B.C.’s independent Human Rights Commissioner is expressing serious concerns about recently released General Guidance for Physicians on Treatment of Children and Youth with Substance Use Disorders Under the Mental Health Act(opens in a new window). Commissioner Kasari Govender is concerned the guidance runs contrary to the government’s human rights obligations by ignoring important evidence on the ineffectiveness of involuntary […]

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, has issued the following statement on immunizations for the holiday season: “As people in British Columbia gather to celebrate the holiday season, I encourage everyone to get their updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines to protect themselves and their loved ones against severe illness. “Based on the most recent epidemiological […]

Starting this week, patients visiting four Interior Health (IH) emergency departments (EDs) may receive care from a physician working virtually. This is part of IH LINK-ED (Local Integrated Network for Emergency Departments), a new virtual care pilot designed to modernize emergency care services for rural communities. “Integrating virtual care into emergency services is a proven approach already delivering results […]

KERPA is celebrating a huge moment for rural critical emergency care in the Kootenays as a new doctor achieves training to join emergency physician response team. After 440+ hours of rigorous training — including 300+ hours of one-on-one in-car mentoring under direct physician supervision, countless high-fidelity simulations, advanced airway labs, advanced life support and trauma […]

According to preliminary data, 150 people died in October 2025 due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service. The number of unregulated drug deaths in October equates to about 4.8 deaths per day. In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 70% of drug-toxicity deaths […]

Join us in enhancing the quality of health care for the Kootenay Boundary region. Mark your calendars for our annual Light-Up the Hospitals! Pledge Day event on Friday, Dec. 5 at Waneta Plaza! This cherished holiday tradition brings our community together to celebrate the season and support local healthcare. Join us in revitalizing mental health care for our region […]

By Chantal M. Boucher, University of Windsor We all want closure. A breakup, a sudden job loss, or the death of someone we love can leave us desperate for answers. Wars, natural disasters and shared tragedies stir the same kind of longing. Our need for closure runs so deep, it’s echoed everywhere — in movies, […]

People in B.C. are encouraged to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities from influenza, COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses, as the 2025-26 immunization campaign is underway. “The respiratory virus season typically starts in mid-to-late fall and with this, we need to keep ourselves and our loved ones protected,” said Dr. Martin Lavoie, deputy […]

The Castlegar & District Recreation Commission is in the planning stages for a potential secondary indoor arena and walking track at the Castlegar & District Community Complex. Since June, staff have been reviewing current bylaws, developing funding models, and working with HCMA Architecture + Design to create concept designs and cost estimates for the proposed […]

Interior Health (IH), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is engaging with partners to better support overnight emergency care through a mix of virtual and on-site staffing, which is expected to enable more consistent access by reducing unplanned service interruptions. Engagement is underway with physicians, staff, Indigenous and local governments to better understand perspectives […]