British Columbia recorded the highest rate of opioid deaths in Canada in 2023, with 40.3 deaths per 100,000 population, according to Statistics Canada. Alberta and Saskatchewan followed closely. BC Health Minister Josie Osborne noted that while 2024 has seen a decline in deaths from dangerous drugs, the toxic drug supply remains a critical public health issue impacting all regions. The report revealed that over 15,000 lives have been lost to drug poisoning in BC since the public health emergency was declared in 2016. Minister Osborne highlighted government efforts to prevent further deaths, i

The British Columbia government is encouraging people to do their research on avalanche risk before heading into the backcountry, as forecasts show danger ratings are expected to increase in some areas over the weekend. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene says in a statement that everyone should share their plan with a friend or family member and check forecasts and guidance from Avalanche Canada before setting out. The latest forecast puts the danger rating at the lowest level out of five across the Coast Mountains on the Sunshine Coast and in the Sea to Sky region, includin

Police are looking for a suspect in a shooting that injured three people and caused an hours-long lockdown at West Edmonton Mall last year. Officers responded in August 2023 to an exchange of gunfire between two groups in the mall parkade, and police say it was targeted. Three men involved in the shooting were hurt. Police say a Canada-wide warrant was been issued for Leron Andrew John on several firearms charges. The 24-year-old has been added to Canada's 25 Most Wanted list compiled by BOLO, a federal program that helps police find suspects. Police say he has ties to Edmont

Heavy fog has again enveloped parts of southwestern British Columbia, including Metro Vancouver, a day after the region saw near-zero visibility. Environment Canada has reinstated a fog advisory, this time also covering parts of Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The weather agency says a ridge of high pressure remains over the region, creating favourable conditions for low clouds and dense fog. The advisory says the fog is expected to dissipate later in the day but may again reform in the evening. At Vancouver International Airport, there has been at least one departure flight cancelled

B.C. nurse has been suspended for eight months for improperly accessing and sharing patient information. According to the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, Lindsay Rints of Duncan obtained a patient’s personal information in October 2022 without authorization. The college’s website confirms that the agreement regarding disciplinary action was approved on November 28, 2023. As a result, Rints’ nursing registration has been suspended for eight months. Officials emphasized that nurses are only permitted to access the personal or health information of patients they are directly treating.

The Better Business Bureau in British Columbia is warning Taylor Swift fans of scams ahead of the superstar's Vancouver concerts, highlighting one case in which a social media profile was allegedly hacked and used to sell fake tickets. It says $2,000 was stolen from fans hoping to attend the shows, which will be at BC Place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The warning comes after police in Toronto last month arrested a woman for allegedly selling about $70,000 worth of fake Swift tickets ahead of the concerts there. The Better Business Bureau says in a release that the case in B.C. was reported

A winter storm has dumped heavy snow over parts of British Columbia's north coast with freezing rain in the forecast as temperatures start to rise. A warning from Environment Canada says the Terrace area could see as much as 50 centimetres of snow in total, with a risk of freezing rain, followed by rain. The weather office says the messy winter mix was expected to shift to rain overnight as the storm system pushes inland, drawing in warm Pacific air. The bulletin says the rapidly accumulating snow followed by rain or freezing rain would make driving difficult due to poor visibility and slipper

Vancouver Police say a carjacking suspect is in hospital receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to his arm after officers responded to a report of a man allegedly armed with a knife and a broken glass bottle in a stolen car. Sgt. Steve Addison says police received a 9-1-1 call at about 4 a.m. Sunday from a security guard in East Vancouver, who reported that an armed man had stolen his vehicle. Addison says police located the suspect and vehicle about 25 minutes later, and the shooting occurred as officers were arresting the man. He says the man, who police have not identified, remains in cust

Premier David Eby has asked BC Ferries to focus on cost control rather than raising fares. Eby stated that the government has provided significant financial support to BC Ferries, and in return, the company promised to keep fares stable for British Columbians. He emphasized that the government now expects to see the same commitment to cost management. BC Ferries CEO Nicholas Jimenez explained that inflation, growing demand, and the need to replace the aging fleet with new ships would necessitate fare increases. Jimenez warned that the company may need to raise fares by 30 percent or more when