Drug overdose deaths are down by 24 per cent between April last year and this April, but still B-C’s Coroner says 182 people died.
Fentanyl remains the primary killer, with the drug detected in 82 per cent of test results for those who died so far this year.
The coroner’s service says nearly half of those who overdosed were between the ages of 30 and 49.
The latest figures lift the number of deaths since the public health emergency was declared eight years ago to 14-thousand 582 people.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing the opening of a major vaccine production plant in Toronto today — part of Canada's efforts to build up the domestic biomanufacturing sector in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Sanofi facility is the largest in Canada and is expected to significantly increase Canada's domestic production of pediatric and adult vaccines for whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus.
The leadership of a First Nation on British Columbia's central coast says an RCMP officer has been transferred after the community called for his removal from Bella Bella over social media comments he made before joining the Mounties. A statement posted by the Heiltsuk Tribal Council on Wednesday says RCMP told the nation that the transfer process for the constable was complete and he would be leaving the community this weekend.
Turner Valley RCMP in Alberta say one person is dead after a glider aircraft crashed on Wednesday afternoon, south of Calgary. Police say they received a 911 call advising that a small non-motorized glider aircraft had crashed in a field south of Highway 7 and 112 Street, west of Foothills County near Diamond Valley.
The mayor of Kamloops will no longer speak for the city, after council passed a resolution stripping him of his position as its official spokesman. The decision comes after more than a year of conflict between Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, council, and city staff, including allegations that the mayor has poor communication skills, won't accept responsibility, ignores confidentiality protocols, and misunderstands the rules around conflict of interest.
British Columbia has failed to make an appearance in a new list of Canada's most affordable cities. The Royal LePage report found Quebec City and Edmonton are the top choices for relocation due in part to their lower costs of living.
Mounties in Prince George say an investigation has led to the seizure of drugs and various weapons from two homes. They say quantities of drugs, including suspected fentanyl, were found during the search on May 14th. Mounties are calling it a "significant blow" to the illicit drug trade in Prince George.