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The 4 soldiers killed in fast-moving fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta
The 4 soldiers killed in fire at CFB Wainwright
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Four Armed Forces members were killed when a fast-moving fire overwhelmed soldiers during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright, southeast of Edmonton, on Saturday. Dozens of others were injured, with 39 still in hospital on Sunday.
Here's a look at the four who died:
Private Shaun Farrell
Farrell, a member of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based at Edmonton, was from Prince Albert, Sask.
In a social media post, his mother asked for privacy as the family navigates "this profound loss."
"We want to thank everyone for your love, support, and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," said Patricia Farrell.
She also posted a photo of her smiling son in uniform, standing by a pickup truck. "Love you my darling child."
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said flags in the province would be lowered to half-mast in Farrell's memory.
"Shaun was a young man full of promise who chose to serve his country. His loss will be felt deeply by his family, friends, fellow service members, and all who knew him," Moe said in a statement.
"To Shaun's family, to the families of the other fallen service members, and to everyone carrying the weight of this loss today, please know that Saskatchewan stands with you, and that you are in our prayers in the difficult days ahead."
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Private Aidan Goulding
The 23-year-old, of North Vancouver, was also a member of the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
His family said he was an exceptional athlete and, after high school, became a mechanic.
He later quit to join the army.
"Although he was making excellent money and had a good life, he decided he wanted to defend his country. His goal was to work for Special OPs and then onto CSIS," his mother, Sonia Monk, and older brother, Wylder Goulding, said in a statement.
"He was the guy that kept people's spirits up, a contagious laugh and a cheeky smile, he took his role in the army seriously, and our family and his dear friends have suffered a great loss."
They said he loved his adopted new army family and was looking forward to peacekeeping in Latvia.
"Before he went to basic training, he said, ‘I know I have one life to live, and I’m gonna make the best out of it.' That was our Aidan."
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Private Hayden Lykkemark
Lykkemark was from Langley, B.C., and with the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
B.C. Premier David Eby recognized Lykkemark and Goulding in a social media post.
"In this moment of profound heartbreak, as British Columbians and Canadians, let's wrap our arms around their families, supporting them and joining in the mourning of this horrible tragedy," he said.
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Sgt. Morgan Wong
The 26-year-old from Edmonton was a reservist with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, serving with the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
"He was an incredible person who was always there whenever anyone needed him," his family said in a statement.
"He loved being active and spending time with his friends and family. He was extremely proud to serve with the Canadian Armed Forces."
They said he earned a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Alberta, as well as certificates in real estate and civil-military leadership.
He joined the Forces in 2017, and for the last four years worked as a financial analyst and manager with the Alberta government. He also served as a first responder with St. John Ambulance.
He served in Latvia from October 2024 to June 2025, and was preparing for a second tour in Europe.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sergeant Morgan Wong of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, and all those who lost their lives yesterday at Wainwright," the 49th Battalion Loyal Edmonton Regiment Association said in a social media post.
"Our thoughts and prayers are also with the injured, their loved ones and everyone affected by this tragedy.
"We will remember them."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2026.
— By Dayne Patterson in Edmonton, Bill Graveland in Calgary and Nick Murray in Ottawa
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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British Columbia NDP Leader Eby asks Green voters to think carefully about vote
B.C.'s Eby asks Green voters for help in election
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby is appealing to Green voters as the snap election slated for Oct. 24 enters its final week.
Eby says Green voters should think carefully about their choices, as they prepare to cast their ballots.
He says he respects Green Leader Emily Lowan, but she won't be premier, and votes for her party could end up electing a Conservative government.
Eby says the Green vote was the difference between a Conservative and a New Democrat being elected in 11 ridings during the last election, including the riding of North Island, where he was speaking at an unrelated campaign announcement in Campbell River, B.C.
He says neither his party nor himself have been perfect, and a lot of people are frustrated about having an election at this moment.
Eby says this election is about the future of the province, and not the small differences between New Democrats and Greens, who share a common vision in many areas.
"So, I'm asking Green voters to think very carefully about the kind of province that we all want, because when we all work together as voters who share that vision, we win."
When asked whether his appeal to Green voters was an acknowledgment that his party was trailing, Eby says the only poll that matters happens on election day.
"I have a great deal of respect for their leader, and she is not going to be premier next week," he says. "The damage that a Conservative government would do would last for generations, and some of it would be impossible to undo."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2026.
By Wolfgang Depner | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Rough ride for some incumbents: B.C.'s municipal elections at a glance
B.C. municipal elections at a glance
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Some incumbent candidates have taken a beating in British Columbia's municipal elections.
Voters on Saturday evicted the mayors of Vancouver and Surrey, the province's two biggest cities.
Here's a look at some of the results.
BIG TURNOUT IN VANCOUVER, FRY WINS
Pete Fry will be Vancouver's first Green mayor, after a resounding win over incumbent Ken Sim.
It's a big turnaround for businessman Sim, just four years after he swept to power when his ABC Party claimed a majority on council with seven out of 10 seats.
ABC has now been reduced to one seat, secured by Mike Klassen, while a mix of progressives from the Greens, the Coalition of Progressive Electors, and OneCity Vancouver take nine seats.
Turnout surged to more than 209,000, up 36 per cent from 2022.
The preliminary tally shows Fry won more than 98,000 votes, far ahead of Sim on 67,000, with Colleen Hardwick a distant third with about 18,000 votes.
Sim's former chief of staff, Kareem Allam, received about 10,500 votes.
MCCALLUM BACK IN SURREY AGAIN … AGAIN
Doug McCallum is back for his third separate stint in the Surrey mayor's office, which he first occupied 30 years ago.
Preliminary results show he received about 32 per cent of the vote to comfortably defeat incumbent Brenda Locke, who had 23 per cent.

McCallum was bested by Locke four years ago, and the pair have clashed repeatedly over Surrey's switch to a municipal police force from the RCMP, a move McCallum supported and Locke fiercely opposed.
McCallum, 82, first sat as mayor from 1996 to 2005, then again from 2018 to 2022.
VOTERS BACK AMALGAMATION OF VICTORIA, SAANICH
Voters in Victoria and Saanich have supported amalgamation by about a two-thirds majority in a non-binding ballot.
Mayor Marianne Alto was meanwhile re-elected in Victoria, with about 44 per cent of the vote, defeating Bruce McGuigan on about 34 per cent.
The ballot question of whether to combine Victoria and Saanich into a single municipality received 62 per cent support in Victoria and 68 per cent support in the District of Saanich, where Rishi Sharma is forecast to win the mayoralty.
KAMLOOPS MAYOR'S TUMULTUOUS TENURE ENDS
Incumbent mayor of Kamloops Reid Hamer-Jackson has been soundly defeated, finishing fourth with just 12 per cent of the vote after a turmoil-filled tenure.
The new mayor will be Mike O'Reilly, a former councillor, who won 44 per cent of the vote, according to preliminary results.
Hamer-Jackson was stripped by council of his position as the city's official spokesman in 2024, amid protracted conflict with council and city staff.
PRINCE GEORGE GETS NEW MAYOR AFTER TIGHT RACE
Simon Yu has been defeated in his bid to retain the mayoralty in Prince George, in a tight three-way contest.
Preliminary tallies show Yu was defeated by Garth Frizzell, a longtime councillor, who won 28 per cent of the vote, compared to 24 per cent for Yu and 23 per cent for Kyle Sampson.
RICHMOND GETS FIRST NEW MAYOR IN 25 YEARS
Richmond is getting its first new mayor in a quarter century, with Rob Howard gaining a narrow win over former Olympian Alexa Loo.
Howard, a former provincial legislator, received almost 20,000 votes to defeat Loo by fewer than 900.
Malcolm Brodie had held the mayoralty since 2001, but decided not to run again.
BRAD WEST GETS 90 PER CENT OF PORT COQUITLAM'S VOTES
One of B.C.'s most prominent and popular mayors has been re-elected with a massive share of the vote.

Port Coquitlam's Brad West received about 90 per cent of the vote to retain the office he first won in 2018.
He says he's "deeply humbled and grateful" in a message on social media.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2026.
By Canadian Press Staff | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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