Jane Skrypnek

Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march to the Ministry of Health building where pictures of loved ones hang on display during the sixth anniversary to mark the public health emergency on opioid-related overdose across the province in Victoria, April 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

179 people died from B.C.’s poisoned drug supply in October

October’s numbers bring 2022’s total to 1,827 lives lost

Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march to the Ministry of Health building where pictures of loved ones hang on display during the sixth anniversary to mark the public health emergency on opioid-related overdose across the province in Victoria, April 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Former B.C. private school counsellor Luke Lawson will never be allowed to teach in the province again, following a child pornography conviction and investigation by the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation. (Credit: Pixabay)

B.C. private school counsellor banned for life following child porn sentence

Nude images of young girls found inside Luke Lawson’s home during 2020 police search

Former B.C. private school counsellor Luke Lawson will never be allowed to teach in the province again, following a child pornography conviction and investigation by the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation. (Credit: Pixabay)
Doug White, chairman of the B.C. First Nations Justice Council, will join the premier’s office at Special Counsel on Indigenous Reconciliation. (Black Press Media file photo)

Coast Salish lawyer Doug White joining B.C. premier’s office to speed reconciliation

White will work on issues held up between multiple government ministries

Doug White, chairman of the B.C. First Nations Justice Council, will join the premier’s office at Special Counsel on Indigenous Reconciliation. (Black Press Media file photo)
Former video analyst Rachel Doerrie filed a human rights complaint against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 22, claiming they fired her on a discriminatory basis. (Credit: Vancouver Canucks/Twitter)

Fired Vancouver Canucks analyst files human rights complaint against team

Rachel Doerrie says termination was discriminatory, based on sex and disabilities

Former video analyst Rachel Doerrie filed a human rights complaint against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 22, claiming they fired her on a discriminatory basis. (Credit: Vancouver Canucks/Twitter)
B.C. Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced changes Nov. 27 to how internationally-trained doctors can practice in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. opens doors to more internationally-trained doctors with new changes

Province tripling spots in licensing program, expediting process for U.S. physicians

B.C. Premier David Eby and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced changes Nov. 27 to how internationally-trained doctors can practice in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Butterflies in Spirit founder Lorelei Williams (left), UBCIC representative Louisa Housty-Jones, and BCAFN representative Melissa Moses speak at a panel on ending violence against women in Vancouver on Nov. 24, 2022. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

UBCIC, BCAFN call on VPD to release video of officers mocking sexual harassment

Officers filmed video while uniformed and on-duty, spread it throughout department

Butterflies in Spirit founder Lorelei Williams (left), UBCIC representative Louisa Housty-Jones, and BCAFN representative Melissa Moses speak at a panel on ending violence against women in Vancouver on Nov. 24, 2022. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
A holstered taser is seen on a police officer’s belt. In B.C., dozens of municipal police officers were disciplined for things ranging from domestic violence to excessive use of force from mid-2021 to mid-2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Tasing house guests, stalking exes: Annual report reveals B.C. cops’ misconduct

Intimate partner violence, sexual harassment also widespread, police complaints commissioner found

A holstered taser is seen on a police officer’s belt. In B.C., dozens of municipal police officers were disciplined for things ranging from domestic violence to excessive use of force from mid-2021 to mid-2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Large police presence across multiple locations in Lower Mainland on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (@kristianb01/Twitter)

2 suspects in Lower Mainland dealership robbery remain unidentified and at large

Coquitlam RCMP say the robbers were masked when they stole a vehicle and exchanged fire Tuesday

Large police presence across multiple locations in Lower Mainland on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (@kristianb01/Twitter)
Complaints against municipal police officers in B.C. are up 26 per cent from 2020/2021 to 2021/2022, the latest report from the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner shows. (Black Press Media file photo)

Police misconduct complaints up 26% in B.C.’s municipal forces: report

Largest number lodged against Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford cops

Complaints against municipal police officers in B.C. are up 26 per cent from 2020/2021 to 2021/2022, the latest report from the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner shows. (Black Press Media file photo)
FILE - Premier David Eby announced his plan to create a new ministry solely devoted to housing on Nov. 22, 2022. (Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby to create new ministry solely devoted to B.C. housing crisis

Housing currently overseen by attorney general

FILE - Premier David Eby announced his plan to create a new ministry solely devoted to housing on Nov. 22, 2022. (Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Jean Sebastien, a pizza cook at Dave & Mel’s Pizzeria in North Vancouver, was attacked while taking the garbage out at work on Nov. 19, 2022. Police are investigating multiple leads. (Photo credit: GoFundMe/Lower Lonsdale Random Attack Victim)

North Vancouver pizza cook attacked with tire iron at gun point

Jean Sebastien won’t be returning to work anytime soon, says a fundraiser started for him

Jean Sebastien, a pizza cook at Dave & Mel’s Pizzeria in North Vancouver, was attacked while taking the garbage out at work on Nov. 19, 2022. Police are investigating multiple leads. (Photo credit: GoFundMe/Lower Lonsdale Random Attack Victim)
Vancouver naturopath Dr. Jordan Atkinson has been suspended and fined, after he admitted to failing to fully document one patient’s medical records. (Credit: Pixabay/DarkoStojanovic)

Vancouver naturopath suspended after patient says he failed to detect their tumor

Dr. Jordan Atkinson was treating his patient for hemorrhoids at the time

Vancouver naturopath Dr. Jordan Atkinson has been suspended and fined, after he admitted to failing to fully document one patient’s medical records. (Credit: Pixabay/DarkoStojanovic)
The space behind the switchboard on the Queen of Cumberland where women engineers have been changing into their coveralls. This space cannot be locked and has five separate entrances, says lawyer Adrienne Smith. Crew members often need to enter to get equipment. This space is typical of spaces where women engineers change, Smith says. (Courtesy of Adrienne Smith)

BC Ferries engineers told to provide more detail on sexual harassment claims

16 women say they face bullying, discrimination based on gender, sex

The space behind the switchboard on the Queen of Cumberland where women engineers have been changing into their coveralls. This space cannot be locked and has five separate entrances, says lawyer Adrienne Smith. Crew members often need to enter to get equipment. This space is typical of spaces where women engineers change, Smith says. (Courtesy of Adrienne Smith)
B.C. Premier David Eby makes an announcement in Vancouver on November 20, 2022. On Nov. 21, Eby announced his plan to tackle the province’s housing crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Eby drills down on age-restrictive stratas, municipal targets in new housing measures

Proposed legislation will give B.C. greater control over how communities address housing needs

B.C. Premier David Eby makes an announcement in Vancouver on November 20, 2022. On Nov. 21, Eby announced his plan to tackle the province’s housing crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks after being sworn in as the province’s 37th premier during a ceremony at the Musqueam Nation, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. British Columbia’s new premier is scheduled to announce a plan to improve public safety in the province amid concerns about random crime. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. public safety plan includes focus on repeat offenders, more mental health teams

10 new Indigenous justice centres also planned

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks after being sworn in as the province’s 37th premier during a ceremony at the Musqueam Nation, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. British Columbia’s new premier is scheduled to announce a plan to improve public safety in the province amid concerns about random crime. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A B.C.-led clinical trial is showing promise for a drug to cure Type 1 diabetes. (Credit: Pixabay/stevepb)

B.C. clinical trial showing promising signs for Type 1 diabetes cure

Two of four completed participants no longer require insulin, study lead says

A B.C.-led clinical trial is showing promise for a drug to cure Type 1 diabetes. (Credit: Pixabay/stevepb)
Two B.C. teachers disciplined for angry interactions with students. (Pixabay)

2 B.C. teachers disciplined over angry, intimidating behaviour

One school teacher yelled at elementary school student, held their shoulders

Two B.C. teachers disciplined for angry interactions with students. (Pixabay)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks at the legislature in Victoria on March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. will only consider mask mandate if new major virus emerges: public health officer

Dr. Bonnie Henry says masks were vital during COVID peak, but not as much so now

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks at the legislature in Victoria on March 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
FILE - A sign requiring masks seen on a storefront in February 2022. Four groups in B.C. are calling on the province to re-introduce a mask mandate, in an open letter published Nov. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Should B.C. reintroduce mask mandate? Groups pen open letter to province

Province says it’s not considering it at this time

FILE - A sign requiring masks seen on a storefront in February 2022. Four groups in B.C. are calling on the province to re-introduce a mask mandate, in an open letter published Nov. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Discrimination is a near ubiquitous experience for status First Nations in B.C. when they use their status cards, a Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs-commissioned study found. (Screenshot/They Sigh or Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage report)

Racism when using First Nations status cards a ‘near-universal experience’: UBCIC study

All but 4 survey respondents reported discrimination when using status card in B.C.

Discrimination is a near ubiquitous experience for status First Nations in B.C. when they use their status cards, a Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs-commissioned study found. (Screenshot/They Sigh or Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage report)