BC STORIES

UBC Issues Emergency Security Warning Following Global Canvas Cyberattack

UBC warns students to change passwords after a massive global Canvas cyberattack by ShinyHunters impacts 15,000 institutions and 275 million records.

Published

4 months ago

May 7, 2026

Current News Room

Immediate Precautions for UBC Students

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has issued an urgent security warning to its student body and faculty following an apparent cyberattack targeting Canvas, the university’s primary learning management platform. In an official communication shared via social media and the university’s IT status page, officials confirmed that the platform is currently unavailable due to a significant breach involving Instructure, the third-party provider that operates Canvas. UBC community members have been explicitly instructed to refrain from logging into the service until further notice. For those who were already logged in during the time of the breach, the university is mandating an immediate logout and a comprehensive password reset of Campus-Wide Login (CWL) credentials.

A Massive Global Data Theft

While the local impact at UBC is currently being assessed, reports suggest that this incident is part of a much larger, global security crisis. Cyber-intelligence outlets, including TechCrunch and Hackread, have reported that a notorious threat actor known as ShinyHunters claims responsibility for the intrusion. The scale of the theft is staggering: approximately 3.65 terabytes of data involving 275 million records have allegedly been exfiltrated from Instructure’s systems. This breach is estimated to affect around 15,000 educational institutions worldwide, ranging from the University of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK to Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia in the United States.

The Sensitive Nature of Stolen Data

What makes this particular cyberattack especially concerning is the depth of the data involved. According to security researchers, the stolen records go beyond basic directory information. The breach reportedly includes billions of private messages exchanged between students and instructors, potentially exposing sensitive academic discussions, personal grievances, and confidential grading information. At UBC, the IT team is asking any students who logged into the system after 12:00 p.m. on the day of the attack to contact security@ubc.ca immediately. As the university works alongside global security experts to mitigate the fallout, students are encouraged to remain vigilant against phishing attempts and monitor their accounts for any unauthorized activity.

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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.