British Columbia's overdose deaths spiked in March and April reaching the same heights recorded over a year earlier. The BC Coroners Service says 117 people died last month, matching the number of fatalities in March 2019, followed by a steady decline in deaths every month since then. However, the service says 112 deaths in March and 117 in April mark the first time since late 2018 that the province has recorded more than 100 fatalities two month in a row. The service reports 78 deaths in January, and 75 in February this year More than 4,700 people have died of overdoses since the B.C. governm

British Columbia has entered its longest period in a state of emergency in its history. Premier John Horgan says the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the province's social and economic foundations but people in B.C. are perservering in what will likely be an extended emergency period. B.C. first declared a public state of emergency on March 18 and today's extension will run until June 9, weeks longer than the emergency declaration during the devastating 2017 fire season. In a wide-ranging news conference, the premier also says he is pleased Vancouver remains in the running as a potential hub

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “Today, we are announcing nine new cases, for a total of 2,550 cases in British Columbia." “There are 244 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 2,144 people who tested positive have recovered. “Of the total COVID-19 cases, 37 individuals are hospitalized, seven of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled against a Huawei executive wanted on fraud charges in the United States. Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes says in a decision released today that the allegations against Meng Wanzhou could constitute a crime in Canada. The ruling means the court will continue to hear other arguments in the extradition case, including whether Meng's arrest at the Vancouver airport in December 2018 was unlawful. It also means Meng will not be permitted to return to China and must remain in Canada. The allegations against Meng, who is Huawei's chief financial officer and

Vancouver could be host to NHL games under a proposal announced by the league to resume a 24 team playoff. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league would split its playoff format in two hub cities that would host the top 12 teams in the Eastern and Western conferences. The hub cities have not yet been determined but Vancouver is on a shortlist that also includes Edmonton, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago and Toronto. The league says it will make a final decision based on approval from local health officials but Bettman stresses the approval of the playoff plan doesn't guarantee the resump

British Columbia didn't report any new deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, but there have been 11 additional cases of the virus. A total of 2,542 people in B.C. have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 2,122 have recovered. There have been 161 deaths. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry urged people to continue their approaches to protecting themselves from COVID-19 as B.C. enters the second week of its economic restart plan and more activities resume. Many B.C. businesses, including restaurants, hair salons and dentists' offices, started reopening last week. Henry says B.C. may see an incre

Vancouver police have made an arrest in what they say was a random, unprovoked incident in Chinatown on the weekend. Police say two Asian women were sitting inside a parked vehicle on Saturday when a man yelled obscenities at them and then smashed a window of the vehicle with a chisel. Sergeant Aaron Roed says the incident was particularly concerning considering the rash of anti-Asian crime and incidents seen in Vancouver recently. A suspect was arrested but released on an undertaking to appear which requires him to report to court on a future date.

The British Columbia government has announced a three-year, $10 million grant program to provide swift access to compassionate and comprehensive care for survivors of sexual assault. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging times and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, is known to increase during periods of crisis. He says the grant program will provide funds to front-line organizations across the province, including those working in Indigenous communities. Ending Violence Association of B.C. will administer the program to help orga

Two people have been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a stabbing on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Constable Tania Visintin says officers were called at around 6 am to a report of a multiple stabbing. She says the two victims are expected to survive. No arrests have been made but investigators say there is no threat to the public. They say the stabbings appear to be isolated. Hastings Street just east of Main Street remains closed. Visintin says police will update the traffic situation via social media as conditions change.