Canada’s financial intelligence agency says financially motivated sexual extortion involving children is becoming more frequent, with many cases showing signs of organized criminal involvement. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada has issued a new alert urging banks and other reporting entities to watch for financial patterns that could signal online extortion or broader child exploitation activity. The agency notes that offenders often threaten to release intimate images or videos of young victims unless money or additional content is provided. Officials say the

Surrey police say a former municipal staff member is facing several criminal charges after an investigation into what officials describe as a multi-year fraud that cost the city an estimated $2.5 million. The case began last year when the City of Surrey reported financial irregularities involving its internal payment systems. According to the Surrey Police Service, the RCMP’s economic crimes unit examined allegations that the employee had gained unauthorized access to municipal financial platforms and created fraudulent documentation connected to her duties. Investigators allege the actions

Canada is expected to see an early and sharp onset of winter this year, with frigid Arctic air pushing temperatures below seasonal averages, according to the Weather Network’s seasonal forecast. The outlook, covering December through February, also predicts near or above normal snowfall and precipitation across much of the country. Meteorologist Doug Gillham said there is still some uncertainty about whether the coldest periods will affect the entire country or remain concentrated in Western Canada. Regardless, he called it a “December to remember,” noting that the forecast does not poin

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to introduce a package of federal supports aimed at stabilizing Canada’s steel industry as companies continue to absorb the economic impact of steep U.S. tariffs. A federal official, speaking to The Canadian Press, said the measures are designed to protect domestic producers while keeping national supply chains functioning. According to the official, the federal government plans to restrict steel imports from countries without free-trade agreements with Canada. Those import levels would be reduced from 50 per cent to 20 per cent of what entered the coun

Migrant rights organizations are urging the federal government to abandon Bill C-12, legislation they warn could severely limit access to Canada’s refugee system. The proposed border security bill is currently before House of Commons committees, with clause-by-clause review scheduled at the national security committee this week. The bill features several significant changes to immigration and asylum procedures, including a provision that would prevent people who have lived in Canada for more than a year from submitting a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Groups working with

Surrey Police Service is examining a neighbourhood in the city’s north end after a woman was hurt in a shooting outside a home late Sunday night. Officers were called around 9:11 p.m. to the 12100 block of 101B Avenue following reports of gunfire near the residence. Police say the woman, who was inside the home at the time, was taken to hospital with injuries that are not considered life threatening. Several other people were present but were not harmed. Investigators remained on site through Monday to review physical evidence and gather any available security footage. SPS reports that the m

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is travelling to South Korea this week for a series of meetings aimed at expanding Canada’s defence-related industrial partnerships and attracting new foreign investment. The five-day mission includes stops in Seoul and Busan before continuing on to Tokyo. Her visit comes as Ottawa works to broaden its export markets beyond the United States and accelerate long-term procurement planning. A key stop on the trip includes discussions with executives at Hanwha, one of two companies bidding on Canada’s multibillion-dollar project to build a new fleet of up to 12

Canada and India are taking steps to restart negotiations toward a full trade agreement, marking a renewed push after more than a decade of on-and-off discussions. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signalled their interest in reviving the effort during meetings around the G20 summit in Johannesburg. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand told The Canadian Press that both governments want a broad agreement covering major industrial sectors as well as services. The two countries first pursued such a deal in 2010, but talks were scaled back in recent years to focus

A grizzly bear attacked a group of elementary school students in Bella Coola, in B.C.'s Central Coast region. A total of 11 people were injured in the incident, with two in critical condition and two others seriously injured. According to BC Emergency Health Services, seven people were treated at the scene. The incident is believed to have occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday. According to eyewitnesses, several people tried to stop the bear and a male teacher confronted the bear and suffered serious injuries. According to information, this teacher was taken to the hospital by helicopter. The Bella