Delta man, lost his driver’s licence to a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition, and the taxi was towed and impounded for 30 days at the taxi company’s expense.

“The vast majority of taxi drivers take their jobs seriously and are sober,” says McLaughlin. “But if you’re ever a passenger and you feel like something is wrong, do not hesitate to call police right away. Your safety is our top priority.”

Lieutenant governor hosts Okanagan Business Showcase with Consular Corps of B.C.

Photo: Office of Lieutenant Governor of B.C.

KELOWNA: Wendy Cocchia, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, hosted a business showcase with the Consular Corps of British Columbia in Kelowna from April 30 to May 2.

As part of the visit to Kelowna, the lieutenant governor showcased a mix of local businesses and organizations to highlight innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and community-minded leadership in the region. More than 20 countries were represented as part of the consular corps’s delegation.

On the first day of the showcase, the lieutenant governor hosted a welcome reception at Eldorado Resort, attended by the Consular Corps of British Columbia; Tom Dyas, mayor of Kelowna; Derek Gratz, president of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; and other representatives of local government, uniformed services, business and Syilx First Nation. The lieutenant governor also attended the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce president’s dinner, where she administered the oath of office to the incoming chamber president and council.

On the second day of the tour, the lieutenant governor and consular corps visited Jealous Fruits, where they viewed a state-of-the-art Canadian cherry-packing facility; toured hangars and training spaces at KF Aerospace, and learned about the history of aviation at the KF Centre for Excellence; attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new innovative facility at Vitalis; and met with Chief Robert Louie and representatives of Westbank First Nation council and Okanagan Nation Alliance over dinner at CedarCreek Winery.

On the final day of the tour, the lieutenant governor and her husband Sergio Cocchia, co-founders of the Pacific Autism Family Network, visited BikeWays, a non-profit bicycle shop run by Pathways Abilities Society. They met with Pathways clients with diverse abilities, whose employment at Bikeways is part of a program to teach new skills and promote greater independence in their lives.

The lieutenant governor and her husband stopped at Paynter’s Fruit Market, operated since 1919 by the Paynter family. The market is stocked with produce grown on site at the adjacent farm and other local products entirely sourced from B.C.’s farmers. They rejoined the consular corps at Northside Industries to visit its cutting-edge steel-fabrication facility, which harnesses the power of technology for efficient production, and wrapped up the showcase with a tour of Mission Hill Family Estate Winery.

“It was my great pleasure to welcome members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia to beautiful Kelowna, the vibrant heart of the Okanagan,” Cocchia said. “The stunning natural beauty of this region makes it easy to see why Kelowna draws visitors year-round and why so many have chosen this city to call home, bringing their entrepreneurial spirit with them. We were delighted to meet local business people with a passion for innovation, who put their own unique spin on facing the challenges of their industries and to learn the collaborative ways in which they work with partners around the globe. We all left this business showcase feeling incredibly inspired and thank all we met in Kelowna for their warm hospitality.”

Chief Louie of Westbank First Nation said: “It was an honour to welcome representatives from 23 countries to the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. In this time of global economic uncertainty, the value of strengthening business and trade relationships – both locally and internationally – cannot be overstated. First Nation businesses and those across the Okanagan Valley are resilient, innovative and ready to collaborate. We look forward to expanding partnerships and trade opportunities with the countries represented in the lieutenant governor’s Okanagan Business Showcase tour. There has never been a better time to come together in the spirit of economic co-operation and mutual prosperity.”

Ricardo Arredondo, dean of the Consular Corps of British Columbia and Consulate General of the Argentine Republic, said: “It is pivotal for international representatives in British Columbia to understand the soil they walk on and the social fabric of their surroundings, including the role of the industries, arts and particularly works and stories related to the First Nations in B.C. and the rest of the country. This showcase reminds us of the strength that comes from the partnership – between business and government, and between Canada and global community represented here today.”

MLA Sturko condemns Rustad, Conservative colleagues for hosting anti-abortion, homophobic, anti-trans group at BC Legislature

Elenore Sturko Photo: BC Conservative Party

THE NDP noted on Monday that on April 29, BC Conservative MLA Heather Maahs hosted a reception at the BC Legislature for the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA), an organization which believes homosexuality is “immoral,” abortion should be criminalized, and conversion therapy bans should be reversed.

BC Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko criticized John Rustad and her caucus for hosting a group that “actively works against the rights of other British Columbians…”

Sturko told media she is upset her colleagues hosted an extreme social conservative group at the legislature opposes same sex marriage, abortion and gender affirming care for trans youth.

During her introduction to the event, “pro-life” MLA Heather Maahs praised ARPA and highlighted their longstanding alignment with the views of the BC Conservative Party:

“Many of their stances align with our common sense approach as the Conservative Party of B.C. They defend parental rights, they speak for the protection of life and harm created by MAID, and for the division created by the learning resource SOGI 123 in our public schools.”

A majority of BC Conservative Caucus members, including John Rustad, attended the reception:

  • John Rustad (Nechako Lakes)

  • Misty Van Popta (Langley-Walnut Grove)

  • Reann Gasper (Abbotsford-Mission)

  • Heather Maahs (Chilliwack North)

  • Sharon Hartwell (Bulkley Valley-Stikine)

  • Macklin McCall (West Kelowna-Peachland)

  • Kristina Loewen (Kelowna Centre)

  • Anna Kindy (North Island)

  • Lynne Block (West Vancouver-Capilano)

  • Korky Neufeld (Abbotsford West)

  • Sheldon Clare (Prince George-North Cariboo)

  • Amelia Boultbee (Penticton-Summerland)

  • Tony Luck (Fraser-Nicola)

  • Kiel Giddens (Prince George-Mackenzie)

  • Donegal Wilson (Boundary-Similkameen)

  • Harman Bhangu (Langley-Abbotsford)

  • Jody Toor (Langley-Willowbrook)

  • Pete Davis (Kootenay East)

  • Bryan Tepper (Surrey-Panorama)

  • Rosalyn Bird (Prince George-Valemount)

  • Trevor Halford (Surrey-White Rock)

The NDP said that Rustad and the BC Conservative Party have a long history of condoning attacks on reproductive and human rights.

NDP MLA Jennifer Blatherwick said: “At a time when we’re seeing Donald Trump stripping people’s rights away in the U.S., it’s disturbing to see John Rustad officially recognizing a group that wants to roll back reproductive rights and believes LGBTQ people are fundamentally immoral. I am glad Elenore Sturko is calling out the discriminatory beliefs of this group. We stand with her in condemning John Rustad for making space for these backwards views her party has tolerated for too long.”

Later, Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee joined Sturko in condemning the BC Conservative organized reception.

In a statement posted on Twitter/X, Boultbee called out Heather Maahs and rejected her statement that ARPA’s values were aligned with the BC Conservative Party, saying:

“Heather Maahs doesn’t speak for me. I myself, a Christian, believe all British Columbians should have the same civil rights whether you’re gay or straight.

“ARPA espouses positions myself and the majority of my constituents reject.

“I wouldn’t willingly be caught dead with them in public and I believe it’s an error they were allowed in the Hall of Honour at the legislature.

“I will continue to represent all my constituents regardless of what some members of my caucus associate themselves with.”

Blatherwick said: “We support Amelia Boultbee and Elenore Sturko in calling out views their party has long stood by. Now it is time for John Rustad and Heather Maahs to apologize for hosting Trump-style extremist social views in the BC Legislature.”

IN PHOTOS: Prayer for victims of Lupa Lupa festival tragedy at Vancouver’s Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara

All photos by SUKHWANT SINGH DHILLON

An Akhand Path (continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji for a duration of 48 hours) was held for victims of Lupa Lupa festival tragedy at Vancouver’s Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara. Among those present on Monday were Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, MLAs George Chow, Sunita Dhir and Mable Elmore, as well as representatives from Vancouver Police.

Photos by SUKHWANT SINGH DHILLON

 

Suspect charged in East Vancouver homicide

THE suspect in an East Vancouver homicide has been arrested by Vancouver Police and charged with second-degree murder.

Vancouver Police initiated a homicide investigation on April 6, after responding to reports of a shooting at a home near North Kootenay and Dundas Street. Benn Robert Arthur Harrison died at the scene.

Following an investigation by VPD’s homicide unit, the BC Prosecution Service charged Tyler Harrison, 23, with second-degree murder.

Harrison was arrested in Maple Ridge by Vancouver Police on April 29. He remains in custody.

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