BCApr 21, 2021
Judge grants Meng's request to delay extradition hearings
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has granted Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's request to delay the final leg in her extradition hearings, days before they were set to begin. Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes says she will deliver reasons for her decision in writing in the next week or so and a date to resume proceedings will be determined later. The hearings were scheduled to begin Monday but Meng's lawyers said they needed more time to review documents related to the case obtained through a Hong Kong court. They asked Holmes on Monday to adjourn proceedings until Aug. 3, a delay they argued wo
BCApr 21, 2021
849 new COVID-19 cases reported in B.C. as hospitalizations break new record
Health officials are urging eligible British Columbians to register online for a vaccine in order to reduce growing pressure on health-care workers getting "pushed to the limits" at hospitals. Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say those aged 35 and up can now register for a vaccine as part of the province's age-based vaccination stream. Dix and Dr. Henry say 849 more people have become infected with COVID-19 and one more person has died for a total of 1,539 fatalities since the pandemic began. They say 456 people are in hospital and 148 of them are i
BCApr 21, 2021
Millions for addiction and mental health in B.C.'s budget for 'unprecedented need'; People give mixed reviews on the budget
The provincial deficit is predicted to hit a record this year with billions of dollars in new spending promised for infrastructure and supports for families and businesses. Finance Minister Selina Robinson forecasts a 9.7-billion-dollar deficit this fiscal year and says it may take seven to nine years to balance the books. She says the province will help the recovery with 8.7 billion dollars in infrastructure spending over three years that will create 85 thousand jobs. Another 1.6 billion dollars is promised for poverty reduction strategies and an extra 3.1 billion for the health-care and men
BCApr 20, 2021
Travel restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 will not include random stops: Mike Farnworth
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says details are still being arranged, but travel restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 will not include random stops. A statement from Farnworth's office says the restrictions are meant to discourage recreational travel and will include checks at ferry terminals and along major highways out of Metro Vancouver. He says the rules are not meant as punishment and his ministry is also working to ensure racialized communities are not unfairly affected. Travel regulations were announced for the province yesterday and will remain in effect until
BCApr 20, 2021
Residents 40 years and older to be vaccinated in a variety of neighbourhoods: Fraser Health
The Fraser Health authority says it will be vaccinating residents 40 years and older in a variety of neighbourhoods it has deemed to be high-risk for COVID-19. Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of the health authority, says vaccinating residents in certain neighbourhoods in Surrey, North Delta and Langley will help reduce the burden being placed on hospitals due to COVID-19. Lee estimates 50 to 70 non-essential surgeries have been cancelled and hospitals in the region are at 96 per cent capacity. As of this morning, there were an estimated 229 COVID-19 patients in Fraser Health hospitals. D
BCApr 20, 2021
Former BC premier Christy Clark testifies before BC's money laundering inquiry
Former BC premier Christy Clark spent the morning testifying before BC's money laundering inquiry. Clark led the Liberal government between 2011 and 2017, a period when several NDP reports say a rapid growth in money laundering occurred in BC's casinos, real estate and luxury car industries. Clark testified she first heard about a spike in suspicious cash through BC casinos in 2015 and says her government acted quickly to implement a report recommending changes to anti-money laundering strategies. The NDP ordered inquiry is examining how money laundering flourished, and Clark says confirmatio
BCApr 20, 2021
Drugs and guns seized as part of targeted gang enforcement in Surrey
Multiple firearms and pre-packaged drugs were recently seized by the Surrey Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) during a vehicle stop in Newton, as the Surrey RCMP continues to target individuals associated with gang and drug trafficking activity.Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on April 17, 2021, SGET conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle in the area of Woodland Place and 99 Avenue. During their interactions with the driver, the officer observed a weapon inside the vehicle and subsequently detained the driver for weapons possession.Further investigation of the vehicle led to the discovery and seizure of s
BCApr 20, 2021
Homicide detectives in Coquitlam. B.C., after shooting in busy recreational area
One person has been shot and killed in an attack at a park in Coquitlam, B.C.The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says it happened at about 6:30 p.m. at the Town Centre skate park. It says the critically injured man died in hospital.The homicide team says no arrests have been made.The park was crowded with people enjoying a summer-like evening when the attack occurred.Police are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting and hasn't yet spoken with investigators to contact the homicide team or RCMP.
BCApr 20, 2021
Premier Horgan hints at imposing strict travelling restrictions; 2,960 COVID-19 cases reported during the weekend
British Columbia will impose travel restrictions to prevent movement outside of health regions as police set up roadside checks similar to those seen during the Christmas season. Premier John Horgan says the government has been working with the tourism industry and B.C. Ferries to deter people from booking accommodation if they live outside their intended destination. Horgan says Public Safety Minster Mike Farnworth is expected to provide more details about the travel restrictions on Friday. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the COVID-19-related death of a child under the a