As British Columbia lays out plans to shed COVID-19 restrictions, the person who ensures fair access to government resources is calling for caution, especially when deciding who is eligible for relaunched services. A statement from the office of B.C.'s ombudsperson says vaccination certification programs are being explored in B.C. and in jurisdictions across Canada. Ombudsperson Jay Chalke says this raises concerns about provincial or local public services being limited based on vaccination status. The organization representing the public advocates across Canada has released guidance about ho

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 289 new cases, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 142,636 cases in British Columbia."There are 3,782 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. A further 137,062 people who tested positive have recovered."Of the active cases, 301 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 93 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in

Vancouver Police are investigating the city’s seventh homicide of 2021, after a 59-year-old man was stabbed to death in an east-side home Saturday morning. VPD officers were called to the home, near Joyce Street and Vanness Avenue, around 2:30 a.m. Saturday for reports that a man had been injured. When officers arrived, they found the victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was taken to hospital, but died Monday. Rajesh Narayan, 38, was arrested on Saturday by VPD officers and is now charged with second degree murder. Investigators believe the suspect and the victim knew each other.

The British Columbia government has introduced a four-step restart plan in a gradual return to normality when more people are vaccinated against COVID-19. Here are the steps set out by the province: Step 1: What's allowed on Tuesday with 60 per cent of the population having received one dose of a vaccine.— A maximum of five visitors or one household are allowed to gather indoors. Ten people are allowed for outdoor personal gatherings and 50 people for seated outdoor organized gatherings with safety protocols.— Recreational travel is only permitted within a resident's travel region.— Indo

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is calling on the public to help further its investigation into the shooting death of 42-year-old Mir Aali Hussain in Coquitlam, B.C. Coquitlam: On May 22, 2021 at around 5:30 p.m., the Coquitlam RCMP responded to reports of a shooting near Hart Street and Henderson Avenue. Police found a man, later identified as 42-year-old Mir Aali Hussain, on the ground beside his white 2020 Toyota Highlander (stock photo attached) with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at scene. A stolen 2002 red Buick Century (actual photos attached), with only one h

Vancouver Police issued more than $11,000 in fines Sunday morning for violating the public health order that bans social gatherings inside a residence. "We have made it very clear that we will not tolerate incidents were people deliberately contravene the public health orders set out by the Province," says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD "When someone blatantly ignores the law and puts others at risk of contracting COVID-19, we will use our legal avenues to hold them accountable."Several calls were made to police for reports of a loud party coming from a suite at 1200 West Georgia Street on May

Vancouver Police officers thwarted a break-in at a downtown sporting goods store Sunday morning and arrested the would-be thief as he allegedly tried to make off with more than $20,000 in merchandise."Downtown retailers have already endured so much during the pandemic, with many struggling to stay afloat and others having to reduce staff to make ends meet," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "This stolen property was likely headed for sale on the black market. Fortunately, our officers responded quickly and acted decisively to catch this thief in the act and return the stolen goods to the store

Mayor George V. Harvie sent a letter to the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General requesting action to enhance public safety during the Lower Mainland District Gang Conflict. Two options are suggested to address the immediate conflict and to curb gang activity and associated violence for the longer term:Mayor Harvie suggests providing for increased daily and weekly coverage of RCMP Air 1 helicopter. Enhancing aerial coverage will assist with a rapid response to crime scenes and the pursuit of suspects risking public safety on roadways.In addition, the Minis

An evacuation alert has been issued for more than 200 homes and businesses in southeastern British Columbia as a weekend downpour and the likelihood of more rain raise the potential for flooding in the Fairmont area. The Regional District of East Kootenay issued the alert late Monday for 229 properties in the Fairmont Hot Springs and Cold Spring Creek areas about 100 kilometres north of Cranbook. A state of local emergency has also been declared around Fairmont. More than 40 millimetres of rain fell in the area between Sunday and Monday, swelling creeks and filling debris traps along the rive