Administrative savings from school districts being directed back to students
Kootenay Lake School District is to receive $252,383. Kootenay-Columbia gets $178,204. Arrow Lakes, $36,091. SD 51 Boundary, $77,888. The Government of British Columbia is redirecting $25 million in administrative savings from school districts back into frontline services for students. Education Minister Mike Bernier, who...
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 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...
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...
Coroners Service confirms identity of man killed in snowmobile accident near Sparwood
The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died in a snowmobiling accident near Sparwood on April 21, 2016. He was Mark Wayne Paniec, aged 54, of Sparwood. Mr. Paniec was one of a party of seven who had travelled to the Barnes Lake area to go snowmobiling. At about 3 p.m. on April 21, Mr. Paniec's snowmobile,...
Queen's Cowboys rescue drowning dog
On April 7, at 11:39 a.m., the Fraser Lake RCMP received a report of a dog that had fallen through the ice at a local pond. Officers immediately attended and learned that the dog had been in the water for almost an hour and wasn’t faring well. Police learned that the caller was not able to get anyone else to assist so finally...
Permanent stations to protect B.C. from invasive mussels
Following a successful pilot program in 2015, Premier Christy Clark announced Wednesday a $2 million boost to the province’s invasive mussel defence program that will see eight permanent mussel inspection stations installed at major entry points along B.C.’s borders. “B.C. is leading the fight against invasive species,” said...
