Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released a statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s report on illicit drug toxicity deaths for July 2021. "This year continues to be incredibly sad as the number of people dying by toxic drugs persists at a tragic rate. My thoughts are with everyone who is mourning the loss of someone they love."While we have been adding services and supports in an unprecedented way, B.C. is facing a rising tide of need."A lot of work is happening on the ground to make the large, systemic changes necessary to truly turn the tide on this cr

British Columbia's provincial health officer has announced regional restrictions in an area that has seen a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases among children as adult infections take off. Dr. Bonnie Henry's order covers the eastern Fraser Valley in Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission and Agassiz-Harrison. She says private gatherings will be limited to five additional people or one additional household and to 10 people outdoors, unless everyone is vaccinated. Organized events like weddings or conferences will be limited to 10 people, or 50 people outside, unless everyone is fully vaccinated, wh

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is again reminding Canadians that encouraging people to get vaccinated and protecting those who have gotten their shots is the key way through this pandemic and out of it. He says his government will move ahead with the five vaccine-related priorities that he committed to during the election campaign, like a vaccine mandate for federal workers and requiring travellers to be fully vaccinated before getting on a plane or train. He’s also ready to move on his promise to health-care workers.Rounding out his top five priorities include finalizing a vaccine passport f

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 2,239 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 184,780 cases in the province. Sept. 24-25: 876 new casesSept. 25-26: 657 new casesSept. 26-27: 706 new cases There are 6,098 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 176,354 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 303 individuals are in hospital and 141 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 72 hours, 18 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,940.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: threeInterior Health

Starting today, the only acceptable proof of vaccination in British Columbia to dine at restaurants and attend indoor recreational events is the B.C. Vaccine Card. The government says the transition period allowing people to present their vaccine records from their immunization appointments expired Sunday. The vaccine card, under orders from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, is required at most restaurants and indoor events to help ensure businesses can stay open and people can feel safe in these settings. Health Minister Adrian Dix says more than three million people in B.C. have a

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are on their way back to Canada after being detained in China for nearly three years. Trudeau told a news conference tonight on Parliament Hill that Kovrig and Spavor, who have become known in Canada and around the world as the ``two Michaels,'' were on a plane that left China, accompanied by Canadian ambassador Dominic Barton. The news comes hours after Meng Wanzhou walked freely out of a British Columbia Supreme Court, when a judge agreed to a discharge order that withdrew a U.S. extradition request again

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has signed off on a discharge order for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, withdrawing a U.S. extradition order and allowing her freedom. Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes thanked Meng for her behaviour during the hearing and released her from bail conditions. The development comes as Meng pleaded not guilty to all charges in a New York courtroom and a judge signed off on a deferred prosecution agreement that all but ends the 34 month saga of her detention in Canada. Assistant U.S. attorney David Kessler told court that the agreement would allow for the charges aga

B.C. is reporting 832 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 181,769 cases in the province.Note: The numbers of total and new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh and will be verified once confirmed.There are 5,697 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 173,786 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 330 individuals are in hospital and 148 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, five new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,915. The new deaths include:Fraser Health: tw

Two men have been hurt in a targeted, early morning shooting in Surrey. RCMP say the victims, aged 23 and 47, were attacked in a home in the Newton neighbourhood at around 5 am. Both men are expected to survive and investigators say one of them was also shot while standing in the driveway of the same home about two months ago. Although police say the attack is targeted, they haven't said if it might be linked to Metro Vancouver's ongoing gang conflict.