British Columbia's labour minister says he has contacted the head of the province's workplace safety agency after six workers died on the job in the past four weeks. Harry Bains says he's reached out to the chair of WorkSafeBC to make sure appropriate prevention and enforcement of health and safety rules are taking place. Bains says there has been a steep learning curve to adjust to COVID-19 safety regulations, but the deaths are a reminder that the pandemic isn't the only hazard workers face. Two men were killed when a boom broke on a construction site on Gabriola Island, two forestry worker

A new school opens in Surrey next week, the third new school this school year in B.C.’s fastest-growing community, providing much needed classrooms for more than 600 students. "This is excellent news for Surrey students and families that another new school is opening this year, reducing the number of portables needed in the district and providing another dynamic, 21st-century learning environment in the community," said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. "After years of underinvestment by the previous government, Surrey families are starting to see concrete results of our work to giv

Advocates say undocumented workers in BC fear that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 could mean getting arrested if someone reports that they lack proper identification. The BC Health Ministry says undocumented and migrant workers don't need to present medical cards before being immunized, but it didn't say whether non-government identification could be used. The ministry says information provided for immunization will not be shared with other organizations, and more details on documents that will be asked for when provincewide online booking starts April 6th. Byron Cruz, a spokesman for Sa

The B.C. government is more than doubling the fines for those promoting and attending events against COVID-19 health rules in an effort to crack down on "selfish behaviour." The fine has increased to $575 from $230, although the penalty for those caught hosting such an event remains at $2,300. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says it's become clear in the last few months that the risk of paying the ticket isn't enough of a deterrence. The $230 fine will continue to apply to a range of other COVID-19 violations, such as not wearing a mask. The ministry says in a news release that the incre

Elders in British Columbia care homes will soon be able to socialize and receive visits from loved ones after being locked down by COVID-19 for more than a year. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the benefits of lifting some of the restrictions outweigh the risks to the elderly, who have had little interaction with family or friends since the pandemic began. Starting April 1st, residents in long-term care and assisted-living facilities will be able to have frequent and routine visits. The rule changes include allowing two visitors, plus a child, at one time -- and they're allowe

Burnaby RCMP are investigating an altercation at the Metrotown Mall in which a West Vancouver man allegedly spat on someone after being asked to wear a mask. Police say the incident happened outside the mall's McDonald's restaurant around 11 am on Monday when a bystander asked the man to wear a mask, and he refused. The man has been issued a $230 fine and police are investigating the allegations as a possible assault. Mounties say people should call police instead of trying to enforce COVID-19 guidelines. Burnaby RCMP on Twitter: Unmasked man arrested by #BurnabyFrontline officers for assault

A lawyer for Canada's attorney general says there's no evidence that the RCMP shared serial numbers with U.S. investigators for the devices of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. John Gibb-Carsley told the B.C. Supreme Court that the burden of proof is on Meng's legal team to show the numbers were shared, but they can't do it. The court has seen email evidence that the Federal Bureau of Investigation asked for the serial numbers and RCMP collected them, but the email chain goes cold before confirming if they were sent or not. Meng's legal team is arguing that proceedings in her extradition case sh

Delta police say a fully loaded dump truck was pulled off the road earlier this month after officers discovered its brakes were completely inoperable during an enforcement blitz. Police says officers inspected 59 vehicles during a safety campaign on March 16, handing out 33 tickets, while drivers of 31 vehicles were given orders or had their vehicle placed out of service immediately. Officers also pulled over a commercial cargo van where the tread on two of its tires was gone and the wear was into the inner structure of the tires. Thirty inspections of taxis and ride-sharing vehicles were als

RCMP in Alberta say a BC woman is responsible for more than 250,000 dollars in fraud connected to a scheme involving fake travel vouchers. Airdrie RCMP say they have arrested and charged 40 year old Alexandra Beckow.Beckow is from Surrey and has been arrested following an 18 month long fraud investigation. Officials say the victims reported they had purchased travel vouchers from Beckow or had fraudulent charges on their credit cards. Police say they have identified 47 victims from Alberta, BC and Ontario who were allegedly defrauded of more than 250,000 dollars.