Video of contact with possibly rabid skunk in B.C. prompts health authority warning
Vancouver Coastal Health is warning anyone in the city's downtown who has had contact with a possibly rabid skunk to get a medical assessment immediately after a video emerged on social media.
The video posted on Facebook on Oct. 10 shows a skunk struggling to cross a Vancouver street, attracting a number of bystanders before a man picked up the animal using a sweater and moved it onto the sidewalk.
On Wednesday, Vancouver Coastal Health reported a skunk captured in the city's downtown has tested positive for rabies, but it is unclear if it's the same animal shown in the Facebook video.
The health authority says a small number of people were bitten by the skunk and have been assessed, as well as receiving rabies vaccinations and immunoglobulin as a precaution.
It also says that it is aware of videos capturing other exposures, and anyone in the West End and Stanley Park areas who have had contact with a skunk between Sept. 22 and Oct. 17 should contact Vancouver Coastal Health immediately.
The rabies virus is found in the saliva of infected animals and can be transmitted through bites or scratches, and an infection affects the brain and nervous system leading to possible death.
The health authority says the virus is not transmitted through other types of exposures such as the spray, urine or feces of an infected skunk.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Conservatives call for cuts to permanent residency admissions in immigration plan
The Conservatives are calling on the government to implement temporary resident exit tracking, boost collaboration with the provinces and further reduce permanent residency admissions in the coming immigration levels plan.
Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner outlined these and other demands in a press conference today, and blamed government policy for a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment in recent years.
She said the government should be putting more emphasis on integrating newcomers to restore faith in the system and ease social tensions around immigration.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday the government "will not budge" on its goal of making immigration numbers sustainable and its plan is "getting them to that level now."
Last year's immigration levels plan, which set a target of admitting 380,000 permanent residents annually between 2026 and 2028, also included two programs aimed at giving permanent status to more than 130,000 temporary residents who aren't included in the broader target.
The government must provide an updated levels plan in the next few weeks.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.
By David Baxter | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Do municipal councils represent the diversity of their constituents?
Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton are among Canada's most diverse cities, but how closely do their municipal councils reflect the communities they represent?
As voters prepare for the Oct. 26 municipal elections, New Canadian Media has examined the barriers to political representation in these three major cities.
The series explored the challenges facing immigrant and visible minority candidates; the advantages enjoyed by incumbents; the role of campaign fundraising; and debates over the use of languages other than English to reach voters. It has also looked at whether public transit systems are meeting the needs of immigrant communities.
Voter participation remains a concern. In Ontario's 2022 municipal elections, participation fell to a historic low of 32.9 per cent, according to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton are reporting increased advance voting numbers, although that may not translate into a higher overall voter turnout.
In its Turn up the Turnout report, the AMO suggests the shrinking of the local media environment has had far-reaching impacts on voter participation and turnout.
As part of this coverage, NCM reporter Rodrigo Huerta Aguirre created an interactive map to help readers explore the relationship between local demographics, elected representatives and voter participation.
The map below shows municipal election results from 2022 and subsequent byelections, along with information on councillors, ward demographics drawn from the 2021 census and voter turnout in Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton.
These details offer a closer look at the communities that municipal councils represent, and the residents who participate in choosing them.
The map reveals striking differences between wards, even within the same city. In Mississauga, immigrants made up nearly 60 per cent of residents in Wards 4 and 6 according to the 2021 census. In Wards 1 and 2, immigrants accounted for one third of the population.
Voter participation varied widely across Toronto in 2022, with turnout reaching 38 per cent in Parkdale–High Park but falling to 22 per cent in Humber River–Black Creek.
By placing these demographic figures next to the names and photographs of elected representatives, the map shows how closely municipal councils reflect the communities they serve. The differences in voter participation also raise broader questions about political representation and the barriers to participation explored in NCM's election coverage.
<div style="width: 100% !important; clear: both; margin: 25px 0;"><iframe style="width: 100% !important; height: 700px !important; min-height: 600px !important; border: 0 !important; border-radius: 12px; box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);" title="2022 municipal election map: Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton" src="https://rodrigohuertaguirre.github.io/ncm-election-map/" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen">
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Copyright 2026, New Canadian Media. All rights reserved.
Rodrigo Huerta Aguirre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, New Canadian Media.

Un gros party tout en blanc débarque à Montréal dans un lieu 100 % secret
Bonne bouffe, sparklers, danse et outfits mémorables!
Ta liste d'activités à Montréal vient de s'allonger : le Diner en Blanc (DEB) débarque dans la métropole et ce sera l'occasion parfaite pour célébrer la fin de l'été en beauté. Lors de cet événement gastronomique d’inspiration française et festif à souhait, tenue blanche de la tête aux pieds, pique-nique décadent et soirée dansante sous le ciel étoilé sont au programme.
Les festivités suivant le repas, qui se tiendra dans un lieu tenu secret jusqu’à la dernière minute, seront lancées en allumant des sparklers distribués aux invité.e.s., alors que musique live et ambiance électrisante s'empareront de la place pour cette quatorzième édition.
Que tu sois foodie, fan de mode ou simplement une personne qui aime être dans le feu de l'action, voici quoi savoir sur ce party incontournable en ville.
Avant de te lancer dans la vague de gens qui seront rassemblés afin de célébrer en habit monochrome, note qu'il y a certaines règles à respecter afin de participer.
Les personnes qui le souhaitent pourront donc apporter leur propre repas ainsi que leur vin et leur champagne (les deux seuls types d'alcools permis afin de respecter l'influence française de l'événement), ou réserver l'un des deux menus conçus pour la fête.
Le premier panier est proposé par le chef Laurent Godbout et contient des olives grillées au romarin et orange, une salade de tomates cerises façon ffattoush, du labné à l’avocat avec crudités, des endives à la rémoulade de canard confit, une focaccia à la stracciatella et prosciutto, des pappardelles de carottes marinées au sésame et noix de cajou, du poulet fumé tonato, des câpres frits et roquette ainsi que du fromage de chèvre frais avec compote de pêches grillées. Pour finir avec une touche sucrée, tu pourras te régaler de la panna cotta de maïs avec chocolat blanc et bleuets, ainsi que d'un parfait au chocolat et au caramel à la fleur de sel. Un véritable festin.
Le panier du chef Jérôme Ferrer est tout aussi alléchant avec une verrine de rillettes de saumon à l’érable, un pot de mousse de foie de volaille et foie gras au porto, du popcorn à l’huile de truffe blanche et parmesan, du pain brioché avec beurre truffé, des bols poké au thon rouge et en guise de dessert, un duo de tartelettes au bleuet façon clafoutis et aux poires amandines.
Tu te vois déjà sur place? Alors, ne tarde pas à réserver ta place dès maintenant!
Le Diner en Blanc de Montréal
Prix : À partir de 62 $ par personne pour l'inscription - 95 $ par repas pour deux personnes
Quand : Le 6 septembre 2024
Adresse : Un lieu secret dévoilé quelques minutes avant l’événement
Site Internet du Diner en Blanc