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BCJan 14, 2022

Vulnerable people in DTES being offered money to get fraudulent vaccine

Vancouver Coastal Health says it has prevented recent attempts to fraudulently obtain B-C vaccine cards. It says ``vulnerable people'' in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside have been approached and offered payment to get vaccinated while falsely using that person's name and information. The health authority says fraudulent vaccination records are being removed from the provincial immunization registry and the cards are being revoked. It says future instances of fraud will be brought to police.
b-c-reports-2-554-new-covid-19-cases-and-7-deaths-as-hospitalizations-continue-to-rise
BCJan 14, 2022

B.C. reports 2,554 new COVID-19 cases and 7 deaths as hospitalizations continue to rise

B.C. is reporting 2,554 new cases of COVID-19, including six epi-linked cases, for a total of 291,246 cases in the province.There are 36,049 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 249,458 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 534 individuals are in hospital and 102 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. The new/active cases include:885 new cases in Fraser HealthTotal active cases: 16,972485 new cases in Vancouver Coastal HealthTotal active cases: 9,762462 new cases in Interior HealthTotal active cases: 4,882304 new
ottawa-to-go-ahead-with-trucker-vaccine-mandate-after-stating-it-would-scrap-it
CanadaJan 14, 2022

Ottawa to go ahead with trucker vaccine mandate after stating it would scrap it

The federal government says a statement from the Canada Border Services Agency that said Canadian truckers would be exempt from a new COVID-19 vaccination requirement was provided in error. Federal officials say today the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States will come into effect this Saturday as planned. There was no explanation for the incorrect information emailed to media more than 20-hours earlier. The federal Conservatives, as well as trade groups representing oil, manufacturing and export companies, had called on Ottawa this week to postpone the Janu
surrey-rcmp-searching-for-inmate-at-large
BCJan 14, 2022

Surrey RCMP searching for inmate at large

Surrey RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance with locating an inmate who fled from the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre.On January 13, 2022, at 12:46 p.m., Surrey RCMP were notified that inmate Mustafa Sa’Ada had fled from the custody of correctional officers at the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre at 14323 57th Avenue. Mustafa Sa’Ada left on foot and was last seen heading south towards Highway 10.Surrey RCMP along with Integrated Police Dog Services are actively searching for Mustafa Sa'Ada who is considered to be unlawfully at large.Mustafa Sa’Ada is described as a 32-year old, Mi
boosters-available-for-pregnant-women-in-b-c
BCJan 13, 2022

Boosters available for pregnant women in B.C.

Effective today, women who are pregnant can book a COVID-19 booster vaccine if it has been at least eight weeks since they received their second vaccine dose.While it is recommended people get their booster six months after their second dose to ensure longer-lasting protection, it is important for pregnant people to receive their booster during pregnancy to ensure optimal protection for them and their baby.People who indicate they are pregnant when they call the Get Vaccinated system will receive an invitation for a booster shot if it has been eight weeks or more since their second dose. Appro
otoole-says-he-opposes-quebecs-plan-to-tax-and-target-the-unvaccinated
CanadaJan 13, 2022

O'Toole says he opposes Quebec's plan to 'tax and target' the unvaccinated

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says while he respects provincial jurisdiction, he opposes Quebec's plan ``to tax and target'' those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19. The Tory leader made his position known on Premier Francois Legault's proposal during a Facebook Live today. Earlier in the week Legault announced adults living the province who are unvaccinated and don't have a medical exemption could expect to start paying a ``significant'' financial penalty. The premier said the measure was needed because around half of the patients in intensive care are unvaccinated even those only abo
health-canada-7-to-10-days-from-decision-on-pfizer-antiviral-drug
CanadaJan 13, 2022

Health Canada 7 to 10 days from decision on Pfizer antiviral drug

Health Canada's chief medical adviser says a decision on Pfizer's antiviral treatment for COVID-19 is expected in seven to 10 days.But Supriya Sharma says the department reached out to Pfizer asking for shipments of the drug before approval, using regulations that allow medications approved elsewhere to be used in Canada when there is an urgent health need.Sharma says the company said no because it didn't have any supply to send.Canada has a contract to buy one million doses of Paxlovid but Pfizer spokeswoman Christina Antoniou says information on shipments to Canada won't be provided until H
b-c-expands-program-aimed-at-preventing-overdose-deaths-in-construction-industry
BCJan 13, 2022

B.C. expands program aimed at preventing overdose deaths in construction industry

British Columbia is providing a one-million-dollar grant to expand access to resources aimed at preventing overdose deaths in the construction industry. The province says the program, dubbed the Tailgate Toolkit, was developed on Vancouver Island last year in partnership with people in the industry who have experience with illicit drug use. Sheila Malcolmson, the minister of mental health and addictions, says it's now set to be expanded across the province. She says it aims to reduce the stigma that can deter people from asking for help and that drives them to hide their substance use and con
b-c-liberals-launch-review-of-new-memberships-ahead-of-feb-5-party-leadership-vote
BCJan 13, 2022

B.C. Liberals launch review of new memberships ahead of Feb. 5 party leadership vote

A review of more than 3,000 new applications for membership in the British Columbia Liberal Party is underway as the Feb. 5 leadership vote approaches. A statement from co-chairs Rozanne Helm and Colin Hansen of the party's election organizing committee says 3,025 memberships are undergoing confirmation reviews before those people will be allowed to vote in the leadership contest. The party has about 43,000 members. A spokesman for leadership candidate Val Litwin says the campaign has sent a letter raising concerns about memberships. The Liberals are replacing former leader Andrew Wilkinson,

Just In

BCJul 16, 2025

B.C. fast-tracks recruitment of international doctors as U.S. campaign delivers results

In just two months, B.C. has received almost 780 job applications from qualified health professionals across the United States, reflecting strong momentum from the Province’s co-ordinated U.S. recruitment campaign. Building on this success, new strategies are underway to further attract internationally trained doctors. “When we began recruiting in the U.S. in March, we were confident it would yield strong results, and this success confirms that British Columbia’s universal health-care system and vibrant communities continue to stand out,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “With
CanadaJul 16, 2025

Surrey: Two international students get three year sentences and deportation in pedestrian dragging case

International students Gaganpreet Singh and Jagdeep Singh have been sentenced to three years in prison and deportation after being convicted of a horrific hit-and-run incident in Surrey last year. During the hearing, it was revealed that they deliberately dragged a pedestrian for 1.3 kilometres after hitting him and then leaving his body on the road before fleeing. The pair were in a Ford Mustang, which Gaganpreet was driving and Jagdeep Singh was a passenger. Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a pedestrian being hit in the 13400-block of 105 Avenue around 1:45 a.m. on January 27, 2024. Ga
BCJul 16, 2025

Fire in Chilliwack, B.C., destroys businesses and apartments

Every firehall in Chilliwack, B.C., was involved in fighting a destructive blaze in the centre of the city. A statement from the fire department says crews encountered heavy, black smoke as they went to the scene at about 12:30 Wednesday morning. The fire was in a mixed-use building with apartments over commercial space. The statement says three dozen crew members were involved and they at first tried to fight the fire from inside, but were forced to withdraw and take a defensive strategy to gain control of the blaze. There were no reported injuries to either residents or firefighters, althoug
48-year-old-abbotsford-surveyor-dies-after-being-hit-by-vehicle
BCJul 16, 2025

48-year-old Abbotsford surveyor dies after being hit by vehicle

A 48-year-old surveyor from Abbotsford was killed on July 15, after being struck by a vehicle while on the job. The incident occurred on Tuesday just after 1 pm, while the victim was working on Sylvester Road near Dale Road in Hatzic, just east of Mission. A dump truck travelling northbound on Sylvester Road struck the man, who died at the scene. Sylvester Road was closed for a prolonged period while officers from the Mission RCMP, the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement unit, and WorkSafe BC investigated the matter. The survey
the-nanaimo-rcmp-is-investigating-an-arson-incident
BCJul 16, 2025

Nanaimo RCMP investigating an arson incident

On July 12, 2025, at approximately midnight, in the 600 block of Kennedy Street in Nanaimo, an unknown male set fire to a cedar planter box on a porch. The homeowner saw the flames, ran outside to douse the fire and called 911. Nanaimo Fire and Rescue responded and prevented any damage to the exterior of the home. A neighbour’s surveillance camera captured the fire and a possible male suspect. Police are requesting that residents in the 600 block of Kennedy review their surveillance cameras and dashcams for any images of a male wearing: a light-coloured shirt, dark knee-length shorts, da