BC Premier John Horgan is expressing his gratitude to health-care workers after protests outside some hospitals in the province. The provincial government will require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 later this month from residents participating in non-essential activities, such as visiting restaurants, gyms and movie theatres. Demonstrations against the government's approach on COVID-19 outside hospitals prompted Horgan to issue a statement in support of health-care workers, calling them ``the true heroes'' throughout the pandemic. Kathy MacNeil, president and CEO of the Island Health

B.C. is reporting 785 new cases of COVID-19, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 166,853 cases in the province.There are currently 5,873 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 158,900 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 199 individuals are in hospital and 112 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.Note: Intensive care numbers are a subset of the total in hospital. They are not in addition to the number of people in hospital.The new/active cases include:246 new cases in Fraser HealthTotal active cases:

Surrey RCMP is informing the public of an on-going sexual assault investigation, and is asking any additional witnesses to come forward.This investigation began in March 2021, when Surrey RCMP received a report alleging that a woman was sexually assaulted while receiving a massage at Shri Professional Massage, located at 1105-7360 137 Street. On June 22, 2021. 56-year-old Shri Rampol of Surrey was arrested on a warrant for sexual assault. The BC prosecution Service approved a charge of sexual assault and he was released from custody by the court with conditions including not to perform any mas

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 1,853 new cases of COVID-19, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 165,413 cases in the province:Aug. 27-28: 769 new casesAug. 28-29: 581 new casesAug. 29-30: 503 new casesThere are 5,918 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 157,419 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 176 individuals are in hospital and 91 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 72 hours, seven new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,814.The new deaths include:Fraser

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has outlined a plan to help restore Canada's big lakes and river system. In Quebec, he announced his government would invest one billion dollars over 10 years. In Ottawa, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is promising to crack down on ``ultra-rich'' tax dodgers. Singh says his party's plan to tax the rich could raise the money to help pay for programs like universal pharmacare and more affordable housing. He later is scheduled to fly to Ladysmith, BC. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole, meanwhile, is promising to get tougher on animal cruelty. He began the day at a dog sanc

B.C. is reporting 867 new cases of COVID-19, including four epi-linked cases, for a total of 163,560 cases in the province. There are 5,657 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 155,928 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 159 individuals are in hospital and 84 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, three new deaths (Interior Health) have been reported, for an overall total of 1,807. From Aug. 12-25, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 82.0% of cases and 85.9% of hospitalizations.Past we

Mounties say their initial investigation shows speed was a factor in a crash that killed three teenage hockey players in Surrey, B.C. In a news release, police say investigators have found that the car was travelling at a speed ``significantly greater'' than the posted limit. Emergency services personnel were called out early Saturday after a car hit a tree. Officials have said all three of the car's occupants died at the scene. The NHL and hockey teams, including the Humboldt Broncos, offered their condolences to the families of the three junior players. The league identified the players in

B.C. is reporting 724 new cases of COVID-19, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 162,693 cases in the province.There are 5,640 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 155,096 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 149 individuals are in hospital and 83 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the last 24 hours, two new deaths (Interior Health) have been reported, for an overall total of 1,804. From Aug. 11-24, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 82.4% of cases and 86.4% of hospitalizations.Past week

The Canadian Armed Forces is confirming that all of its members still in Afghanistan are safe and accounted for after two suicide bombers and gunmen targeted crowds gathered near the Kabul airport. Most Canadian soldiers left the country on the last of Ottawa's evacuation flights earlier in the day, leaving behind an unknown number of Canadian citizens and Afghans who assisted the Canadian military. Russian officials are reporting the attacks killed at least 13 people and wounded 15 others. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says his group strongly condemns the attack, which he pointed out