8.23°C Vancouver

Nov 6, 2021 12:09 AM - The Canadian Press

B.C. phasing out mink farms because of COVID-19

Share On
b-c-phasing-out-mink-farms-because-of-covid-19
The British Columbia government says it is phasing out mink farming because the threat of COVID-19 transmission is too great. (Photo - Fur Free Alliance/Twitter)

The British Columbia government says it is phasing out mink farming because the threat of COVID-19 transmission is too great.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says mink are a reservoir for the spread of COVID-19 to humans and vice versa.

Henry says the scientific data shows the risk of transmission on the farms will continue.

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says the government will help the nine farms operating in B.C. to close by 2025.

B.C. placed a moratorium on new mink farms and capped existing operations at their current animal populations in July after more mink tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

There have been COVID-19 outbreaks in mink on at least three B.C. farms since last December and one farm remains under quarantine.

Latest news

big-difference-in-the-number-of-extortion-cases-in-various-cities-in-the-lower-mainland
BCNov 08, 2025

Big difference in the number of extortion cases in various cities in the Lower Mainland

The number of extortion incidents occurring in B.C. in 2025 is staggering, and the number of arrests or charges in the cases is disappointing. Connect FM gathered data on extortion in several major jurisdictions in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. The number of extortion cases targeting businesses or people associated with the Indo-Canadian community in Surrey has reached 81 as of November 3 of this year. There were 42 extortion cases where shooting incidents took place. In this, information about the addition of 28 extortion files has come to light in the just month of October alone. Surrey Police Se
woman-dead-several-displaced-after-house-fire-in-mission
BCNov 07, 2025

Woman dead, several displaced after house fire in Mission

A woman has died and several people have been forced from their home following a house fire on Shaw Street in Mission earlier this week. Emergency crews were called to the rural property around 1:45 a.m. on November 6 after a neighbour reported flames coming from the home. When firefighters and RCMP officers arrived, the building was already fully engulfed. Once the fire was brought under control, investigators confirmed that an adult woman had been found dead inside the residence. A man was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation but has since been released. No other serious injuries were repo
b-c-sees-slight-job-decline-in-october-amid-u-s-tariff-uncertainty-says-minister
BCNov 07, 2025

B.C. sees slight job decline in October amid U.S. tariff uncertainty, says minister

British Columbia recorded a small drop in employment last month as global trade tensions and new U.S. tariffs added pressure to key sectors, according to the province’s jobs minister. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon said Friday that the October Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada shows a decline of about 2,900 jobs in B.C., largely due to losses in construction and forestry. He linked those decreases to “unjustified” tariffs imposed by the United States, which he said have hurt workers and businesses across the province. Despite the monthly dip, Kahlon noted that
22-men-charged-in-quebec-child-exploitation-investigation
CanadaNov 07, 2025

22 men charged in Quebec child exploitation investigation

Quebec provincial police say 22 men have been arrested following a provincewide investigation into online child sexual exploitation. The suspects, aged 18 to 70, were taken into custody after a series of coordinated raids carried out earlier this week. According to the Sûreté du Québec, 20 of the accused have already appeared in court on charges that include possession, distribution and access of child sexual abuse material. The investigation was conducted between November 3 and 7, with more than 150 officers participating in searches across multiple cities, including Montreal, Quebec City,
canada-to-host-g7-foreign-ministers-meeting-in-niagara-with-india-among-invited-participants
CanadaNov 07, 2025

Canada to host G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, with India among invited participants

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, has announced that foreign ministers from G7 member nations will gather in Niagara, Ontario, from November 11 to 12, 2025. The meeting will bring together representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Anand said Canada will also welcome ministers from several outreach countries, including Australia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine, as part of efforts to strengthen global cooperation on shared priorities. India’s External Affairs

Related News