Health officials in British Columbia are asking people to spread the message of respect and tolerance, not COVID-19 when they gather at any anti-racism protests. Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that those who are speaking out against racism after the death of a black man in Minneapolis should keep physical distancing rules in mind. They say limiting gatherings to 50 people reduces the risk of infection, whether at a grocery store, on a patio or at demonstrations. Henry and Dix also announced 22 new cases of COVID-19 on Wedn

On June 2, 2020 just after 3:00 a.m., the Surrey RCMP received a report of an injured woman who had been transported to Surrey Memorial Hospital, in medical distress.Despite all efforts by medical professionals the woman succumbed to her injuries. While the cause of death and circumstances surrounding the woman’s injuries are still under investigation, they are being treated as suspicious. The Integrated Homicide InvestigationTeam will be investigating this occurrence in partnership with the Surrey RCMP. Based on the investigative theory in this initial phase, this does not appear to be a ra

Premier John Horgan says he was horrified to see what happened to George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck. Horgan told a media briefing today that the province strives to make sure police treat everyone equally, but he acknowledged there have been issues in B.C. The premier says despite attempts to address it, racism exists in the province. He's encouraging those who want to join anti-racism protests in B.C. to follow physical distancing rules and wear a mask so they don't potentially expose others to COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is coming under fire for refusing to outright condemn US President Donald Trump's handling of the escalating anti-racism protests across the U-S. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet says Trudeau's more than 20 second pause when asked about Trump's actions, followed by a response on the need to battle racism in Canada, was irresponsible and hypocritical. But former Green Party leader Elizabeth May says she understands Trudeau is in a difficult position because of the need to maintain trade relations with the US.

The three other Minneapolis police officers involved in the arrest that led to the death of George Floyd are now being charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao had been fired along with Derek Chauvin, who was seen on video pressing his knee into the black man's neck for several minutes. Chauvin was originally charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, but those counts are now upgraded to a charge of second-degree murder.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland wants anyone planning to attend upcoming anti-racism rallies to make sure they are taking care not to catch COVID-19. Events are planned in Ottawa and Toronto and several other cities across the country. Her comments come as George Floyd's family demanded the arrest of all four police officers involved in his death. The Floyd family visited a makeshift shrine this morning at the Minneapolis street corner where Floyd died on May 25th. A white police officer pressed a knee on the black man's neck as he pleaded for air.

The Canadian Armed Forces has ended its mission to recover the wreckage of the Cyclone helicopter that crashed off the coast of Greece in April. Maritime Component commander Rear-Admiral Craig Baines says the remains of some of the service members who were on board when the helicopter went down were recovered. They will be returned to Canada this weekend for identification. Baines says wreckage from the helicopter was also recovered, with the focus on debris that flight-safety investigators believed could help determine the cause of the crash. Baines says the military decided not to raise som

The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against Minneapolis Police and the Minnesota State Patrol, alleging police have violated the rights of journalists covering the protests in response to the death of George Floyd. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU of Minnesota on Wednesday, alleges a ``pattern and practice of conduct by law enforcement,'' which the organization says, ``tramples on the Constitution.'' The lawsuit's lead plaintiff is Jared Goyette, a freelance journalist who says he was shot in the face by a rubber bullet fired by police.The suit outlines the number of journalis

The top RCMP officer at the detachment in Kelowna, BC, says a video circulating on social media that appears to show one of his officers punching a combative driver doesn't tell the full story.The video was filmed by a passerby and shows two officers wrestling with a man in a local parking lot on Saturday, and when a third officer arrives, he hits the man in the face.Superintendent Brent Mundle says he recognizes that the tactics in the video are shocking to many people and it's always the intention to make a peaceful arrests.But he says when circumstances require it, officers may have to use