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,...
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 Government Makes Mining Industry Happy
The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) welcomes today’s announcement by the provincial government of $5 million in funding toward Geoscience BC. This funding will support Geoscience BC’s mandate to attract mineral and oil & gas investment to British Columbia through generating, interpreting and publicly distributing...
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...
BC and Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines on Hook to Pay $230,000 in Court Costs to Coastal First Nations and Gitga’at First Nation
Vancouver, May 10, 2016) – The Supreme Court of BC has ruled the Province of BC and Northern Gateway must pay $230,000 in court costs to the Coastal First Nations (CFN) and Gitga’at First Nation. “We are very pleased with the decision,” said CFN Chair Kelly Russ. “The decision is a victory for the tireless work of our leaders...
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 […]
Crews continue efforts on wildfires in northeast B.C., most of which were human-caused
Recent warm, dry conditions have led to increased fire activity in the Prince George Fire Centre. Scattered showers are forecasted for this weekend which should aid fire suppression efforts. There are currently seven wildfires of note, which are all located in the Peace Region. The Beatton Airport Road wildfire, which is...
BC Liquor Stores accepting donations for Fort McMurray
As wildfires rage in Fort McMurray, Alta., forcing the emergency evacuation of 80,000 residents, BC Liquor Stores customers can support Red Cross relief efforts there by donating at stores throughout the province. Starting today, BC Liquor Stores customers can donate $2, $5 or more to help the Red Cross in Alberta reunite...
BC aims to stop profits from crime in wake of Pickton book
Murderers and others convicted of serious crimes will not be able to profit from their crimes through memoirs or memorabilia and inflict further anguish on their victims and families, under proposed legislation introduced today. If passed, the Profits of Criminal Notoriety Act will target those who attempt to benefit from the...
