BC STORIES

Abbotsford-Mission Byelection Expands as Lakhwinder Jhaj Joins Race for CentreBC

CentreBC names Lakhwinder Jhaj as its candidate for the Sept. 26 Abbotsford-Mission byelection alongside candidates Kerry-Lynne Findlay and Pam Alexis.

Published

6 days ago

August 30, 2026

Current Editor

New Choice for Local Voters

Voters in the Abbotsford-Mission riding will cast their ballots in a provincial byelection scheduled for Sept. 26. Advance voting opens Sept. 18 and runs through Sept. 23 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while official candidate nominations close at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Premier David Eby officially called the vote on Aug. 29. The announcement came one week after former Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper resigned from her position to clear a path for B.C. Conservative Party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

CentreBC Enters Candidate

Lakhwinder Jhaj has officially launched her campaign as the candidate for CentreBC. Established in 2025, the political party currently holds no seats in the B.C. legislature.

Jhaj declared her intention to run in an Aug. 30 news release, stating her goal is to give residents a voice that “puts people and communities ahead of partisan agendas.”

“I am honoured to be the CentreBC candidate for Abbotsford-Mission,” Jhaj said. “I am running because I believe our community deserves a voice that listens, works hard and puts local priorities first. This is about bringing people together and making sure Abbotsford-Mission has a strong voice at the table.”

Party leader Mike Bernier praised the nomination, describing Jhaj as a “strong, community-minded candidate who understands that politics should be about serving people, listening to their concerns and getting things done.” He added that she “brings energy, integrity and a commitment to building a better future for this community.”

Prior Political Activity and Community Roots

A long-standing Fraser Valley resident who previously lived in Penticton, Jhaj brings a varied history of political campaigns to the race. She previously sought the BC Liberals nomination for Abbotsford South in 2020 and ran for the NDP in that same riding in 2013. Her earlier electoral attempts include running for the NDP in Boundary-Similkameen in 2009 and serving as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate for Skeena—Bulkley Valley during the 2021 federal election, where she earned 7.7 per cent of the vote to finish fourth. Federal Liberal Party records show she served on the Mission–Matsqui–Abbotsford Electoral District Association board of directors as of November 2025.

At the municipal level, Jhaj advocated before Abbotsford city council in 2021 to honor the 1914 Komagata Maru incident. That effort led the city to commemoratively rename a portion of South Fraser Way to Komagata Maru Way in 2023, in partnership with local cultural and historical organizations.

Expanding Candidate Field

According to reports from Alberni Valley News, Kelowna Capital News, Vernon Morning Star, and Penticton Western News, Jhaj joins a ballot that includes Conservative Party of B.C. leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay and former NDP MLA Pam Alexis.

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BC STORIES

Discover the Hidden Beauty of New Brunswick’s Waterfalls Through Drone and On-the-Ground Video

CBC videographer Roger Cosman explores New Brunswick’s hidden waterfalls using drone and ground footage, with tours including Walton Glen Gorge Falls.

Published

20 hours ago

September 5, 2026

Current Editor

Exploring Provincial Waterfalls

CBC videographer Roger Cosman is traveling across New Brunswick this summer to document the province’s hundreds of natural cascades. His journey relies on drone footage and on-the-ground exploration to capture these often-secluded scenic spots.

Featured Locations and Next Destinations

Cosman’s tour has covered multiple sites, including Pabineau Falls, Sand Brook Falls, Tetagouche Falls, Lepreau Falls, Wallace Falls, Welsford Falls, Little Sheephouse Brook Falls, and Fall Brook Falls. His latest footage highlights Walton Glen Gorge Falls along the Fundy coast, with Fuller Falls scheduled as the next stop on the itinerary.

BC STORIES

Lower Mainland Illegal Gaming Investigation Leads to Charges and Cash Seizure

Two Lower Mainland residents face criminal charges after a B.C. illegal gaming house investigation yields cash, gaming gear, and illicit tobacco seizures.

Published

20 hours ago

September 5, 2026

Current Editor

Joint Investigation Uncovers Multiple Gaming Locations

An enforcement operation targeting illicit gambling in the Lower Mainland has resulted in criminal charges against two individuals. On Aug. 26, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges following an extensive probe by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit’s joint illegal gaming investigation team. The investigation originally launched in March 2023 at a single site before expanding into inquiries regarding several gaming operations.

Thousands in Cash and Illicit Goods Confiscated

Executing multiple search warrants across properties located in Burnaby and Vancouver, officers gathered substantial evidence. Police seized approximately $240,000 in Canadian currency, around 145 kilograms of illegal tobacco products, gaming equipment, gaming tables, and various electronics, such as tablets, mobile phones, laptops, and digital video recorders. Officials confirmed that all confiscated equipment and illicit proceeds have been forfeited to the province.

Court Appearances Pending for Accused

Facing charges under section 201(1) of the Criminal Code for keeping a common gaming house are Shahrouz Younesi, 54, of Burnaby, and Xiaoyi Karen Zhang, 46, of Vancouver. In addition to the gaming charge, Younesi is charged with selling unstamped tobacco products. Both individuals are expected to appear in court on a future date.

BC STORIES

Police Warn Ontario Homicide Suspect Believed to Be Hiding in Remote B.C. Backcountry

First-degree murder charges issued for Joseph Madore and Brayton Kennedy in Ontario homicide. Madore is believed to be hiding in remote B.C. backcountry.

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

Current Editor

Upgraded Charges and Active Search

Two men wanted in connection with an Ontario homicide are now facing upgraded charges of first-degree murder as they remain on the run, according to an announcement by the Ontario Provincial Police on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Joseph Madore, 34, and Brayton Kennedy, 28, both hailing from Ottawa, were previously facing second-degree murder charges. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of both men, and authorities are warning the public that they remain at large.

Potential Locations and Local Connections

Investigators believe Madore may be in British Columbia, potentially camping or travelling through remote backcountry regions. He is reported to have ties to several B.C. communities, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Terrace, and Richmond. Kennedy is believed to potentially be in New Brunswick.

The search has previously touched B.C. soil. Following a search of a rural property in Terrace this past June, the RCMP alongside Ontario Provincial Police confiscated two firearms connected to the investigation. Arrest warrants for Madore and Kennedy were initially granted during the same month.

Homicide Investigation Details

The investigation began after Lanark County OPP responded to an incident at Last Duel Park in Perth, Ont., at 3:15 p.m. on April 12. Officers located 34-year-old Ottawa resident Christo Allison Richards suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a trauma centre, where he later died. Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News reported that the victim was found with life-threatening wounds in Last Duel Park in Perth, Ontario.

Two additional individuals have already been charged in relation to the case. A 46-year-old Perth resident was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in May, and 32-year-old Lyna Du of Ottawa was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Public Safety Warning

Police advise anyone who spots either suspect not to approach them and to call 911 immediately. Anyone holding information about the whereabouts of Madore or Kennedy is urged to contact the Lanark County OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.