In 2024, British Columbia witnessed a series of events that shaped its social, political, and environmental landscape and will impact its position in Canada in 2025. Here are the top 10 news stories that left an indelible mark on the province:
NDP’s Narrow Election Victory: The 2024 British Columbia elections were close and tense. Polls predicted a tight race between the David Eby led NDP and the Conservative Party, led by John Rustad. The polls were right, as no clear winner emerged after the initial count in B.C. Both parties fell short of winning the required 47 seats to form a government. Also, there were some shocking outcomes with NDP losing almost 70 percent of its seats in Surrey. However, after the final count the NDP narrowly won 47 seats, edging out the British Columbia Conservative Party’s 44 seats. Premier Eby later called it a “near death experience.” Eby acknowledged the narrow victory in a statement immediately after the results of the initial vote count. He said, “To British Columbians who voted for change, I hear you and the serious message you have sent. We have not done enough and we must do better.”
Canada India fall out due to Nijjar death: The Involvement of the agents of Government of India in the homicide of Surrey Gurdwara president Hardeep Singh Nijjar had already been pointed last year by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canadian police arrested and charged four Indian nationals in May for the killing of Sikh leader and Khalistan supporter Nijjar who was shot to death on June 18, 2023, in British Columbia. And the Thanksgiving weekend of 2024 went down in history as a time marked by accusations, shocking revelations, and a troubling diplomatic clash between India and Canada. Experts said that relations between the two nations have reached a historic low— worse even than the tense days following the Air India bombing. It all started after Canadian police held a press conference on October 14 and alleged that Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada were linked to serious criminal activity in this country, including homicides and extortions. This time the accusations were much serious and disturbing as RCMP claimed Indian diplomats were involved in more serious crimes in Canada like extortions, use of organized crime and interference into democratic processes. Following this, Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs announced expulsion of six Indian diplomats and consular officials. Although RCMP’s accused Indian government of many crimes, Joly in her statement only mentioned decision to expel diplomats was due to Nijjar case. In response, India’s Ministry of external affairs announced that it is withdrawing its envoy, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, along with “other targeted diplomats and officials” from Canada. India also announced it was expelling six Canadian diplomats, including acting high commissioner Stewart Wheeler, and hinted that it could take further action. The Canadian officials even hinted involvement of Prime Minister Modi, however later that comment was withdrawn by Canada.
Tragic trend of fatal crashes: It’s been a deadly year on British Columbia’s highways, with a majority of the fatal crashes during the summer. The province saw a staggering 51 driving fatalities in July alone — the highest number of deaths for a single month in over a decade, according to the BC Coroners Service. The BC highway patrols and various police departments in BC reported multiple accidents on the roads of BC. These were not just accidents, they were fatal that did not spare old, young or even the infants. Sandeep Singh Cheema, 41, a Surrey resident was the victim of the two tractor trailers crash along Highway 17 and and 116 Avenue. Nineteen-year-old Saniya who arrived in Canada on July 9, 2024. However, her life was cut short on July 11 when she died in the accident on July 11, 2024.
The White Rock Horror: Two tragic incidents of stabbing, just days apart left the White Rock community shaken, concerned and feeling unsafe since the area is considered safe and the pier is one of the most popular lookout places for Lower Mainland families. Kulwinder Singh Sohi, a young Punjabi male was stabbed to death. Sohi’s stabbing came just a day after Jatinder Singh another Punjabi male was stabbed on April 21 in the evening at around 9 PM. The police located a 28-year-old victim and provided first aid until paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to a hospital by Emergency Health Services with non-life-threatening injuries. White Rock Police arrested and charged 28-year-old Dimitri Nelson Hyacinth for the incidents.
Reversal of Drug Decriminalization: The decriminalization of small amounts of illicit drugs like opioids, cocaine, and meth happened in Jan., 2023 — meant to be a three-year pilot aimed at reducing the stigma and criminalization around illicit drug use, often a barrier for users seeking help. However, there were soon growing concerns about open drug and disorder use in public spaces, even in hospitals, throughout many communities. In April of 2024, the B.C. government announced it was radically altering the pilot, with Premier David Eby saying the province was asking Ottawa to amend the federal exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that allowed the project happen. The federal government approved the B.C. government’s request in May to exempt public spaces from the province’s decriminalization pilot project, meaning police now have the authority to seize illegal drugs possessed in public, even without the provincial law. But the Harm Reduction Nurses Association and other substance-use reform advocates launched a court challenge of the B.C. law and won, saying restricting drug use in public spaces would result in more drug users dying alone. The B.C. government repealed the law. Garry Begg, B.C.’s solicitor genera, said in a statement the government has revoked the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, which was passed in November 2023. “The Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, passed in November 2023, was intended to restrict public drug use from certain areas. However, because the courts prevented it from coming into effect, it has never been brought into force. In response to public concerns, our government made a request to Health Canada last spring to change the decriminalization rules to ban open drug use in nearly all public places. People can now only possess drugs in private residences or designated health-care sites, such as overdose prevention, drug-checking, or addiction treatment service locations. An exception has also been made to support unhoused people in legal overnight sheltering locations,” Begg said in a statement.
Vancouver’s entertainment boom: Vancouver had events that no other city in the country could match in 2024. Vancouver was the only Canadian stop during The Rolling Stone’s Hackney Diamonds tour, when they rocked BC Place July 5. The city also hosted the 111th Grey Cup and the Jonas Brothers halftime show. The Vancouver Canucks made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2015, and the region held family-friendly outdoor watch parties in multiple municipalities. Meanwhile, the Rogers Arena hosted indoor watch parties for road games. 2024 eventually wrapped up with Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, creating an unprecedented buzz in the city. Vancouver was the last stop of her tour, with three separate concerts held at BC Place from Dec. 6 to 8.
New era of policing in Surrey: The years-long saga over who will police the city of Surrey finally ended. At 12:00 a.m. on November 29, 2024, Surrey Police Service (SPS) assumed responsibility for policing and law enforcement as the City of Surrey’s new police of jurisdiction. “November 29, 2024, marks the beginning of a new era of policing in Surrey, as Surrey Police Service officially becomes the City’s new police service. It’s an exciting time and a historic moment, both in policing and in the development of Surrey, as residents will have their own municipal police service for the first time since 1951,” said Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. The primary ways that residents and business owners access policing services in Surrey will not change as a result of this change to the police of jurisdiction. Police office locations and the main police phone numbers are staying the same, including 9-1-1 and non-emergency (604-599-0502). Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, called it a landmark achievement and significant milestone in Canadian policing, as it represents a key marker in the largest police transition of its kind in the country.
Hindu-Sikh Protests In Canada: A dark chapter in the history of Canada when people of Indian origin openly attacked each other in the name of religion. It all started when a group of Khalistan supporters were demonstrating outside Hindu temple in Brampton against a consular event hosted by the Consul General of India to give life certificates. According to various videos posted on social media and media reports violence erupted during the protest. Videos of fist fights and Khalistan flag bearers striking people inside the temple with poles started circulating on social media platforms. While the exact cause of the violence remains unclear, both Pro-Khalistan supporters and people at the Hindu temple blamed each other for starting the violence. In turn, it triggered reactions from some Hindus who staged demonstrations against this violence at various temples in Toronto and Surrey. Hate speeches, use of abusive language and use of violence were some of the common threads running across the protests from both sides.While some Hindus and Sikhs protested against each other, the majority of the Indo-Canadian population stood against the protests and violence whether it was demonstrated by Khalistan supporters or Hindu supporters. The sentiment of the broader community is that of Unity, as shown in statements of both from the Hindu Federation and Sikhs and Gurdwara Council and political leaders.
BC Mourns Death Of John Horgan: John Horgan, former Premier of BC who was serving as Canada’s Ambassador to Germany, died on November 12 at the age of 65, after his long battle with cancer. Horgan served as B.C.’s New Democrat premier for five years before stepping down in 2022, then was appointed ambassador last year. But in June, Horgan announced he was on leave from his diplomatic post after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Horgan’s family issued a statement on social media saying he died peacefully Tuesday morning at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. “The well-being of British Columbia and everyone in it was everything to him. He was surrounded by family and friends and love in his final days.” Horgan is survived by his wife Ellie, and sons Evan and Nate. Across BC, people are remembering the life of John Horgan. He leaves a significant legacy: he used his time to help build a better, stronger British Columbia for everyone. His many accomplishments will be felt for years and generations to come.
BC’s stringent rules for international students: Along with federal restrictions on international students, the province of British Columbia introduced more stringent rules to halt the influx of international students in the province. Under the new rules, the Province will pause approvals for two years, until February 2026, of new post-secondary institutions seeking to enrol international students. New rules for public post-secondary institutions will set expectations for maximum international student enrolment levels, tuition transparency and student supports. Public institutions will also develop and implement international education strategic plans that guide the institution’s activities, manage its enrolment level within the target, and plan support services to meet the needs of students.
