An increasingly toxic and volatile illicit drug supply has claimed at least 201 lives in October and 1,782 lives in the first 10 months of 2021, according to the latest preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service.

The Province is immediately providing a $1-million grant to support the Village of Lytton in its economic recovery from the devastation caused by this year’s wildfire.

To help vulnerable young people avoid gang and criminal lifestyles, the Province is providing more than $486,000 in grants to fund mentorship programs in 24 school districts around British Columbia.

Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) eligibility has been expanded for people affected by flooding and landslides from Nov. 14 to Dec. 2, 2021, and now includes British Columbians in the northwest, southwest, central, and southeast areas of the province and on Vancouver Island.

Police will get a refresh of mandatory training so they can give enhanced response to people who suffer intimate partner violence.

Cannabis-related clothing, books and other items will soon be available for sale at private licensed cannabis retail stores (CRSs), providing customers with more choice and legal cannabis sellers with additional revenue streams.

The Province is urging people to prepare and be diligent as Environment and Climate Change Canada issues weather alerts for a series of storms with heavy rain, strong winds and snow in some areas.