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Victoria firefighters met with 'extremely challenging conditions' battling hotel fire
Firefighters battle Victoria, B.C., hotel blaze
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The City of Victoria says fire crews were met with "extremely challenging conditions" as they battled a blaze at the former Travellers Inn building on Queens Ave.
A statement from the city says part of the building collapsed and heavy machinery was used in a "controlled demolition" of the fire-damaged structure.
Victoria Fire Chief Dan Atkinson says the fire spread rapidly and crews took a "defensive posture" after clearing the building.
Atkinson says he was thankful to other agencies that aided the response, including the Saanich, Esquimalt and Oak Bay fire departments, as well as Victoria Police, paramedics and crews from FortisBC and BC Hydro, calling the blaze a "complex incident."
The city says no firefighters were injured and the building's occupants have been accounted for, but there have been unconfirmed reports of other people in the building.
The statement from the city says the residents and others from a nearby building were evacuated and are getting help from the city's emergency support services, and crews are expected to remain at the scene through the night into Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Manitoba bans teachers from texting, messaging students on social media
Manitoba bans teachers from messaging students
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The Manitoba government is banning teachers from texting with students or messaging them on social media sites.
The province says school employees will still be able to communicate with students on platforms that are monitored by school divisions or other administrators.
Education Minister Tracy Schmidt says the province's directive will help keep kids safe, set expectations for parents and give educators guidelines.
All schools will be required to share the changes with students, staff and families in their communities.
The ban comes after two educators recently lost their teaching certificates for sending inappropriate messages to students.
An investigation by Manitoba's independent education commissioner found that in one case, the teacher engaged in a years-long inappropriate relationship with a student that began in middle school and continued as the student went into high school.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Suburban Montreal mayor pleads guilty, faces $30,000 fine after anti-Palestine posts
Mayor faces $30,000 fine over Palestine comments
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
The mayor of a Montreal suburb pleaded guilty to a professional ethics breach and faces a $30,000 fine over comments he made about Palestine.
Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi entered his plea on Thursday after a complaint to the Quebec order of professional accountants.
The complaint accuses Levi of making comments that undermine the reputation of the profession.
The complaint cites over 20 social media posts by Levi between January 2024 and February 2025 about Palestine and pro-Palestinian activists.
The disciplinary council recommended the fine and a mandatory training.
The Town of Hampstead and Levi's lawyer both declined to comment about the ruling.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2025.
By Marieke Glorieux-Stryckman | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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