Canada recorded a second straight year-over-year decline in opioid overdose deaths, according to the latest federal report on substance-related harms. Health Canada reported that 5,630 people died from opioid overdoses in 2025, down from previous years following an earlier decline recorded in 2024. Despite the reduction, officials said the crisis continues to pose a significant public health challenge across the country. According to the federal report, opioid-related deaths averaged about 15 per day last year. The report also found a 23 per cent decrease in the national death rate linked to o

Approximately 700 Metro Vancouver outside workers have begun a full strike after working for the past 17 months without a collective agreement. According to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union, workers launched the job action after contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Union president Jesse Medeiros said management has continued to ignore concerns raised by frontline employees who provide essential services across the region. The union said its key demands include improved worker safety measures, limits on contracting out work to private companies, and stro

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government's proposed online harms legislation does not go far enough in addressing risks associated with artificial intelligence chatbots. Eby criticized the bill for not requiring technology companies to report dangerous or suspicious user activity to police. He said companies should be obligated to notify law enforcement if a user is believed to be using an AI chatbot to plan a violent crime. The premier pointed to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, stating that the suspect's chatbot account had been flagged before the attack. According to E

A court has granted bail to Shiromani Akali Dal senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia and his associates, Jodh Singh Samra and Jatinder Pal Singh, in connection with a case arising from an alleged confrontation at the Majitha police station. According to police, Majithia and his supporters entered the police station and attempted to secure the release of a person identified as Jobanpreet. Police alleged that during the incident, Majithia snatched a mobile phone from a sub-inspector and tore government documents amid the commotion. Based on those allegations, police registered a case against Maji

Patients in Mission continue to face disruptions to emergency care after Mission Memorial Hospital's emergency department was temporarily closed for a third consecutive Sunday. According to Fraser Health, the closure was caused by an ongoing shortage of physicians available to staff the department. The health authority said it is continuing recruitment efforts aimed at stabilizing services and addressing staffing challenges at the hospital. The emergency department closed at 5 p.m. Sunday and reopened at 8 a.m. Monday, according to hospital service notices. During the closure, patients requiri