British Columbia's health minister is celebrating a judge's decision against a surgeon advocating for the rights of patients to pay for private medical care. Adrian Dix says it highlights the significant role of the public health-care system as a cornerstone of Canada's identity. Doctor Brian Day challenged the province's Medicare Protection Act, which bans extra billing and private insurance for medically necessary procedures. After a four year trial, a judge ruled that Day and other plaintiffs failed to show patients' rights are being infringed by the act, adding its focus is on equitable a

Victoria police are asking any witnesses to come forward if they have information about a violent sexual assault that happened just north of the downtown core late Monday night. Police say the victim was injured and was treated in hospital after being attacked and then sexually assaulted by an unknown man just after 10 p.m. The victim reports the attacker was 30 to 40 years old, black, about six feet tall and spoke with an East African accent. He also wore a mask, jeans and T-shirt and was pushing an older-style racing bicycle.

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are announcing 100 new cases, and no new epi-linked cases, for a total of 6,691 cases in British Columbia. "There are 1,378 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 3,101 people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and 5,086 people who tested positive have recovered. "Currently, 37 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19

British Columbia's fall and winter pandemic battle plan involves ramping up COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and a campaign to administer almost two million flu shots. Health Ministry officials say they have prepared the province for COVID-19 scenarios ranging from low to exceptional outbreaks and they are confident the health system can meet the challenges. The officials say some of the preparations include being able to conduct up to 20,000 daily COVID-19 tests, hiring more than 600 additional contact tracers and purchasing more than 1.9 million doses of flu vaccine. The officials say the

BC Ferries passengers will no longer be allowed to stay in their vehicles starting September 30th. The ferry service says Transport Canada is rescinding the temporary flexibility it granted ferry operators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It says enclosed car decks represent inherent risk to travellers and Transport Canada has determined there's a clear case for ending the practice. Face coverings are still mandatory on BC Ferries vessels and the company says it will reopen certain dining areas for seating only to make more space for physical distancing.

A British Columbia First Nation has issued a state of emergency after confirmation that four members have COVID-19 and several others are reporting symptoms of the virus.A notice on the Tla'amin Nation website says residents have been ordered to shelter in place to slow the spread of the virus while health officials complete contact tracing.The order affecting the community, which is in the area of Powell River, took effect late Tuesday afternoon and advised members they should stay where the are for the next 72 hours.Access to the First Nation, about 170 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, ha

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has ordered all night clubs and banquet halls to close effective immediately. Dr. Henry also says alcohol can no longer be served at bars and restaurants after 10 pm and they must close by 11 pm unless serving meals. She says the additional restrictions are being put in place because the venues are a significant source of risk of spreading COVID-19. Dr. Henry also says people need to cut down on their social interactions to stay safe now that they're heading back to work and schools are reopening. She made the comment after reporting BC had 429 new c

Smoke from several wildfires in Washington State has drifted northwest to blanket the tip of Vancouver Island, prompting the highest possible air quality risk rating over Victoria and Saanich. Environment Canada's air quality index gives the two cities a ``10-plus'' risk rating, while Westshore ranks at ``10'', meaning strenuous outdoor activities should be avoided and children and the elderly should stay inside. Conditions will improve tomorrow, but smoke from a large wildfire in southeastern BC remains a concern and the weather office predicts conditions in Cranbrook and Castlegar will rema

Police say a man who was punched in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside has died. Const. Tania Visintin says 36 year old Neil Scarisbrick died on Monday. He is Vancouver's 11th homicide victim this year. Visintin says police believe the victim and suspect are known to each other, and there is no risk to the public.