Close X
Saturday, January 11, 2025
ADVT 
National

B.C.'s COVID response praised for 'nimbleness'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Dec, 2022 04:33 PM
  • B.C.'s COVID response praised for 'nimbleness'

VICTORIA - A review of British Columbia's COVID-19 response says despite being unprepared for the pandemic, the province showed "resilience, balance and nimbleness" during the emergency.

That's despite nearly 75 per cent of the people surveyed as part of the independent review reporting they didn't trust information coming from the government.

However, both the report's authors and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth say the online survey was not representative of the population as a whole and the results showed significantly more dissatisfaction than other public opinion research.

The review made 26 findings, including recommendations around better communications, transparency, data collection and improved public trust.

Farnworth said the government tried to be as open as possible during the pandemic and based its decisions on the best public health advice available.

He said many of the findings in the review are part of the work already underway to prepare B.C. for future provincewide emergencies.

MORE National ARTICLES

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it
The federal government plans to send cheques of up to $650 to qualifying low- and medium-income households to help pay for children's dental needs through the same platform used for Canada Child Benefit payments. That is run through the Canada Revenue Agency, which the experts suggest could be a problem because many low-income families are less likely to file tax returns.

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister
Murray Rankin says fighting crime by arresting more people is "futile," and the government is instead considering a range of options to keep people safe. Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon told the legislature that the government has continued a "catch-and-release" policy where repeat offenders are quickly freed from custody despite being accused of violent crimes.  

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park
A Twitter account for the district's emergency services division had posted on Saturday afternoon saying the fire was "under control and not spreading," but on Sunday the BC Wildfire Service's website lists the blaze as out-of-control. Videos posted online by the district show a helicopter dumping water on the fire.

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park

B.C. to bring in new rules for mortgage brokers

B.C. to bring in new rules for mortgage brokers
Finance Minister Selina Robinson introduced the bill in the legislature on Tuesday, saying B.C. residents deserve better consumer protection and more transparency in the mortgage broking industry. One pending change is increasing fines to a maximum of $500,000 for those caught breaking the rules, while those with more than one conviction could face fines of up to $2.5 million.

B.C. to bring in new rules for mortgage brokers

VPD releases video of mischief to Olympic Cauldron

VPD releases video of mischief to Olympic Cauldron
Just after 3:30 a.m. on October 1, two suspects were in Jack Poole Plaza for 12 minutes, and briefly approached the base of the cauldron before leaving. When they returned 30 minutes later, one approached the base of the cauldron with a tool, while the other appeared to pull out a camera to record the destruction.

VPD releases video of mischief to Olympic Cauldron

Ottawa announces $300 million in Fiona relief

Ottawa announces $300 million in Fiona relief
The money will help communities and businesses in Atlantic Canada and the Îles-de-la-Madeleine rebuild, and the fund will also go toward cleaning up fishing gear, ensuring the safety of navigation and protecting marine wildlife, he said.

Ottawa announces $300 million in Fiona relief