British Columbia’s wildfire-driven provincial state of emergency will expire at midnight tonight (Pacific time).

The Co-Chairs of the Aboriginal Justice Council, Attorney General and Minister for Public Safety and Solicitor General have signed a B.C. Indigenous Justice Strategy Memorandum of Understanding at the B.C. Cabinet and First Nations Leaders’ Gathering today.  

B.C.’s wildfire-driven provincial state of emergency has been formally extended again, through the end of day on Sept. 15, 2017.

Summer is gradually coming to a close, but the wildfire risk in many parts of the province remains a very serious concern. British Columbians are urged to exercise caution and remain vigilant to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has issued the following statement regarding International Overdose Awareness Day, Aug. 31, 2017:

The following statement is from Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner with the Coroners Service of British Columbia, to mark International Overdose Awareness Day:

As part of a strategy to address gang violence and make communities safer, the British Columbia government will invest $500,000 from civil forfeiture grants into anti-gang programming for youth in Surrey, Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, announced today.

B.C.’s wildfire-driven provincial state of emergency has been formally extended again, through the end of the day on Sept. 1, 2017. This is the third time the state of emergency has been extended, with previous extensions on July 19 and Aug. 4.

The stories of people taken by the overdose crisis come from every corner of the province. A forestry worker in the North who became addicted to painkillers for a workplace injury and then turned to street drugs. Friends celebrating after a wedding in the Interior. Suburban parents who left behind young children. Middle-aged men who were clean and sober for years.

The BC Coroners Service is investigating a fatal accident that took place this morning, Monday, Aug. 14, 2017, in downtown Vancouver.