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Province warns next 10 days could be 'quite challenging' as more storms set to hit B.C. – CBC.ca

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THE LATEST:

  • A series of storms in coming days and weeks is raising concerns for communities dealing with roads already impacted by flooding and washouts.
  • Abbotsford residents in Sumas Prairie have been advised not to drink the region’s water.
  • British Columbians forced to evacuate due to flooding are now entitled to $2,000 from the Red Cross — in addition to other financial support programs.
  • Canadian Pacific Railway resumed operations through B.C. on Tuesday, and Canadian National Rail plans to resume rail traffic today.
  • Non-essential travel restrictions remain in place for several areas of highway impacted by floods.
  • Restaurants are running out of food and other supplies, which is impacting their bottom line after an already difficult two years.
  • Recycle B.C. is asking residents to hang on to glass and foam packaging as transportation delays have forced a temporary pause on collection

British Columbia is bracing for more rainfall in the coming days and weeks as the province works to rebuild after unprecedented precipitation earlier this month. 

Up to 80 millimetres of rain is forecast for Metro Vancouver, Howe Sound, Whistler and the Fraser Valley, starting this morning and continuing until Friday.

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Strong southeast winds near the water are also predicted as part of this weather system, and freezing levels will rise above mountain tops, which could trigger snowmelt and worsen the flooding situation. 

Hay bales are pictured floating in the middle of a street surrounded by floodwaters in the Sumas Prairie flood zone in Abbotsford on Monday. An already dire flooding situation could worsen as heavy rainfall is predicted for the rest of the week. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

The River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory for the South Coast, including the Fraser Valley and near Hope — both of which have been trying to recover from severe flood damage.

Forecasters expect rivers will rise Thursday as a result of the rainfall. 

Wind, rain and snowfall warnings are in effect for parts of Vancouver Island, the Central Coast and North Coast.

But once that storm passes through, another is set to arrive on the coast on Saturday. 

B.C. Hydro released a statement Wednesday saying it anticipates increased water flow into its South Coast and Vancouver Island reservoirs and a higher risk of power outages this week due to the weather.

Last week’s weather also caused power outages as heavy wind and landslides damaged some parts of the province’s hydro system; crews are working to replace transmission structures, power lines and wires while heading into the next series of storms.

The utility corporation is asking the public to be prepared in case they lose power in the coming days and to stay 10 metres away from fallen power lines.

“The next nine or 10 days could be quite challenging,” Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said during a news conference on Tuesday, as he asked British Columbians to pay close attention to weather forecasts for the coming days.

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun is advising residents to prepare an emergency kit ahead of the next storm, and said the city’s focus is on preparing for more rain.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Braun thanked those from coast to coast who have contacted him to say that the City of Abbotsford is in their thoughts. 

“Continue to pray for us, because we desperately need it,” he said.

Abbotsford water advisory

On Wednesday, Abbotsford replaced a boil water advisory for residents in the Sumas Prairie area with a do not use water advisory.

Toilet flushing is permitted, but the city says there are uncontrollable water main breaches in the region that could allow surface water to affect the supply of drinking water.

The affected area stretches from Angus Campbell Road in the west, to Highway One in the north, the boundary with Chilliwack in the east and to the U.S. border and Old Yale Road in the south. Other parts of Abbotsford are not affected.

The advisory could remain in place for several days.

Floodwaters are shown in the Sumas Prairie flood zone in Abbotsford. (Oliver Walters/CBC)

Braun said although recent dike repairs helped seal off the flow of water into the prairie lake bottom area, they need to continue to pump water out. 

“As you can imagine, this is not clean water,” Braun said. “We know there are hazardous and potentially toxic material in these floodwaters, which is why we need to complete an environmental assessment of the area to ensure it is safe.”

He said bridges, roads and culverts are being inspected, as is drainage infrastructure. Rapid Damage Assessments also continue to be done to determine when evacuees can return home.

Highways closed for non-essential travel

Highways washed out by floods remain closed, though essential travel is allowed in some areas. 

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming advises people to check highways before heading out on the road, because many are closed for non-essential travel. 

An aerial view shows a damaged road near Lytton, B.C., on Nov. 15. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation/Reuters)

On Tuesday, Highway 7 between Hope and Mission was closed to non-essential travel. However, the definition of essential travel was updated to include charter buses, school buses and public transit vehicles so that people are still able to get to school or work. 

“First rule is, ask yourself, ‘Do I need to be out there?’ Don’t be out there unless it’s absolutely essential,” Fleming said Tuesday afternoon.

“If you are driving, slow down and follow the direction of traffic control personnel and be patient. It will be slow as you make your commute. If you’re heading out of the Lower Mainland, be prepared for winter conditions.”

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CP) operations between Kamloops and Vancouver resumed Tuesday after flooding and mudslides cut vital supply links last week.

The route is CP’s busiest corridor and links the Port of Vancouver to the rest of North America. The first trains arrived in Vancouver Wednesday morning carrying grain and fuel.

Keep recycling at home for now

Road conditions have made it difficult to transport recycling in B.C., which has prompted the organization in charge of recycling to pause collection on some materials. 

Recycle B.C. is asking residents to hang on to their glass and foam, as it has had to temporarily suspend collection from both residential addresses and depots. 

Containers and paper will continue to be collected as usual, because Recycle B.C., says they can be baled and stored more compactly. 

It is unclear how long the collection suspension will last, as the transportation situation in B.C., continues to change.

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1 dead, 2 critically injured after car crash in Montreal

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Montreal

Three people are in hospital with critical injuries after their vehicle crashed into a tree. Police believe they might be connected to two drive-by shootings that took place early Thursday morning.

2 drive-by shootings also took place overnight

an SPVM car near a taped-off crime scene
Montreal police are investigating a car crash possibly linked to two drive-by shootings. (Mathieu Wagner/Radio-Canada)

Urgences-santé say one person died and two others were critically injured after their vehicle hit a tree in the Rosemont neighbourhood.

Montreal police believe the crash may be linked to two drive-by shootings early Thursday morning.

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The first happened around 5 a.m. on Pie-IX Boulevard. Police say a car was shot at repeatedly and the driver, a 41-year-old man, was injured in the upper body. He was transported to hospital, but his life is not in danger, say police.

Shortly afterward, shots were reported in the Plateau Mont-Royal borough, near the intersection of Saint-Joseph Boulevard and Henri-Julien Avenue. No one was injured.

Police say they are investigating to determine if there is a connection between the collision and the shootings. Montreal police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant says it’s possible those in the vehicle were involved in the shootings.

The province’s independent police watchdog is now involved.

with files from Chloë Ranaldi

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Pakistan airline crew sought asylum in Canada: spokesperson – CTV News

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Typically, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight attendants who arrive in Toronto stay at a hotel overnight, meet back up with their crew the next day and then fly to their next destination.

But increasingly often, PIA attendants aren’t showing up, the airline says. According to PIA, at least eight flight attendants disappeared over the last year and a half.

They have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.

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Increased occurrences

Abdullah Hafeez Khan said at least eight flight attendants “have gone missing” after flying to Pearson International Airport in Toronto. He said these incidents have been happening over the last 10 years, but are now occurring more frequently.

“Since probably October of 2022, the number of the people that have opted asylum has increased tremendously,” Khan said in a video interview with CTVNews.ca from Karachi, Pakistan, where the airline is based.

“None of those crew members that disappeared in the last one-and-a-half years have come back. So they were granted asylum for one way or the other, and that probably has encouraged others to do so.”

The missing employees were fired immediately and lost their company benefits, Khan said.

Why did they flee?

Khan said he could only speculate as to why the flight attendants would flee.

The Canadian government underscored the volatile situation in Pakistan, warning in a travel advisory of a “high threat of terrorism,” along with threats of civil unrest, sectarian violence and kidnapping.

“The security situation is fragile and unpredictable,” the Canadian travel advisory reads. “Incidents are typically attributed to extremism, ethnic divisions, sectarian strife, regional political disputes and the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan.”

It added that many deaths and injuries have occurred from bombings, shootings and other terrorist attacks at a wide range of targets.

Since Khan isn’t in contact with any of the missing employees, he says, he assumes they decided to seek asylum in Canada for economic and social reasons.

“So I naturally assumed that all of them have been given asylum because I don’t think they would be living there illegally,” he said, adding they may already have family connections in Canada who can support them.

In this June 8, 2013, photo, a Pakistan International Airlines plane moments before take off from the Benazir Bhutto airport in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

‘PR crisis’

Khan called the flight attendants’ disappearances a “PR crisis” for PIA that is “bad” for business amid a crew shortage.

The airline is in talks with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Pakistani law enforcement agencies to potentially create a “legal safeguard” to curtail flight crew from seeking asylum, he said.

When asked about the PIA flight attendants’ disappearances, Erin Kerbel, spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, said the department couldn’t comment on specific cases due to privacy legislation.

In response to questions about PIA’s claim that discussions are underway about the issue, a spokesperson for the CBSA said it could not confirm any information.

“The Canada Border Services Agency does not provide comment or details on specific individuals, including any discussions that would take place with airline companies, as an individual’s border and immigration information is considered private and protected by the Privacy Act,” Maria Ladouceur said in an email to CTVNews.ca.

Since the crew members’ disappearances, Khan said, the airline has “done numerous things to curtail that.”

For instance, the airline is only staffing Toronto-bound flights with crew members who have “established linkages” in Pakistan, such as children, spouses or parents, as well as those who have worked in the organization for more than 15 years.

The airline avoids sending to Toronto those who are single or don’t have established family ties in Pakistan, he said.

Khan said he and the airline are no longer in contact with the flight attendants because, they discovered, they usually change their phone numbers soon after disappearing in Toronto.

Who disappeared?

The PIA flight attendants who vanished in Canada are seasoned pros in their late 30s or 40s, some of whom have worked for the airline for as long as two decades, Khan said.

“There was never any sign from them that they would seek something like that,” he said. “So that is something that is bothering us in the matter because working with people who have been working with you for a long time and then something happens like this is pretty unexpected.”

In one of the latest cases in February, the crew members were waiting to take the bus back to the airport from the hotel in Toronto and one of the flight attendants didn’t show up, Khan said.

The airline was unable to reach the flight attendant on her cellphone or hotel landline so, Khan says, they asked hotel management to check if she was OK.

“When the crew went there, she left her uniform there with a note saying, ‘Thank you PIA,'” Khan said, which he interpreted as a genuine sentiment of gratitude for her more than 15 years of service with PIA rather than a taunt.

Khan said the crew members who disappeared were “family values people” who had good careers in Pakistan.

Asylum policies

Individuals can make a refugee claim in Canada at a port of entry upon arrival or online if they are already in Canada, according to the Canadian government’s website.

Canadian immigration or border officials will determine if the person is eligible for a hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board. All claimants must undergo health and security screenings, the government says.

If eligible to make a claim in Canada, refugee claimants can access social assistance, education, health services, emergency housing and legal aid pending a decision on their claim. Most can apply for a work permit after a medical examination.

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Alberta's population surges by record-setting 202,000 people: Here's where they all came from – CBC.ca

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Alberta smashed population-growth records in the past year, mainly due to people moving to the province from across Canada and around the world.

The province’s population surged to just over 4.8 million as of Jan. 1, according to new estimates released Wednesday by Statistics Canada.

That’s an increase of 202,324 residents compared with a year earlier, which marks — by far — the largest annual increase on record.

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Alberta also broke a national record in 2023 for interprovincial migration, with a net gain of 55,107 people.

“This was the largest gain in interprovincial migration nationally since comparable data became available in 1972,” Statistics Canada said in a release.


Most of the interprovincial migrants came from Ontario and British Columbia.

Statistics Canada estimates that 38,236 Ontarians moved to Alberta last year, versus 14,860 Albertans who moved to Ontario, for a net gain of 23,376 people.

Similarly, an estimated 37,650 British Columbians moved to Alberta, compared to 22,400 Albertans who moved to B.C., for a net gain of 15,250.


All told, interprovincial migration accounted for 27 per cent of Alberta’s population growth over the past year.

That put it just ahead of permanent immigration, which accounted for 26 per cent, and well ahead of natural population increase (more births than deaths), which accounted for eight per cent.

The largest component, however, was temporary international migration.

Non-permanent residents from other countries accounted for 39 per cent of the province’s population growth in the past year, reflecting a national trend.


Canada’s population reached 40,769,890 on Jan. 1, according to Statistics Canada estimates, which is up 3.2 per cent from a year ago.

“Most of Canada’s 3.2-per-cent population growth rate stemmed from temporary immigration in 2023,” Statistics Canada noted.

“Without temporary immigration, that is, relying solely on permanent immigration and natural increase (births minus deaths), Canada’s population growth would have been almost three times less (1.2 per cent).”

Alberta’s population, meanwhile, grew by 4.4 per cent year-over-year.

Alberta now represents 11.8 per cent of the country’s population, its largest proportion on record. 

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