Category Archives: Prairies/BC
‘You can’t ever go to treatment if you’re dead:’ Regina opens harm reduction site
REGINA — Canada’s first legal supervised consumption site opened in Vancouver in 2003, but it would take 18 years and more than 1,000 drug-related deaths in Saskatchewan before similar support would become available in the province's capital. “This is...
Most who tested positive for variant at Calgary hospital had mild symptoms: AHS
CALGARY — Most people who tested positive at a Calgary hospital for the more contagious COVID-19 variant first reported in India had mild symptoms, except one person who was admitted into intensive care. Several people connected to the Delta variant ou...
Manitoba expands COVID-19 vaccination effort as pace of first doses begins to slow
WINNIPEG — The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba shows more signs of abating. Dr. Jazz Atwal, the province's deputy chief public health officer, says people are generally following public health orders and daily case counts continue to dr...
B.C. to launch compulsory skilled trades certification system
VICTORIA — The British Columbia government is launching a compulsory skilled trades certification system that it says will strengthen economic recovery by addressing labour shortages and supporting higher-paying, more stable jobs. Premier John Horgan t...
B.C. mayors back Vancouver’s bid to decriminalize drugs, urge federal support
VANCOUVER — A plan by the City of Vancouver to gain Health Canada approval to decriminalize small amounts of illicit drugs has won support from the mayors of seven other British Columbia cities. A statement signed by the mayors of Victoria,
Second auto insurance rebate coming in B.C. as pandemic prompts crash savings
VICTORIA — A second insurance rebate is coming for British Columbia drivers thanks to lower claim costs due to fewer crashes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government says the Insurance Corporation of B.C. will begin distributing rebates averaging ...
Alberta’s funding to deter hate crimes ‘should just be the beginning’: Muslim group
EDMONTON — Alberta's premier says groups that experience hate crimes will soon be able to apply for grants to pay for security upgrades but one Muslim organization says more is needed to address racism in the province. Yasin Cetin, a spokesman
Squamish Nation calls for old-growth logging moratorium in its territory
SQUAMISH, B.C. — The Squamish Nation says it has notified the B.C. government that it intends to defer old-growth logging in its territory while it develops long-term sustainability plans, following a similar request from three Vancouver Island First N...
Top doctor says B.C. on track to ease more restrictions next week
VICTORIA — British Columbia's top doctor says she's confident more COVID-19 restrictions can be lifted next week as planned due to dramatic declines in cases and transmission rates. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said fewer infections refle...
Systemic review of B.C. government supports for Indigenous children required: report
VICTORIA — The circumstances surrounding the overdose death of a 17-year-old on her birthday are related to the alienating experiences of thousands of Indigenous children forced to attend Canada's residential schools, says British Columbia's children's...
