The British Columbia coroner says 152 people died of toxic drug overdoses in January, marking four consecutive months that the toll was under 160. January's figure was down more than 30 per cent from the same time last year when there were 219 deaths. The coroner's service says half of those who died in January were between the ages of 40 and 59, while three were children or youth under the age of 18. The powerful opioid fentanyl and its analogues were found in 77 per cent of tests on those who died, followed by methamphetamine, while 46 per cent of those who died had bromazolam in their syste

Police in Vancouver say an 18-year-old man has died in an early morning car crash in Stanley Park.They say in a news release that the driver of a white BMW was travelling between Second and Third Beach in the park when he lost control and hit a tree just after 3 a.m. Police say the passenger in the vehicle died at the scene. They say the driver was taken to hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening. The department says investigators don't believe alcohol or drug impairment were factors in the crash. Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to

Premier David Eby’s government introduced a bill in the legislature today to impose tolls on trucks from Washington and Alaska that pass through B.C. Deputy Premier Nikki Sharma stated that the bill would provide the provincial government with a range of powers to respond quickly to U.S. tariffs. Sharma explained that the Economic Stability Tariff Response Bill would enable her government to take action in four key ways: reducing interprovincial trade barriers, providing guidance to agencies on procurement, and authorizing the implementation of a system for imposing tolls and other charges

Global Affairs says it can't intervene on behalf of a Canadian being held in an Arizona immigration detention centre, where the woman's mother says conditions are "inhumane and deeply concerning." Alexis Eagles says Vancouver businesswoman and former actress Jasmine Mooney is being detained at the San Luis Regional Detention Center with about 30 people in a single concrete cell. Eagles says in a social media post that the cell's fluorescent lights are never turned off, and there are no mats or blankets and limited bathroom facilities. She says her daughter had been working in the United States

A private member’s bill aimed at providing universal access to mental health care for pregnant women and new mothers in British Columbia has been unanimously approved by the provincial legislature. This marks the first private member’s bill to pass second reading in the BC legislature in 43 years. The bill was introduced on Monday by Jody Toor, the MLA for Langley-Willowbrook and a member of the opposition Conservative Party in BC. Toor highlighted that one in five women in BC face mental health challenges before or after childbirth, including anxiety, birth trauma, and more, yet many sti

BC Hydro says Tesla products have been removed from its electric vehicle rebate program as part of the province's fight back against U.S. tariff threats. It says on its website that the move is part of the government's move to give preference to Canadian goods and exclude U.S. goods from rebates if practical. A message on its website says the exclusion became effective on Wednesday, but Tesla products that were purchased or received pre-approval for rebates before then are still qualified. The rebate program covers up to 50 per cent of the purchase cost and installation of a home charger, up t

The British Columbia and federal governments have announced funding to ensure adequate housing for survivors of gender-based violence in the province. The B.C. Housing Ministry says in a news release that Ottawa is providing nearly $37 million over four years and the province will match the investment. It says the money will be used to help victims transition to secure rental housing in the private market. The ministry says the benefit provided by BC Housing will supply an average of $600 per household each month, but notes that amount will be determined based on income, family size and rent c

Three rebel BC Conservative MLAs are considering forming a new political party after the party recently expelled Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie due to controversial comments about residential schools. In solidarity, two other MLAs, Jordan Kelly and Tara Armstrong, also left the party. To gain party status in the BC legislature, a minimum of two MLAs is required. This means that Brodie, Armstrong, and Kelly could qualify for party status and benefit from several advantages. The new party would be allocated an annual budget of approximately $767,000 for staff and office expenses. Additio

The BC Conservatives are currently grappling with a leadership crisis over comments regarding residential schools, putting John Rustad's leadership in jeopardy. The party is scheduled to hold a leadership review this fall, and Conservative strategist Allie Blades suggests that recent events will serve as a significant test for Rustad’s leadership. So far, three MLAs have chosen to sit as independents in the provincial legislature due to the party's internal divide. The dispute began in February after Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie made controversial comments about the former resident