National

Bonnie Henry talks drug decriminalization at start of B.C. municipalities convention

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Sep, 2023 10:28 AM

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will be discussing drug decriminalization and public drug use in the opening session of the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Vancouver.

More than 2,000 people are registered to attend the annual gathering of elected municipal leaders that concludes Friday with a speech by Premier David Eby.

The convention's keynote speaker is John Herdman, former coach of the Canadian women's and men's national soccer teams.

UBCM president Jen Ford says the convention comes as communities tackle wildfires, housing woes, mental health and addictions, with some facing multiple emergencies.

She says municipal leaders are looking to the province to ease bureaucracy to access funds to make their communities safer from wildfires.

The B.C. government lifted the province's state of emergency last week, saying cooler temperatures are reducing the risk of wildfires, which have burned a record area of almost 24,000 square kilometres.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. border agents find 6,300 kg of meth, including largest single seizure to date

In December of last year, agents in Burnaby found 40 jugs containing just over 200 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and a month later 180 containers with 2,900 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine were seized coming through the container examination facility in Delta.

B.C. border agents find 6,300 kg of meth, including largest single seizure to date

Deportations for international students caught in fraud scheme put on hold

Hundreds of students might have been affected by the scheme, which saw immigration agents issue fake acceptance letters to get international students into Canada. Some students had no idea their documents were forged until it came time for them apply for permanent residency.

Deportations for international students caught in fraud scheme put on hold

Chilliwack hosts vegan festival

Normally known for its dairy and animal agriculture products, Chilliwack is hosting its first ever vegan food festival. The festival is hosted by local grocery store The Veganist for its one-year anniversary since opening, and co-founder Logan Bryan says vegan products have been welcomed by the majority of the community.

Chilliwack hosts vegan festival

Canada will continue to rely on foreign firefighters as wildfires increase: Trudeau

Trudeau said extreme weather events are expected to become more frequent in the coming years due to climate change. When asked if Canada needs to augment its fleet water bombers that are used to fight fires, he said it's clear the country will need to increase resources at many levels.

Canada will continue to rely on foreign firefighters as wildfires increase: Trudeau

B.C. school district bans man who queried gender of girl, 9, at track meet

Kevin Kaardal, the superintendent of Central Okanagan Public Schools in Kelowna, B.C., says in a statement that staff at the regional track and field meet last week intervened and eventually moved the girl's event across the field.

B.C. school district bans man who queried gender of girl, 9, at track meet

Speeding car flees a traffic stop

West Shore R-C-M-P say on June 10, officers in Metchosin near Victoria stopped two cars, including one travelling at almost double the speed limit. The over-speeding car initially pulled over but then fled from the scene, striking an officer in the leg and resulting in minor injuries from which the officer is expected to recover.