Two BC school boards are taking mask rules into their hands. Vancouver was the first to say it would expand its mask mandate for children from kindergarten to Grade 3 and Surrey's board followed suit yesterday. The BC Teachers Federation is calling for a provincewide mask mandate for those grades after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry left those children out of her order in March. Beginning Monday, October 4th the district's current COVID-19 mask mandate will be expanded to include all students in the district from kindergarten to Grade 12. Masks are an effective layer of protection

B.C. is reporting 813 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 186,245 cases in the province. There are 6,185 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 177,729 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 340 individuals are in hospital and 146 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, 11 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,953.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: twoIsland Health: threeNorthern Health: oneVancouver Coastal Health: five There have been two new outbreaks at Royal Inland Ho

Premier John Horgan and Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, have issued a joint statement to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. "Tomorrow, we remember the children who didn’t come home. As we mark Orange Shirt Day and the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our country – and each of us as individuals – continue to grapple with the horrific findings made in the last several months at former Indian Residential Schools in British Columbia and across Canada. By wearing orange shirts, we are acknowledging th

Unifor Local 111's letter: It is with heavy hearts we are sharing tragic news with you today. Our member who was critically injured on Monday morning, has passed away. He has been a long-standing member with many friendships within our membership. He is going to be sorely missed by all of us. Today, we will share a moment of silence at 3PM all vehicles and vessels will stop for a moment of reflection. All flags at CMBC will be a half mast on Friday and black ribbons will be distributed throughout all properties. On behalf of the Unifor Executives, we are extending our deepest condolences to t

Burnaby RCMP’s Drug Section has made a significant seizure of drugs and vehicles, as well as an unregistered restricted handgun, also known as a ghost gun, as part of a months-long drug trafficking investigation.On September 17, 2021, Burnaby RCMP’s Drug Section, with the assistance of several other Burnaby RCMP units, conducted four search warrants on residences in Burnaby and Vancouver. The warrants were executed simultaneously after a months-long investigation focusing on a Burnaby-based drug trafficking organization.The investigation led to the seizure of an unregistered restricted han

Residents of a Squamish neighbourhood were told to stay inside and lock their doors yesterday afternoon as RCMP tried to find a man who was allegedly carrying a rifle. Heavily armed officers patrolled the area and police say a suspect was arrested for a weapons offence about two hours later. A statement from the Squamish detachment says no one was hurt and public safety was not at risk. It doesn't say what charges, if any, the suspect could face or what caused the situation.

The BC Lottery Corporation says someone who bought a Lotto Max ticket in Burnaby is 70-million dollars richer today. The ticket was the only winner in last night's draw, and the payoff is so big it even eclipses the odds against winning, which were more than 33-million to one. The 70-million dollar Lotto Max haul is the largest lottery prize ever won in BC. A release from the lottery corporation says the name of the winner and the location of the lucky purchase will be announced once the ticket holder comes forward.

Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released a statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s report on illicit drug toxicity deaths for July 2021. "This year continues to be incredibly sad as the number of people dying by toxic drugs persists at a tragic rate. My thoughts are with everyone who is mourning the loss of someone they love."While we have been adding services and supports in an unprecedented way, B.C. is facing a rising tide of need."A lot of work is happening on the ground to make the large, systemic changes necessary to truly turn the tide on this cr

A new report from British Columbia's coroner says suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in July were the second-highest ever recorded in a single month in the province.The findings show deaths reached 184 in July, which tied with those in January 2021 and fell just behind June 2020 when 186 people died.The report comes less than a month after chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said January to June was the deadliest ever for drug toxicity in B.C.With data from July added, the report says the 1,204 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths are the highest ever in the first seven months of a year _ 28 pe