Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service report on illicit drug-toxicity deaths in June:

Data released by the BC Coroners Service continues to reflect the significant risks associated with the illicit drug market, with more than 1,200 deaths attributed to toxic drugs in the first six months of this year.

New regulatory changes are being made to safeguard the province’s ecological reserves.

Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, has released the following statement regarding assistance provided by the Canadian Armed Forces for this year’s wildfire season:

As confirmed by his parents, the BC Coroners Service is investigating the death of nine-year-old Carter Vigh of 100 Mile House, related to an existing medical condition aggravated by wildfire smoke.

The Province is working in collaboration with partners in the agricultural community, as well as with other levels of government, to support B.C. farmers and ranchers as they face serious effects from wildfire and drought.

The Government of British Columbia has appointed two new Provincial Court judges and two judicial justices to support timely and efficient access to justice.

Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, has released the following statement on the death of a BC Wildfire Service crew member responding to a wildfire near Revelstoke: