The long duration heat wave, as it’s being called, is here and medical officials are warning everyone to prepare for temperatures to soar across much of the province starting today, with highs reaching up to 40 degrees or more in parts of the Lower Mainland. Doctor Emily Newhouse says everyone can get heat-related illnesses but some people are extra vulnerable, such as seniors, young children and anyone with a chronic illness. Newhouse says watch out for signs like dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing and extreme thirst. She says it’s best to plan outings for areas that are cool or shaded, reschedule strenuous outdoor activity and drink plenty of water before even feeling thirsty.
Leaders of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation say they mourn the confirmation 751 unmarked graves of the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan. A statement from the chief and council says they regret knowing what that nation is going through, given the preliminary findings of 215 remains on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The chief and council say they stand with the Cowessess First Nation in mourning and having deep gratitude for the survivors who held fast to the truth of the unmarked graves.
If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419, or the Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free line at 1-800-721-0066.
Travelling by ferry has just gotten easier for walk-on passengers! BC Ferries will now take reservations for walk-on passengers for trips from Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay, Duke Point, Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay. People can book online and then redeem their ticket at a self-serve kiosk or ticket agent. For now, B-C Ferries is limiting the number of reservations, so it doesn’t mean the trip is sold out if there’s no walk-on tickets available.
The Montreal Canadiens are heading to the Stanley Cup Final! This is the first time that a Canadian team will compete for the cup since the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in 2011, and the first time that Canadiens have been in the final since 1993, when they were the last Canadian team to win the cup. They defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in 6 games, thanks to outstanding goaltending from Carey Price. They’ll play either the New York Islanders, or the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final series. Go Habs!
Ensuring your ferry trip to and from Vancouver Island as a walk-on passenger is now easier. B-C Ferries will now take reservations for walk-on passengers for trips from Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay, Duke Point, Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay. People can book online and then redeem their ticket at a self-serve kiosk or ticket agent. For now, B-C Ferries is limiting the number of reservations, so it doesn’t mean the trip is sold out if there’s no walk-on tickets available.
Ex-Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin (SHOH’-vihn) has been sentenced to 22-and-a-half years for killing George Floyd, whose death sparked a reckoning on race in America. Chauvin had been convicted of second-degree murder. The judge did not impose a sentence for convictions of third degree murder and manslaughter. The punishment fell short of the 30 years that prosecutors had requested. With good behaviour, the 45-year-old Chauvin could be paroled after serving two-thirds of his sentence, or about 15 years.
Front-line organizations working with Indigenous people say the need for in-person cultural and mental-health support has intensified over the past month. Residential school survivors need help as communities discover unmarked graves at former sites. The executive director of Prairie Harm Reduction in Saskatoon says the discoveries are triggering troublesome memories for survivors. Jason Mercredi wants to see the federal government fund First Nations, Inuit and Metis-led organizations and communities to ensure appropriate support is provided.
Vancouver city council has approved the use of privately-owned electric kick scooters as part of a provincially-led pilot program. It says the scooters will be allowed on minor streets and protected bike lanes but not on major streets or sidewalks. Operators must also be at least 16-years-old and the scooters can’t go faster than 24 kilometres per hour. Vancouver is one of six cities across the province taking part in a pilot to evaluate the safety and operation of the scooters that is expected to run until April 2024.
B-C health officials say people getting COVID-19 vaccinations this weekend should check the location due to the anticipated heat wave. They say many pop-up clinics have moved to cooler, indoor locations with extreme hot weather forecast throughout the province. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say 76.2 per cent of all residents 12 and up have now received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 25.2 per cent are fully vaccinated. They also reported 72 new cases of COVID-19 as well as two new deaths, for a total of one-thousand-749 in the province since the pandemic began.
Vancouver Police have released photos of two men accused of obstructing police and assaulting three officers last Friday night at English Bay. Police are asking the public to help identify the two suspects in the incident that occurred after officers were called to investigate a large fight and a possible assault involving 10 people. Constable Tania Visintin says police have reviewed video clips posted online and identified two agitators accused of inciting the crowd, assaulting the officers and obstructing them as they were doing their jobs.Three officers were injured, including one who was taken to hospital.