New research from the University of Victoria says alcohol consumption has increased in BC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found a 40 per cent jump in alcohol sales in mid-March when COVID-19 measures were put in place. Consumption in bars and restaurants, which historically account for around 15 per cent of alcohol consumed in BC, dropped off in April and May. Researchers say private liquor stores benefited from the increase in purchases.

New federal forecasts say all large provinces need to strengthen their COVID-19 response "now," with data suggesting the death toll could hit nearly 15,000 on Christmas Day. Updated modelling indicates that Canada remains on a "rapid growth trajectory," with daily cases expected to cross the 10,000 mark later this month. The projections indicate that the total number of deaths related to the outbreak could reach between 14,410 to 14,920 by Christmas Day. The data says infections continue to climb in the six provinces west of the Atlantic region, with rates rising precipitously Alberta, Saska

British Columbia's provincial health officer is urging people to be patient and keep taking precautions to prevent transmission of COVID-19 as the province recorded its highest death toll in a single "tragic" day. Dr. Bonnie Henry says all but two of the 28 fatalities occurred in long-term care homes, and 587 people have now died in B.C. since the start of the pandemic. She says 723 new infections have been diagnosed as the province surpasses 40,000 cases of the virus. The number of people in hospital continues to rise at 346, while 83 of them are in intensive care. Dr. Henry says the start o

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is asking for public help on the shooting death of a 29 year old woman. Police are naming Lisa Ellie Baines as the victim who was shot inside her vehicle in a Surrey back alley a week ago. Evidence gathered so far suggests it was an isolated shooting and police say it doesn't appear related to drug or gang activity. Sergeant Frank Jang says police are building a strong case but they are also aware that there are others are out there who have information about the woman's recent activities.

As the promise of pandemic relief comes with the news of vaccines on the way, health workers are urging people to keep up precautions against COVID-19. BC Nurses Union president Christine Sorensen says nurses are stressed and haven't had a chance to catch up as the second wave grows. Kathleen Ross, the head of Doctors of BC, says physicians are also feeling the added workload, but she emphasizes that people shouldn't avoid seeing their doctor or going to hospital over concern of burdening health workers. Mike Old, with the hospital employees union, says the second wave and the BC government's

A Canada Border Services Agency official testifying as part of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's extradition case broke a court rule that asked her not to speak with anyone about the case while under cross-examination. A Crown lawyer told the BC Supreme Court that after testifying yesterday, Chief Nicole Goodman contacted a government lawyer with no connection to the case to ask a question about part of her evidence that might touch on an issue of privileged information. The judge hearing the case instructed Goodman to speak with a neutral lawyer appointed by the court. The court heard that the

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opened today's virtual first ministers meeting talking about the need to work together on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. He listed everything his government has done to help the provinces cope with the pandemic, reminding premiers that Ottawa has covered 80 per cent of the costs so far. But Trudeau acknowledged the meeting is an opportunity to discuss the premiers' unanimous demand for at least 28 billion dollars more each year in unconditional federal transfers for health care. He says the government is determined to offer Canadians the efficient, high-qualit

Vancouver City Council has approved a revised start date of January 1, 2022 for the shopping bag and single-use cup by-laws. Businesses will now have an additional year to prepare for the ban on plastic shopping bags and requirement to charge fees for paper shopping bags, new reusable shopping bags and single-use cups. The City remains committed to reducing waste and litter from single-use items as we transform Vancouver into a zero waste community by 2040. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, local businesses are experiencing significant economic challenges and are working hard to

The federal Liberals are proposing to spread voting over three days if there's a federal election during the COVID-19 pandemic.A bill tabled in the House of Commons today would also add nearly two weeks of advance polls in long-term care homes and make it easier to get and deliver mail-in ballots.And it would give the country's chief electoral officer authority to make other adjustments to make balloting safer for both voters and poll workers.Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Democratic Institutions, says the measures are meant to prevent potential crowding at polling places and to