Category Archives: Prairies/BC

B.C. sees decrease in overdose deaths in March, but drug users face risks: coroner

VICTORIA — British Columbia's chief coroner says a recent dip in the number of overdose deaths is encouraging, but illicit toxic drugs still present enormous risks for substance users. Lisa Lapointe says the latest overdose figures show 165 people died...

Alert Ready system expands to floods, fires in B.C., not heat domes

VICTORIA — An automated alert system will be ready to warn British Columbians of spring flooding and summer wildfires but not yet for extreme heat, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Tuesday.  Farnworth told a news conference the Alert Ready sy...

Fisher River rises, causes more damage in flooded Manitoba community

WINNIPEG — More people left Peguis First Nation on Tuesday as floodwaters caused further damage in southern and central Manitoba. "People are tiring and it is a lot of work to try and fight against Mother Nature," Chief Glenn Hudson said. "Roads

‘New chapter’: Alberta prosecutors get more pay, talks to improve justice system

EDMONTON — A group representing Alberta prosecutors says an announcement by the provincial government to raise salaries and enter into negotiations to improve the justice system marks a "new chapter." Last month, the Alberta Crown Attorneys' Associatio...

Opposition wants Saskatchewan to share more of its oil wealth with residents

REGINA — Saskatchewan's Opposition says the government needs to share more of the wealth coming in from oil prices that continue to surge above what was forecast in the budget. The NDP is urging the Saskatchewan Party government to raise royalty

Health minister says 7 of 250 surgeries transferred out of Red Deer, Alta., hospital

EDMONTON — Alberta’s health minister says a handful of surgery patients had to be temporarily transferred out of a hospital on the weekend due to staffing issues. “I’m going to put this into perspective: roughly 250 surgeries per week are performed

B.C. PharmaCare program approves additional drugs, expands coverage

VICTORIA — The Ministry of Health says thousands of eligible British Columbians are benefiting from expanded coverage for medications that make it easier or more effective to treat their conditions. A statement from the Health Ministry says BC PharmaCa...

Swollen rivers, flooded roads prompt evacuations in some areas of Manitoba

WINNIPEG — Albert Stevenson was among members of the Peguis First Nation who stayed behind Monday after others fled to escape flooding. “Right now, we’re just checking sump pumps … and pump the water out of the yards if we can,"

Cities in Western Canada consider gondolas as part of transit, tourism plans

Residents and visitors could one day be using cable cars to cross rivers in two central Alberta cities. A 350-metre urban ropeway, also known as a gondola, has been proposed to connect Red Deer's business district with the Bower Ponds recreation

B.C. premier stresses importance of co-operation within forestry sector

VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s premier says the only way the provincial forest industry will grow is through partnerships with First Nations and companies.   In the keynote address to the BC Council of Forest Industries conference, John Horgan told del...

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