BC government announces contingency plans in place during Canada Post disruption
Arrangements are being made to ensure that British Columbians continue to receive cheques and critical documents in the event of a Canada Post labour disruption. British Columbians who receive government funds by direct deposit will not be affected by the labour action and will continue to receive their payments. For those ...
Duckface allowed: BC SPCA wildlife photography contest now open for entries
Ready to go wild with your camera? The BC SPCA’s eighth annual Wildlife-In-Focus Photography Contest, featuring a new platform and a brand-new look, is now open for entries. Each year, participating shutterbugs strive to capture the best of British Columbia’s wildlife through the lens, from the comfort of their own backyards...
Mail disruptions loom as Canada Post rejects CUPW proposal
There appears to be no turning back on a potential disruption to mail delivery after Canada Post CEO Deepak Chopra officially rejected a letter from postal workers asking him to extend the July 2 deadline for a lockout by a period of two weeks. Mike Palecek, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, […]
Man charged three years after the murder of Mission teen
On March 16, 2013 a Missing Person’s investigation was opened by Mission RCMP after 18-year-old Rachel Pernosky could not be located by family and friends. Her disappearance was out of character and caused great concern for her family. On March 19, three days after she was last seen alive, Rachel’s body was located in a rural...
October amnesty will take aim at illegal weapons
British Columbians can unload old guns, ammunition - any unwanted firearms or weapons - and ensure they never end up in the hands of criminals during a provincewide amnesty Oct. 1-31, 2016. The month-long amnesty will apply to any documented or undocumented firearms and other weapons - including restricted and prohibited ones...
Ministerial statement on medical assistance in dying
Health Minister Terry Lake and Attorney General Suzanne Anton released the following statement yesterday on medical assistance in dying: "As of June 6, 2016, assisted dying is no longer illegal in Canada and the requirement for court approval has been removed. As laid out in the Supreme Court of Canada's February 2015 ruling,...
Administrative savings from school districts being directed back to students
Kootenay Lake School District is to receive $252,383. Kootenay-Columbia gets $178,204. Arrow Lakes, $36,091. SD 51 Boundary, $77,888. The Government of British Columbia is redirecting $25 million in administrative savings from school districts back into frontline services for students. Education Minister Mike Bernier, who...
Mental health system could do more to ensure people can access specialized services
Auditor General of British Columbia Carol Bellringer issued her latest audit May 17: Access to Adult Tertiary Mental Health and Substance Use Services. Bellringer's team looked at how B.C.'s health system manages access to the highest level of mental health and substance use services. They found pockets of good practice, but...
BC Coroner releases fatal drug overdose statistics
The BC Coroners Service has posted the most recent statistics on illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. to its website. The total number of illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. to April 30, 2016, is 256. This represents an increase of 88.2 per cent from the 136 deaths that occurred in the same period last year. Fentanyl was...
B.C. update on continued support for displaced Albertans
British Columbia continues to marshal emergency management resources and support to assist neighbouring Albertans who have fled the devastating wildfires. On May 6, 2016, Premier Christy Clark announced a $300,000 donation from the Government of British Columbia to the Canadian Red Cross to support relief efforts in Fort McMurray, Alberta, adding to donations by British […]
