Skip to Main content

15.22°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Sep 14, 2023 7:29 PM - Connect News

B.C. bans drug use near playgrounds, spray pools, skate parks

Share On

b-c-bans-drug-use-near-playgrounds-spray-pools-skate-parks

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction said that the ban will come into effect from September 18.

British Columbia has banned the use of illegal drugs on playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks.

The British Columbia government says it has received approval from Health Canada to ban the possession and use of illegal drugs in certain public places where families and children gather.

In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction said that the ban will come into effect from September 18.

It shall be illegal to possess drugs within 15 meters of a playground, wading pool or skate park.

Police will be able to enforce the B.C. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in such areas, even though the federal government had given the state an exemption from the drug law six months ago.

Meanwhile, Mayor Ken Sim said that with this move, families will feel safer in these public places.

Minister Jennifer Whiteside said she requested the amendment from Health Canada to ensure we are prepared to fight the drug-addiction crisis and save lives.

Latest news

man-charged-with-first-degree-murder-after-two-children-found-dead-in-calgary-vehicle

AlbertaMay 01, 2026

Man charged with first-degree murder after two children found dead in Calgary vehicle

A 37-year-old man is facing two counts of first-degree murder after the bodies of two children were found inside a vehicle in Calgary, according to court records. Police have said the victims were under the age of 10. Their identities are protected under a publication ban. According to police, the man was arrested outside the vehicle on Thursday. Court documents indicate the children were killed on or about Wednesday, though the circumstances surrounding their deaths have not been detailed publicly. The accused appeared in court Friday morning. A bail hearing is scheduled for next week. The ch

federal-government-commits-9-8m-to-canada-soccer-training-centre-project-in-vancouver

CanadaMay 01, 2026

Federal government commits $9.8M to Canada Soccer training centre project in Vancouver

The federal government has announced $9.8 million in funding for early-stage work on a proposed national training centre for Canada Soccer in Vancouver. According to a federal announcement made Friday, the funding will support the design, planning and pre-construction phases of the project. Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson outlined the investment at a news conference in Vancouver. Van Koeverden said the funding is aimed at developing a high-performance training facility for athletes, adding the project is intended to stren

police-seek-witnesses-after-child-assaulted-at-khalsa-day-event-in-surrey

Police seek witnesses after child assaulted at Khalsa Day event in Surrey

Surrey Police Service says it is investigating an alleged assault involving a child during Khalsa Day celebrations on April 19 in Surrey. According to a police news release, frontline officers responded around 5 p.m. to a report of an assault outside a gurdwara in the 12800 block of 85 Avenue. Investigators say an eight-year-old boy was inside a carnival attraction called “Kreepy Kastle,” set up in the parking lot for the event, when he was allegedly assaulted by two adult men. Police say the child was able to escape and alert family members. He suffered injuries to his neck and was treate

WorldMay 01, 2026

Five killed in small plane crash near Austin, Texas, county official says

Five people are dead after a small plane crashed near Wimberley, Texas, on Thursday night, according to a local official. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said in a Facebook post that the aircraft went down in the area, located about 40 miles southwest of Austin. All five individuals on board were killed, he said. Details about the aircraft, the identities of those on board, and the cause of the crash were not immediately released. It is not clear which agencies are leading the investigation. Authorities have not provided additional information on conditions at the time of the crash or whether

punjab-assembly-passes-confidence-motion-with-88-aap-mlas-voting-in-favour

IndiaMay 01, 2026

Punjab Assembly passes confidence motion with 88 AAP MLAs voting in favour

The Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a confidence motion tabled by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session called by the state government, according to proceedings reported from the House. The motion was introduced to demonstrate the government’s majority. A total of 88 legislators from the Aam Aadmi Party voted in favour, while four MLAs were absent at the time of voting. Ahead of the session, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the need for a confidence motion, stating that the ruling party already holds a large majority in the Assembly. He said the move

Related News

Police seek witnesses after child assaulted at Khalsa Day event in Surrey

Police seek witnesses after child assaulted at Khalsa Day event in Surrey

Surrey Police Service says it is investigating an alleged assault involving a child during Khalsa Day celebrations on April 19 in Surrey. According to a police news release, frontline officers responded around 5 p.m. to a report of an assault outside a gurdwara in the 12800 block of 85 Avenue. Investigators say an eight-year-old boy was inside a carnival attraction called “Kreepy Kastle,” set up in the parking lot for the event, when he was allegedly assaulted by two adult men. Police say the child was able to escape and alert family members. He suffered injuries to his neck and was treate

Eby says MLS talks on Whitecaps 'constructive' as deleted post stirs controversy

Eby says MLS talks on Whitecaps 'constructive' as deleted post stirs controversy

B.C. Premier David Eby said talks with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber on the Vancouver Whitecaps' future were ``constructive,'' as relocation concerns grow. Garber is in Vancouver for FIFA Congress events and met with Eby on Wednesday, following reports that the league has discussed relocating the club, with Las Vegas a leading option. Eby released a video Wednesday night saying the province is ``at the table fighting hard'' to keep the team in Vancouver, calling its loss ``not an option.'' David Eby on X:Premier David Eby on X (screengrab)Hours later, a now-deleted post from Garb

Vancouver Police searching for missing man with liver disease

Vancouver Police searching for missing man with liver disease

The Vancouver Police Department is seeking help from the public in locating a missing man who was last seen near the 29th Avenue SkyTrain Station on the morning of April 25. Gurminder Dhaliwal is a 46-year-old South Asian man who suffers from liver disease, who has difficulty walking because of his illness. Mr. Dhaliwal is 6'2" and weighs 196 lbs. He was last seen wearing Merrell hiking boots and a blue or grey hoodie with “Team Canada” written on the front. Mr. Dhaliwal’s family wants people to know he is not a risk to the public. If seen, please call 911 and wait with Mr. Dhaliwal un

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital