In response to concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of British Columbians, the BC Coroners Service has released preliminary data confirming there has been no increase in the number of lives lost to suicide sincethe pandemic was declared last year. From April 2020 to February 2021, there were 534 confirmed deaths by suicide in the province, 12% fewer than reported between April 2019 and February 2020. A total of 609 deaths by suicide were reported in the 2020 calendar year, an average of approximately 51 per month. That figure is consistent with the number rec

A former British Columbia government cabinet minister who left politics almost a decade ago to work in the private sector says he's entering the Liberal party's leadership contest.Kevin Falcon announced his leadership bid Monday, saying he wants to rebuild, renew and rename B.C.'s Liberal Party, which has lost its way since the 2017 election.Falcon is the third candidate to enter the Feb. 5, 2022 leadership race, joining Ellis Ross, the Liberal member of the legislature for Skeena, and Gavin Dew, a Vancouver entrepreneur and former Liberal byelection candidate. Liberal transportation critic M

Health officials are reporting 1,360 new cases of COVID-19 over the past three days for an average of 453 each day. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says 14 more people have died, pushing the death toll in BC to 1,648. There are 350 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 132 in intensive care. Dr. Henry says more than 55 per cent of eligible people aged 18 and up have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and all remaining adults need to book appointments as soon as possible. British Columbia's provincial health officer says those who received the first dose of the Ox

Surrey RCMP is currently investigating a shooting that occurred at a residence in Whalley. The residence, which is known to police, has been the target of previous shootings. On May 16, 2021 at approximately 4:15 am Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a shots fired in the 10800 block of 139A Street. Upon arrival, officers located evidence confirming a shooting had taken place. Police did not locate anyone injured in the shooting. The investigation is still in its early stages however, initial indications are that this incident was targeted. While this shooting is tied to criminal activity,

Vancouver's police chief says investigators don't expect Metro Vancouver's gang conflict to slow down, in fact they think it might escalate. Chief Constable Adam Palmer says there have been 20 gang-related homicides in Metro Vancouver so far this year and another 20 attempted murders. Palmer made his statements as he released the names and photos of six men he alleges are known gangsters, who represent a public safety risk. He says investigators believe the six men could be targeted by rivals very soon and their photos are being released so the public can take steps to protect themselves. Van

For two nights in a row this weekend police in Vancouver cleared away crowds of people gathered at the English Bay beach. Sergeant Steve Addison says there was at least one fight and two arrests on Friday, while an RCMP helicopter and boat were brought in to light up the beach and push people to go home. He says tens of thousands of people flocked to the beach on Saturday and while most left when police told them to after 10 p-m, some did not. Addison says at one point, people threw bottles at officers, though there were no arrests Saturday night.

A mixed martial arts fighter born in the Lower Mainland is now a heavyweight champion. Richmond-born Arjan Bhullar defeated reigning heavyweight king Brandon Vera in Singapore with a second-round TKO. Bhullar says wrestling for Canada in the Olympic, Commonwealth and Pan American games were milestones, but he says it all led to his victory in Saturday's One Championship fight. Bhullar is the first MMA champion of Indian descent and says he hopes to inspire more champions from the country he feels close ties to. Arjan Singh Bhullar on Twitter: I'm humbled by the ❤&support from theEarth g

All British Columbia residents over 25 years old can now book their COVID-19 vaccine, while those 18 and older will be able to do so by the end of the weekend, as the province speeds up its vaccine rollout. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say in a joint statement that it's clear vaccines are working, and more people registering will help protect the wider community. B.C. reported 494 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, for a total of 138,304 since the pandemic first began. There were also two new deaths, bringing the toll to 1,634. Dix and Henry say more th

Police say the seventh person to be shot and killed in Metro Vancouver since early last month was a 23 year old man affiliated with gangs. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says Jaskeert Kalkat was hit by a barrage of gunfire in the parking lot of a Burnaby mall last night. Sergeant Frank Jang says a man and woman in their 20's who were with Kalkat were also seriously wounded but are expected to survive. Police have no suspects in the latest fatality as escalating gang violence has seen daylight shootings in parks, malls and at the Vancouver International Airport.