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b-c-records-nearly-500-toxic-drug-deaths-since-jan-1-coroner
BCApr 29, 2021

B.C. records nearly 500 toxic drug deaths since Jan. 1: Coroner

Toxic drug deaths killed 158 people in British Columbia last month, pushing the total number of deaths linked in the province's overdose crisis to 498 since the start of the year. A statement releasing the figures from the BC Coroners Service and the Public Safety Ministry says the deaths in March are a 41 per cent increase over the 112 fatalities recorded in the same period last year. The deaths also mark the third consecutive month that more than five people died every day from illicit drug use in the province. The coroners service says carfentanil, which is 100 times stronger than the opio
louise-arbour-tapped-to-review-military-sexual-misconduct
CanadaApr 29, 2021

Louise Arbour tapped to review military sexual misconduct

The Liberal government is tapping former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour to lead what it says is an independent review of the military's handling of sexual assault, harassment and other misconduct. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced Arbour's appointment today, nearly three months after the government and Canadian Armed Forces were rocked by allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour by the military's top commanders.Arbour, the former UN high commissioner for human rights, is being asked to help set up an independent system for victims and others to report incidents and also to re
b-c-hits-new-record-for-covid-19-hospitalizations-at-515-five-more-deaths
BCApr 29, 2021

B.C. hits new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations at 515, five more deaths

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in British Columbia has ticked up to 515, breaking a previous record set last week. Among those hospitalized, 171 people are in intensive care. Five more people have died after contracting the illness, pushing the death toll in the province to 1,576. The number of active infections was down to just over 8,000 as health officials reported 841 new cases on Wednesday. A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says B.C. has now administered more than 1.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, of whi
b-c-judge-says-mans-covid-rule-breaking-was-like-dealing-fentanyl-on-the-street
BCApr 28, 2021

B.C. judge says man's COVID rule breaking was like dealing fentanyl on the street

A British Columbia provincial court judge compared a man's actions breaking COVID-19 rules to selling the powerful opioid fentanyl on the street as she sentenced him. Mohammad Movassaghi was handed one day in jail, a $5,000 fine and 18 months' probation after previously pleading guilty to disobeying a court order, failing to comply with a health officer's order and unlawfully purchasing grain alcohol. Vancouver police used a search warrant in January to enter what they described as a makeshift nightclub and more than $17,000 in fines were issued against Movassaghi and his guests in the home.
canadas-first-300-000-doses-of-j-j-covid-19-vaccine-arriving-today-650-000-doses-of-moderna-vaccine-arrive-in-toronto
CanadaApr 28, 2021

Canada's first 300,000 doses of J&J COVID-19 vaccine arrive; 650,000 doses of Moderna vaccine also arrive in Toronto

Canada's first 300,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are arriving today, a federal official tells The Canadian Press. The official, granted anonymity to discuss matters not made public yet, said that where the doses are coming from is not being disclosed because the government needs to ``protect this new vaccine supply chain.'' J&J has struggled with production problems and has been able to deliver very few doses, even in the United States. Canada purchased 10 million doses, and has the option to buy 28 million more. The doses are expected to be distributed to provin
former-liberal-gaming-minister-deputy-premier-to-testify-at-money-laundering-inquiry
BCApr 28, 2021

Former Liberal gaming minister, deputy premier to testify at money laundering inquiry

A former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister who was responsible for gaming for more than a decade is scheduled to testify today at the public inquiry into money laundering.Rich Coleman, a six-term former member of the B.C. legislature and deputy premier, is the latest of several high-profile past and current politicians to appear before the Cullen Commission in recent days.Former premier Christy Clark recently testified at the inquiry, as did current Opposition Liberal MLAs Shirley Bond and Mike de Jong, both of whom were previous ministers in charge of gaming.B.C. Attorney General David Eby, who
b-c-offers-oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-people-age-30-and-up
BCApr 28, 2021

B.C. offers Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to people age 30 and up

People age 30 and older may now receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia, starting with hot spots for transmission. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say in a statement on Tuesday the vaccine will be made available across the province as B.C. receives enough doses to add more pharmacy appointments. Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended last week that the vaccine may be offered to people 30 and up who don't want to wait for an approved mRNA vaccine, and if certain other conditions are met. Those condi
quebec-reports-blood-clot-death-after-astrazeneca-vaccine
CanadaApr 27, 2021

Quebec reports blood clot death after AstraZeneca vaccine

A Quebec woman in her 50s has died of a blood clot that occurred after she received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The province's public health director says officials always knew that rare complications were possible with vaccines. Dr. Horacio Arruda says the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine still far outweigh the risks. Arruda notes there have been four reports of complications out of 400,000 people who have received the vaccines. He says Quebec will continue to offer the vaccine to residents between the ages of 45 and 79. Health Minister Christian Dube a told a news conference that any de
trustees-vote-to-end-program-assigning-uniformed-police-officers-to-vancouver-schools
BCApr 27, 2021

Trustees vote to end program assigning uniformed police officers to Vancouver schools

Uniformed police officers will no longer be assigned to Vancouver public schools after trustees voted to end its school liaison officer program.The program has been under review for almost a year due to concerns that uniformed officers make some students anxious or upset, including many identifying as Black, Indigenous or people of colour.Trustees voted eight to one Monday in favour of a motion to halt the program at the end of June.The decision is supported by several groups, including the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council and associations representingelementary and secondary school

Just In

trudeau-admits-canada-allowed-too-many-immigrants-during-pandemic-defends-immigration
CanadaJun 29, 2026

Trudeau Admits Canada Allowed Too Many Immigrants During Pandemic, Defends Immigration

Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged that his government allowed more immigrants into Canada than expected during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to address severe labour shortages. Speaking at a public forum in Finland, Trudeau said his government "didn't quite get the balance right" when it came to matching immigration levels with the country's capacity during that period. Despite the admission, Trudeau defended immigration, saying it remains essential for any country's economic growth and long-term success. He added that in today's world, the strength of a demo
AlbertaJun 29, 2026

Local state of emergency declared in Kananaskis Country as flooding cuts off access

A local state of emergency has been declared in parts of Kananaskis Country west of Calgary as flooding has damaged road access and left some people unable to leave the area. Alberta Parks said emergency crews are supporting campground evacuations where necessary, monitoring infrastructure and maintaining road closures as conditions continue to change. Officials have asked people already in the area to remain where they are and urged visitors to postpone travel until conditions improve. Authorities have not said how many people are stranded or whether there have been any injuries related to th
premier-danielle-smith-welcomes-agreement-between-calgary-and-stampede-event-operators
AlbertaJun 29, 2026

Premier Danielle Smith Welcomes Agreement Between Calgary and Stampede Event Operators

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has welcomed an agreement reached between the City of Calgary and Stampede event operators over noise restrictions during this year's Calgary Stampede. Under the new deal, the city has agreed to allow slightly higher sound levels than those originally proposed, although they will still remain below last year's limits. In return, event organizers have accepted a condition requiring live music to end by midnight each night. Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis played a key role in resolving the dispute. He brought together
b-c-premier-david-eby-begins-first-trade-mission-to-china
BCJun 29, 2026

B.C. Premier David Eby Begins First Trade Mission to China

British Columbia Premier David Eby has embarked on his first official trade mission to China, aiming to reduce the province's dependence on the United States and double trade with non-U.S. markets over the next decade. China is B.C.'s second-largest trading partner, and during the trip Eby will meet with government and business leaders in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Before departing, the premier said he is hopeful the visit will lead to positive discussions about removing China's current tariffs on B.C. seafood exports. Eby is now scheduled to return to British Col
CanadaJun 29, 2026

Federal Government Relaunches Green Home Retrofit Program in B.C. and Other Provinces

The federal government has announced the relaunch of its Green Home Retrofit Program with $500 million in funding, expanding support to British Columbia and three other provinces. The program will help more than 35,000 households receive free energy-efficient home upgrades, including heat pumps, insulation, and air sealing improvements. Previously available only to homeowners, the program has now been expanded to include low-income renters, allowing more Canadians to benefit from energy-saving upgrades. The renewed initiative is being launched in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and