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Horgan calls for national anti-racism program; will pitch idea to PM, premiers

VICTORIA – B.C. Premier John Horgan is calling on the federal government to lead an anti-racism program, saying fighting racism needs a nationwide plan to ensure the participation and support of Canadians. The premier said Wednesday he will lobby for a national anti-racism program during a conference call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his fellow premiers Thursday.…

Two more COVID-19 outbreaks at B.C. seniors’ homes have ended

Abbotsford’s Cottage-Worthington Pavilion and Mission’s The Cedars have not had new cases in 28 days

B.C. is down to having six active COVID-19 outbreaks at seniors’ long-term care facilities thanks to the provincial government on June 3 declaring that two outbreaks at those homes are over. Abbotsford’s Cottage-Worthington Pavilion and Mission’s The Cedars no longer have outbreaks because they have not had new cases in 28 days, or two incubation periods, said B.C. provincial health officer Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix in a joint statement.…

CRA snitch line now open to information about federal COVID-19 aid fraud

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has expanded its so-called snitch line to any tips and leads about suspected fraud in the federal government’s COVID-19 emergency aid programs. An update to the webpage for the agency’s National Leads Program Monday, states that the CRA is now accepting information about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).…

Foreign cyberthreats to Canada persist: spy agency

Global Five Eyes alliance had Huawei concerns

The Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) says it will continue to shine light into the dark corners of economic and technological threats by terrorists, foreign powers or companies associated with them. “Cyber-espionage, cyber-sabotage, cyber-foreign-influence, and cyberterrorism pose significant threats to Canada’s national security, its interests, as well as its economic stability,” CSIS’ newly released annual report said.…

RCMP needs your help identifying fraudster

Police Briefs: Motorcyclist involved in hit-and-run at Marketplace

Pemberton RCMP is asking the public for help identifying an unknown man who fraudulently attempted to take money out of an individual’s account at two separate banks. Police said the first incident took place at a Pemberton bank on Saturday, May 16 before a second attempt to get money at a bank in Whistler later that day.…

Vancouver council says no to legal drinking in public spaces

Chief medical health officer warns of ‘significant binge-drinking culture’ in B.C.

A Vancouver city councillor’s push to allow people to legally drink alcohol in select public spaces got shot down Tuesday after councillors opposed to the idea cited concerns about increasing alcoholism among British Columbians. Though the council vote ended in a 5-5 tie, Coun.…

Video of officer seen punching driver to be investigated: Kelowna RCMP

KELOWNA, B.C. — A video circulating on social media that appears to show a Mountie punching a combative driver doesn’t tell the full story, the Kelowna detachment’s top officer said Tuesday. The RCMP have launched an investigation into what happened, said RCMP Supt. Brent Mundle.…

Local teens organize Whistler anti-racism rally

‘We really all just need to break the silence,’ says First Nations organizer

For 15-year-old Charlize Littlelight, the discrimination she’s experienced growing up as a First Nations woman in the Sea to Sky hasn’t taken the form of the kind of overt, blatant acts of racism we often see splashed on the news. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t affected her.…

Rare dinosaur stomach fossil opens door to ancient world

Digestive organ only one of three in the world

Fresh ferns, loaded with spores, lightly dusted with leaves and twigs and perfectly seasoned with locally sourced charcoal. Sound good?…

B.C. secures new supply of surgical masks that exceed Health Canada standards

VICTORIA — Millions of respirator masks British Columbia purchased from a manufacturer in China have been given a stamp of approval by separate labs, making them available for health workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Minister Adrian Dix says tests show the respirators exceed Health Canada requirements and they are the equivalent to the sought-after N95 masks made by 3M.…

When a pandemic comes to a disaster nurse’s backyard

We should be grateful for our healthcare system, says Squamish nurse who worked Ebola and other crises around the world

Ian MacKay apologizes for being in a bit of a daze, though to an outsider, he seems completely alert. When interviewed at the end of last month, the Squamish critical care nurse had just finished five nightshifts at Lions Gate Hospital, where he works in the ICU and emergency department.…

Province’s minimum wage increases to $14.60/hr

Poverty group says still not enough

B.C.’s minimum wage rose Monday, June 1, to $14.60 per hour, but it continues to be lower than the amount estimated to be necessary to support a family. The increase moved the minimum wage up from $13.85 per hour.…

A third of B.C. students return to part-time, in-class instruction

Education Minister Rob Fleming said approximately 60,000 students have returned to some in-class instruction across 60 school districts

About a third of British Columbian students returned to school this week with about a month left in the school year. According to the provincial government, 60,000 elementary, middle and secondary school students are participating in the province’s gradual introduction of part-time, in-class instruction.…

Wolf killed near Prince Rupert B.C. after rare attack on a human

Conservation does not think animal linked to pet attacks

Conservation officers in northwestern British Columbia have captured and killed a lone wolf that may have been responsible for a rare attack on a human. A social media post from the Conservation Officer Service said the wolf was spotted in Port Edward Monday afternoon.…

Whistler Health Care Centre hasn’t seen COVID-19 case since early April

Also, money being raised to buy portable ventilator for centre

The Whistler Health Care Centre (WHCC) has not seen a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus come through its doors since early April, but with B.C. gradually beginning to open up, it’s not unrealistic to expect a second wave of cases, relayed Whistler’s medical director. “We’re still testing and swabbing but we haven’t had any positives.…