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 May:

One new member has been appointed to BC Transit’s board of directors, joining six continuing members.

People in Nanaimo and area will have greater access to care as a new 12-bed intensive care unit (ICU) at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital opens for patients on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

Though the risk of death posed by the unregulated drug supply remains extremely high, the number of deaths in British Columbia due to drug toxicity decreased from near-record levels in April to 176 lives lost in the month of May.

From June 19-21, 2023, the Forest Innovation and Bioeconomy Conference is bringing together leaders in forestry, government and academia to discuss how to grow the forest bioeconomy, create opportunities for people and communities, and reduce waste.

People throughout British Columbia will continue to have improved access to healthy and locally produced foods through the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program.

To help grow B.C.’s value-added wood sector, the Province will support the establishment of a new mass-timber production facility that will create more than 70 jobs in Williams Lake. 

Since enacting a new regulation to curb the sale of the diabetes drug semaglutide (Ozempic) to people who do not reside in British Columbia and Canada, the number of dispenses to U.S. residents has dropped more than 99%.