News
Nine people were killed and at least 25 more injured in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., yesterday. Six victims were found dead inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and another died on the way to the hospital. Two more people were found dead in a home which police believe to be connected to the school shooting. The only suspect was found dead inside the school from a self-inflicted injury. Officers believe they have identified the shooter, but say they will struggle to determine a motive for what has become one of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history.
Last night, County Council was urged to revise its code of conduct policy. Brenda Little has more.
Council heard a deputation by Paul Allan regarding Council code of conduct specific to conflict of interest, pecuniary and non pecuniary interests. He alluded to a situation in December and how his complaint was dismissed by the Integrity Commissioner. Allan urged council to amend
the Council code of conduct that has not been changed since 2019. Clerk Blumenberg informed council that work to amend is currently underway. (32 sec.)
Also at the council meeting last night, councillors heard an update about the Food for Learning program. Approximately 187,000 meals and snacks have been served, with about 833 students in 7 locations participating. Expanded this year was the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The County’s feed the meter campaign raised over $2,200 for the Food for Learning program. Also on Council’s agenda was a Visit the County presentation by Executive Director Sarah Fox. She outlined the three pillars of the program: enriching the lives of residents, hosting visitors, and growing tourism revenue. She noted an increase in STA bookings, and an upward trend in shoulder season activity. For 2026, Visit the County is focusing on bringing more tourists to the county during shoulder seasons, offering vacation packages, and encouraging visitors to
expand their geographic reach. Visitor information services will continue at the Regent and they will strive to strengthen community understanding for the visitor economy.
The project timeline for the planned rehabilitation of County Road 49 has gotten a little longer. Last night, Council discussed a funding arrangement with the province to partially fund the work to restore County Road 49. Previously, the province had announced it would be providing $20 million to the project, which is 50% of the total cost. Under that agreement, there was a deadline to tender the work by September 30 this year, and a completion deadline set for March 31, 2028. However, this original timeline only allowed for one complete construction season
between the two deadlines. In order to secure funding for the remaining half of the cost and to allow enough time to complete the project, the municipality and the province agreed to extend the construction deadline by nine months to December 31, 2028. After receiving a report on the new timeline for the project, council voted without debate to approve an amended funding agreement with the province, reflecting the new deadline.
Finally, County Council’s Committee of the Whole will be meeting tomorrow afternoon at 1 in Shire Hall. On the agenda: a request for a property tax waiver for affordable rental housing in Wellington; the final report from the Climate Action Working Group; and a report on the 2028 County Transit Strategy.
Sports
The Wellington Dukes lost 5 – 1 to the West Conference’s Caledon Admirals yesterday afternoon. Although the Dukes are in sixth place and a playoff spot in the East Conference, they still haven’t clinched yet.
The Picton Pirates were also at home yesterday, and also lost, 3 – 1, to the Port Hope Panthers. On a five-game losing streak, the Pirates remain fifth in the East Tod Division.
At the Olympics, Canada has one silver and two bronze medals, for 13th in the medal standings. Canada will have its sights set on podium finishes in figure skating, speedskating, and freestyle skiing today. And men’s curling gets underway, with Brad Jacobs’ rink opening against Germany in round-robin play.
Tonight in the NBA, the Toronto Raptors play the last in a five-game home stand, against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. Thus far, the Raptors have won three of four games. They sit fifth in the Conference.
In Canadian tennis news, Victoria Mboko has reached the round of 16 at the Qatar Open as the 10th seed. She entered the tournament with a career-high world ranking of No. 13. Seventh-seeded Denis Shapovalov breezed to an opening-round victory at the Dallas Open last night, to advance to the round of 16.
In MLS pre-season action yesterday, CF Montreal won 4 – 2 over the Philadelphia Union, last year’s Eastern Conference champions. This morning, Toronto FC lost 1 – 0 to Norwegian side Fredrikstag.
Finally, if it’s February, it must be time for MLB’s spring training. Pitchers and catchers will report to the Toronto Blue Jays’ training facility today.
