8.78°C Vancouver

News

review-of-safety-data-completed-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-will-remain-authorized-for-all-adults-in-canada-dr-supriya-sharma
CanadaApr 14, 2021

Review of safety data completed, Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will remain authorized for all adults in Canada: Dr. Supriya Sharma

Chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma says there is no evidence showing certain people are more at risk than others and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will remain authorized for all adults in Canada, along with the others that have been approved for use so far. Dr. Supriya Sharma says the vaccine, along with others approved for use so far, is safe for anyone to take. Dr. Supriya Sharma, chief medical adviser with Health Canada, says the conclusions come after the department's drug regulatory experts completed a review of safety data, and are in line with those issued in Europe and the Unite
BCApr 14, 2021

B.C. COVID-19 in-dining restrictions to be extended through to May: industry group

The B.C. Restaurants and Food Association says it has been told that current health orders restricting in-person dining will be extended beyond next Monday's deadline.The group says they had a meeting with provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry Tuesday, who indicated that the health order would run through to May.It says the continued high number of daily cases and the province's desire to have restrictions in place limiting socialization and gathering indoors was given as the reason.B.C. Premier John Horgan said Tuesday that further COVID-19 restrictions may be on the way. He said his ca
canada-receives-report-of-blood-clot-linked-to-astrazeneca
CanadaApr 13, 2021

Canada receives report of blood clot linked to AstraZeneca

A Quebec woman has developed a blood clot after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, in Canada's first case of the rare condition. Federal and provincial health officials say the woman got an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine that was produced at the Serum Institute of India, known as Covishield. The agency says the person is now recovering at home. Health Canada says the side-effect is extremely rare and the vaccine's benefits still outweigh its risks. More than 700,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in Canada. In the House of Commons today, Health Minister Patty Hajdu was asked by the Conser
health-canada-investigating-reports-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine-may-be-linked-to-extremely-rare-cases-of-blood-clots
CanadaApr 13, 2021

Health Canada investigating reports Johnson &Johnson COVID-19 vaccine may be linked to extremely rare cases of blood clots

Health Canada says it is investigating reports the Johnson &Johnson COVID-19 vaccine may be linked to extremely rare cases of blood clots. In a tweet, the Canadian drug regulator says it is following the issue closely and is working with the manufacturer, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other international regulators. Health Canada also says it has asked Janssen, the pharmaceutical arm of Johnson & Johnson, to provide information on any blood-clotting cases. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration issued a joint state
b-c-s-top-doctor-says-essential-workers-in-hot-spots-to-be-vaccinated-first
BCApr 13, 2021

B.C.'s top doctor says essential workers in hot spots to be vaccinated first

British Columbia's provincial health officer is calling for patience among essential workers waiting for a vaccine that's being prioritized for people in areas where COVID-19 transmission is highest. Dr. Bonnie Henry says firefighters, police and paramedics are being vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines over the next few weeks alongside staff at schools and child-care centres. She says certain neighbourhoods will also be targeted as the province's age-based program currently books people aged 65 and up for immunization, though the Pfizer vaccine has not been arriving as re
throne-speech-outlines-work-to-put-pandemic-behind-us-plans-for-strong-recovery
BCApr 12, 2021

Throne speech outlines work to put pandemic behind us, plans for strong recovery

Lt. Gov. Janet Austin has delivered the speech from the throne outlining government's commitment to supporting people, businesses and communities, while working to put the pandemic behind British Columbians and build a strong recovery for everyone."We have come a long way by looking out for each other and we can finally see the finish line in sight," said Premier John Horgan. "But in a marathon, the final push is the most difficult. The threat of new variants means we cannot let down our guard, not when we are this close to the end. Our top priority will continue to be on keeping British Colum
adults-living-working-in-whistler-b-c-eligible-for-covid-19vaccine-on-monday
BCApr 12, 2021

Adults living, working in Whistler, B.C., eligible for COVID-19 vaccine on Monday

Adults living and working in Whistler, B.C., will be able to receive their COVID-19 vaccination starting Monday. Vancouver Coastal Health says eligible residents will be required to provide proof of their permanent resident address in Whistler with a provincialdriver's licence or valid credit card statement, or present a recent paystub to confirm their employment in the area. Whistler adults between 18 and 54 years of age will receive a vaccination at the Whistler Conference Centre. Those 55 to 65 years old can receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine at a local pharmacy or wait to receive a P
b-c-reports-1-262-covid-19-cases-active-cases-rise-past-9-500
BCApr 10, 2021

B.C. reports 1,262 COVID-19 cases; Active cases rise past 9,500

British Columbia is reporting nearly 1,300 cases of COVID-19 for a second day in a row as the province marks a milestone by administering a million doses of vaccine. Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint release that only 87,600 of the shots are second doses and everyone must continue following all public health orders. They are reporting 1,262 new cases and are asking people to avoid travel and indoor gatherings outside of a household, adding that even people who have mild symptoms should get tested for infection. Another two people have
prince-philip-duke-of-edinburgh-dead-at-the-age-of-99
WorldApr 09, 2021

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, dead at the age of 99

Buckingham Palace says Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has died at age 99.The Queen's husband was admitted to a London hospital on Feb. 17 after feeling unwell.He spent a month in hospital and was released on March 16, when he returned to Windsor Castle.His illness was said to not be related to COVID-19, the Queen and Philip were vaccinated against the coronavirus in early January.Philip retired from public duties in 2017 and had rarely appeared in public since.Philip married the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and was the longest-serving royal consort in British history.He and the Queen ha

Just In

flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age
house-of-commons-prepares-to-adjourn-for-six-week-winter-break-as-key-bills-remain-unfinished
CanadaDec 11, 2025

House of Commons prepares to adjourn for six-week winter break as key bills remain unfinished

Members of Parliament are expected to wrap up the fall sitting as early as Thursday, ending the session ahead of the scheduled Friday adjournment and beginning a six-week winter break. MPs are due to return to the House on January 26, leaving several major pieces of government legislation still awaiting final approval. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said the minority Liberal government considers the fall session productive, noting progress on budget and public-safety bills that have not yet cleared Parliament. This sitting was the first full session under Prime Minister Mark Carney,
BCDec 11, 2025

Two Maple Ridge residents sentenced to five years for 2023 killing of Surinderjit Singh

Two people have been sentenced to five years in prison for the 2023 killing of Maple Ridge resident Surinderjit “Jack” Singh. The case, which involved extensive work by homicide investigators and local RCMP, concluded last week with a pair of manslaughter convictions. Police were called to the 21800 block of 122 Avenue on the morning of March 4, 2023, where officers found the 55-year-old victim deceased at the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team took charge of the file, working with Ridge Meadows RCMP, forensic specialists, and the BC Coroners Service. Investigators later ide
rcmp-shuts-down-suspected-fentanyl-lab-in-surrey-as-officers-seize-drugs-and-weapons
BCDec 11, 2025

RCMP shuts down suspected fentanyl lab in Surrey as officers seize drugs and weapons

Federal RCMP officers say a synthetic drug lab operating in a Surrey neighbourhood has been dismantled following coordinated searches in Surrey and Richmond this fall. Investigators with the RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region CLEAR Team carried out warrants on September 14, uncovering large quantities of suspected fentanyl along with a cache of weapons and precursor chemicals. Police say the investigation began earlier in the summer and led officers to a property in the 12900 block of 54A Avenue in Surrey, where they located what they believe was an active fentanyl production site. Officers