National

Deaths of B.C. homeless people up by 75% in 2021

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Oct, 2022 12:33 PM

VANCOUVER - The BC Coroners Service says deaths of homeless people in the province jumped 75 per cent in 2021 compared with the year before.

A preliminary report released by the service shows there were 247 deaths of people experiencing homelessness last year.

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says many homeless people are facing significant health concerns, including physical disabilities, mental-health challenges and substance-use issues.

The report says 93 per cent of all accidental deaths among people experiencing homelessness were caused by the illicit drug supply.

The coroners service says an average of 153 homeless people have died between 2016 and 2020.

The release of the report coincides with Homelessness Action Week in B.C.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Tories want RCMP to reopen Trudeau investigation

The federal ethics commissioner investigated the trips and in 2017 ruled his acceptance of gifts breached conflict of interest rules because the Aga Khan was the founder of a charity that had received federal money.

Tories want RCMP to reopen Trudeau investigation

Seniors among fastest-growing age groups in Canada

The latest census data from 2021 shows that since 2016, the number of people aged 85 and older grew by 12 per cent — more than twice as high as the overall growth of the Canadian population at 5.2 per cent.

Seniors among fastest-growing age groups in Canada

Census shows condo boom but BC still lacks supply

There are 866,340 single-detached homes in B.C., representing 42.4 per cent of the housing distribution and an increase of 1.7 per cent since the last census in 2016.

Census shows condo boom but BC still lacks supply

Health officials investigating kids' liver disease

The federal agency says the cases are being investigated to determine if they are related to those in the United Kingdom and the United States. A spokesperson did not share any further details, such as the number of cases, age of the children or their health condition.

Health officials investigating kids' liver disease

Infrastructure Bank CEO welcomes new orders

The recent federal budget added to the Canada Infrastructure Bank's plate by requiring it to now spend public dollars on private sector-led projects like small modular reactors, clean fuel production, and carbon capture and storage.

Infrastructure Bank CEO welcomes new orders

Apartment growth outpaces detached houses: census

The figures from 2021 show the country's 7.8 million single-detached homes made up about 53 per cent of Canada's housing supply, down from roughly 54 per cent during the 2016 census.