Surrey R-C-M-P say they are investigating an arson at an apartment building in the Guildford area. The Mounties say firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze early Saturday in the building’s hallway. They say there was evidence of a second fire outside the building that was put out before police or firefighters arrived. R-C-M-P say no injuries were reported but it appears the fires were lit intentionally and they are looking for two suspects.
As the illegal blockade by truckers and their supporters rolls into Day 14 in Ottawa, police are warning the anti-COVID-mandate protesters to move their rigs or face charges and vehicle seizures. Rallies also continue to block traffic at border crossings in Coutts, Alberta, and at the busy Windsor-Detroit Ambassador Bridge. Justin Trudeau tweeted last night that the blockades in Windsor and Ottawa are endangering jobs, impeding trade, threatening the economy, and must stop. He said he discussed the matter with Ontario Premier Doug Ford last night and vowed their teams will keep working to “get the situation under control.”
The group of protestors, set up on Pacific Hwy are still there and calling for the removal of all pandemic measures. The Lower Mainland protest started over the weekend, with more people joining in each day. Business owners in the area says trucks have been taking up parking spaces and people have been leaving garbage behind. Some have suggested online that more protesters will be showing up at the site in Surrey over the coming days.
It’s been another multi-medal day for Canada at the Beijing Olympics. Speedskater Isabelle Weidemann has won silver in the women’s five-thousand metres. The mixed aerials team took the bronze medal — winning Canada’s first aerials medal since the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Canada now has 12 mdeals.
As we slowly emerge from the Omicron wave and countries around the world ease restrictions on international travel, there are growing calls for Canada to follow suit. Those in the tourism industry say some requirements to fly into the country just don’t make sense anymore. Fully vaccinated travellers are still required to provide proof of a pre-departure PCR test, as well as take one upon arrival. The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable is set to hold a news conference Thursday at 7 a.m. PST to call on the federal government to remove — what the group calls — “unnecessary” and “non-science-based” obstacles to international travel.
All provincially regulated healthcare workers in B.C. will be required to be fully vaccinated by March 24. Those working in acute care and long-term care are already required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but the province announced in the fall that the requirement would be updated to include all healthcare workers, including dentists, acupuncturists, pharmacists, physio, midwives, and chiropractors. Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the expanded mandate. She explained the move was made to ensure “we have a consistent, supported standard across health care. The province will be taking a phased approach to give those who have not yet been vaccinated time to get their dose.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the COVID-19 pandemic and toxic drug crisis are intertwined. Henry made the comment after the B-C Coroners Service released figures showing 2021 was the deadliest year for suspected overdoses on record. Henry says getting through the next phase of the pandemic is vital to helping people caught in the toxic drug crisis. She says her office will continue to push Health Canada for an exemption from laws that criminalize drug possession and will work to increase access to a safe drug supply.
British Columbia health officials announced Thursday that there have been 1,318 new COVID-19 cases reported over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the province to 337,547. In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said that 867 (-26) COVID-positive people are currently hospitalized, and 138 (-5) are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. As of today, BC health officials are no longer reporting the number of active cases in the province. There have been five new COVID-19-related deaths in British Columbia, for a total of 2,730 deaths in the province.
Surrey Mounties continue to investigate after a student at Bothwell Elementary School in Fraser Heights found a handgun on the school grounds on Thursday during morning recess. Const. Sarbjit Sangha said students were immediately brought into the school by staff, who called police. Asked if the gun was loaded, she told the Now-Leader, “I do not have that information, unfortunately.” “It’s believed to be a real firearm,” she said. She said police are analyzing the gun in an attempt to determine if it is connected to any ongoing police investigations and that the Surrey RCMP is working closely with the Surrey School District as well as the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. “Anytime a firearm is located by a member of the public it’s concerning, and in this case it was an elementary school student,” Sangha said. “It shows the blatant disregard for the safety of others, from whoever disposed of this firearm.” The elementary school is located at 17070 102 Ave. Police ask anyone with information to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
A protest against COVID-19 restrictions has blocked the main border crossing between Manitoba and the United States. About three dozen vehicles have halted traffic except for trucks carrying livestock. Mike Blundell watched the protest in his truck and says he was not impressed. R-C-M-P say they have been working to communicate with the protesters.
R-C-M-P in Surrey, B-C, say they are investigating an arson at an apartment building in the Guildford area. The Mounties say firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze early Saturday in the building’s hallway. They say there was evidence of a second fire outside the building that was put out before police or firefighters arrived. R-C-M-P say no injuries were reported but it appears the fires were lit intentionally and they are looking for two suspects.
Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg say the N-F-L was late embracing hip-hop and vow their Super Bowl half-time show will create more opportunities for the genre. Along with their Sunday co-headliners Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, the five music icons will perform at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Snoop Dogg calls it a “great moment” that combines “the biggest sporting event in the world” with hip-hop. The five music artists together have a combined 44 Grammys.