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outgoing-b-c-premier-horgan-makes-pitch-to-provinces-and-pm-to-end-health-gridlock
BCNov 18, 2022

Outgoing B.C. Premier Horgan makes pitch to provinces and PM to end health gridlock

British Columbia's outgoing premier says he has offered a helping hand in resolving a gridlock over health care between provincial and territorial leaders and the federal government. John Horgan, who will pass the premiership to NDP Leader David Eby in an inauguration ceremony Friday, emphasized he's not looking for a job, but says he sent a group text message to his counterparts saying he'd be happy to help any way he can and has indicated the same to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Horgan says he knows the file, he's passionate about it and believes he has the confidence of leaders across th
b-c-womans-remains-found-decades-after-her-killer-was-convicted
BCNov 17, 2022

B.C. woman's remains found decades after her killer was convicted

The remains of a woman have been found in Prince George, B.C., 30 years after her killer was convicted of her murder. RCMP say the human remains were discovered last month in Connaught Hill Park.Police say with the help of the BC Coroners Service, it was able to identify the remains as those of Donna Charlie, who was killed in 1990.While the initial investigation resulted in a conviction, police say the file remained open with its missing persons unit.Gerald Smaaslet, who was Charlie's boyfriend at the time of her death, was convicted of second-degree murder after admitting that he buried her
surrey-man-charged-in-connection-to-uttering-threats-to-an-american-journalist
BCNov 16, 2022

Surrey man charged in connection to uttering threats to an American journalist

Surrey RCMP is advising the public of charges approved in an investigation that involved death threats to an American journalist online. In June 2022, the Surrey RCMP’s General Investigation Unit took conduct of the file, and identified a suspect. On July 10, 2022, a 38-year-old man was arrested and a search warrant was executed at his residence. He was released from custody on conditions.On November 10, 2022, 38 year-old Nicholas Sullivan was charged with five counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm through social media. He is scheduled to appear in court later this month.S
furstenau-appoints-lisa-gunderson-as-deputy-leader-of-the-b-c-green-party
BCNov 16, 2022

Furstenau appoints Lisa Gunderson as deputy leader of the B.C. Green Party

Today, B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau formally announced that she has appointed Dr. Lisa Gunderson as deputy leader. Gunderson is an award-winning educator and equity consultant focusing on issues that affect minoritized populations. She holds a PhD in clinical child psychology from the University of Southern California with a focus on racialized youth. "I am thrilled to formally announce that I have appointed Dr. Lisa Gunderson as deputy leader of the B.C. Green Party," Furstenau said. "I have worked closely with Lisa for many years on issues of equity and mental health. As an educat
vpd-investigates-after-security-guard-threatened-with-knife
BCNov 16, 2022

VPD investigates after security guard threatened with knife

Vancouver Police have released images of a man who pulled a knife on a downtown hotel security guard last month, and are asking anyone who can identify the suspect to call police. The incident happened on October 27 at around 7:30 p.m., after security for Hotel Vancouver asked the suspect, who was loitering in the breezeway of the hotel, to leave the area. The suspect pulled a knife from his jacket and approached the security guard. "We’ve now obtained surveillance video that captures images of the suspect and the offence," says Constable Tania Visintin. "Given the time of day and the locati
dr-henry-says-no-need-for-the-heavy-hand-of-a-mask-mandate-as-respiratory-illnesses-climb-in-many-areas-of-b-c
BCNov 16, 2022

Dr. Henry says no need for the ``heavy hand'' of a mask mandate as respiratory illnesses climb in many areas of B.C.

Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, says there is no need for the ``heavy hand'' of a mask mandate as respiratory illnesses climb in many areas of BC. Dr. Henry made the comment during a news conference this morning where she noted that 90 per cent of BC residents have some COVID-19 immunity through vaccination, infection or both. She and Health Minister Adrian Dix confirm the province is seeing an expected increase in flu cases while COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus or RSV are also becoming more common, but not at rates seen in other parts of Canada. Henry and Dix recommend
merritt-rcmp-investigating-series-of-early-morning-shootings
BCNov 16, 2022

Merritt RCMP investigating series of early morning shootings

The Merritt RCMP is currently investigating multiple shootings in the Merritt, Coldwater, and Mamette Lake Road areas. On November 15, 2022, between 5:00am and 6:30am the Merritt RCMP was alerted to multiple shootings that occurred in the Merritt, Coldwater and Mamette Lake Road areas. Police believe all the incidents are related and targeted."We are actively investigating what happened", says Sgt. Josh Roda. "We do not believe there is any further risk to the public and will have a significant police presence in these areas as we move forward with the investigations."The investigation is curr
BCNov 16, 2022

Province will not provide any money to support a decision by Surrey city council to end the transition to a municipal police force: Mike Farnworth

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the province will not be providing any money to support a decision by Surrey city council to end the transition to a municipal police force. Council voted 5-4 yesterday in favour of keeping the RCMP as promised by new Mayor Brenda Locke during the municipal election campaign. City staff will now put together a report to re-establish the RCMP as the sole police force in Surrey that will address issues such as severance pay for current members of the municipal force. It will be sent to Farnworth for final approval and he says he expects to receive it b
b-c-conducting-a-test-of-emergency-alerting-system-on-wednesday
BCNov 16, 2022

B.C. conducting a test of emergency alerting system on Wednesday

The province will conducting a test of BC's emergency alerting system tomorrow afternoon. Emergency Management BC says the test will be sent to wireless devices and broadcast on radio and TV stations at 1:55 p-m (Pacific time) as part of the national Alert Ready system to improve public safety in the event of emergency. The system was launched in BC in April 2018 and is tested twice each year. It was expanded by the NDP government last spring to include alerts for wildfires, floods and extreme-heat emergencies, in addition to tsunamis, civil emergencies and Amber Alerts.

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CanadaJun 15, 2026

Canada reports second consecutive annual decline in opioid overdose deaths

Canada recorded a second straight year-over-year decline in opioid overdose deaths, according to the latest federal report on substance-related harms. Health Canada reported that 5,630 people died from opioid overdoses in 2025, down from previous years following an earlier decline recorded in 2024. Despite the reduction, officials said the crisis continues to pose a significant public health challenge across the country. According to the federal report, opioid-related deaths averaged about 15 per day last year. The report also found a 23 per cent decrease in the national death rate linked to o
CanadaJun 15, 2026

Metro Vancouver outside workers begin full strike after 17 months without contract

Approximately 700 Metro Vancouver outside workers have begun a full strike after working for the past 17 months without a collective agreement. According to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union, workers launched the job action after contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Union president Jesse Medeiros said management has continued to ignore concerns raised by frontline employees who provide essential services across the region. The union said its key demands include improved worker safety measures, limits on contracting out work to private companies, and stro
b-c-premier-calls-for-stronger-ai-chatbot-reporting-requirements-in-federal-online-harms-bill
BCJun 15, 2026

B.C. premier calls for stronger AI chatbot reporting requirements in federal online harms bill

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government's proposed online harms legislation does not go far enough in addressing risks associated with artificial intelligence chatbots. Eby criticized the bill for not requiring technology companies to report dangerous or suspicious user activity to police. He said companies should be obligated to notify law enforcement if a user is believed to be using an AI chatbot to plan a violent crime. The premier pointed to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, stating that the suspect's chatbot account had been flagged before the attack. According to E
court-grants-bail-to-bikram-majithia-two-others-in-majitha-police-station-case
IndiaJun 15, 2026

Court Grants Bail to Bikram Majithia, Two Others in Majitha Police Station Case

A court has granted bail to Shiromani Akali Dal senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia and his associates, Jodh Singh Samra and Jatinder Pal Singh, in connection with a case arising from an alleged confrontation at the Majitha police station. According to police, Majithia and his supporters entered the police station and attempted to secure the release of a person identified as Jobanpreet. Police alleged that during the incident, Majithia snatched a mobile phone from a sub-inspector and tore government documents amid the commotion. Based on those allegations, police registered a case against Maji
mission-memorial-hospital-emergency-department-closed-for-third-consecutive-sunday
BCJun 15, 2026

Mission Memorial Hospital emergency department closed for third consecutive Sunday

Patients in Mission continue to face disruptions to emergency care after Mission Memorial Hospital's emergency department was temporarily closed for a third consecutive Sunday. According to Fraser Health, the closure was caused by an ongoing shortage of physicians available to staff the department. The health authority said it is continuing recruitment efforts aimed at stabilizing services and addressing staffing challenges at the hospital. The emergency department closed at 5 p.m. Sunday and reopened at 8 a.m. Monday, according to hospital service notices. During the closure, patients requiri