Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has released the following statement in recognition of the good work done by the RCMP and all police officers:

Preliminary reporting released by the BC Coroners Service confirms that toxic, unregulated drugs claimed the lives of at least 2,511 people in British Columbia in 2023, the largest number of drug-related deaths ever reported to the agency.

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has released the following statement regarding the B.C. Civil Forfeiture Office’s single largest forfeiture in the history of the program:

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has released the following statement about an unexplained wealth order (UWO) application filing:

The deaths of at least 342 people experiencing homelessness were reported to the BC Coroners Service in 2022, continuing an increase in deaths among the unhoused population of 138% in the past two years.

In response to a recent increase in deaths caused by toxic drugs, the BC Coroners Service is issuing a public safety warning to anyone using substances purchased from the illicit market.

People who have been affected by crime will soon have improved access to supports and care, with new updates being implemented by the Province on Jan. 1, 2024. 

On Nov. 14, 2023, the Abbotsford Police Department and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit became aware of an unauthorized display of a sensitive law enforcement intelligence document on an online social media site.

Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, has released the following statement on her future with the BC Coroners Service and the B.C. Public Service:

The Province and the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) have renewed their investment of approximately $1.4 million in the Centre for Gambling Research at UBC, signalling a dedicated effort to reduce the potential harms associated with gambling for people in British Columbia.