Preliminary reporting released by the BC Coroners Service confirms at least 176 British Columbians were lost to toxic illicit drugs in April, bringing the total number of deaths recorded in 2021 to 680.

Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, has released the following statement about the discovery of a burial site at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School:

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, is aligning the Emergency Program Act (EPA) order on face coverings with the provincial health officer’s (PHO) recently updated guidance on mask use in fitness facilities. 

In response to concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of British Columbians, the BC Coroners Service has released preliminary data confirming there has been no increase in the number of lives lost to suicide since the pandemic was declared last year.

Avalanche Canada is receiving a $10-million contribution from the B.C. government to support its vital work in developing and delivering avalanche safety and awareness for the province’s mountainous regions.

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has released the following statement in recognition of National Police Week:

Thanks to a $7.5 million top up to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF), seven more local governments and First Nations communities have had structural flood mitigation projects approved, helping them reduce the impacts of flooding.

People who leave COVID-19 fines unpaid may be unable to obtain or renew a B.C. driver’s licence or vehicle licence under proposed legislation introduced today.

The Province of British Columbia has formally extended the provincial state of emergency, allowing health and emergency management officials to continue to use extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act (EPA) to support the Province's COVID-19 pandemic response.