B.C. reports highest-ever monthly total of illicit drug deaths in May 2020
The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to the end of May 2020. The 170 illicit drug toxicity deaths reported in May mark the highest monthly total ever in British Columbia. “It is both sad and deeply frustrating to see the number of illicit drug...
Increased reports of police impersonation scams in Surrey
Surrey RCMP is informing the public of a recent influx in scams involving individual(s) who are impersonating either a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer. Five reports of this scam were received by the Surrey RCMP on June 9, 2020. In these cases, the complainants said the...
BC RCMP response to global events and demonstrations
The BC RCMP is monitoring the events in the United States of America and is deeply saddened by the anguish expressed by so many in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in Minnesota on May 25, 2020. As an organization, members and staff are unsettled by the events in the USA and what happened to Mr. Floyd. We understand that...
RCMP seek witnesses to violent Kelowna arrest
A startlingly violent arrest caught on video by two separate witnesses has Kelowna RCMP requesting any further witnesses come forward to assist in the investigation of the incident in question. "RCMP investigators are seeking additional witnesses and video of an arrest that occurred in Kelowna last Saturday evening," said.Staff...
Nearly 60,000 students return on first day of in-class instruction
The Government of British Columbia reopened in-class instruction to all students on Monday, June 1, 2020, with about 30% of expected enrolment in attendance. At the high end were Grade 6 students at 48.3% of expected enrolment, while Grade 12 students were at the low end with 14.5%. These numbers reflect only the first day ...
Bee-lieve it: B.C. celebrates the Day of the Honey Bee
In recognition of the significant role the province’s honey bees and native pollinators play in B.C.’s agricultural industry and the lives of British Columbians, May 29 is proclaimed Day of the Honey Bee. “Honey bees and native pollinators may be small in size, but their everyday role in the lives of British Columbians is big...
Horgan teams with Manitoba, Yukon premiers in support of national sick leave program
John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia; Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba; and Sandy Silver, Premier of Yukon; have issued the following joint statement regarding a proposed national sick leave program: “We’re pleased that the federal government is looking at a sick leave program that protects people and businesses, and...
Op/Ed: Laying the groundwork for tourism to come back strongly
The tourism industry is a major economic engine and job creator for people in British Columbia. Despite the deep and sudden impacts of COVID-19 on the sector, B.C.’s tourism leaders were quick to put the greater good of our communities above anything else. To assist in the pandemic response, many hotels throughout the province swiftly […]
BC COVID-19 SPEAK: Your story, our future - share with us!
“BC COVID-19 SPEAK: Your story, our future” is a population health survey to understand citizen experiences, knowledge and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health and government leaders have made significant decisions impacting every aspect of our lives in recent weeks. As we move through our pandemic response, ...
Found remains confirmed to be those of missing man
The found remains discovered in a rural area of Quesnel on May 6, 2020 have been confirmed to be that of a man reported missing to the Quesnel RCMP. Investigators from the BC RCMP North District Major Crime Unit, in partnership with the BC Coroners Service have now confirmed the remains are that of Louis Korkowski. (Link...
