An economist says the Canadian housing market could be in for a rebound this year after a cautious 2023.
T-D Bank economist Rishi Sondhi says that optimism depends largely on the forecasts of the Bank of Canada cutting interest rates, which may begin as early as the second quarter.
Home prices softened in several areas late last year, including in the Fraser Valley.
Vancouver Realtor Tim Hill says he is optimistic of consumer sentiments slowly shifting as prices improve in recent months.
Ian Hubbard with Environment Canada says strong winds are forecast to begin in southern Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and sweep across the provinces through the day and overnight. The storm is expected to head overnight across the Cabot Strait and into southern Newfoundland, where powerful winds are also expected. Hubbard says the strongest gusts may reach up to 110 km/h and that between 50 to 80 millimetres of rain will fall.
The United Nations says violence in the Israel-occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank has risen at an unprecedented rate since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants prompted Israel to bombard the Gaza Strip. Armed groups living in Israeli settlements, deemed illegal under international law, have attacked Palestinians hundreds of times and forced more than 1,200 to leave their homes.
Officials in Cranbrook say the city's transfer station for garbage and recycling was "intentionally" set ablaze by someone who tried to break into the facility overnight. A statement from the Regional District of East Kootenay says the station has reopened after the early morning fire was snuffed out by emergency crews.
Police in Nanaimo say two people are dead after a serious single-vehicle car crash near a rural campground on Saturday morning. Nanaimo R-C-M-P say they arrived just before 9 a-m at the crash site on Nanaimo River Road, about 15 kilometres west of the Trans Canada Highway.
The Vancouver Police Department says holiday shoppers should be on the lookout for Grinch-like thieves looking to steal their Christmas gifts. In a short video posted on social media, the V-P-D says shoppers should be careful about storing gifts in vehicles because criminals are out shopping for opportunities.
One man is dead after a police-involved shooting in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Sunday night. Police say the shooting happened in the 1700 block of Riverside Road, and the section between Marshall and King roads has been closed due to the ongoing investigation.