K-12 operational guidelines set requirements for masks
School districts have received updated operational guidelines to help ensure a consistent provincewide approach to keep schools safe for all students, teachers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the updated health and safety guidelines, masks will be required for staff, middle and secondary students in high traffic...
Plan to safely bring K-12 students back to class full time
Enhanced safety measures and additional resources will enable most students in grades K-12 to return to school on Sept. 8, 2020, with full-time in-class learning as the province moves to Stage 2 of B.C.’s Education Restart Plan. “The classroom is an essential part of a child’s social, academic and mental development, and...
Charges laid after woman’s dog dragged by her stolen vehicle in Windermere
What started as a routine outing for a Windermere woman turned frightening, when she witnessed her dog being dragged behind her freshly stolen vehicle as it fled the downtown area late Monday afternoon. On Monday, July 27, shortly after 5:30 p.m., the Columbia Valley RCMP was advised that a Toyota Rav4 was stolen while parked...
B.C. families get additional $450 with boosted climate action tax credit
Starting this week, more than 80 per cent of families and individuals in British Columbia will automatically receive an enhanced climate action tax credit. “Many British Columbians are still worried about how they can cover costs such as transportation so they can return to work, pay for groceries and find day camps for their...
Investments mean safer visits at long-term care, seniors’ facilities
The Province is investing in a suite of initiatives to protect long-term care and seniors’ assisted-living residents from COVID-19, as facilities begin allowing visitors. “British Columbians flattened the curve through individual actions and a commitment to look out for each other – our families, friends and neighbours,” said...
July is Summer CounterAttack Impaired Driving campaign
Police in British Columbia are always on the lookout for impaired drivers and, as summer is upon us, police throughout the province will be even more vigilant in their efforts to get impaired drivers off our roadways this July and beyond. The entire month of July is dedicated to the Summer CounterAttack Impaired Driving...
Active Peace Valley landslide renews questions about slope stability and BC government secrecy
By Sarah Cox, for The Narwhal For the second time in 20 months, residents of Old Fort are dealing with a large landslide that has cut off road access to the community, prompting calls for more transparency from the provincial government which continues to investigate a 2018 landslide in the same location. As an active new...
BC Chief Coroner speaks to proposed changes to Mental Health Act, particularly vis-a-vis illicit drug deaths
Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner of the BC Coroners Service, has issued the following statement in response to proposed legislative amendments to the Mental Health Act: “Today, the BC Coroners Service became aware of the proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act tabled by Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions....
Investigation launched into alleged 'racist games' in B.C. hospitals
Premier John Horgan and Minister of Health Adrian Dix are both speaking out today against alleged 'racist games' being played in some B.C. emergency rooms, in which doctors/nurses would try to guess patients' blood alcohol levels, particularly those of Indigenous patients. In a press conference Friday, Dix declined to identify...
RCMP officer shares personal experiences of racism and discrimination
Recently, police across Canada, including some of our RCMP officers were asked by the Toronto Star to share their personal experiences and perspectives on the issue of racism and discrimination. You can find a link to the story here: Toronto Star BC RCMP Sergeant Veronica Fox was one of those officers who responded to the...