Summary of "Online luring victim speaks out | CTV News Vancouver at Six for May 13, 2026"
Summary of Main News Points (CTV News Vancouver at Six — May 13, 2026)
1) Pipeline talks: carbon pricing deal and BC’s competitive concerns
- CTV reports the federal and Alberta governments are close to announcing an agreement that would lower Alberta’s industrial carbon tax (from a projected $170/ton in 2030 to $130/ton by 2040).
- BC Premier David Eby says the central issue is that Alberta would effectively receive a carbon-price “discount” that puts BC at a competitive disadvantage. He argues that if carbon policy changes are national, they should involve the whole country.
- Prime Minister Mark Carney would not confirm the deal, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says discussions went well.
- Other hurdles remain before pipeline construction can proceed:
- No private proponent and uncertainty around route selection
- First Nations opposition to lifting the existing oil tanker ban, especially if routes to the North Coast (with fears of court cases and direct action)
- A southern route remains an alternative
- Overall: momentum is increasing for a pipeline project that seemed unlikely 18 months ago, but BC’s concerns—especially around carbon policy and First Nations impacts—are not resolved.
2) Vancouver Whitecaps future: stakeholders meet to keep the franchise in BC
- A meeting involving the province, city, three local First Nations, and White Caps/MLS executives reportedly lasted about two hours to discuss keeping Vancouver from losing the franchise.
- A key obstacle cited is the lack of a soccer-specific stadium.
- Ravi Kahlon (representing the province) says the goal is a multi-year commitment to keep the team in BC and determine how government can assist.
- An open letter from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade urges businesses to join efforts to keep the Whitecaps.
- The process has been largely behind closed doors, frustrating fans.
- Context: a proposed buyer from Nevada is tied to plans for a stadium in Las Vegas, adding urgency.
3) Online luring and sexual assault case: victim speaks out; justice uncertain
- An Indigenous young woman referred to as “Sarah” (not identified), who has a developmental disability, speaks publicly for the first time after an alleged online grooming and sexual assault.
- Family says she communicated with a man online for about two months, then was convinced to leave home and go meet him in Kamloops.
- Her account includes:
- instructions to sneak out quietly (including removing shoes)
- coaching on what to write in a note
- a belief that her phone was taken so she couldn’t be tracked
- a sexual assault after arriving at his home
- A man, Joashar Gene Malhotra (24), has been charged with one count of sex assault and remains wanted on an outstanding warrant; police say they believe he may no longer be in the country.
- Police charges are not yet proven in court.
- Sarah’s mother calls the system and targeting of vulnerable people “unfair,” and Sarah hopes her story helps warn other girls and women about online safety.
4) Suriri violence: extortion-related shooting charges; teen death remembered
- Two men face charges connected to an extortion-related shooting at a home in Suriri:
- shootings occurred shortly after midnight on April 22
- police say extortion threats occurred beforehand
- Dumjet Singh (22) and Partaman Singh (30) remain in custody
- charges include discharging a firearm and possessing a restricted/prohibited firearm without a license
- A separate case highlights a teenager (16) and another teen (18) killed during gang violence in a townhouse complex:
- the 18-year-old is described by a mentor as compassionate and trying to leave gang influence
- the investigation is ongoing, with no suspects identified
5) BC overdose data: continued fentanyl-linked deaths; March remains high
- New data from the BC Coroner’s Service reports 135 deaths from suspected drug toxicity in March (over 4 per day).
- While down from 150 in January, it’s up from 116 in February.
- Key details:
- Nearly 80% of deaths are men
- Most involve people aged 30–59
- Most deaths occur indoors
- Deaths are linked to fentanyl and analogues
- Since 2016 (when BC declared toxic drug deaths a public health emergency): over 18,600 lives.
6) BC Ferries gearing up for peak season disruptions; World Cup increases pressure
- BC Ferries expects one of its busiest summers ever, with the World Cup likely increasing passenger volumes.
- Reported recurring peak-period issues include:
- Easter weekend cancellations due to vessel shortages, high winds, and mechanical issues
- Disruption-reduction steps include:
- refits on 22 vessels
- terminal upgrades
- hiring 630+ seasonal employees
- A key limitation: if a ship is removed from service, there is no “substitute ship”—peak season is compared to playing the full 90 minutes with no bench.
- Advice: passengers should check sailing status before traveling.
7) Richmond track meet controversy: ribbons scrapped; superintendent responds
- The Richmond School District faces backlash after changes to an elementary track meet:
- ribbons scrapped
- boys and girls competing together
- Superintendent says changes are intended to be more inclusive, based on feedback from students and teachers.
- A June survey will determine whether the changes remain.
- Some students/parents criticize reduced motivation; at least one online petition has surpassed 2,000 signatures.
8) Canadian women’s track cycling: program paused; appeal filed
- The Canadian Women’s Track Cycling Pursuit Team won’t compete at an upcoming World Championships despite qualifying, because Cycling Canada paused the program.
- Five cyclists filed an appeal with the Sport Dispute Resolution Center of Canada, challenging the performance/comparative data used for the decision.
- Implication: jeopardizes the first major qualifying opportunity for the 2028 LA Olympics.
9) Legal updates: foreign interference acquittal (William Mer)
- Former RCMP member William Mer was found not guilty in a foreign interference case.
- The judge ruled the Crown failed to prove he intended to act primarily for the PRC’s benefit, or that he was directed by the Chinese government.
- The ruling reportedly relied heavily on an FBI-intercepted email chain; the email did not name the alleged target.
10) Matthew Perry case: ketamine supplier Eric Fleming sentenced
- Eric Fleming (56), a licensed drug counselor who supplied ketamine linked to Matthew Perry’s 2023 death, was sentenced to two years in prison.
- The medical examiner determined Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning listed as a secondary cause.
11) Green Party warns about new AI data centers: “pause” requested
- Emily Lohen, leader of BC’s Green Party, calls for a pause on recently announced AI data centers.
- She argues BC is using a “build first, regulate later” approach.
- Concerns include water usage, energy capacity, and risks to environmental and health outcomes.
12) Web Summit in Vancouver: tax-funded event and investor follow-through questioned
- Web Summit has taken over the Vancouver Convention Centre, supported by millions in public/tax dollars.
- The reporting questions whether the conference produces meaningful investment:
- investors say relationships form quickly
- success may depend on longer-term KPIs measured over subsequent years
- The story includes startups seeking investor connections, including those focused on water-related solutions relevant to remote communities and First Nations.
13) Other community items (brief)
- Campfire ban lifted early in parts of BC due to reduced wildfire hazard, though some categories remain restricted; crews report ongoing progress on multiple wildfires.
- Additional community coverage:
- weather forecasts
- RBC “We are Wednesday” at a Vancouver Canadians game supporting local charities
- pet adoption segment (BC SPCA)
- Artemis 2 crew visits Ottawa
- FIFA Museum soccer/technology exhibit at Science World
- additional sports updates
Presenters / Contributors (as named in the subtitles)
- Nafisa Karim (anchor)
- Mij Jung (off tonight)
- Rob Buffam
- Ben Milder
- Michelle Bernardo
- Isabella Zavaresi
- Martin McMahon
- Craig Krauss
- Ben Nesbet
- Penny Dafflos
- Anne (weather segment; first name not fully shown)
- Sylvia Keroot (RBC “We are Wednesday” segment)
- Lauren (late local news preview host; referenced as “Catch Lauren at 11:30”)
- Adam Sawatsky
- Maggie Olsen Moore, Eric Weeb, Chelsea Turner, Tom (appearing in the “Sawatsky signoff” story)
Category
News and Commentary
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