The latest numbers from British Columbia's coroner show suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths set new records in August and September, pushing total overdose deaths to another record for the first nine months of a calendar year. The BC Coroners Service says 181 people died in August and 152 in September, record figures for both months, and it brings the number of fatalities since the start of the year to 1,534. A coroner's statement says September marked the 12th consecutive month in which there were at least 150 deaths due to toxic illicit drugs. Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says the toll is

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 1,438 new cases of COVID-19, including two epi-linked cases, for a total of 209,703 cases in the province:Nov. 5-6: 553 new casesNov. 6-7: 462 new casesNov. 7-8: 423 new casesThere are 4,282 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 202,898 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 407 individuals are in hospital and 121 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 72 hours, 17 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,218. The new deaths include:Fraser Healt

Federal leaders are paying tribute to the sacrifices of Indigenous veterans as well as the discrimination they faced after returning from war. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says all flags on federal government buildings, including the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill, were lowered to acknowledge the service of Indigenous veterans. He told his Caucus this morning that Indigenous people who served across this country often faced systems and discrimination and barriers that were greater than they were for others. It is estimated that more than 12,000 Indigenous people joined the Canadian military

B.C. is reporting 549 new cases of COVID-19, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 208,265 cases in the province.There are 4,483 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 201,267 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 441 individuals are in hospital and 129 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, one new death (Northern Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 2,201.There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Bethshan Gardens (Fraser Health). The outbreak at West Shore

Police say six people from around BC with links to a prominent gang have been charged following an investigation that began in 2018. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says the suspects are part of the Brothers Keepers' drug trafficking network and are known for violent activity. Police say search warrants resulted in the seizure of drugs including cocaine and fentanyl, a loaded pistol, lab equipment used in the production of synthetic drugs and over 50-thousand dollars in cash. Charges against the three men and three women range from trafficking a controlled substance for the benef

Premier John Horgan has released the following statement regarding the latest state of his health:"The surgery and biopsy that were done last week were successful and I am grateful to the amazing health-care team for all the support I’ve received. The pathology confirmed that the growth in my throat was cancerous."My prognosis is good and I expect to make a full recovery. In the next couple of weeks I will need to start radiation treatment, which will conclude toward the end of December. "During that time, I will continue to participate virtually in briefings, cabinet meetings, and other imp

Canada's new defence minister says she's accepted a call to move the investigation and prosecution of sexual misconduct and assault cases that happen in the military over from the force's control to civilian police. Anita Anand says the federal government has accepted ``in full'' the recommendation from retired Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour. Arbour was the second retired Supreme Court justice to call for the military to transfer criminal cases involving sexual misconduct to civilian authorities. Morris Fish made a similar recommendation in June, following a comprehensive review of the m

B.C. is reporting 430 new cases of COVID-19, including two epi-linked cases, for a total of 207,120 cases in the province.There are currently 4,373 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 200,220 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 137 individuals are currently in intensive care.In the past 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,192.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: fourInterior Health: oneIsland Health: oneThere has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Hallmark on the Park (Fraser Health). The outbreaks at Heritage

A team from the Transportation Safety Board has been assigned to investigate the fire that destroyed containers aboard a freighter now moored off the south coast of Vancouver Island. A statement from the board says the team will "gather information and assess the occurrence" aboard the MV Zim Kingston. The fire was reported in a row of containers stacked on the deck of the ship shortly after the vessel was caught in a severe storm on Oct. 22, near the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait. That storm also swept 109 other containers into the ocean, where most are still missing, and the few that washe