ETA Canada News

General Fusion, a renewable energy company headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, was recently named the world’s best green technology company for 2026 by TIME magazine, topping the list of 250 companies.

Time magazine, in partnership with market research firm Statista, recently released its “2026 Global Top Green Technology Companies” ranking, recognizing innovative companies driving the global green transformation. The list includes companies that develop or provide green technologies, products, and services that help reduce or reverse the environmental impact of human activities.

Of the companies on the list, over 57% are from the United States, but General Fusion, founded in 2002, stands out to take the top spot. General Fusion is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia. The second-ranked company on the list is also Canadian, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.

Founded in 2017, the company aims to produce scalable baseload and dispatchable energy. Time magazine points out that General Fusion is a nuclear energy startup focused on Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) technology and plans to go public in the United States in mid-2026 through a $1 billion special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) deal.

Nuclear fusion is considered an important direction for future clean energy. Its principle is the same as the process by which the sun generates energy, that is, releasing enormous energy through the fusion of atoms. Unlike traditional nuclear fission power generation, nuclear fusion can theoretically provide a virtually unlimited, zero-carbon emission, and safer energy source. General Fusion’s magnetized target fusion technology aims to achieve nuclear fusion power generation in a more practical way.

This technology does not rely on expensive superconducting magnets or high-power laser systems but instead utilizes existing industrial materials and equipment to attempt to induce a nuclear fusion reaction through the compression of ultra-high temperature plasma in liquid metal. The company stated that this technological approach helps reduce construction and operating costs and accelerates the commercialization of nuclear fusion energy.

Greg Twinney, CEO of General Fusion, said that being named the world’s number one green technology company by Time magazine is an affirmation of the team’s years of hard work. Twinney stated that the company has been continuously researching and validating related technologies for over 20 years and is currently moving towards several technological milestones with industry-leading significance, hoping to achieve practical nuclear fusion power generation within the next 10 years. He emphasized that this honour comes at a significant moment in the company’s development.

Earlier this year, General Fusion announced its merger with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp III, which, if successfully completed, would make it the world’s first publicly traded company focused on nuclear fusion energy.

Twinney stated that nuclear fusion technology has the potential to revolutionize the global energy market, but the key to success lies in pragmatic engineering design, sound financial investment, and a clear commercialization roadmap. He said, “This award reflects our development strategy—building nuclear fusion power plants that can provide stable, reliable, and zero-carbon-emission electricity on a large scale.”

As countries around the world actively seek carbon reduction solutions and energy transition, nuclear fusion technology is regarded as an important candidate for the next generation of clean energy. General Fusion’s international recognition has also placed Richmond in an important position on the global green technology landscape

More details have emerged from the daytime shooting in Surrey, British Columbia last month. The CBC’s “Fifth Class” investigative program confirmed that the victim was a key figure in the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Canada and had connections to cricket match-fixing.

The incident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on May 4th, when a man was shot and killed inside an office building in Surrey. While the RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed it was a targeted attack, they have not released the victim’s identity or motive, sparking much speculation in the community. The Fifth Estate has now identified the deceased as Gurvikramjeet Singh Warring, also known as “Satwell Singh Warring,” “Sam Canada,” or simply “Sam.”

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the gunman calmly entered the building, carried out the attack, and quickly left. Waring was renting an office inside the Vancouver School of Management when he was shot and killed instantly. After his death, two memorial photos with different names circulated in the community.

According to multiple sources, the 35-year-old Surrey resident had close ties to the Bishnoi gang, which is designated a terrorist entity in Canada, and was a “key intermediary” for its leader, Lawrence Bishnoi. Bishnoi is currently being held in a federal prison in Gujarat, India. The day after the attack, a social media account claiming responsibility for the attack came from a rival gang leader, Rohit Godara.

Indian independent journalist Ritsh Raki points out that Godara was originally part of the Bishnoi gang but later broke away from it with Goddi Bharar, and the two sides are currently embroiled in a bloody feud. Ginny Sims, a former MLA for British Columbia and now a radio host, works in the same building. She described the case to The Fifth Rank as “feeling completely different,” noting that the gunman’s audacity in breaking and entering suggested a meticulously planned targeted killing.

Sims also revealed that some community members had reported information about “Sam” to Surrey police and were therefore puzzled by the police’s claim that the deceased was previously unknown to them. In its response, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated that information related to criminal investigations is typically not released to the public before formal charges are filed, regardless of whether the person involved is deceased. This case has exposed deeper issues.

In April of this year, The Fifth Rank investigated allegations of corruption and match-fixing within Cricket Canada, with sources already indicating that a figure named “Sam” was linked to threats against players and officials. These sources later confirmed that “Sam” was indeed the victim of the shooting, Warin. A social media post, purportedly from Godara, also claimed that Warin was involved in manipulating Canadian cricket matches and warned of action against match-fixers, betting brokers, and imposters. Warin had a close relationship with Arvinder Khosa, the new president of Cricket Canada.

The two appeared together at a cricket match last year, and Warin attended Khosa’s celebrations after being appointed interim president in April. Khosa previously admitted in an interview that he knew Warin, but only on a cricket level, denying any gang affiliation. Khosa’s lawyer recently sent a letter to The Fifth Estate, declining to comment on the connection between Khosa and Warin, accusing the report of “false and reckless statements.”

Sixteen days after Warin’s murder and again in early June, a residence owned by Khosa in Surrey was shot twice. Police stated that residents of the residence had received extortion threats, but did not link the two incidents to Warin’s death. Warin’s background in Canada is shrouded in mystery. He arrived in Canada from India in 2013 as a temporary foreign worker, ostensibly an electrician.

On the surface, he ran an education company, helping students obtain provincial government loans to pay for their tuition. Records show he owned at least two numbered companies, one of which was suspected of being involved in fraudulent farm operations and had been fined $135,000 CAD by the Canadian government for violations. According to multiple Indian media reports, several of Varin’s aliases appeared on a list published by the Indian government in April 2023, which listed more than twenty Punjab gang members hiding overseas. Reports indicate that the Indian government submitted a list of seven individuals to Canada that same year requesting their extradition, but the subsequent progress is unclear. The Federal Ministry of Justice responded that extradition requests fall under the category of secret communications between states.

Sims questioned why, given that the Canadian government might have had information about Warin’s warrant for arrest in India, it had never taken action to track him down. “Where is our system going wrong?” she said.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released its June outlook report on Thursday, showing that the federal deficit jumped to C$72 billion in the last fiscal year from C$36.3 billion, nearly doubling in size.

The agency attributed this sharp increase to only a modest rise in revenue, while new policy initiatives boosted overall spending. This data is based on the PBO’s estimates from public accounts; the federal government has not yet released its final accounts figures.

Net new spending will continue from 2025 to 2031, totalling C$68.4 billion. Short-term potential output has been revised downward due to fluctuating trade policies and slowing population growth. The report projects real GDP growth at 1.7% in 2025, plummeting to 1.1% in 2026, before recovering to 1.6% in 2027 and maintaining modest expansion in subsequent years.

Non-energy exports remain under pressure from existing US tariffs, while the conflict with Iran has pushed up fuel prices, casting a shadow over the economic landscape with trade headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty. The PBO projects an average inflation rate of 2.6% for 2026, as rising commodity prices offset downward pressure from oversupply and easing housing costs. The institution predicts that the Bank of Canada will keep its key interest rate at 2.25% this year.

If military pressure from the US and Israel on Iran subsides, the policy rate is expected to gradually rise to 2.5% by mid-2027. In the job market, the unemployment rate was 6.9% in April and may fall to 6.4% next year, and further to 6.1% between 2028 and 2030. Despite the government’s continued push for large-scale restructuring, personnel spending is showing a medium-term upward trend.

The estimated expenditure for fiscal year 2025-26 is CAD 69.2 billion, a decrease from CAD 73.9 billion in the previous fiscal year, but it will surge by CAD 10 billion in fiscal year 2026-27, reaching CAD 86 billion by 2031. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne had already instructed cabinet departments to explore “aggressive” cost-cutting measures last July.

Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the size of the federal workforce would be reduced through natural attrition, with the 2025 budget setting a potential cost-saving target of C$13 billion. A federal notice regarding layoffs stated that the goals would be achieved through restructuring operations, consolidating internal services, adjusting programs to improve efficiency, or terminating underperforming projects.

As of May 6, the Ministry of Employment and Social Development had already eliminated over 5,000 jobs, with nearly 1,000 others included in job adjustments and career transitions; the Ministry of Health had cut over 1,000 positions, impacting a wide range of ministries. Despite frequent layoffs, PBO estimates indicate that the upward trend in labour costs has not yet been reversed, and the gap between government spending control targets and actual spending trajectories is becoming increasingly clear.

Walmart Canada is also launching a membership service! On Thursday, Walmart Canada announced the official launch of its membership service, Walmart+, in Canada. This marks the first time Walmart has launched this service in an overseas market. Walmart+ was launched in the United States in 2020, and now it’s finally Canada’s turn. What exactly is the use of Walmart? Simply put, Walmart+ is comparable to Amazon Prime membership.

Walmart’s membership program is not like Costco’s, which requires membership to enter a physical store; instead, it focuses on online shopping. First, it let’s you say goodbye to the hassle of frequent trips to the supermarket. If your single order amount exceeds 35 Canadian dollars, you can enjoy free same-day delivery. If you need to buy something urgently, or if you suddenly realize you’re missing a seasoning while cooking at home, this membership can be a great help.

Members can enjoy exclusive discounts when choosing expedited delivery services with delivery times of two hours or less. In addition, if you usually place your orders through Walmart’s mobile app or official website, the benefits are even more direct.

All orders placed on these official online platforms are eligible for free shipping, and there is absolutely no minimum spending requirement. In terms of price, it’s clearly aiming to compete head-on with Prime. Walmart+ costs $8.97 per month and $89 per year; while Amazon Prime costs $9.99 per month and $99 per year. That works out to be about $1 cheaper per month, saving $10 per year.

The price difference might not seem like a big deal to many, but the real killer move is yet to come. Subscribing to Walmart+ is like getting a free Crave streaming membership, which normally costs $11.99 a month. Membership includes access to HBO and Max shows, as well as some live sports broadcasts.

This alone is enough to recoup the membership fee.

Existing Delivery Pass members don’t need to panic; Walmart has already discontinued it, and existing users will automatically be converted to Walmart+ members. Everyone can still use the same flexible pickup and delivery service. You can add items to your pre-ordered items up to 3 hours before pickup or delivery, and in-store pickup is still free. Want to try it but afraid of making a mistake?

Walmart is offering a 30-day free trial, and Canadians can try it for a month before deciding.

Catherine Theberge-Conner, Walmart Canada’s head of membership business, called the launch a “gamechanger.” She said that Walmart+ bundles unlimited fresh produce and groceries delivery with a variety of benefits beyond retail all together for just $89 a year, and “Canadians will love the convenience, choice, and value.”

Economists at the National Bank of Canada point out that Canada’s ranking on the global economic surprise index is particularly noteworthy, but the reason for its inclusion is the continued underperformance of its data. The country’s current reading has plummeted to -88.2, compared to a reading near 100 at the end of last year.

This decline contrasts sharply with the situation in the United States, where the index remained at 43.7 due to consecutive better-than-expected labour market and retail sales data. The gap between the two countries has widened to its largest in four years. The Citigroup Economic Surprise Index reflects the degree of deviation between actual data and market expectations.

A positive value indicates that the data is better than expected, while a negative value indicates that the performance is worse than expected. Canada is currently mired in negative territory due to the sluggish employment situation since the beginning of 2026. Official statistics show that more than 110,000 jobs have been lost since the beginning of the year. The market had expected 10,000 new jobs in May, but nearly 18,000 were lost instead.

The most significant deviation was in March: 84,000 jobs were lost that month, a huge discrepancy from the expected 10,000 increase. The country’s performance on the index is not the worst in history. It hit a low of nearly -150 at the end of 2022. Economists recall that at that time, the Bank of Canada was heavily pressuring the economy with sharp interest rate hikes to curb the energy supply shock and rising inflation caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Although the current environment also faces an oil supply crisis and inflationary anxieties, they believe that the impact of this weak economic data on interest rate trends may outweigh geopolitical factors. The two scholars corroborated this view with developments in the bond market. The yield on Canadian five-year government bonds continued to decline relative to US Treasuries, a trend consistent with weak domestic economic data. They anticipate further economic weakness, particularly given the apparent threat posed by the USMCA negotiations.

Unlike in 2022, the current economic and inflationary environment gives central banks more room for patience. Policymakers have cut interest rates several times since last year, lowering them from 3.25% to 2.25% to cushion the impact of Trump’s tariff war. Against this backdrop, even if economic surprise indicators flash red, monetary policy is likely to remain on the sidelines.

A new study by the Fraser Institute shows that, after adjusting for inflation, Canada’s total net debt, including federal and provincial debt, will reach C$2.44 trillion this fiscal year, a 97.7% increase from C$1.24 trillion in the 2007-08 fiscal year, almost doubling.

The institute previously projected C$2.2 trillion for 2024, and C$2.3 trillion last year. Over the past 18 years, the federal government alone has incurred an additional $712.7 billion in debt, a staggering 93.7% increase, primarily due to fiscal responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the 2019-20 fiscal year to the current fiscal year, the combined net debt of both levels of government has reached $603.7 billion, an increase of 32.8%. Study author Jake Fuss, director of fiscal research at the Fraser Institute, points out that the Canadian government has completely abandoned the fiscally prudent approach followed from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s, returning to the old path of normalized debt and deficits from the 1970s to the 1990s.

In contrast, in the 12 years prior to the study, federal net debt had been reduced by C$364.5 billion. Fuss describes it as: “The new debt incurred by the federal government in the past 18 years is almost double the amount of debt served in the previous decade.” At the provincial level, Alberta, which was the only province with net financial assets, has transformed into a rapidly indebted province with a net debt increase of CAD 91.3 billion over the past 15 years.

British Columbia saw the most dramatic debt growth, soaring 200% to CAD 70.3 billion over 18 years; Manitoba increased by 144.7% to CAD 22.5 billion, Saskatchewan by 108.9% to CAD 9.4 billion, and Ontario led all provinces with a debt of CAD 459.4 billion, an increase of 94.9%. Quebec and the three Atlantic provinces (excluding Prince Edward Island) all saw net debt increases of less than 35%.

In terms of economic share, the combined net federal and provincial debt is equivalent to 75.4% of GDP, with federal debt accounting for 45.4% and provincial debt for 29.9%. Among the provinces, Manitoba has the highest debt-to-GDP ratio, projected to reach 91.3% in fiscal year 2025-26. Alberta, despite experiencing the largest increase in this ratio (21.5 percentage points), still ranks lowest nationally at 8.1%. Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest debt ratio at 44.5%, followed by Quebec at 38.8% and Manitoba at 38%. Only Quebec and Nova Scotia saw a decrease in their debt ratios, both decreasing by 2.7 percentage points.

After allocating federal debt by population share, Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest per capita debt in the country at $71,611 CAD; Ontario has a per capita debt of $63,574 CAD, with its total net debt exceeding $1 trillion CAD. Alberta has the lowest per capita debt at $42,368 CAD. Fuchs warned that the federal government has projected a 25.6% increase in net debt to reach C$1.86 trillion by fiscal year 2030-31. Except for Manitoba and Ontario, all other provinces are expected to continue running budget deficits from this fiscal year through 2028-29. He believes that the ever-expanding debt will push up long-term interest rates, increase private sector borrowing costs, and dampen capital investment.

Declining investment levels will severely constrain productivity growth and weaken future economic performance. Simultaneously, the government may be forced to raise taxes to repay debt, and interest payments will crowd out funding for public programs such as healthcare, education, and social services, further narrowing fiscal space. Foss emphasized that now that the pandemic is long gone, it is a crucial window to develop a long-term plan to return to a balanced budget.

“If governments at all levels do not embark on the difficult process of curbing debt accumulation and ultimately alleviating the debt burden, the consequences will be increasingly severe.”

A Canadian landlord has been ordered by a court to pay more than $62,000 in damages to two tenants for “malicious eviction,” one of whom was undergoing cancer treatment at the time of the move.

A “For Rent” sign appeared outside a residence in Montreal’s Verdun borough on June 26, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

According to the ruling documents from the Quebec Housing Tribunal (TAL), the landlord claimed that he needed to reclaim the house to allow his stepson to move in, but he demolished the house after the tenants moved out and sold it for more than 1 million Canadian dollars. The ruling stated: “The court is convinced that the landlord took back the property by malicious means with the intention of profiting at the expense of the tenant’s right to continue living there.”

The ruling was made on April 28. The case involves tenant Janet Reside Rosetti and her husband Andrew Rosetti. The couple had been renting the house since 2016 but were forced to find other accommodation after receiving a notice of eviction from the landlord in 2022. Andrew was diagnosed with lung cancer in the summer of 2020 and has been undergoing chemotherapy.

The judgment stated: “He (Andrew) had difficulty even standing at the time. Unable to feed himself, he needed his wife to feed him. During the move, he was even unable to help pack the boxes.”

“His wife took on everything and often broke down crying.” After finding a new place to live, Janet remained sceptical about the landlord’s claim that he was “letting his stepson move in.”

According to the ruling, she continued to drive past the old residence from time to time to check on the situation, but never found that anyone had moved in, and the windows had no blinds or curtains. In October 2023, she discovered that the house had begun to be demolished, so she decided to hire a lawyer. In May 2025, the house was listed for CAD 1.275 million and eventually sold for CAD 1.215 million.

The owner originally purchased it for CAD 255,000. TAL’s judgment clearly states: “There is no doubt that the landlord’s real purpose in evicting the tenant was to demolish the house, not to reclaim it for his own residence.” TAL believes that the tenant couple suffered serious disruption and loss to their lives and are entitled to compensation.

Therefore, the court ordered the landlord to pay 35,000 Canadian dollars in punitive damages, 17,450 Canadian dollars in property damages, and 10,000 Canadian dollars in damages for emotional distress. The ruling stated: “Her husband was suffering from cancer during the move, and she searched for and moved into two different residences.

Since 2016, they had been living in relatively affordable housing, and this move had a huge impact on their lives.” “The whole incident caused her tremendous stress and inconvenience. The court believes that the compensation is sufficient to make up for the losses, pain and distress she suffered.”

A recent ruling by the BC rental regulator found a landlord who was ordered to pay a former tenant $19,570 to “offset” the amount by having someone impersonate the tenant and reach a settlement favourable to himself.

The landlord ultimately paid a heavy price. According to CTV, landlord Sumit Ghai has been ordered to pay an administrative penalty of $16,000, based on a ruling published online this week by the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) of British Columbia, for allegedly attempting to “defraud” a former tenant.

Background and previous impersonation incidents the female tenant, whose name is abbreviated as LS, began renting the property in 2007, before Guy owned it. When Guy purchased the property in February 2021, LS was still living in the unit.

In May of the same year, she signed a new lease with a new landlord. However, in October, Guy sent her a notice of termination of the lease, citing that the landlord wanted to use the unit for his own purposes. The document states that LS moved out in February 2022, and Guy filed a dispute resolution application with the RTB on April 1 of the same year, which concerned “so-called damages and other matters.”

LS filed a counterclaim and won a damages order for 19,570 yuan in May 2023. The ruling did not specify the reasons for LS’s victory or the details of the damages order, but it did point out that Guy’s failure to pay prompted LS to apply for an enforcement order from the provincial court. Guy was ultimately fined $11,700 by the RTB Compliance Enforcement Unit (RTB CEU) in 2025 for failing to comply with the penalty order, submitting false documents, and impersonating LS to submit a review application. The ruling announced this week is not the first time that RTB’s compliance enforcement unit has determined that Guy impersonated LS in front of RTB arbitrators.

“Random” location selection to deceive the court This latest ruling stems from a dispute resolution application filed by Guy with the RTB in July 2024. The application includes a lease agreement listing Guy as the landlord and LS as the tenant, with the rental location in Vancouver.

The application also includes an electricity bill from BC Hydro, a 10-day notice of termination of lease, and a 30-day utility bill payment reminder. The RTB CEU ruled that all of these documents were forged. However, before the forgery was discovered, a hearing was held in August 2024 regarding this dispute resolution application. The subsequent ruling stated: “A woman identifying herself as LS participated in the video hearing and confirmed that her statements were true.” She provided “626” as the correct address. Guy also attended the hearing and confirmed that LS was his tenant, stating that he “owned two units.”

A settlement was reached, and the court issued a damages order against LS for $30,074. LS herself later told investigators that she did not attend the hearing, nor authorized anyone to attend on her behalf, and that she had been living in Chilliwack, not Vancouver, since moving out of Guy’s property in 2022. She also provided a genuine lease agreement, a landlord’s confirmation letter, and phone records to support her claims. Following LS’s appeal, the RTB overturned the compensation order.

Claiming to fabricate evidence to “offset” compensation The CEU subsequently launched an investigation, reviewed the property deeds of the Vancouver property, and confirmed that there was no 626 on that street, and that 636 and its adjacent properties were not owned by Guy.

When questioned by investigators, Guy confirmed that he had never owned, lived in, or been the landlord of the property in question. The ruling states that “he claimed he ‘randomly’ chose address 626 because he believed LS had moved to Vancouver.” He did this to “offset” the previous compensation order, achieving the goal of “if I don’t give her money, she won’t give me money.”

According to a summary published online by the CEU, Guy was fined a total of $16,000 in four separate administrative penalties by the CEU for “repeatedly and intentionally providing false or misleading statements.” The fines were originally $16,500, but the CEU reduced them by $500 at its discretion.

The ruling concluded: “Even taking into account mitigating factors, acts such as intentional forgery, impersonation, and abuse of dispute resolution systems and procedures should still be subject to the maximum applicable fine.”

Recently, Canadian social media has been abuzz with debate over which city is the ultimate liveability benchmark. When North Vancouver was named the most liveable city in Canada, many long-time Vancouver residents were immediately thinking: Are you kidding me? How can a place with a blocked bridge, excessive rain causing mold, and outrageously expensive rents be number one?

Reporter Morgan Leet returned with this very question in mind to prove them wrong. A seasoned mover who had relocated countless times, she initially had no fondness for North Vancouver. Previously, when living in downtown Vancouver, she always felt that North Vancouver, while close, lacked character. But after living there for a while, she was completely “cured,” and even considered moving back. According to Morgan’s experience, North Vancouver’s reputation for being “liveable” is well-deserved.

The most magical moment happened the instant she crossed the bridge into North Vancouver. She said it felt like a pressure valve in her body had suddenly been turned off. The pace of downtown Vancouver always carries a strange anxiety; everyone is rushing around. But in North Vancouver, the air is filled with openness and tranquillity.

The atmosphere here isn’t “Run, you’re going to be late,” but rather “Let’s go get some coffee after we climb the mountain.” This sudden reduction in sensory pressure genuinely slows down the pace of life. Greater Vancouver has become the pinnacle of liveability! Vancouver’s relaxed atmosphere is all thanks to it! North Vancouver strikes a perfect balance between the most agonizing questions of “space” and “convenience.” Want to commute downtown? Take the SeaBus! This mode of transport is practically a dream come true for Vancouver’s working class: no more getting stuck in traffic on the bridge, just a leisurely 10–15-minute ride with the sea breeze on your way to work. And looking back at North Vancouver, there are charming cafes and stylish shops, so you don’t need to cross the bridge every day—it truly has the best of both worlds.

Not to mention the “backyard forest” that outdoor enthusiasts go crazy for. In North Vancouver, nature isn’t a weekend destination requiring a drive; it’s an everyday reality, easily accessible. Morgan remarked that before, after hiking in Vancouver, his biggest fear was getting stuck in traffic on the bridge on the way back—the stress he’d just washed off would instantly return. But in North Vancouver, Lynn Canyon Park is just a short walk from get off work. That ability to instantly switch into “escape the city” mode is truly irreplaceable. Of course, North Vancouver has its drawbacks.

The endless rainy season and the heartbreaking rent starting at $3,000 a month remain real challenges. But Morgan believes that true liveability is having a place where you can truly breathe deeply after a busy day, seamlessly switching between nature and the city. That sense of security—being able to let your guard down simply by crossing a bridge—is expensive, yet incredibly luxurious. If you’re also struggling with mental exhaustion, why not take a trip to North Vancouver? Perhaps you’ll discover that life is no longer a sprint, but a gentle, deep breath.

The Richmond RCMP released the latest crime data, showing that shoplifting has increased by 70%, while most other types of crimes have either decreased or remained unchanged. In the first two months of 2026, Richmond Police received 386 reports of shoplifting, a 70% increase compared to the same period last year. February alone saw 207 of these reports.

Reports of property crimes also rose slightly, with 1,350 cases received in January and February, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. In addition, sex crimes committed so far in 2026 have increased by 29% compared to the same period last year.

Common and serious attacks decreased, with 75 reports of common attacks received in January and February, a 47% decrease compared to the same period last year. There were 27 serious attacks, a 16% decrease compared to the same period last year.

According to a community safety report to be submitted to the city council next week, one-third of the nine serious assault cases reported to the police in February were domestic violence. The Richmond RCMP will submit its annual work plan, focusing on four key areas: property crime, organized crime, road safety, and vulnerable groups. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) report noted that while the overall violent crime rate in Richmond remains low, police are determined to combat organized crime, including drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, fraud, and money laundering.

The report states: “These activities pose numerous public safety risks, including clandestine drug manufacturing facilities and gang violence.” Police have also noted emerging trends in cybercrime, such as cryptocurrency scams. The report states: “These crimes are often linked to organized crime because they are sophisticated, well-organized, and can generate substantial profits for criminals.”

Regarding property crimes, the report notes an overall upward trend, but the situation varies across different types of crimes. For example, shoplifting has “increased dramatically” over the past five years, while residential burglaries and car thefts have decreased.