The City of Surrey is launching two new programs to help steer youth away from the gang lifestyle. The city received $73,000 from the ministry of public safety and solicitor general, through the Government of Canada’s federal gun and gang violence action fund, to create a ‘Blueprint Pathways’ pilot initiative. The program is to connect approximately 30 high-risk Surrey youth, between the ages 13 to 19, with an outreach worker. The outreach worker is to provide “intensive” one-on-one support and mentorship through the 2021-2022 school year. They will help the youth see value in attending school and setting goals for grades and their career path. They will also help the youth stay away from negative peer groups and engage in more pro-social activities. The program, which is to support a healthy transition back to the City of Surrey indoor recreation centres this fall, aims to serve more than 100 youth.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is aiming to allow fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents into Canada by mid-August. Trudeau also says he told the premiers by phone that if the current vaccination rate remains on its current trajectory, fully vaccinated travelers from around the world could be arriving by early September Trudeau also boasted Canada is leading the G20 countries in vaccination rates, with 80 per cent of eligible Canadians having received at least one vaccine dose. More than half are fully vaccinated, Trudeau said. Pressure has been mounting on the federal government to continue easing restrictions at the border, which have been in effect since March of last year. They were first brought in as COVID-19 cases began to spike, and as concerns grew that international travel was contributing to that spike. The restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border, imposed by mutual agreement in March of last year, have been renewed on a monthly basis ever since. They are next set to expire on Wednesday, July 21. “The prime minister indicated that ministers would share more details on these plans early next week,”
and providing more people at risk with fentanyl patches, and for the first time, tablets of that drug before considering other alternatives
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is adding another reason for British Columbians to get their COVID-19 vaccines. She says as the wildfire situation continues to worsen, there are growing concerns more people will be forced to evacuate, which would increase the risk of spreading the virus. Evacuees are often sent to receive emergency supports at community centers, and that typically sees more people eating and sleeping in the same space. In those situations it will be more difficult to physically distance from a person who is elderly, or who may be at a greater risk, Henry says. She is again urging anyone old enough to get vaccinated against the virus to book an appointment right away. She notes that evacuations are not the only concern with wildfires, but that smoke can also cause health issues. Henry says anyone impacted by wildfires should monitor themselves for problems linked to poor air quality and toxic smoke. As of Friday morning, Environment Canada also warns about poor air quality due to wildfires in southern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and parts of western Ontario.
Several injuries were confirmed by police after an unusual tornado tore through the city of Barrie on Thursday afternoon, leaving a trail of damage in its path. Barrie, located about 71 miles (115 km) north of Toronto, is a city in Ontario, Canada. According to the police, the tornado left several individuals injured and seriously damaged some homes. The outlet reports that the tornado struck the city around 2:30 p.m., local time. Police were responding to multiple reports of damage in southeast Barrie after the tornado tore through. Environment Canada’s warning preparedness meteorologist Geoff Coulson said the tornado was confirmed on Thursday by the agency’s data along with images shared to social media. Coulson said the agency does not yet have a good idea of the length or width of the path of damage.
The Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) believe that compelling circumstances exist to issue a warning that Jason HIMPFEN poses a significant risk to the safety of the community and anyone who may be associated with him. Jason HIMPFEN is involved in the Lower Mainland Gang Conflict. As many gang-related shootings occur in public places, this means that Jason HIMPFEN’s presence in public places creates a serious risk to public safety. The AbbyPD is taking this step to raise awareness about the threat to public safety and is asking anyone who sees Jason HIMPFEN in a public place to first leave the area for their safety and then contact the AbbyPD at 604-859-5225. Where possible, police officers will attend that location and take steps to maintain public safety.
The AbbyPD believes it is in the public’s best interest that Jason HIMPFEN’S identity is known so anyone associated with or in close physical proximity to him clearly understands their safety could be at risk. Jason HIMPFEN is 45 years old, 5 ft 10 ins (178 cm), 200 lbs (91 kgs), with short dark hair and hazel eyes. He frequently wears a full beard.
As of Friday, July 16, 2021, 79.5% (3,686,611) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 49.9% (2,310,888) received their second dose. In addition, 80.6% (3,485,949) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 53.2% (2,301,322) received their second dose.
B.C. is reporting 45 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 148,331 cases in the province. There are currently 652 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 145,908 people who tested positive have recovered. Note that the numbers of total and new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh and will be verified once confirmed. Of the active cases, 60 individuals are currently in hospital and 12 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.
The new/active cases include:
-13 new cases in Fraser Health
-Total active cases: 163
-eight new cases in Vancouver Coastal Health
-Total active cases: 259
-21 new cases in Interior Health
-Total active cases: 164
-one new case in Northern Health
-Total active cases: 29
-Two new cases in Island Health
-Total active cases: 30
Air travel into Canada has more than doubled since COVID-19 quarantine measures were eased for fully vaccinated travellers on July 5. Between June 28 and July 4, 42,073 travellers entered the country by air, according to data from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). Between July 5 and 11, a total of 86,893 people flew into Canada. The dramatic rise followed the federal government’s first step towards easing border measures. As of July 5, fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those registered under the Indian Act do not have to undergo a 14-day quarantine as long as it has been two weeks since their vaccination. To be exempt from quarantine, travellers must have received a full course of a Health Canada-approved vaccine: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Johnson & Johnson. They will also be exempt from the mandatory three-night hotel stay and the eight-day COVID-19 test. Of the nearly 87,000 people who entered Canada by air last week, 58,971 were Canadian citizens returning home. The week prior, 24,699 citizens flew into the country. Canada’s land borders also recorded an uptick in travellers between July 5 and 11. A total of 109,343 people entered Canada via land border last week, while 83,752 drove in between June 28 and July 4.