Vancouver approves non-binding drug plebiscites that mayor-elect Pete Fry disavowed
Voters in Vancouver have voted by about two-thirds in favour of two plebiscite questions proposed by the city's outgoing mayor on drug use, despite ejecting him from office in the same election.
The City of Vancouver says about 137,000 people voted in favour of stronger laws on open-air hard-drug use, and about 136,000 voted for the city to ask the province to provide "100-plus" involuntary care beds in the city.
But the plebiscite questions were non-binding and mayor-elect Pete Fry said during the campaign that he did not think that putting them on the ballot was necessary, criticizing the questions as cynical and lacking details.
Fry has said he supports managing drug use in public spaces, but differs from outgoing Mayor Ken Sim in believing people should be diverted to supervised consumption sites or shelters.
Sim had said a "yes" vote would have given the city a stronger mandate to deal with drug use in Vancouver.
Fry convincingly defeated Sim in the Oct. 17 vote, which also saw progressive parties sweep Sim's ABC party out of all but one council seat.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
B.C. NDP Leader Eby campaigns in Vancouver, while Tories heads to Surrey
British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby campaigns in Vancouver and Richmond today after wrapping his swing through the vote-rich city of Surrey with a rally.
Hundreds of people attended the gathering near City Hall on Wednesday.
Eby made six stops in the Surrey-Delta area throughout the day to meet with seniors and visit a trucking company.
Meanwhile, interim B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson is set to make an announcement in B.C.'s second-largest city, where 10 ridings are up for grabs.
He's also expected to hold a rally in Surrey later tonight.
Advance voting also wrapped up on Wednesday, ahead of Saturday's election.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2026.
By Wolfgang Depner | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Officials to provide update on fatal fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta
Officials are set to provide an update today about a devastating fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta that left four soldiers dead and dozens more injured.
Maj.-Gen. Wade Rutland of the 1st Canadian Division has said Saturday's blaze began as a grass fire, but a violent windstorm sent flames racing toward soldiers training at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright.
The fire initially sent 39 wounded to various hospitals, and officials said Wednesday that number was down to 27, with 13 in critical condition.
Roughly 150 people attended a vigil late Wednesday at a church in the nearby town of Wainwright, Alta., southeast of Edmonton.
Prayers were said, songs were sung and the names of those killed were read aloud, followed by a moment of silence.
Mayor Bruce Pugh says the last few days have been tough, but activities at the base have started to return to normal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22. 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Élections Québec engage déjà pour cet automne et ça paie jusqu'à 27,92 $/h
Même la formation est payée! 🤑
Les élections provinciales s'en viennent très bientôt. Le 3 octobre 2022, tu pourras voter pour ceux et celles qui te représenteront au gouvernement. D'ailleurs, tout au long de la campagne électorale qui devrait être lancée sous peu, Élections Québec aura besoin de citoyen.ne aux quatre coins de la province pour aider dans l'organisation et dans le bon déroulement de cet événement marquant.
Bonne nouvelle si tu cherches à te faire un peu d'argent de poche dans les prochains mois, car le recrutement est déjà commencé et plusieurs emplois sont disponibles, en plus d'offrir des salaires avantageux. Ce sont 50 000 personnes qui seront engagées pour l'occasion, et ce, à travers les 125 circonscriptions au Québec.
Pour être admissible à l'embauche, tu devras être disponible durant la période électorale et/ou le jour de l'élection, avoir 16 ans et plus et être citoyen.ne canadien.e. Tu devras aussi résider au Québec depuis plus de six mois et ne pas être sous curatelle ( être jugé.e incapable par le tribunal de prendre soin de toi et de tes biens).
Les salaires varient entre 15,68 $/h et 27,92 $/h selon le poste que tu occupes. Parmi les emplois disponibles, tu pourrais être agent.es réviseur.es et te déplacer afin de rencontrer les électeur.trices, vérifier l'identité des électeur.trices lors du vote, être préposé.e à l'information ou procéder au dépouillement des votes le soir du 3 octobre.
Si cela t'intéresse et que tu désires t'impliquer, tu peux déposer ta candidature en remplissant un formulaire sur le site Internet de Élections Québec.
À noter que toutes les formations nécessaires à l'emploi sont payées.
Emploi Élections Québec
Salaire : entre 15,68 $ et 27, 92 $/h
Employeur : Élections Québec
Pour postuler, c'est ici