Skip to Main content

9.85°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Dec 6, 2023 8:35 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe retiring, saddened by overdose crisis policy

Share On

b-c-chief-coroner-lisa-lapointe-retiring-saddened-by-overdose-crisis-policy

British Columbia's Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe has announced she is leaving her post after 13 years. (Photo :The Canadian Press)

British Columbia's Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe has announced she is leaving her post after 13 years, deeply saddened the province has been unable to reduce the "tragic impacts" of toxic drugs on thousands of people.

Lapointe says in a statement today the coroners service has been forever altered by the public health emergency that continues to take the lives of people of all ages in communities throughout B.C., including more than 2,000 people so far this year.

Lapointe says recommendations by coroners service death-review panels, including providing a safe supply of drugs without prescription, are needed to end the overdose crisis, but she was "unable to influence the essential change necessary" to do so. The B.C. government rejected the recommendations last month, minutes before Lapointe was set to deliver a report on them at a news conference. Lapointe, whose third term ends with her retirement on Feb. 18, 2024, says she's had the honour of serving the people of B.C. for the past 30 years.

She says the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General will initiate a recruitment process to choose her successor.

Latest news

CanadaOct 21, 2026

Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

The Canadian government has defended proposed Bill C-34, which would ban children under 16 from using social media, arguing that it is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In a statement issued by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, the government acknowledged that the proposed digital safety legislation could affect freedom of expression but maintained that it falls within constitutional limits. The government argued that age-based restrictions are already in place for activities such as voting and driving, and said similar measures are justified to protect children from the

danielle-smith-warns-ucp-members-support-canada-or-leave-the-party

AlbertaOct 21, 2026

Danielle Smith Warns UCP Members: Support Canada or Leave the Party

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has issued a strong warning to members of her United Conservative Party (UCP), saying those who cannot support a pro-Canada position should return their party memberships and find another party. In a video posted on social media Wednesday, Smith made it clear that the UCP cannot afford divisions over the issue, warning that internal disagreements could put the party at risk of losing the next provincial election to the opposition NDP. Her comments came after Monday’s referendum, in which Albertans voted in favour of remaining part of Canada. Smith acknowledged

psac-announces-strike-vote-for-120-000-federal-workers

CanadaOct 21, 2026

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela

IndiaOct 21, 2026

CBI Takes Over Jhota Murder Probe, Post-Mortem Decision Still Pending

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun investigating the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab. The central agency has registered an FIR in Chandigarh in connection with the case. CBI officials met Jhota’s family and recorded their statements. The team also collected evidence from the shop of the accused, Ashwani Kumar, and other locations linked to the case. The agency is reportedly trying to persuade the family to agree to a post-mortem examination. The CBI has assured them that a medical board of doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Educatio

carney-says-federal-government-wont-back-down-on-immigration-targets

CanadaOct 21, 2026

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the federal government will maintain sustainable immigration levels and will not back away from its targets. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, Carney said his government is consulting provincial governments on bringing immigration to appropriate levels and distributing newcomers more effectively across the country based on economic needs. His remarks came after Alberta’s referendum, in which approximately 53 per cent of voters supported giving the province greater control over immigration policies to reduce the number o

Related News

Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

The Canadian government has defended proposed Bill C-34, which would ban children under 16 from using social media, arguing that it is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In a statement issued by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, the government acknowledged that the proposed digital safety legislation could affect freedom of expression but maintained that it falls within constitutional limits. The government argued that age-based restrictions are already in place for activities such as voting and driving, and said similar measures are justified to protect children from the

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

PSAC Announces Strike Vote for 120,000 Federal Workers

Canada’s largest federal public service union has announced a nationwide strike vote after contract negotiations with the government stalled. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) represents approximately 120,000 workers, including wildfire firefighters, passport officers, fisheries officers, federal teachers, librarians and administrative staff. The strike vote will run from November 16, 2026, to January 22, 2027. The union and the Treasury Board have been in a dispute over a new collective agreement for the past 18 months. PSAC alleges that the federal government has repeatedly dela

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Carney Says Federal Government Won’t Back Down on Immigration Targets

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has assured that the federal government will maintain sustainable immigration levels and will not back away from its targets. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday morning, Carney said his government is consulting provincial governments on bringing immigration to appropriate levels and distributing newcomers more effectively across the country based on economic needs. His remarks came after Alberta’s referendum, in which approximately 53 per cent of voters supported giving the province greater control over immigration policies to reduce the number o

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital