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b-c-s-top-doctor-defends-shutting-down-banquet-halls-information-on-banquet-hall-closures-issued-by-ministry-of-health
BCSep 11, 2020

B.C.'s top doctor defends shutting down banquet halls, Information on Banquet Hall Closures issued by Ministry of health

Ministry of Health in B.C. has issued a statement in regards to the closure of Banquet Halls. The decision to close stand alone banquet halls and nightclubs was made by the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.Dr. Henry made the decision to take action to address the risks of COVID-19 transmission at a number of types of venues, including also closing nightclubs and limiting late night alcohol sales in all bars, pubs and restaurants.She made this decision because public health officials have seen exposure and transmission events happen repeatedly at standalone banquet halls, bars and ni
BCSep 11, 2020

B.C. auditor general outlines costs of government's pandemic response so far

A new report from British Columbia's auditor general says the largest amount the provincial government had allocated by mid-August in its pandemic response was for individuals and households.Michael Pickup's report says of the $2.6 billion his office has identified as being allocated by the government as of Aug. 18, $1.9 billion was targeted at individuals and households. Another $642 million was for critical services, and $100 million was allocated for business and industry.The government has announced a $5-billion COVID-19 response and a $1-billion contribution to a federal cost-sharing prog
BCSep 11, 2020

Murky skies forecast as more smoke from U.S. wildfires drifts toward B.C.

Heat advisories have ended in British Columbia following several days of record breaking temperatures in some areas, but Environment Canada's advisories about wildfire smoke still stand.The weather office is maintaining smoky skies bulletins for most of Vancouver Island and all of the inner south coast and southern B.C., east to the Kootenay region. The advisory says forecast models over the next 24 to 48 hours show the potential for long-range transport of smoke from dozens of wildfires in the northwestern United States.Environment Canada's air quality health index lists air quality at moder
b-c-gang-leader-jamie-bacon-to-be-sentenced-today-in-surrey-six
BCSep 11, 2020

B.C. gang leader Jamie Bacon sentenced for 18 years in Surrey Six case

Gang leader Jamie Bacon has been sentenced to 18 years in prison, less time served, for his part in six fatal shootings in a Surrey highrise 13 years ago. It means the 35 year old client will spend a further five years and seven months behind bars. Bacon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to murder Corey Lal in the so-called Surrey Six case and one count of counselling to commit murder related to a separate, non-fatal shooting in December, 2008. The slaying and attempted murder were related to drug trafficking conducted while Bacon was one of the leaders of a gang known as the Red Scor
b-c-sets-new-daily-record-of-covid-19-cases-at-139-hospitalizations-climbing
BCSep 11, 2020

B.C. sets new daily record of COVID-19 cases at 139, hospitalizations climbing

British Columbia reached a record of daily COVID-19 cases today as schools reopened across the province. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 139 new cases for a provincial total of 6,830 since the pandemic began. Hospitalizations also rose to 42, with 14 of those people in intensive care. There are no new deaths and the total number of fatalities remains at 213. Dr. Henry says she understands the first day of school can be an anxious event, especially this year during a global pandemic. She says public health teams are ready to support schools, which will be alerted as soon a
british-columbias-health-minister-celebrating-a-judges-decision-against-a-surgeon
BCSep 11, 2020

British Columbia's health minister celebrating a judge's decision against a surgeon

British Columbia's health minister is celebrating a judge's decision against a surgeon advocating for the rights of patients to pay for private medical care. Adrian Dix says it highlights the significant role of the public health-care system as a cornerstone of Canada's identity. Doctor Brian Day challenged the province's Medicare Protection Act, which bans extra billing and private insurance for medically necessary procedures. After a four year trial, a judge ruled that Day and other plaintiffs failed to show patients' rights are being infringed by the act, adding its focus is on equitable a
violent-sexual-assault-in-victoria-police-asking-witnesses-to-come-forward
BCSep 10, 2020

Violent sexual assault in Victoria; police asking witnesses to come forward

Victoria police are asking any witnesses to come forward if they have information about a violent sexual assault that happened just north of the downtown core late Monday night. Police say the victim was injured and was treated in hospital after being attacked and then sexually assaulted by an unknown man just after 10 p.m. The victim reports the attacker was 30 to 40 years old, black, about six feet tall and spoke with an East African accent. He also wore a mask, jeans and T-shirt and was pushing an older-style racing bicycle.
100-new-covid-19-cases-and-two-new-outbreaks-reported-in-b-c
BCSep 10, 2020

100 new COVID-19 cases and two new outbreaks reported in B.C.

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are announcing 100 new cases, and no new epi-linked cases, for a total of 6,691 cases in British Columbia. "There are 1,378 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 3,101 people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and 5,086 people who tested positive have recovered. "Currently, 37 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19
b-c-s-fall-pandemic-response-plan-includes-more-testing-tracing-and-flu-shots
BCSep 09, 2020

B.C.'s fall pandemic response plan includes more testing, tracing and flu shots

British Columbia's fall and winter pandemic battle plan involves ramping up COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and a campaign to administer almost two million flu shots. Health Ministry officials say they have prepared the province for COVID-19 scenarios ranging from low to exceptional outbreaks and they are confident the health system can meet the challenges. The officials say some of the preparations include being able to conduct up to 20,000 daily COVID-19 tests, hiring more than 600 additional contact tracers and purchasing more than 1.9 million doses of flu vaccine. The officials say the

Just In

folding-licence-plates-and-stunt-riding-get-two-sport-bikes-ticketed-and-impounded
BCAug 21, 2025

Folding licence plates and stunt riding get two sport bikes ticketed and impounded

Two motorcycle riders are spending a week getting rides from friends after a day of weaving through traffic in Vancouver without displaying licence plates. On August 17, 2025, just before 3:00 p.m., on Highway #1 at the Cassiar Connector, two BMW sport motorcycles were observed riding in tandem. A BC Highway Patrol cruiser that was watching could not see any licence plates at all. Some sport motorcycles have their rear fenders removed and a licence plate on a folding mount under the rear tire, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. That is completely illegal. A motorcycle mus
new-housing-targets-will-bring-thousands-more-homes
BCAug 21, 2025

New housing targets will bring thousands more homes

The Province has set new housing targets for a fourth group of municipalities, bringing thousands of new homes to communities throughout B.C. Announced in May 2025, the fourth group of communities is part of the Province’s expanded housing-targets program to address high demand in growing communities and to continue to deliver the homes people need throughout the province. Effective Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, the following are the five-year targets for each municipality, which are set following consultation and reflect 75% of their estimated housing need: Burnaby - 10,240Coquitlam - 6,481Courten
pm-carney-and-trump-discuss-trade-and-new-economic-security-relationship
CanadaAug 21, 2025

PM Carney and Trump discuss trade and new economic security relationship

Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump discussed trade and new economic security relationship on Thursday. The talks between the two leaders have been described as positive and leading to further results. Carney and Trump also discussed the issue of Ukraine during this time, and the two leaders have also agreed to meet again soon. The phone conversation between the Prime Minister and Trump took place a few hours after External Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Anand was in Washington today. It is worth noting that this is Carney's la
BCAug 21, 2025

Multiple search warrants executed on Salt Spring Island as part of ongoing drug investigation

Community issues addressed after multiple search warrants executed on Salt Spring Island. On August 14, 2025, Salt Spring Island RCMP, assisted by officers with the Island District RCMP General Investigation Section executed multiple search warrants in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. As a result, a significant amount of illicit drugs, including suspected cocaine and evidence consistent with drug trafficking were seized. The investigation remains ongoing, and a detailed report to Crown Counsel for consideration of criminal charges. We want to ensure the community is aware of our proa
six-charges-approved-following-cfseu-bc-uget-investigation
CanadaAug 21, 2025

Six charges approved following CFSEU-BC UGET investigation

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC) Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) has secured six charges against a Surrey man following an investigation that led to the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and cash. On August 24, 2024, UGET officers attempted a traffic stop in Maple Ridge involving a vehicle known to have previously evaded police. The driver fled on foot but was quickly arrested. A search of the suspect and vehicle led to the seizure of: • 1.157 kilograms of fentanyl • 790 grams of cocaine • 337 grams of methamphetamine • 1