Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says no words can do justice to the children whose bodies were found in unmarked graves at a residential school in Kamloops. She started her COVID-19 briefing today by expressing her sorrow for the 215 Indigenous children and the countless others who died alone, scared and far from their families in residential schools. Dr. Henry pledged her commitment to changing systems and laws that continue to perpetuate racism that hurts Indigenous peoples in countless ways. She added Canadians can't get stuck in the shame and grief of what was done to First Nat

The BC RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident in Prince George where one man sustained serious injuries.Shortly before 7:00 AM on Monday May 31st, 2021, a frontline officer of the Prince George RCMP was conducting an investigation in the area of 15th Avenue and Victoria Street in Prince George.During the course of the investigation a physical altercation ensured between the police officer and male suspect. During the altercation the officer discharged their firearm striking the man. Officers provided first aid and Emergency Health Se

Surrey RCMP is investigating an incident where shots were fired at a residence in the Newton area. On May 31, 2021, at approximately 1:00 am Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a mischief to a window in the 13500 block of 64A Avenue. Upon arrival and further investigation, it was determined that shots were fired at the residence. No persons were injured and the motive of the shooting is still under investigation. Based on the initial investigation there is nothing to suggest that there is any link to the Lower Mainland Gang Conflict. Investigators will be in the area today conducting furthe

On June 1, 2021, B.C.'s lowest paid workers will get a pay boost, with the general minimum wage increasing to $15.20 an hour and the lower discriminatory minimum wage for liquor servers ending.Over the past four years, B.C.'s general minimum wage has increased from $11.35 to $15.20 per hour. It has benefited close to 400,000 British Columbians over those years - the majority of whom are women, immigrants and youth."In 2017, our government made a commitment to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by June 2021, through regular, measured and predictable increases," said Harry Bains, Minister

Two people are in hospital after a fire on a boat in Pitt Lake. One of the injured is in critical condition. Emergency Health Services says crews were called to the Grand Narrows boat launch yesterday afternoon after reports of an explosion. One person was airlifted to hospital while the other was transported by ambulance. Video from the scene shows a small motorboat engulfed in flames and thick black smoke pouring out.

British Columbia health officials say COVID-19 is still spreading with new cases and clusters as the province begins to reopen in a four-step plan. In a news release, they say it is important to get vaccinated while maintaining social distance and using masks to stay safe during this period of transition. Officials say there has been a COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care facility, Brookside Lodge in Surrey, where one resident and a staff member have tested positive. The province reported 317 new cases of the infection for a total of 143,581. They also reported two more deaths, brining the n

A Male and female were arrested in the Richmond area when a loaded firearm was seized by officers with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit’s (CFSEU-BC’s) Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET). On the evening of May 21, 2021, CFSEU-BC’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team were conducting proactive enforcement patrols in the Richmond area when they noticed a male and female exiting a local establishment. UGET officers quickly recognized the male as being an individual involved in the ongoing Lower Mainland Gang Conflict. UGET officers approached the male and female who were detained for

The Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) is receiving an additional $10 million to assist more community-based sexual assault response service programs throughout the Province."Sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence have devastating impacts on survivors, and that's why government is committed to prioritizing services and supports for those impacted," said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. "The success of the first round of this grant program was exceptional, and I'm happy we're able to provide further support for EVA BC to administer more g

BC's First Nations Health Authority says Indigenous people accounted for nearly 15 per cent of all toxic drug deaths last year although they represent only 3.3 per cent of the province's total population. Deputy chief medical officer Doctor Nel Wieman says 254 Indigenous people died from toxic drugs last year, a nearly 120 per cent increase from 2019. She says the death rate began to rise after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a public health emergency. The pandemic has led to the closure of the border with the US, which officials say disrupted the usual flow of illicit drugs, prompting the