Yay, nay, or throw vote away

EDMONTON — Premier Jason Kenney’s government is changing voting rules at the Alberta legislature about one year after a bruising debate regarding abstentions on a bill about abortion clinics.

Right now, Alberta legislators can say yes or no to proposed legislation, but must physically leave the chamber if they don’t want to vote at all.

Government house leader Jason Nixon said Friday that procedural changes to be introduced and voted on by all members next week will include allowing politicians to remain in their seats and abstain.

The abstentions would not be noted in the official record.

Body found after shed fire

SURREY — A body has been found following a fire at a homeless camp in Surrey.

RCMP say in a news release says flames broke out early Friday morning in a shed at an encampment not far from Surrey Memorial Hospital.

The victim was discovered inside the shed when the fire was out.

Members of the RCMP’s serious crimes unit are investigating while Surrey Fire Services determines the cause of the blaze. Cpl. Elenore Sturko says the BC Coroners Service is working to identify the person killed.

1 dead, 3 injured in crashes

VANCOUVER — One man has been killed and two others have serious injuries after a two-car crash in Coquitlam.

RCMP say the accident happened around 7:30 p.m. Thursday when one vehicle pulled out of a parking lot and into the path of the second vehicle.

One driver died but a passenger in that car survived, along with the driver of the other car.

The crash occurred just hours after a collision on Vancouver’s west side that left a 40-year-old motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries.

Police say a transport truck turned left in front of the oncoming bike.