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b-c-records-nearly-500-toxic-drug-deaths-since-jan-1-coroner
BCApr 29, 2021

B.C. records nearly 500 toxic drug deaths since Jan. 1: Coroner

Toxic drug deaths killed 158 people in British Columbia last month, pushing the total number of deaths linked in the province's overdose crisis to 498 since the start of the year. A statement releasing the figures from the BC Coroners Service and the Public Safety Ministry says the deaths in March are a 41 per cent increase over the 112 fatalities recorded in the same period last year. The deaths also mark the third consecutive month that more than five people died every day from illicit drug use in the province. The coroners service says carfentanil, which is 100 times stronger than the opio
great-champion-of-indigenous-peoples-b-c-judge-politician-thomas-berger-dies
BCApr 29, 2021

'Great champion of Indigenous peoples,' B.C. judge, politician, Thomas Berger dies

Thomas Berger, a British Columbia politician, lawyer, judge and commissioner whose work led Canada to recognize Aboriginal title to land, has died at the age of 88. In confirming the death, B.C. Premier John Horgan says Berger was a "giant," who "spent a lifetime working to address injustice." Berger was a former leader of B.C.'s New Democratic Party, and a B.C. Supreme Court justice, but it was his belief in Indigenous rights and his compassionate management of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry that confirmed his place as an icon of legal and social justice. Berger acted for Nisga'a elder
police-in-delta-recover-two-trucks-and-two-trailers-stolen-from-different-locations
BCApr 29, 2021

Police in Delta recover two trucks and two trailers stolen from different locations

Police in Delta say they worked with other police departments to recover two trucks and two trailers stolen from different locations last Monday. They say police traced two trucks and one of the trailers to Langley the next day, and the remaining trailer was later found in Abbotsford. They say the last trailer was full of appliances worth about 280-thousand dollars, all of which police were able to recover, except a single microwave. Police say it seemed an attempt had been made at the Abbotsford property to hide a suspicious amount of large boxes. Delta police on Twitter: Delta Police pieced
b-c-hits-new-record-for-covid-19-hospitalizations-at-515-five-more-deaths
BCApr 29, 2021

B.C. hits new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations at 515, five more deaths

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in British Columbia has ticked up to 515, breaking a previous record set last week. Among those hospitalized, 171 people are in intensive care. Five more people have died after contracting the illness, pushing the death toll in the province to 1,576. The number of active infections was down to just over 8,000 as health officials reported 841 new cases on Wednesday. A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says B.C. has now administered more than 1.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, of whi
b-c-judge-says-mans-covid-rule-breaking-was-like-dealing-fentanyl-on-the-street
BCApr 28, 2021

B.C. judge says man's COVID rule breaking was like dealing fentanyl on the street

A British Columbia provincial court judge compared a man's actions breaking COVID-19 rules to selling the powerful opioid fentanyl on the street as she sentenced him. Mohammad Movassaghi was handed one day in jail, a $5,000 fine and 18 months' probation after previously pleading guilty to disobeying a court order, failing to comply with a health officer's order and unlawfully purchasing grain alcohol. Vancouver police used a search warrant in January to enter what they described as a makeshift nightclub and more than $17,000 in fines were issued against Movassaghi and his guests in the home.
surrey-rcmp-urge-caution-after-recent-cluster-of-drug-toxicity-deaths
BCApr 28, 2021

Surrey RCMP urge caution after recent cluster of drug toxicity deaths

Surrey RCMP is urging members of the public to exercise caution after a recent increase in drug toxicity deaths in Surrey. Between April 21 and April 27, 2021, Surrey RCMP were called in response to six separate deaths believed to be caused by drug toxicity. At this time, it is unknown if the deaths are related to the use of illicit substances from the same source however, it is suspected that the deaths are linked to the use of fentanyl/heroin (opiates). Five of the six decedents were located in private residences and it is believed that they were using drugs alone. Sadly, there have been 7
b-c-workers-now-eligible-for-three-hours-of-paid-leave-to-get-covid-19-immunizations
BCApr 28, 2021

B.C. workers now eligible for three hours of paid leave to get COVID-19 immunizations

Workers in British Columbia can receive up to three hours of paid leave in order to get a COVID-19 vaccination. A statement from the Ministry of Labour says amendments to the Employment Standards Act are now in effect, retroactive to April 19. The employer-paid leave covers full-time and part-time workers and the ministry says it ensures no employee will lose pay for taking time off to get vaccinated. The three-hour leave is part of B.C.'s immunization plan and the statement says it helps make the vaccination process as easy as possible. The legislation improves on changes enacted April 1 tha
premier-horgan-and-minister-of-labour-harry-bains-remember-the-lives-lost-on-national-day-of-mourning
BCApr 28, 2021

Premier Horgan and Minister of Labour Harry Bains remember the lives lost on National Day of Mourning

Premier John Horgan and Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, have issued a statement. "Today on the National Day of Mourning, we join with people and families throughout B.C. and across Canada to remember the lives lost or forever changed by workplace injury and illness. "One hundred and fifty-one workers in B.C. lost their lives because of a work-related injury or illness in the past year. We stand together and offer our deepest condolences to the families, friends and coworkers who lost someone close to them. "COVID-19 has pushed everyone in B.C. to improve occupational health and safety practic
community-leaders-in-point-roberts-offering-up-excess-doses-of-covid-19-vaccine-to-people-in-bc
BCApr 28, 2021

Community leaders in Point Roberts offering up excess doses of COVID-19 vaccine to people in BC

Community leaders in the small town of Point Roberts, Washington, are offering up excess doses of COVID-19 vaccine to people in BC. Some British Columbians have properties in the American town that borders Canada while being cut off from the rest of the United States. Point Roberts Fire Chief Christopher Carleton says 70 per cent of residents have been immunized and the town would like to share vaccine starting with Americans living in BC and BC residents with properties in the town. Officials in Alaska recently made a similar offer to share COVID-19 vaccines with residents of Stewart, BC, wi

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carney-heading-to-the-u-k-to-talk-trade-with-world-leaders
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Carney heading to the U.K. to talk trade with world leaders

Prime Minster Mark Carney is heading to the United Kingdom this week to discuss trade ties and other geopolitical issues with world leaders. The Prime Minister's Office says Carney will be in London from Sept. 25 to 28. He's set to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the prime ministers of Iceland, Australia, Spain and Denmark. His office says he'll also sit down with business leaders and institutional investors as part of a broader push to advance trade with international partners. Carney and his ministers have worked since coming to office to deepen Canada's international ties —
missing-person-for-location-gurninder-singh
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Surrey police seeking public assistance to locate Gurninder Singh

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is requesting the public's assistance in locating a 26-year-old missing man. Gurninder Singh was last seen at 1:00 am on September 22, 2025, in the area of the Scott Road Skytrain Station and the Pattullo Bridge walking towards the bridge. He has not been seen or heard from since. Gurninder is described as a 26-year-old South Asian male, 6’0” tall, 177 pounds, with a slim build, black hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-coloured T-shirt, black pants, and a light-coloured head covering. Police and family are concerned for his well being, as
quebec-government-bans-gender-neutral-pronouns-in-official-state-documents
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Quebec government bans gender-neutral pronouns in official state documents

The Quebec government is banning the use of newly emerging gender-neutral words in all official communications. French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge says Quebec’s official language must not be “distorted.” The updated language policy applies to recently invented words including gender-neutral pronouns that are commonly used by transgender and non-binary people. It also prohibits writing words in a way that aims to be more inclusive by neutralizing gender. The government says public bodies have a duty to use exemplary French, and Roberge says the language must be easy for every
b-c-green-party-votes-in-climate-activist-emily-lowan-as-new-leader
BCSep 24, 2025

B.C. Green Party votes in climate activist Emily Lowan as new leader

Emily Lowan, a 25-year-old climate activist, is the new leader of the British Columbia Green Party. Lowan won on the first ballot with 3,189 votes, ahead of second-place Jonathan Kerr with 1,908 votes, while Adam Bremner-Akins finished third with 128 votes. She doesn't have a seat in the legislature but says she plans to run in the next ``viable'' byelection or in the next general election. Lowan says the Greens will become a ``force of nature'' and promises that it will be a ``bold and critical'' opposition party. She says her decisive mandate is a ``clear message'' that the party nee
public-service-workers-pickets-expand-to-b-c-liquor-stores
BCSep 24, 2025

Public service workers' pickets expand to B.C. liquor stores

Striking public service workers in British Columbia have expanded their picket lines to 25 Liquor Distribution Branch retail stores in the latest escalation of job action. The B.C. General Employees’ Union says more than 600 workers at the liquor stores have walked of the job across the province in an effort to push the government back to the negotiating table. The union says the store locations were chosen because they are a "significant source of government revenue."