B.C. home sales fall nine per cent in September amid interest rate speculation
Home sales in British Columbia dipped again in September, with the province's real estate board saying interest rate hike speculation weighed on the market.
The British Columbia Real Estate Association says in a release that just over 5, 250 homes were sold last month, down about 9 per cent from the same month in 2025.
Home sales were about 26 per cent lower than the 10-year average for B.C. for the month of September.
The association says sales volume for residential transactions in B.C. last month was $4.9 billion, down 11 per cent from a year ago, while the average price on the Multiple Listing Service fell 2.4 per cent to just over $924,000.
Association chief economist Brendon Ogmundson says in a statement that the declines come after "an encouraging summer" where B.C. showed signs of recovery, but spiking oil prices have prompted speculation on whether the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates.
About 51,000 homes have been sold in B.C. so far in 2026, down about 6 per cent from the same period last year, with sales in September falling year-over-year in every region other than South Peace River and the Kootenays.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Quebec publishing house stands by author amid AI allegations
A Quebec publisher says it will keep Thélyson Orélien’s novel on bookstore shelves despite allegations that it was written using artificial intelligence.
In a statement, Éditions du Boréal says it cannot independently verify the manuscript's history before receiving it on Sept. 12, 2025.
Orélien said in a statement published by Boréal on Tuesday that he began writing ''C’était ça ou mourir'' in 2017 and reiterated that no part of the novel was written by AI.
He also said he completed a first draft of more than 300 pages in 2019.
The publisher says it is not its role to monitor authors or demand proof of their writing process, adding that its responsibility is to stand by them.
Orélien also said on Tuesday that he did not need to prove anything to those making accusations against him.
Orélien had previously said in September that he was working with his publishers in Quebec and France to gather evidence supporting his claims.
The publisher also condemned plagiarism in the author's earlier writings, but said nothing justifies people making him a scapegoat over fears and doubts about AI.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2026.
By Charlotte Glorieux | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Interim Indigenous languages commissioner's term extended
The interim commissioner of Indigenous languages will serve in the role for another month as the Canadian Heritage department continues to search for a permanent replacement.
Candice St-Aubin, a former senior assistant deputy minister of strategic policy with Indigenous Services Canada, was supposed to serve in the role for 90 days.
Former commissioner Ron Ignace's term ended in July, along with the terms of the office's directors.
The Canadian Heritage Department has not replied to a question about when a permanent commissioner and directors will be appointed but has not yet received a response.
The Canadian Press reported earlier this year an audit is being conducted on the office, which is tasked with helping to preserve at-risk Indigenous languages.
Half a dozen sources, including former employees, told The Canadian Press that over the five years of its existence, the commissioner’s office has failed to move the needle on strengthening Indigenous languages and supporting research.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2026.
By Alessia Passafiume | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.