A global human rights group says poor support from the provincial government during the heat wave in June compounded risks for the disabled and elderly. A researcher with the group Human Rights Watch says people with disabilities and older people are at high risk of heat stress, but they were left to cope with dangerous heat on their own. The BC Corners Service identified 569 heat-related deaths from June 20th to July 29th, and 79 per cent of those who died were aged 65 and older. Health Minister Adrian Dix said when he was asked about the study during question periods today that he was gutte

British Columbia's 30 thousand provincial employees will need to be fully vaccinated by November 22nd. The province has announced the new measure, saying it's supporting the effort to increase vaccination rates by making the requirement for its workers. It says as more employees return to their regular workplaces later this fall, full vaccination will provide an additional and reassuring layer of protection for them. The government says public service employees working in core government ministries will be required to provide proof of full vaccination using the BC Vaccine Card.

One person has been killed in a helicopter crash on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, north of Vancouver. RCMP say the helicopter crashed around 2 p.m. Monday in an area near Killam Bay, at the entrance to Jervis Inlet, northeast of Sechelt. Police say in a news release that witnesses in the area were first on the scene and while some of the debris was located, the pilot was not. The Transportation Safety Board says the pilot, who was the lone occupant on the Kaman KMax helicopter, was conducting heli-logging operations when the chopper crashed into the inlet. The coast guard and the coroner

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 1,986 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 189,680 cases in the province:Oct. 1-2: 617 new casesOct. 2-3: 707 new casesOct. 3-4: 662 new cases There are 5,986 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 181,304 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 326 individuals are in hospital and 142 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the last 72 hours, 10 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,983.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: fiveVancouver Coastal Health:

BC's Ministry of Public Safety says three violation tickets have been issued regarding its vaccine card system. The new system was first implemented on September 13th, and all three tickets were issued on or before September 24th. Each ticket was for 2,300 dollars. The vaccine card system is used to provide proof of vaccination to enter certain non-essential businesses.

British Columbians living in long-term care and assisted living homes are due to start receiving COVID-19 booster shots this week. Health officials say they're offering boosters because of the risks of living in group settings, and also the weaker antibody response that older people have shown after their first two vaccine doses. Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry has said the latest data show that a third dose is most effective about six months after the second. Dr. Henry has already announced plans for a third vaccine dose for people who are most immunocompromised.

A BC First Nation says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologized for not responding to its invitations to attend a ceremony on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Tk'emlups te Secwepemc says Chief Roseanne Casimir received a call from Trudeau on Saturday. PM Trudeau's office says he discussed the path forward and told the chief he hopes to visit her community soon. The prime minister has faced a deluge of criticism for spending Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on vacation with his family in Tofino rather than attending events marking the day.

Pandemic and economic recovery are expected to be front and centre as the fall sitting of the BC legislature is now underway. Most politicians have returned to the house many for the first time since a provincewide shutdown was declared last March in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. Economic Recovery Minister Ravi Kahlon says his focus is introducing a long-term recovery and economic strategy by early next year. Liberal house leader Peter Milobar says the Opposition intends to hammer Premier John Horgan's New Democrats on problems with the roll out of the child care program, staffing iss

The BC legislature is a busy place today and not just because the fall sitting has resumed and politicians are back in the house in numbers not seen since the pandemic hit. Protesters have also gathered on the legislation lawn to tell the government about their concerns. The group Pacific Wild is holding a rally and intends to pass a 500-thousand signature to Forests Minister Katrine Conroy today, urging her to halt the wolf cull. Demonstrators supporting Indigenous rights, climate justice and an end to old-growth logging started gathering at 8:30 this morning and say they will make a stateme