The Fraser Health Authority have classified a rampant flu outbreak in Metro Vancouver a health hazard. Chief Medical health officer Doctor Paul Van Buynder says serious steps are being made to take on the outbreak. Van Buynder says greater attention will be given to vulnerable residents fighting flu outbreaks in long term care facilities. "So our … [Read more...]
Province “disappointed” after another day of cross examining Enbridge officials
October 17, 2012 by
The province is still not happy with the answers they are getting from Enbridge at the review panel into the Northern Gateway proposal. Environment minister Terry Lake says Enbridge officials didn't have much to say when grilled about oil spill response. "Well I would say we were disappointed in the level of detail that Northern Gateway was able to … [Read more...]
School officials: young suicide victim didn’t fall through the cracks
October 12, 2012 by
Officials at the Maple Ridge school district want to assure parents they have several programs in place to prevent bullying, but they also need their help. This, after a 15-year-old girl killed herself this week after repeated taunts and threats from her peers. District spokeswoman Irena Pochop reiterates what we've heard from school officials: … [Read more...]
Officials keeping tabs on awful odour wafting over East Vancouver
August 16, 2012 by
Local air quality regulators are monitoring an animal waste plant responsible for stinking up an East Vancouver neighbourhood. "They smell bad, but emissions are not considered to be harmful at all. The workers work in this stuff." Ray Robb, Metro Vancouver's manager of environmental regulation and enforcement, says the impact from a … [Read more...]
Fire officials warn of possible fire activity in B.C.
August 15, 2012 by
With temperatures on the rise over the next few days, B.C.’s Wildfire Management branch is on alert. Fire information officer Alyson Couch says there is a chance we'll start to see an increase in fire activity across B.C. "The fire danger ratings have started to change, and we are seeing more areas with extreme and high. Right now the areas … [Read more...]
Officials urge fireworks spectators to take transit, leave alcohol at home
July 28, 2012 by
If you're heading to the fireworks, take transit. Translink spokesperson Drew Snider says the system is always busy and extra service is being added. "Skytrain is going to be running rush-hour service levels right through, starting in mid-afternoon and also keeping up to their regular closing time, because we expect that people will generally have … [Read more...]
Health officials remind people to keep an eye on air-quality warnings
July 8, 2012 by
With smoke from massive wildfires in both Colorado and Siberia lying over parts of B.C.’s south coast, likely until this Friday, health officials remind those with health problems to keep a close eye on their well-being. Gillian Arsenault speaks for the Fraser Health Authority and offers three tips: "One is to keep an eye on the B.C. air … [Read more...]
Labour minister downplays drain of government communications officials
July 5, 2012 by
The Clark government seems to be losing a lot of its chief spokespeople, but the minister responsible is playing down the trend. At least 11 communications directors have either fired or left their posts in the last year, but Labour and Citizens Services Minister Margaret MacDiarmid says that's normal turnover for a highly stressful job. "I have … [Read more...]
Government officials meet with Cowichan Tribes First Nation over suicide spike
May 19, 2012 by
If the B.C. government is to help a Vancouver Island First Nation to deal with a spike of suicides, officials must listen to the tribe's specific needs. So says Mary Polak, B.C.’s minister of aboriginal relations, as the Cowichan Tribes First Nation pleads for help in a state of emergency with 52 suicide alerts so far this year. … [Read more...]
Health officials say whooping cough not spreading as fast as in Washington
May 13, 2012 by
A whooping cough outbreak continues in the Lower Mainland, but the situation is much worse in Washington State – where an epidemic has been declared. Fraser Health Authority chief medical officer Dr. Paul Van Buynder says Washington officials haven't been diligent in whooping cough vaccinations. He says new cases have been popping up in … [Read more...]
