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7-024-people-died-from-illicit-drug-overdoses-since-the-public-health-emergency-declared-in-b-c
BCApr 14, 2021

7,024 people died from illicit drug overdoses since the public health emergency declared in B.C.

There are calls for more action on safe drug supplies and recovery programs from British Columbia's chief coroner and the top doctor as the province marks the fifth anniversary of the overdose crisis. Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says 7,024 people have died from illicit drug overdoses since the public health emergency was declared in April 2016 and expanded treatment options are needed immediately. She says illicit drug overdoses now rank as the fourth highest cause of death in B-C, with 43 being the average age of people dying of overdoses. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says gove
wedding-host-business-owners-fined-in-surrey-b-c-for-breaking-covid-19-orders
BCApr 14, 2021

Wedding host, business owners fined in Surrey, B.C., for breaking COVID-19 orders

Nearly $17,000 in fines have been handed out by RCMP in Surrey, B.C., in the last week to a growing number of people who police say are ignoring COVID-19 health orders. RCMP say in a statement that most of the fines were issued over large gatherings, including a $2,300 fine for the host of a wedding where 22 people attended against the provincial health officer's orders. Sgt. Tyler Wickware, with Surrey RCMP's COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team, says officers have seen the number of people and businesses ignoring the health orders "creeping up." Mounties say the majority of the fines an
bc-marks-five-years-since-overdoses-were-declared-a-public-health-emergency
BCApr 14, 2021

BC marks five years since overdoses were declared a public health emergency

BC marks five years since overdoses were declared a public health emergency. Sheila Malcolmson, mental health and addictions minister, says COVID-19 has had a large impact on people who use drugs. She says the government is committed to decriminalization. But advocates say the government needs to take decisive action. Sheila Malcolmson on Twitter: We are committed to turning this crisis around, before the pandemic, we were making progress and we can and will get back on track until one day, toxic drug poisonings will be something in our past.
BCApr 14, 2021

B.C. COVID-19 in-dining restrictions to be extended through to May: industry group

The B.C. Restaurants and Food Association says it has been told that current health orders restricting in-person dining will be extended beyond next Monday's deadline.The group says they had a meeting with provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry Tuesday, who indicated that the health order would run through to May.It says the continued high number of daily cases and the province's desire to have restrictions in place limiting socialization and gathering indoors was given as the reason.B.C. Premier John Horgan said Tuesday that further COVID-19 restrictions may be on the way. He said his ca
ndp-government-facing-criticism-from-opponents-over-the-throne-speech
BCApr 13, 2021

NDP government facing criticism from opponents over the throne speech

British Columbia's NDP government is facing criticism from opponents in the legislature over a throne speech committing to an eventual return to normal life. Interim Liberal Leader Shirley Bond says the government should have promised more immediate support for businesses and people in the middle of the third wave of COVID-19 infections. Green Leader Sonia Furstenau says the speech represents only "minor tweaks to the status quo." Promises in the speech include record infrastructure spending, an expansion of 10-dollar-a-day daycare and the hiring of thousands of long-term care workers. BC Lib
16-year-old-arrested-after-allegedly-robbing-a-boy-remove-his-clothes-and-make-him-walk-home-naked
BCApr 13, 2021

16 year old arrested after allegedly robbing a boy, remove his clothes and make him walk home naked

A 16 year old has been arrested after allegedly telling a boy one year younger to remove his clothes and walk home naked. RCMP in Nanaimo say the victim was allegedly kicked and punched, then his cellphone and wallet were thrown in a lake. They say when the teen began walking home, a bystander gave him some clothing and a ride home, where his parents called police. The suspect is charged with assault causing bodily harm and robbery in connection with the incident.
b-c-s-top-doctor-says-essential-workers-in-hot-spots-to-be-vaccinated-first
BCApr 13, 2021

B.C.'s top doctor says essential workers in hot spots to be vaccinated first

British Columbia's provincial health officer is calling for patience among essential workers waiting for a vaccine that's being prioritized for people in areas where COVID-19 transmission is highest. Dr. Bonnie Henry says firefighters, police and paramedics are being vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines over the next few weeks alongside staff at schools and child-care centres. She says certain neighbourhoods will also be targeted as the province's age-based program currently books people aged 65 and up for immunization, though the Pfizer vaccine has not been arriving as re
throne-speech-outlines-work-to-put-pandemic-behind-us-plans-for-strong-recovery
BCApr 12, 2021

Throne speech outlines work to put pandemic behind us, plans for strong recovery

Lt. Gov. Janet Austin has delivered the speech from the throne outlining government's commitment to supporting people, businesses and communities, while working to put the pandemic behind British Columbians and build a strong recovery for everyone."We have come a long way by looking out for each other and we can finally see the finish line in sight," said Premier John Horgan. "But in a marathon, the final push is the most difficult. The threat of new variants means we cannot let down our guard, not when we are this close to the end. Our top priority will continue to be on keeping British Colum
judge-in-hog-kong-approves-a-document-sharing-agreement-between-huawei-and-hsbc-that-could-affect-the-extradition-case-of-meng-wanzhou
BCApr 12, 2021

Judge in Hog Kong approves a document-sharing agreement between Huawei and HSBC that could affect the extradition case of Meng Wanzhou

A judge in Hong Kong has approved a document-sharing agreement between telecom company Huawei and HSBC, in a deal that could affect the extradition case in Vancouver involving Meng Wanzhou. Meng, Huawei's chief financial officer, has been on bail in Vancouver since late 2018 and hopes the documents will prevent her extradition to the US, where she is wanted on allegations of bank fraud and violating US rules against trade with Iran. An earlier ruling by a British court stopped HSBC from sharing documents with her legal team, but Huawei says the Hong Kong court has now allowed the arrangement,

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b-c-advances-new-mass-timber-demonstration-projects
BCSep 23, 2025

B.C. advances new mass-timber demonstration projects

Four new buildings in B.C. are each receiving $500,000 — totalling $2 million — to demonstrate and showcase the benefits of mass-timber construction. “Mass timber represents a transformative, locally sourced solution that’s generating significant employment opportunities, spurring cutting-edge innovation, and revitalizing rural economies across British Columbia,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Through our continued strategic investments in projects throughout the province, we’re positioning B.C. as a leader in mass-timber construction, while building the
dera-beas-chief-visits-bikram-majithia-in-nabha-jail
IndiaSep 23, 2025

Dera Beas chief visits Bikram Majithia in Nabha jail

Dera Beas chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon reached Nabha jail today, where he met Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The Akali leader (Bikram Majithia) has been kept in judicial custody in the jail by the Punjab government in a case of exceeding income.The two held a closed-door meeting that lasted 35 minutes, jail officials said. Reports quoted a jail official who requested anonymity, “The Dera Beas chief had sought permission to meet Majithia as a family member, and it was granted strictly according to the jail manual.” Dhillon has close family ties with Majithia’s wife
search-for-missing-five-year-old-boy-in-southern-alberta-enters-third-day
AlbertaSep 23, 2025

Search for missing five-year-old boy in southern Alberta enters third day

The search for a five-year-old boy in southwestern Alberta is entering its third day. RCMP say two nights of searches have yielded no results in finding Darius Macdougall. Macdougall went missing Sunday after he didn't return from a walk with six family members to their campsite near Island Lake Campground, south of Crowsnest Pass. Mounties have said people should avoid the area and leave the search to the professionals. Darius is described as four feet tall with short brown hair, and he was last seen wearing a blue-grey hoodie and sweatpants. Police said the boy has autism, w
gary-anandsangri-announces-government-gun-buyback-program
CanadaSep 23, 2025

Gary Anandasangaree announces government gun buyback program

Canada's Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has announced the launch of the government's gun buyback program. Anandasangaree said that starting Tuesday, the government is launching a voluntary gun buyback program with a pilot project in Nova Scotia and it will be fully implemented after the fall. The minister said that we are serious about removing assault-style weapons from our communities and they have no place in Canada. In May 2020, the Canadian government declared about 2,500 types of guns illegal as part of a strategy to combat gun violence. The Public Safety Minister said that t
frauds-frauds-and-more-frauds
BCSep 23, 2025

Nanaimo RCMP warns about frauds

Frauds are increasingly woven into the fabric of our daily lives, through emails, phone calls and social media. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of deceit and their delivery. By staying informed and skeptical, we can better protect ourselves and our communities. Nanaimo file # 2025-29161 Grandson scam Caller told police she was scammed for $1700 after being led to believe her grandson needed money to get out of jail. Caller that that in September 2025, she received a phone call from a private number who said they were the RCMP and that her grandson had been arrested after being inv