Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia."Today, we are reporting 471 new cases, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 69,716 cases in British Columbia."There are 4,423 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. There are 253 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 70 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation."Currently, 6,886 people are under active public health monito

A suspect has been arrested in an alleged sexual assault at a park in Surrey. The RCMP says a man in Pioneer Park was accused of groping a youth early yesterday afternoon. They say a 65 year old man was arrested but is to be released with several conditions including not attending Surrey schools or parks. The Mounties say charges have not yet been laid, as the investigation is ongoing. Surrey RCMP on Twitter: Investigators have now identified and arrested a 65 year old suspect in the groping incident from Feb 4. Thank you to the public and media for sharing the original post with photos which

Trudeau says Canada is "very much on track" to receive a total of six million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine doses by the end of March, as planned, and that the CEOs of both pharmaceutical companies have reassured him they'll meet that target. He also says the Liberal government has approved a request for help from the Pauingassi First Nation in northern Manitoba and that the military will arrive by Saturday at the latest. Soldiers will provide logistical support, transport goods and medical supplies, and conduct wellness checks. Canada is one of the leading donors to COVAX: PM

The Oscar-winning Canadian acting legend, Christopher Plummer, whose storied career encompassed stage, television and film, has died. He was 91. Plummer's wife Elaine says he died "peacefully" at his home in Connecticut after suffering a fall two weeks ago. He was perhaps best-known for portraying Captain Georg von Trapp in "The Sound of Music," a part he never liked because he considered it wooden and one-dimensional. Plummer won his first Academy Award at the age of 82 for his supporting role as a widower who comes out of the closet in "Beginners." After the win in 2012, Plummer dismissed t

BC's top doctor says current provincewide health orders on gatherings will remain in place until at least the end of the month. Dr. Bonnie Henry says just one super-spreader event or a slight increase in contacts could counteract all progress made so far to slow the spread of COVID-19, especially as two variants of the virus have been identified here. She says restrictions must stay so there's a smooth finish as more vaccines are available. Dr. Henry says an easing of restrictions could be considered by the end of February, to allow people to spend time with their safe six. Health Minister Ad

A gang enforcement team has been formed by Burnaby RCMP as the top Mountie in the city says gang activity there has leaped 30 per cent in one year. Chief Superintendent Deanne Burleigh says Burnaby has seen six stabbings, nine shootings and three gang-related homicides since the start of 2020. She announced the new unit as RCMP investigate the latest targeted shooting that killed 32 year old Chris Kenworthy on Wednesday evening. Homicide detectives say Kenworthy, who is known to them, was attacked in his vehicle in southeast Burnaby and although the slaying was not random, they say it's too e

The body of the man who was killed in a mud-rush incident at the New Afton Mine near Kamloops has been recovered. Contract driller Ray Rosenberg was identified by family as the victim but mine owner New Gold says it will not be releasing a name because of personal and privacy reasons. The company confirmed that a body was recovered around 5:30 pm Wednesday evening. It was almost 40 hours after the incident happened early on Tuesday morning. All underground mining and surface activities remain suspended as the investigation into the incident continues.

Police in New Westminster have arrested a man wanted on a Canada wide warrant for second-degree murder out of Calgary. Police say they found the 19 year old suspect, Michael Elendu, at a home in the city and arrested him without incident. Elendu was being sought in connection with the murder of 20 year old Kyreese Wright, who was found stabbed to death the morning of December 16th in Calgary. Elendu was transported to New Westminster police department cells and he will be returned to Calgary to face the charge there. New Westminster Police Department on Twitter: Second degree murder suspect f

Statistics Canada says the economy lost almost 213,000 jobs in January as employment fell to the lowest level since August last year, wiping out the gains made in the fall.The unemployment rate rose 0.6 percentage points to 9.4 per cent, the highest rate since August. Financial data firm Refinitiv says the average economist estimate was for a loss of 47,500 jobs in January and an unemployment rate of 8.9 per cent.The losses were almost entirely concentrated in Ontario and Quebec, and mostly in the retail sector as lockdowns and restrictions closed many businesses.Employment declines were heav