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BCDec 21, 2021

Fast-moving Omicron variant prompts additional COVID-19 measures in BC, ministry

More health measures could be coming in British Columbia one day after restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 took effect.Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are set to provide another update this afternoon on COVID-19.The Ministry of Health has reported 2,550 new cases between Friday and Sunday, pushing the total number of active infections to 5,435 _ a leap of 2,486 cases in one week.The ministry says public health is monitoring the increase as well as developments in other areas, and will outline addi
b-c-reports-2-550-new-covid-19-cases-and-3-deaths
BCDec 21, 2021

B.C. reports 2,550 new COVID-19 cases and 3 deaths

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 2,550 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 228,335 cases in the province:Dec. 17-18: 911 new casesDec. 18-19: 832 new casesDec. 19-20: 807 new casesThere are 5,435 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 220,348 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 185 individuals are in hospital and 77 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 72 hours, three new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,402.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: oneNorthern Health: one
b-c-mounties-say-they-are-monitoring-protest-against-gas-pipeline
BCDec 21, 2021

B.C. Mounties say they are monitoring protest against gas pipeline

The RCMP say they are investigating allegations that protesters threatened security officials, set off flares and damaged vehicles at a drill site for the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia. The Mounties say in a statement released Monday that officers were called to the site along a forest service road near Houston on Sunday. They say anyone blocking worker access to the area is in breach of a court-ordered injunction. Opposition to the pipeline project among Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs sparked rallies and rail blockades across Canada last year. The elected council of t
rcmp-investigate-fatality-at-local-ski-resort
BCDec 20, 2021

RCMP investigate fatality at local ski resort

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP and BC Coroners Service are investigating after a Vernon man died while snowboarding at Silverstar Mountain Resort on Saturday morning.On Saturday, December 18th, 2021, at approximately 11:20 a.m., the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were notified that a snowboarder had been found unconscious in the Putnam Creek area of the mountain. The initial investigation has determined the man was snowboarding in an area of complex terrain that was closed at the time due to poor conditions. The victim, who was alone, fell into a ravine and was later discovered by a skier who noti
foreign-affairs-minister-mélanie-joly-tests-positive-for-covid-19
CanadaDec 20, 2021

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly tests positive for COVID-19

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has tested positive for COVID-19. She shared the information on Twitter. Her rapid test has ben found positive as she waits for the results of a PCR test. Mélanie Joly on Twitter: I have taken a rapid test and tested positive for #COVID19. Following public health guidelines, I am in isolation and will continue my work virtually, as I have been for a number of days, until I get the results of my PCR test. 1/3 I’m grateful for the protection that vaccines offer us and encourage everyone to get vaccinated and boosted. It’s the best thing we c
quebec-reports-record-4-571-covid-19-cases-as-public-health-measures-come-into-force
CanadaDec 20, 2021

Quebec reports record 4,571 COVID-19 cases as public health measures come into force

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube says the situation in his province is critical, so new restrictions are necessary. Dube has announced the complete closure of bars and casinos and says restaurants can open only between 5 and 10 pm. Schools will also close as of today and until January 10th. Quebec reported a single-day record of 4,571 new COVID-19 infections today. Ontario reported 3,784 new cases today as many newly-eligible residents 18 and up scrambled to try to book a vaccine booster shot.
man-arrested-following-a-deadly-stabbing-near-the-metrotown-mall-in-burnaby
BCDec 20, 2021

Man arrested following a deadly stabbing near the Metrotown Mall in Burnaby

Homicide investigators say a man has been arrested following a deadly stabbing near the Metrotown Mall in Burnaby yesterday morning. A statement from the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the man was picked up shortly after the attack, which was not random as the suspect and victim are known to each other. Police say there were also reports of several other ``serious offences'' in the same area at the time of the stabbing, but no one else was hurt and officers continue to investigate how all the events might be connected. The suspect in his 30s remains in custody and detectiv
b-c-extends-cap-on-food-delivery-fees
BCDec 20, 2021

B.C. extends cap on food delivery fees

The British Columbia government says it's extending the cap on fees charged by food delivery companies to help the restaurant industry through the COVID-19 pandemic. Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation, says the fee cap was to expire on Dec. 31, but it's now been extended to the end of 2022. The fee charged to restaurants by food delivery companies will remain at 15 per cent, while the additional cap of five per cent has been extended for other services, such as online ordering and processing fees. The original order was put in place on Dec. 22 last year under
coquihalla-highway-reopens-to-essential-commercial-traffic
BCDec 20, 2021

Coquihalla Highway reopens to essential commercial traffic

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) has reopened between Hope and Merritt to essential commercial vehicles only following a month of extensive repairs.The highway was closed by multiple washouts on Nov. 14, 2021."The people who build and maintain roads in B.C. have a reputation second to none, and their response to the recent disaster has been remarkable," said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. "Ministry teams, maintenance contractors and hundreds of workers going flat out in challenging conditions have allowed us to reopen the Coquihalla Highway today, giving B.C.’s

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some-residents-may-remain-in-b-c-landslide-evacuation-zone-after-road-access-cut
BCApr 21, 2026

Some residents may remain in B.C. landslide evacuation zone after road access cut

Some residents may still be inside an evacuation zone in northeastern British Columbia after road access was closed due to landslide risk, according to the Peace River Regional District. In a social media update, the regional district said a co-ordinated evacuation took place Monday night in the community of Old Fort, about five kilometres south of Fort St. John, but some residents may not have left the area. Authorities are urging anyone still inside the zone to conserve supplies and stay away from the slide area. The district declared a state of local emergency and issued an evacuation order
afn-chief-asks-un-to-oppose-b-c-move-to-amend-indigenous-rights-law
BCApr 21, 2026

AFN chief asks UN to oppose B.C. move to amend Indigenous rights law

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations called on the United Nations on Tuesday to support First Nations leaders opposing proposed changes to British Columbia’s Indigenous rights law. Speaking at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said the province’s plan to amend or suspend parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act violates international standards. According to her remarks to the forum, First Nations rights are protected under international human rights law and “cannot be suspended, amended or paused by
drug-package-disguised-as-grass-patch-found-inside-mission-institution-rcmp-investigating
BCApr 21, 2026

Drug package disguised as grass patch found inside Mission Institution, RCMP investigating

Corrections officers at Mission Institution in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley seized a package containing suspected drugs and contraband after it was discovered inside the prison grounds earlier this month, according to police. The RCMP said in a news release that staff located the package on April 9 after it had been dropped over the facility’s perimeter fence overnight. The parcel was disguised to resemble a patch of loose turf, with real cut grass attached to the outside of a bubble mailer to blend in with the surrounding ground. According to police, the package contained more than 30
federal-government-tables-bill-to-regulate-space-launches-from-canada
CanadaApr 21, 2026

Federal government tables bill to regulate space launches from Canada

The federal government has introduced legislation that would establish a regulatory framework for launching spacecraft from Canadian territory. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon tabled the proposed Canadian Space Launch Act on Tuesday. According to a Transport Canada technical briefing, the legislation would give the federal government authority to oversee both launches and the re-entry of spacecraft. Officials said the proposed rules are intended to enable launches of satellites and rockets from within Canada, supporting both civilian and military applications. The framework would also set
surrey-memorial-expands-chemotherapy-capacity-with-six-new-treatment-chairs
BCApr 21, 2026

Surrey Memorial expands chemotherapy capacity with six new treatment chairs

Surrey Memorial Hospital has added six new chemotherapy treatment chairs, bringing the total to 39, in an effort to address growing demand for cancer care in the region. According to health officials, the expansion will allow up to 420 additional patients to receive treatment each month. Dr. Sylvie Bourque, executive medical director at BC Cancer’s Surrey centre, said demand for chemotherapy services in Surrey continues to rise. She said the expanded capacity is expected to help the hospital meet a key target: starting first treatment for more than 90 per cent of patients within two weeks of