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BCSep 14, 2021

B.C. reports 1,984 COVID-19 cases and 9 deaths

Over a 3 day period, B.C. is reporting 1,984 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 175,142 cases in the province. Sept. 10-11: 823 new casesSept. 11-12: 641 new casesSept. 12-13: 520 new casesNote: The numbers of total and new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh and will be verified once confirmed.There are 5,825 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 167,078 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 278 individuals are in hospital and 139 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 72 hours, nine
BCSep 14, 2021

B.C. introducing COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all health-care workers

All health-care workers and volunteers will soon have to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in British Columbia as the provincial government expands its immunization program. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says additional pandemic measures are needed to fight the spread of COVID-19. She says the vaccine mandate will take effect Oct. 26 and it will be a condition of employment for all workers, physicians, contractors and volunteers in health facilities. It also applies to people who work in home and community care locations, including client homes. The province is also giving third vacc
vancouver-police-stretched-thin-during-violent-weekend
BCSep 13, 2021

Vancouver Police stretched thin during violent weekend

Vancouver Police were kept busy during the weekend, with a series of shootings, stabbings, and other major crimes that sent several people to hospital with serious injuries."Our front-line officers and specially-trained detectives have been going full tilt since Friday in an effort to stem the violence and make headway on these cases," says Sergeant Steve Addison, VPD. "Dozens of police officers have been assigned to these investigations. We’re doing everything we can to solve them and to prevent more violence."More than 30 officers were already investigating the case of a 76-year-old woman
BCSep 13, 2021

Date set for inquest into death of Peter John De Groot

The BC Coroners Service has announced new dates for an inquest examining the death of Peter de Groot, who was fatally shot by police at a cabin in southeastern BC in October 2014. The inquest will begin September 27th in Nelson after being cancelled in May of last year due to the pandemic. The 45 year old was shot at a cabin in Slocan four days after he disappeared into the bush following a confrontation with officers. A report released by the Independent Investigation Office in 2018 ruled police were justified in shooting de Groot when they believed he raised a rifle as a Mountie opened a ca
BCSep 13, 2021

B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card system takes effect, one dose required in many settings

British Columbia's COVID-19 vaccine card system is now in effect as the province aims to curtail cases and hospitalizations in the fourth wave of the pandemic.Anyone who wants to access a range of non-essential indoor settings must show proof of at least one dose of vaccine, with a second shot required by Oct. 24. The digital or paper vaccine card is required at settings such as ticketed sports events, concerts, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos, gyms and movie theatres. The card will not be required at grocery and liquor stores, pharmacies, fast food restaurants, salons, hotels, banks, r
rcmp-name-homicide-victim-found-critically-hurt-on-penticton-school-playing-field
BCSep 13, 2021

RCMP name homicide victim found critically hurt on Penticton school playing field

The RCMP say the death of a man who was found critically injured on a school playing field in Penticton, B.C., is now being treated as a homicide. Police have identified 22 year old Taig Savage as the man who was found at Penticton Secondary School on Sept. 5. A statement from the police says Savage's name and photo are being released in the hope someone will come forward with information. Savage died in hospital shortly after a passerby reported seeing him unresponsive early last Sunday morning. The RCMP have not said how Savage died. He was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and grey pants, a
b-c-finance-minister-provides-financial-update-for-april-to-june
BCSep 13, 2021

B.C. finance minister provides financial update for April to June

British Columbia's budget deficit is expected to be lower than forecast but the COVID-19 pandemic remains a risk to the economy. Finance Minister Selina Robinson says the province's financial statement for the first three months of the 2021-22 fiscal year projects a deficit of $4.8 billion, about half the $9.7 billion that was originally forecast in the budget. She says the lower deficit projection is the result of an improved job market along with higher revenues from natural resources and federal transfers. Robinson says B.C.'s economy is forecast to grow by four per cent, slightly higher t
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BCSep 13, 2021

Fairy Creek protesters arrest total approaches 1,000

The ongoing battle over blockades set up to prevent old-growth logging on Vancouver Island is heading back to BC Supreme Court this week. Several days of hearings are scheduled in Nanaimo as logging company Teal-Jones seeks to extend an injunction order against protesters in the Fairy Creek area. The injunction granted is set to expire later this month, four months after police enforcement began and more than a year after the blockades were first set up. The RCMP say officers have made at least 989 arrests since May, including 110 people who've been arrested more than once.
bcs-police-watchdog-called-to-investigate-after-an-armed-man-fatally-shot
BCSep 13, 2021

BC's police watchdog called to investigate after an armed man fatally shot

Police on Vancouver Island say BC's police watchdog has been called to investigate after an officer fatally shot an armed man yesterday morning. They say officers in Saanich responded to a report of a man who was armed, in crisis, making threats and who allegedly stole from a nearby liquor store. A statement from police in neighbouring Victoria says they engaged with the man for about an hour until an ``interaction'' occurred and an officer shot him. They say officers and paramedics gave first aid, but the man died at the scene, the Independent Investigations Office has been notified.

Just In

BCSep 23, 2026

BC Green Leader Emily Lowan to Run in Saanich North After Rob Botterell Retires

BC Green Party MLA Rob Botterell has announced his retirement from politics, opening the door for party leader Emily Lowan to contest the Saanich North and the Islands riding in the upcoming provincial election. Botterell confirmed his decision during a joint news conference with Lowan in Victoria. Lowan will now seek the seat, which has been held by the Greens since Adam Olsen won it in 2017 and was retained by Botterell in the 2024 election. Elections BC records show Botterell was elected with the Green Party in 2024. The riding is considered significant for the BC Greens, given the party’
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Ontario Launches Canada’s First Medical Drone Pilot Program

Canada’s first medical drone pilot program of its kind has been launched by Peel Regional Paramedic Service in Ontario, allowing life-saving medical supplies to reach patients before an ambulance arrives during emergencies. The pilot project is currently operating in the Bolton area. Under the program, when a 911 call is received, a drone can be dispatched alongside an ambulance to the scene. The drone can deliver an automated external defibrillator (AED) for cardiac emergencies, naloxone for opioid overdoses and medical kits designed to control severe bleeding, particularly in rural and rem
one-charged-second-suspect-sought-in-granville-street-face-slashing
BCSep 23, 2026

One Charged, Second Suspect Sought in Granville Street Face-Slashing

Crown Counsel has approved charges after a 19-year-old man was allegedly slashed in the face with a blade during an early-morning robbery on Vancouver’s Granville Street last month. Vancouver Police are also asking the public to help identify a second suspect. The incident happened around 3:20 a.m. on August 8 in the 900-block of Granville Street. Police say two men approached the victim and his friends, removed a chain necklace from the victim’s neck and slashed him. The victim suffered a five-inch cut stretching from the tip of his nose, beneath his eye and ending near his eyebrow. On Se
canadas-population-growth-hits-slowest-pace-since-wwii
CanadaSep 23, 2026

Canada’s Population Growth Hits Slowest Pace Since WWII

Canada’s population grew by 0.5 per cent between July 2025 and July 2026, marking the slowest annual growth rate recorded since the end of the Second World War. According to Statistics Canada, the pace of population growth was even lower than during the period when border restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of July 1, 2026, Canada’s population was estimated at 41.8 million. The report says the slowdown was mainly driven by federal government measures and policy changes aimed at limiting the number of temporary residents. Statistics Canada said Ontario, Quebec and B
b-c-election-advance-voting-set-for-october-16-21
BCSep 23, 2026

B.C. Election: Advance Voting Set for October 16–21

Election activity is intensifying in British Columbia, with Elections B.C. announcing that advance voting will be held from October 16 to 21. Voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the advance voting period. Political parties and independent candidates will have until October 3 to enter the race and complete their registration. The 2024 provincial election cost approximately $91 million to conduct. For this election, Elections B.C. has initially requested a budget of $50 million, although the final cost will only be known after the voting process is completed. V