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

Canada confirms 1,406 monkeypox cases

Of the confirmed cases, 674 are from Ontario, 521 from Quebec, 162 from British Columbia, 41 from Alberta, three from Saskatchewan, two from the Yukon and one each from Nova Scotia, Manitoba and New Brunswick, the health agency added on Wednesday.

Canada confirms 1,406 monkeypox cases

11 year old boy struck by a minivan in Richmond in a suspected hit-and-run

Shortly before 9 a.m. on Wednesday frontline Richmond RCMP officers responded to the area of No. 1 Road and Tucker Avenue after reports of an 11-year old boy being struck. The boy was pushing his bicycle in a marked pedestrian crosswalk and struck by a gray minivan. This minivan then proceeded to sideswipe another vehicle before fleeing the scene.

11 year old boy struck by a minivan in Richmond in a suspected hit-and-run

More temperature records in B.C., no sign of rain

Environment Canada says 11 daily maximum temperature records were set Wednesday across parts of Vancouver Island, the central coast, southern Interior and southeastern B.C. At 26.9 C, the Pemberton area broke a record that has stood since 1908.

More temperature records in B.C., no sign of rain

B.C.'s Horgan heads to California for climate deal

The premier says the leaders expect to sign a memorandum agreement on climate approaches for the region. Horgan says B.C. and the U.S. West Coast states are facing similar climate-related issues, including wildfires, weather events and wild salmon declines, and the jurisdictions are looking for ways to work together.

B.C.'s Horgan heads to California for climate deal

Port Moody Police investigate tire slashing spree

On Tueaday a series of vehicle owners contacted the Port Moody Police Department reporting that their tires had been slashed overnight sometime between October 3 at 9 p.m. and October 4 at 9 a.m. These incidents occurred on View Street and Highview Place and are all believed to be connected.

Port Moody Police investigate tire slashing spree

B.C. premier cites 'multi-faceted' crime approach

B.C. Premier John Horgan says the New Democrat government's crime-fighting agenda involves more than increasing arrests of alleged violent offenders. Horgan says he agrees with Attorney General Murray Rankin who told the legislature on Tuesday that a focus on more arrests of prolific offenders to curb crime would be "futile."