In May 2026, the Vancouver School Board (VSB) announced that it would be providing secondary students aged 13 and older with access to Microsoft Copilot 13+, an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant. 

As October begins, universities across Canada and most of the world open high school applications for their 2027–2028 cohorts. Careful planning, as well as knowledge of application requirements, are key to maximizing your chances of getting accepted.

Secrets, suspicions, and scandals sizzled in the auditorium with Hamber’s rendition of The Crucible. Arthur Miller’s 1953 classic was adapted by Hamber’s Theatre Department and ran from May 26-29, following an escalating witch hunt in Salem, Massachusetts, and exploring themes of reputation, action, and consequences.

As the 2025/26 school year comes to a close, Hamber’s department heads, counsellors, and administrators have begun building the timetable for classes by choosing next year’s course offerings, based on students’ needs and funding requirements.

On May 6, Eric Hamber’s Senior Ultimate Team defeated Burnaby North 15–5, capturing first place at the BC School Sports Provincial Championships. The win came after a season of perseverance, hard work, and focus from the team, who surmounted countless challenges to get the banner.

On May 8, the opening of Hamber’s Art Gallery took place. Over 300 of Hamber’s visual arts students were involved, collaborating on artworks to display in the new space.

The Eric Hamber Senior Girls Badminton Team concluded its 2026 season with a fourth-place finish at the BC School Sports Badminton Provincial Championships, which were held in Burnaby from May 27–29. The result marks the team’s second consecutive year finishing fourth in the province, reinforcing their position amongst the province’s strongest secondary school badminton teams.

Throughout the school year, Hamber students have participated in a variety of intramural sports, including basketball, ultimate frisbee, and handball. The program is open to all students regardless of athletic experience.

On Oct. 25, the BC Conservatives secured an electoral majority following a snap election called by then-BC New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader David Eby, whose party has held the most seats in the legislature for the last nine years.

On Oct. 17, municipal elections were held across BC. In Vancouver, the Green Party’s Pete Fry was elected mayor, replacing Ken Sim of ABC Vancouver. Several other key races also played out across the province, and results are summarized below.

The Vancouver School Board’s (VSB) high school teachers have voted 98.6 per cent in favour of a statement of non-confidence in VSB Superintendent Helen McGregor and Secretary-Treasurer Flavia Coughlan.

The 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup has begun, and Canada’s team includes four players from BC. According to FIFA, Canada is in Group C, alongside Brazil, Norway, and Ghana, with players born in either 2009 or 2010 eligible for the team, according to Soccer Canada.

On May 11, Telus announced plans to construct BC’s first cluster of major AI data centres. Together, the data centres are projected to require approximately 150 megawatts of electricity at full capacity by 2032, equivalent to a continuous annual consumption of about 1.31 terawatt-hours, if operated at that level year-round.

In connection with the Tumbler Ridge shooting, multiple lawsuits have been filed against OpenAI, following media reports that ChatGPT provided guidance on how to carry out the shooting and OpenAI did not inform law enforcement.

On Sept. 23, Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed in an interview to The New York Times that he had been looking over and discussing courses of action in the event of “US-led military action.” Carney said that his review of military plans is precautionary, stating that he has “a responsibility in these roles to look at the tail risk,” with said tail risk being the small chance of a US-led invasion of Canada.

On Sept. 27, three days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a group of 20 to 30 people gathered at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc reserve, displaying a controversial banner that drew widespread condemnation from politicians and the community. CBC News classified the individuals as white nationalists.

On Oct. 21, Elections Alberta announced the final results of the Alberta Sovereignty Referendum. Alberta’s future was decided with a landslide win for “remain in Canada.” 75.1 per cent of Albertans voted to remain, while 24.9 per cent voted to take steps towards leaving Canada.

On Oct. 1, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced that the West Coast Oil Pipeline project has been designated a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act.

On Oct. 5, Quebecers took to the polls to vote for a new Premier and National Assembly of Quebec, which serves as the legislative body for the province. The Parti Québécois (PQ), the historically separatist party of Quebec, won a minority government, winning 59 of the 127 seats in the National Assembly. Despite earning 28 per cent of the popular vote, the PQ was able to secure 46 per cent of seats, due to vote splitting among other parties.

On Sept. 16, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become an “associate member” of the European Union (EU). 

On Oct. 6, more than 250,000 people protested on the streets of France for student rights, which grew the movement nationwide, according to figures from France’s Interior Ministry. Protests began in mid-September at a Paris-region high school, fuelled by frustration over poor conditions in public schools.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Uganda, a new outbreak of Ebola was discovered on May 16.

In early May, international popstar Dua Lipa filed a lawsuit against Korean tech giant Samsung for a minimum of $15 million. The singer alleges that Samsung unlawfully used a copyrighted image of her on a cardboard box used to package the company’s televisions. 

A group of international researchers has reported a significant advance in the understanding of dementia. Comprised of researchers from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, also known as Inserm, the Université de Bordeaux, and the Université de Moncton, the group created a tool that temporarily increased mitochondrial activity in animals that showed signs of neurodegenerative disease.

David Anthony Burke, better known as 21-year-old musical artist D4vd — who was charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez — had his preliminary hearing delayed due to the massive volume of evidence prosecutors need to examine beforehand.

The Carolina Hurricanes (Canes) are playing the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. This marks Vegas’ third time representing the West in the finals since the team’s inaugural season in 2017 and Carolina's first Cup final appearance since 2006, which they won against Edmonton.

On May 7, information from over 8,000 universities across the world was put at risk after the learning management system Canvas, owned by educational technology company Instructure, was hacked.

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held from May 12–16 in Vienna, Austria. The contest saw performances from 35 participants, concluding with a win from Bulgaria.

The defending American League Championship Series (ALCS) winner Toronto Blue Jays are back on the diamond for the start of the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. After a heartbreaking game-seven World Series defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Jays are undoubtedly hoping to make a return to the playoffs.