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BCMar 05, 2021

Several patients on new unit at Vancouver General Hospital test positive for COVID-19

Health officials are reporting a COVID-19 outbreak in a fourth unit of Vancouver General Hospital.A statement from Vancouver Coastal Health says three patients have tested positive for the virus on surgical inpatient unit T-8-B of the Jim Pattison Pavilion.Infection prevention measures are underway on unit T-8-B including closure to admissions or transfers and suspension of all but end-of-life compassionate visits.The other three affected units are on separate floors of the pavilion, while the rest of the hospital, including the emergency room, is operating as usual. COVID-19 outbreaks have fo
46-new-covid-19-cases-of-new-variants-reported-in-b-c
BCMar 05, 2021

46 new COVID-19 cases of new variants reported in B.C.

BC is reporting 564 new cases of COVID-19 and four additional deaths. A total of 1,376 people have now died in the province due to the pandemic. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is also reporting 46 new cases of COVID variants of concern, raising the total to 246. The bulk of the cases, 218 are the variant first seen in the UK and the remaining 28 cases are the South Africa variant. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says BC will deploy the newly-approved AstraZeneca vaccine to first responders and other essential workers. Dr. Henry says doing so will move up the vaccination
BCMar 04, 2021

Chilliwack RCMP and BC Coroners Service investigating found body

Chilliwack RCMP and BC Coroners Service investigating found bodyCriminality is not suspected in the death of a man in his early 20s that was discovered in Chilliwack on Thursday morning.At approximately 0845 am on Thursday, March 4th, Chilliwack RCMP were called to the area of the Hope River bridge on Menzies Street after receiving a report of a found body. The area was cordoned off while police investigators and the BC Coroners Service conducted their preliminary investigation. The death is not being considered suspicious.No criminality is suspected in this death. BC Coroners Service is condu
suspect-facing-charges-after-woman-seriously-injured-in-an-attack-at-a-home-new-westminster-police
BCMar 04, 2021

Suspect facing charges after woman seriously injured in an attack at a home: New Westminster police

On March 2nd at approximately 1:00 pm New Westminster Police Department officers responded to a report of a serious assault inside a residence on Princess Street. The victim was transported to hospital, where she remains in critical condition. A nearby school was temporarily sheltering in place as a precaution while NWPD officers secured the scene. That same afternoon, and with the assistance of the Vancouver Police Department, a suspect was safely taken into custody. It is believed the suspect and the victim are known to each other. At this time, Andywele Mullings a 42 year old New Westminste
BCMar 04, 2021

Mayor of Pouce Coupe says she won't resign amid criticism for social media posts that critics deemed racist and anti-Semitic

The mayor of the small BC village of Pouce Coupe says she won't resign as Indigenous leaders claim her "shocking and unacceptable behavior" makes it impossible for them to work with her in her mayoral role moving forward. Lorraine Michetti has been criticized for social media posts that critics deemed racist and anti-Semitic. Members of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, which represents six First Nations in northeastern BC, issued a letter denouncing Michetti's actions and comments and demanding her immediate resignation earlier this week. Michetti says she won't resign as she has other projec
200-cases-of-covid-19-variants-of-concern-reported-in-b-c-so-far
BCMar 04, 2021

200 cases of COVID-19 (variants of concern) reported in B.C. so far

B.C.’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health, Adrian Dix have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia. 542 new cases, have been reported for a total of 81,909 cases in B.C. There are 4,654 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. 246 individuals are currently hospitalized, 64 of whom are in intensive care. There have been 18 new confirmed COVID-19 cases that are variants of concern in our province, for a total of 200 cases. This includes 176 cases of the U.K. variant and 24 cases of the South Africa variant. 289,80
woman-killed-two-hurt-after-vehicle-crosses-centre-line-in-north-vancouver
BCMar 03, 2021

Woman killed, two hurt after vehicle crosses centre line in North Vancouver

A driver has been killed and her passenger was badly hurt in a head-on crash in North Vancouver. RCMP say the collision occurred late Tuesday night on Low Level Road. Police say a vehicle with a lone male inside crossed the centre line, hitting the vehicle with the woman and her passenger. By the time emergency services arrived, the man's vehicle was on fire, although he had been removed before the fire sparked. All three were taken to hospital, where police say the female driver was declared dead, her passenger remains in critical condition and the male has serious injuries. Police say alcoh
BCMar 03, 2021

Police investigate shooting in Newton

The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit is investigating a shooting in Newton after officers responded to reports of gunfire Tuesday night in the 8800-block of 140B Street. Police say shots were fired from a dark-coloured vehicle at an individual who fled in another vehicle before officers arrived around 10:30 p.m. Investigators believe the shooting was targeted and have identified the intended victim, who is known to police. No injuries were reported. Neighbours told Connect News Team the gunfire has left them uneasy about safety in their community. Harbhajan Singh, who has lived on the s
199-violation-tickets-worth-2-300-dollars-each-issued-in-b-c-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic
BCMar 03, 2021

199 violation tickets worth 2,300 dollars each issued in B.C. due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The BC government says it has issued 1,366 violation tickets under its ongoing state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes 199 tickets worth 2,300 dollars each to owners or organizers breaking restrictions on gathering events, adding up to nearly 460,000 dollars in total. The Ministry of Public Safety says in a statement that a further 1,099 tickets worth 230 dollars each have been issued to individuals who refused to comply with law enforcement. 101 tickets totalling nearly 330,000 dollars have been issued to people breaking federal quarantine rules. Since the start of the

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city-of-surrey-seeking-feedback-asks-residents-to-share-what-matters
BCNov 06, 2025

City of Surrey seeking feedback, asks residents to share what matters

City of Surrey is asking people to share feedback and tell the city what matters. City of Surrey says, "As a Surrey resident, your input plays an important role in shaping the City’s 2026 budget priorities. Share your thoughts by completing our online survey or visit one of our open houses to learn more about the budget process, ask questions and provide feedback." Find full details on City of Surrey's website: https://engage.surrey.ca/budge...
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BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,