First-dose vaccine numbers in British Columbia have risen to above 75 per cent of the eligible population, with second-shot totals hovering near 25 per cent. A joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix says the increasing vaccine numbers allow for the gradual and safe reopening of the province with the lifting of more restrictions. It says more than 4.5 million doses of vaccine have been delivered in total, and of those, slightly over one million were second shots. There are 87 new COVID-19 cases across B.C., with no new cases in the Northe

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says he's committed to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples, but stands firm against so-called activist efforts to ``cancel'' Canada, particularly on July 1.O'Toole offered his insights on the moment the country finds itself in to members of his caucus and staff gathered in Ottawa before the House of Commons breaks for summer.He called the discovery in British Columbia of what are believed to be the remains of 215 Indigenous children from a former residential school ``a necessary awakening for our country.'' O'Toole pledged that a gov

Police say traffic is at a standstill today along the Trans-Canada Highway at Nova Scotia's boundary with New Brunswick as a protest continues over COVID-19 travel restrictions.Nova Scotia RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall says traffic was shut down in both directions overnight after a protest that began Tuesday at Exit 7 near the Cobequid Pass moved to the border area outside Amherst, N.S. Marshall says police are hoping to begin talks with the protesters to get the highway reopened.The protest began after the Nova Scotia government announced that starting today, travellers from New Brunswick will ne

British Columbia's provincial health officer is encouraging anyone who is offered a different COVID-19 vaccine than the one they first received to take it. Dr. Bonnie Henry says fluctuating vaccine supply means if you received Pfizer-BioNTech, you may be offered Moderna for your second shot, or vice versa, and she says health officials are confident both vaccines are safe, effective and interchangeable. Dr. Henry made the comment as she announced a sustained drop in new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and clusters. She says 56 new infections were confirmed Tuesday and there were no new death

The Toronto Police Service have announced the takedown of a major international drug-smuggling ring, which saw more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, crystal meth, and marijuana being transported between Mexico, California, and Canada using modified tractor trailers. Dubbed Project Brisa, the six-month investigation led officers to work in partnership with Canadian and American law enforcement agencies as well as agencies throughout southwestern Ontario and across Canada. It is alleged that between November 2020 and May 2021, investigators identified those responsible for transporting the illic

Canada’s military ombudsman is demanding the federal Liberal government immediately grant his office true independence and oversight powers over the Canadian Armed Forces.Ombudsman Greg Lick says numerous scandals and crises over the past 30-plus years have resulted in calls for external oversight of Canada’s military to protect troops and others.That includes the current sexual misconduct scandal that is ripping through the senior ranks.While governments and leaders within the Armed Forces and Defence Department have publicly agreed to such recommendations each time, Lick alleges such ag

British Columbia is reporting a one-day total of COVID-19 cases not seen since last August, but health officials are encouraging more people to get vaccinated as the virus continues to circulate in the province and neighbouring jurisdictions. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say 45 cases were recorded on Monday, part of the 229 cases B.C. has had over the last three days. Three more people have died of COVID-19, for a total of 1,743 deaths in the province, which currently has 1,204 active cases of the virus. Dr. Henry and Dix say in a joint news releas

Fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents will soon be able to return to Canada without a mandatory quarantine.The first stage in loosening the border restrictions that have been in place for 15 months will begin at 11:59 p.m. eastern time on July 5.It will apply only to people already eligible to travel to Canada, including citizens, permanent residents, and people registered under the Indian Act.Those travellers must have two doses of a vaccine approved by Health Canada, provide a negative COVID-19 test from 72 hours before arrival, take a second test upon arrival, and have a quara

BC health officials say more than three-quarters of eligible adults have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as the province reports 109 new cases. There are 1,389 active cases of COVID-19.There has been one new COVID-19 related death, for a total of 1,740 deaths in British Columbia. 76.7% of all adults in B.C. and 75.1% of those 12 and older have now received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In total, 4,296,151 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 823,371 of which are second doses. The total for B.C.'s COVID-19