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b-c-aims-to-clear-surgery-backlog-in-15-months-if-covid-19-surge-doesnt-happen
BCJul 21, 2020

B.C. aims to clear surgery backlog in 15 months if COVID-19 surge doesn't happen

British Columbia's health minister says the province has hired more staff and increased operating-room hours to catch up on cancelled surgeries but a significant surge in COVID-19 cases could impact recovery. Adrian Dix says 32,400 procedures were not done or not scheduled as of mid-March to retain beds that may have been needed for COVID-19 patients. Combined with patients already on wait lists, the number of people waiting for procedures ballooned to over 95,000. However, Dix says over half the patients whose surgeries were cancelled in the spring had them between May 18 and June 25. Michae
BCJul 21, 2020

BC Transit launches ``Together We Ride'' campaign

BC Transit has launched a province-wide campaign encouraging considerate etiquette on all BC buses, SeaBuses and SkyTrains. The ``Together We Ride'' campaign reminds riders to be courteous and respectful during the ongoing pandemic and whenever possible to wear a mask while travelling. The eight week campaign will use a variety of methods from TV commercials to social media posts to reach target audiences. Transit says although wearing a mask is not mandatory, it can help to promote a more comfortable experience as people return to transit while the economy gradually re-opens.
BCJul 21, 2020

23 year old cyclist killed in collision with pickup truck near Lougheed Highway

A 23 year old cyclist has died after being hit by a pickup truck while riding on the Lougheed Highway through Maple Ridge. The woman was hit late yesterday afternoon and Ridge Meadows RCMP say she died at the scene. The 37 year old Mission man driving the pickup stayed to speak with police and is co-operating with the investigation. Police say drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been involved but the case is still open and further information is not being released.
b-c-s-top-doctor-says-pay-attention-now-to-higher-covid-19-cases
BCJul 21, 2020

B.C.'s top doctor says 'pay attention now' to higher COVID-19 cases

British Columbia's provincial health officer says a higher number of COVID-19 cases over the last three days means the province could experience a rapid rebound of infections after successfully ``bending the curve.'' Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. recorded 102 cases of the virus since Friday because people have increased their contacts by 20 or 30 people in some cases, from a low of three to four, so it's time to ``pay attention now.'' Henry says she's concerned the province is at a ``tipping point'' and it's more challenging for public health workers to do contact tracing when an infected person
b-c-implements-vaping-action-plan
BCJul 20, 2020

B.C. implements vaping action plan

The Province is bringing into force regulations to fully implement the Province's leading-edge vaping action plan, which was announced in November 2019.The regulations restrict the content, flavour, packaging, advertising and sale of vapour products in British Columbia.B.C.'s ministries of Health and Education will also establish a provincial youth advisory council to develop, pilot and launch youth-informed strategies to reduce vaping by young people. "We heard from young people across the province that vaping companies are targeting them with a product that poses real and serious health and
BCJul 20, 2020

Walmart to build a new distribution centre in Surrey

Walmart Canada is going to build two new distribution centres, one north of Toronto and the other in Surrey, as part of a five-year, $3.5-billion plan.The retailer says it aims to improve service in stores and on the web.Walmart is going to renovate 150 stores, which will create hundreds of construction jobs.It also plans to work with Canadian high-tech companies to develop a system that will let customers use their mobile device to pay for purchases anywhere in the store.
28-new-covid-19-cases-in-b-c-35-cases-connected-to-covid-19-exposures-in-kelowna
BCJul 18, 2020

28 new COVID-19 cases in B.C., 35 cases connected to COVID-19 exposures in Kelowna

BC's top doctor is urging residents not to let COVID-19 steal their summer as she reported more outbreaks and cases around the province. Doctor Bonnie Henry says she feels for those people who want to get out and have fun, but it needs to be done in a way that minimizes the risk of community transmission. She says there are now 35 cases connected to COVID-19 exposures in the Kelowna area that Health Minister Adrian Dix had said were connected to private parties around Canada Day. That's in addition to a new outbreak reported at the neo-natal intensive care unit at St. Paul's Hospital in Vanco
b-c-premier-apologizes-says-he-misspoke-on-comments-about-drug-addiction
BCJul 17, 2020

B.C. Premier apologizes, says he misspoke on comments about drug addiction

British Columbia's premier is apologizing for comments he made Thursday comparing the COVID-19 pandemic to the province's ongoing opioid crisis. B.C. set a new record of 175 overdose deaths in June, surpassing the record just set in May and about 5,000 people have died since the province declared a public health emergency in 2016. Advocates have questioned whether the opioid crisis has been overshadowed by the pandemic, despite occurring for longer and with a higher death toll. Horgan told reporters Friday that he ``mischaracterized'' the challenges of addiction. He says he knows addictions c
two-new-covid-19-outbreaks-reported-in-b-c
BCJul 17, 2020

Two new COVID-19 outbreaks reported in B.C.

There's more evidence that COVID-19 is a stubborn bug to beat. Two new outbreaks have been flagged in British Columbia. One is at a neo-natal intensive care unit in Vancouver, and there's another case detected at a massive hydroelectric project. Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a notice about the outbreak at the neo-natal unit at St. Paul's hospital in Vancouver's downtown. Several patients and their families have been traced as potential contacts and are in isolation. BC Hydro says a worker who arrived from Alberta on Monday to the Site C work camp in Fort St. John has tested positive and

Just In

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
tariffs-quebec-liquor-board-prepares-to-destroy-300-000-worth-of-american-alcohol
CanadaAug 21, 2025

Tariffs: Quebec liquor board prepares to destroy $300,000 worth of American alcohol

The Quebec liquor board may be forced to destroy $300,000 worth of American alcohol that the province has banned from stores. The provincial government on March 4 ordered the state-owned corporation to empty shelves of U.S. alcohol in response to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. At the time, other provinces including Ontario and Alberta directed their liquor regulators to stop buying all American alcohol, while B.C. banned liquor from "red states" that voted for Trump in the 2024 election. U.S. alcohol purchased before the boycott is being stored, but Quebec's liquor board says that
russia-launches-major-attack-on-western-ukraine-fires-574-drones
WorldAug 21, 2025

Russia launches major attack on western Ukraine, fires 574 drones

Russia has launched a major attack on western Ukraine. This comes as US President Donald Trump is taking diplomatic steps to stop the war. Ukraine's air force said on Thursday that Russia fired 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles overnight. At least one person was killed and 15 others were injured in the attacks. It was Russia's third largest airstrike in terms of the number of drones this year and the eighth largest in terms of missiles. Russia has fired about 1,000 long-range drones and missiles into Ukraine since the White House launched talks. Zelensky condemned the attack,
air-canada-flights-restored-95-of-flights-expected-to-return-to-service
CanadaAug 21, 2025

Air Canada flights restored, 95% of flights expected to return to service

Most of Air Canada's flights have been restored and 95% of its entire network is expected to return to service in the next 24 hours. The airline said 94% of international flights are expected to operate in the next 24 hours. As of yesterday, 234 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge aircraft were in service. The airline said it operated about 900 flights on Wednesday. Air Canada said it will take some time for full regular service to resume and that customers will be kept informed of any changes to travel plans. It is worth noting that a vote on the temporary agreement to end the flight attendan