The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. remains steady, as the province records 108 new infections. On Tuesday, a joint statement from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said there are 139 COVID patients in the hospital, up slightly from 136 on Monday. Thirty-nine of those patients are in the ICU, down from 42 on Monday. Of the new cases, 53 are in the Fraser Health region and 11 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. Another 37 are in the Interior Health region. B.C. did not record any COVID-related deaths in the past day. On Tuesday, B.C. entered the second stage of its restart plan, no longer restricting travel for locals. The province continues to advise against all non-essential travel from out of B.C. If all goes to B.C.’s plan, life will be pretty much back to normal by September.
Now that B.C.’s top doctor has cleared the way for smaller wedding receptions to happen this summer, there’s still confusion about some restrictions in place. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday, “Music is starting, but dancing, we’re going to wait just a little bit longer for the dancing and singing.” Maureen Brown, who runs Surrey-based Emerald Events, says Henry’s hard no has some clients scrambling to make adjustments — especially those expecting to dance at their receptions. According to B.C.’s restart plan, the earliest dancing at an event like a wedding could be allowed is July 1. So, according to Brown, people exchanging vows before Canada Day are not happy. You’re not allowed to have more than 50 people celebrate with you and tables are still limited to no more than six seats. Wedding receptions are limited to sit-down dinners. Brown says she’s seeing more bookings heading into the fall in anticipation of more restrictions being lifted or eased.
The Canada-U.S. border has been closed to non-essential travel for more than a year, but the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs says details on the reopening are on their way, saying “These measures can evolve in a phased appropriate way over the next number of weeks, and we’ll have more to say about those specific measures and … the implementation details in the coming days,” The minister adds the feds are also in talks with provinces and territories about creating some type of “passport” containing proof of vaccination against COVID-19. “The urgency of coming up with a secure, reliable, probably digital proof of vaccination is something that we’re working on collaboratively with provinces and there may have to be a transitional measure — for example — if there’s a phased adjustment of border measures in July or later in August.” LeBlanc says while health information falls under provincial jurisdiction, Ottawa aims to provide Canadians with a document to verify vaccinations against the virus if they want to travel outside Canada. The Prime Minister has said the Canada-U.S. border would be a gradual reopening, with first access to those fully vaccinated.
People in Vancouver are being urged to give the city feedback on its proposed Climate Emergency Parking Program. The city’s “Climate Emergency Parking Program” proposes Vancouverites who own a 2023 or newer “high-polluting” vehicle — described as a gas-powered luxury sports car, large SUV or full-size pickup truck — would be charged $1,000 per year to get a residential parking permit. Owners of 2023 or newer vehicles deemed “moderately polluting” — gas-powered sporty sedans or higher efficiency small SUVS — would have to pay $500 for the same permit, if the proposal is approved. Vancouver’s proposal also includes plans for a new overnight permit. It would cost $45 a year and be required for people to park on all residential streets and lanes that are unregulated or signed as “No parking except residents of this block” between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Visitors would have to pay $3 if they want to park overnight in those areas. The plan has been described by many as a “cash grab,” while others have come to the city’s defense, applauding it for taking steps to address climate change. The city is accepting public input until July 5.
The $70 million Lotto Max jackpot is going unclaimed once again, with no winner in Tuesday night’s draw. However, 42 of the 64 Maxmillion prizes of $1 million were won. The majority were sold in Ontario, with 20 winning tickets. There are eight winners in both Quebec and British Columbia. Five winning tickets were sold in the Prairies, and one in the Atlantic provinces. The jackpot for the next draw on June 18 will remain at an estimated $70 million, with 70 Maxmillion prizes of $1 million each up for grabs.
The R-C-M-P has closed part of the Dollarton Highway in North Vancouver due to concerns over what is described as a “historical ordnance.” Police say in a tweet that the item was bought as a novelty in the belief that it was inert but it may in fact be a hazard. The R-C-M-P explosive disposal unit had originally been dispatched to deal with the matter but was recalled after the item was identified as a military ordnance. Police say Canadian Armed Forces personnel will be required to assess and ensure it is safe.
A driver made a costly mistake when he drove a truck onto the beach near the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal during low tide so people could take photos. A witness says two trucks drove onto the shore last night but when they tried to leave, one got struck. Delta Police say the pickup was “sunk to the axles” on the beach when they arrived but a large tow-truck was eventually able to pull it out. The driver was given a Tsawwassen First Nation ticket for “harvesting or damaging resources” on its public land, as well as a Motor Vehicle Act ticket for careless operation of an off-road Vehicle.
British Columbia health officials announced 113 new test-positive COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the province to 146,674. In a written statement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said that broken down by health region, 27 are in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 51 are in the Fraser Health region, four are in the Island Health region, 31 are in the Interior Health region, and none in the Northern Health region. Health officials note that Wednesday’s case counts are “provisional” and may be adjusted once they’re verified. There are 1,454 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. Of the active cases, 134 individuals are currently hospitalized, 41 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. There have been four new COVID-19-related deaths, for a total of 1,738 deaths in British Columbia. A total of 143,449 people who tested positive for the virus have now recovered.
Surrey city council aims to cut back on parking available to Surrey motorists along major rapid transit lines in an effort to wean drivers off their cars and get more people using public transit. Council endorsed a corporate report to that end at its June 14 council meeting, with city staff recommending reducing parking minimums in rapid transit areas as well as reducing parking requirements for rental housing developments and extending in-lieu of parking options to rapid transit areas at $20,000 per stall. “I think with encouragement of using rapid transit, with our SkyTrain going to be built very soon which will go through the centre of our city, the need for parking stalls isn’t there,” Mayor Doug McCallum said. The mayor noted that land developers have been telling city hall that by not doing so many parking stalls they can lower the cost of building in Surrey.
Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole is calling on voters to decide whether Canada’s defence minister should keep his job. Harjit Sajjan is in the midst of dealing with high-level sexual misconduct allegations against several high-ranking members of the military. In the House of Commons today, O’Toole appealed to voters in Sajjan’s B-C riding to send a message in an election that could come within months. Sajjan has not directly responded to calls for his resignation, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not responded to calls for his Dismissal.