More than 77,500 people were vaccinated against influenza from Dec. 5 to Dec. 11, 2022, including 42,582 people who were vaccinated during the weekend’s influenza-vaccine walk-in clinic blitz. This was part of government’s efforts to support people and families with children to get vaccinated before the holidays. This effort resulted in approximately 1.6 million individuals, or 30% of the general population aged six months and older, having now received the influenza vaccine in B.C. From Dec. 5 to Dec. 11, 2022, more than 77,532 influenza vaccinations were administered to more than:9,016 c

Premier David Eby says the provincial auto insurer is applying for a two-year rate freeze on basic auto insurance to help alleviate some of the high cost-of-living pressures on British Columbians. He says if the application by the Insurance Corporation of B.C. is approved by the provincial utilities commission, it will mark five years with no increases for the basic rates.The announcement comes as ICBC reported $117 million in net income for the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year, alongside lower investment income and a significant decline in value for the insurer's equity investments by th

BC Children's Hospital has approved double-bunking patients in single-occupancy rooms as it tries to cope with an influx of patients with respiratory illnesses. A memo obtained by The Canadian Press says that while it's preferable that patients be in single rooms, two patients may share ``if required to provide safe care.'' The memo, sent Friday, says similar measures have been implemented in other years and any decision must be made in consultation with the hospital's infection prevention and control team. Last week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province was seeing a `

Vancouver Police have released a video appeal for new details about a woman who drowned in the waters off Spanish Banks in late September, and hope the power of social media may lead to information about who she was. "Someone out there knew this woman and loved her, but probably doesn’t yet know about her tragic death," says Sergeant Steve Addison. "Nobody should die in anonymity, and we’re asking anyone who sees this video to share it with their social networks so we can identify her and inform her loved ones." The woman – she appears Black and in her 30s, with short black hair and dis

RCMP say a woman is expected to survive after she was shot Monday in a targeted attack.They say in a news release the incident occurred that evening at a home on Dewdney Trunk Road.She was taken to hospital for treatment by BC Emergency Health Services.Police say they believe the attack was not related to the Lower Mainland gang conflict.An RCMP Investigational Support Team is leading the investigation in conjunction with the Serious Crime Unit.Police do not believe there is a risk to the public.

Two new ministries are being created to devote more attention and resources to major issues that impact British Columbians: the Ministry of Housing, and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.The new cabinet includes 23 ministers and four ministers of state. Gender representation remains balanced. The cabinet will be supported in its work by 14 parliamentary secretaries.The cabinet is as follows:* Premier: David Eby* Agriculture and Food: Pam Alexis* Attorney General: Niki Sharma* Children and Family Development: Mitzi Dean* Citizens' Services: Lisa Beare* Education and Chi

Vancouver Police are investigating the homicide of a 30-year-old Burnaby man, and have released a security photo of the victim taken before his death with hopes someone will have information that could help solve the case. Kevin Liew was found badly injured near Burnaby Hospital on November 17. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, he was taken to Royal Columbian Hospital, where he died Monday. Evidence gathered during the investigation has led police to an abandoned residence near 8th Avenue and Renfrew Street. Vancouver Police homicide investigators believe the offence occurred in this ar

Coquitlam RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect of an assault that occurred on Friday, November 4, 2022. Coquitlam RCMP Frontline officers responded to an assault that occurred inside Superstore located at 1-3000 Lougheed Hwy in Coquitlam between 4:20 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. on November 4. The suspect assaulted a woman who was seen with a small child. The suspect can be described as: Asian Male 25-35 years oldApproximately 6’0 tallMedium build The suspect was seen wearing:Grey toque with fur pompom on the topBlack winter jacket with large collarDark coloured pantsA

Public-health officials are encouraging families and caregivers to get their kids vaccinated against influenza in advance of the holidays. There are several respiratory viruses causing illness in B.C. Some children have had more severe illness in the past few weeks, particularly from influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Many children have not been exposed to influenza and other respiratory illnesses following two years of low influenza rates due to COVID-19 public-health prevention measures implemented worldwide, including Canada and B.C. This is why it's especially important for c