Author: SKEENA NEWS

Terrace,BC — A year ago, Mark Carney was a figure known primarily to global financial circles; today, he stands as the most recognizable political figure in Canada. Following a year that saw him transition from private citizen to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney has been selected as The Canadian Press Newsmaker of the Year for 2025. The annual survey of newsroom editors and leaders across the country was a landslide, with Carney receiving 72 of the 95 votes cast. A Shifting Political Landscape The stage for Carney’s rise was set in January 2025, when former prime minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. While…

OTTAWA, ON – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a major restructuring of its business immigration streams, headlined by the upcoming closure of the popular Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program to new applicants. The changes, effective immediately, are part of the federal government’s broader 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to stabilize immigration levels and prioritize transitioning temporary residents to permanent status. Immediate Restrictions on SUV Work Permits Effective December 19, 2025, IRCC is no longer accepting applications for the optional work permit previously available to SUV applicants. The only exceptions to this new rule are: The Countdown to SUV Program Closure The…

TERRACE, B.C. — The Terrace RCMP has launched an urgent, high-priority search for Cheyenne Boyd, a 16-year-old Indigenous youth reported missing on December 18, 2025. As the investigation enters its second day, police are deploying specialized units and a multi-platform media strategy to ensure her safe return, emphasizing that community-based intelligence is now the most critical factor in the search.The disappearance has triggered immediate concern due to the harsh December climate and the statistical risks facing Indigenous youth in Northern B.C.. The Terrace RCMP’s Indigenous Policing Service (IPS) is currently coordinating with the Tsimshian Nation and other local First Nations to extend search efforts into…

TELKWA, B.C. — The Village of Telkwa has become the center of a major criminal investigation following a large-scale break and enter that resulted in the theft of approximately $37,000 worth of recreational vehicles, industrial tools, and power equipment. The incident, which targeted a primary residence and a detached garage, has been characterized by the Smithers RCMP as a significant breach of security, highlighting the evolving tactics of rural theft rings. The investigation, led by Constable Jocelyn Foidart of the Smithers RCMP, has transitioned into a forensic-heavy phase. Investigators have processed the scene and obtained “trace evidence,” a move that often includes the…

SKEENA NEWS ANALYSIS – In the remote corridors of Northern British Columbia, the sourcing of poultry has evolved from a simple retail logistic into a critical pillar of regional protein security. As traditional food sources like sockeye salmon and moose face ecological pressures, chicken—both industrially produced and locally raised—has become a foundational element of the northern diet. A new report provides a comprehensive look at the interplay between centralized industrial supply chains and a growing decentralized movement toward food sovereignty across the Skeena and Kitimat-Stikine districts. The Logistical Gap: 1,000 Kilometers to the Shelf The poultry industry in British Columbia is highly…

TORONTO, ON — Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport recently intercepted a traveler attempting to smuggle a large sum of undeclared currency into the country. The individual, arriving from the United Kingdom, was denied entry into Canada after officers discovered British currency equivalent to $38,700 CAD concealed inside a portable speaker. The seizure was conducted as part of the CBSA’s mandate to disrupt the flow of suspected proceeds of crime. Under Canadian law, travelers are required to declare any currency or monetary instruments valued at $10,000 CAD or morewhen entering or leaving the country. What Happens to the Seized…

VANCOUVER, B.C. – A “vigorous cold front” bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall has left approximately 120,000 BC Hydro customers without power across the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast as of Wednesday morning, December 17, 2025. This marks the third major weather-related outage event this week, placing immense strain on restoration crews already working in challenging conditions. Hardest-Hit Areas and School Closures The storm generated peak wind gusts of up to 100 km/h in parts of the Fraser Valley and 80 km/h across Metro Vancouver. The massive surge in outages was largely caused by treefall onto power lines, poles, and other electrical infrastructure, a problem exacerbated by several…

OTTAWA, ON – Canada has experienced its largest quarterly population drop since the COVID-19 pandemic, a direct consequence of the federal government’s aggressive measures to rein in temporary migration. New estimates from Statistics Canada, released Wednesday, show the national population fell by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2025 (July 1 to September 30). The total population now stands at 41.6 million, down from 41.65 million in July. This marks a dramatic turning point for a country that has historically relied on high immigration levels for economic growth. The only other quarterly decline on record occurred in 2020 and was attributed to…

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – As organized crime continues to tighten its grip on Northern British Columbia, the province has announced the establishment of a dedicated specialized policing unit: the North District Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (ND UGET). The announcement, made on December 16, 2025, by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), marks a strategic shift in addressing the region’s unique public safety challenges. Based in Prince George, the team will be permanently stationed in the North, allowing for faster response times and a sustained presence in rural and remote communities. Combatting “Poly-Criminality” and Drug Networks Police report that…

TERRACE, B.C. — As municipal governments across British Columbia continue to face rising infrastructure costs, housing pressures, and growing social complexity, 2025 marked a consequential year for the City of Terrace under Mayor Sean Bujtas and Council. A review of council decisions, financial plans, court outcomes, and capital project execution shows that the past year represented a decisive shift from long-term planning into tangible results. Council’s efforts were rigidly aligned with the five core pillars of the 2023-2026 Corporate Strategic Plan: Responsible Asset Management, Grow Revenues & Economic Development, Livable Community, Community Wellness, and Organizational Strength. A Landmark Legal and…