As I mark my fifth year as Board Chair of Interior Health (IH), I reflect on the highlights and challenges of 2022. Undoubtedly, times have been difficult for many people in the Interior, and especially tough on health-care workers. Our staff experienced the pressures to organize and deliver care in the face of the COVID-19...

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), committed to keeping Canadian communities safe from illicit drugs, announced Friday that the CBSA seized nearly 2,500 kilograms of opium in Vancouver, British Columbia – the largest opium seizure to date for the CBSA. "The safety and security of our communities is our top priority," The...

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following year-end statement regarding mental-health supports during the holiday season: “The holiday season is a time for celebrations, but for many, it can also be the season of loneliness, stress and difficult memories. “British Columbians have...

Government reforms to ICBC are paying off with affordable, steady rates and fiscal stability for people. ICBC is filing an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) for no increase to basic insurance rates for the next two years, which marks five years of no increases to basic insurance rates. “Our...

This week and next governments, scientists and conservation experts are gathering in Montreal for a global summit on nature, called COP15. There, they will set a course to end nature loss around the world and to create a nature-positive future. But what does that really mean for us, here in British Columbia? I know deep in ...

Premier David Eby has announced a new cabinet made of experience and new energy that will focus on tackling the problems people are facing, and working to make life better for British Columbians. "British Columbia is a wonderful place to live, but people are looking for action on the issues facing them and their families," ...

Public-health officials are encouraging families and caregivers to get their kids vaccinated against influenza in advance of the holidays. There are several respiratory viruses causing illness in B.C. Some children have had more severe illness in the past few weeks, particularly from influenza and respiratory syncytial virus...

The Insurance Corporation of BC said in a media release that the recent snowfall on B.C.'s South Coast has led to a sudden increase in reported claims. ICBC said on Tuesday, November 29, claims increased by 94% (3,567) compared to Tuesday of the week prior (1,837). With the possibility of more snow in the coming days and...

A new medical school on the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Surrey campus is taking a significant step forward with the hiring of an interim dean and provincial funding to support its development. “While we have made enormous progress to strengthen public health care over the past five years, we know that many British Columbians...

Work is underway to enhance forest resilience to protect against the effects of wildfire and climate change in the Kootenay-Boundary region.  The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) is investing in 12 new wildfire risk reduction projects, including three in the Kootenay-Boundary Region. The FESBC has approved a total of...