Podcasts about bc's minister

BC's Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth joined Newsday a day after declaring a province wide state of emergency due to wildfires and talks about how that will impact the ability to fight fires moving forward and the work that is ongoing to make sure evacuees have somewhere to stay in the event they have to leave their homes.

BC's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin discusses the government's role in responding to the findings at the Kamloops Residential School and if it will be providing financial aid to other first nation communities in BC looking to do similar work.

BC's Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation responds to the BC restart plan.

BC's Minister of Jobs Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon joins Newsday to discuss the $500 million InBC investment fund. It was created last September as a way for the province to invest alongside the private sector to support small and medium-sized companies.

BC's Minister of health discusses COVID-19, vaccine rollout in Kamloops, the circuit breaker restrictions and touches on the provincial budget and why a new cancer care clinic for Kamloops was not included.

BC's Minister of Labout joins Newsday to talk about new protections being put in place so that employees can go get their vaccine or help dependents get vaccinated without the fear of losing their job.

BC's Minister of mental Health and Addictions discusses calls for the Urban Mayor's Caucus to prioritize social issues, access to a safe drug supply, the need for prescriptions to access that supply and more.

New in this update:Tuesday COVID-19 updateSeniors in BC continue to succumb to COVID-19, with 12 deaths reported over the past 24 hours. There are 465 new cases in the province, including 21 in the Island Health Region. 9 schools in Island Health are reporting exposures. The high number of cases among staff has forced the Duncan Christian School to close for the next two weeks, and the elementary school on the Snuneymuxw first nation is also closed as part of the community's shelter in place order.Immunization program will ensure a second doseThere is more bad news today about the supply of the Pfizer vaccine. Now the federal government says it will not receive any doses of the Pfizer vaccine next week. Late last week, Ottawa said the shipments would be cut in half over the next month because Pfizer shut down part of its factory in Belgium to prepare it to manufacture more vaccines. BC's Minister of Health says although the reduction in vaccine deliveries over the next month is "disappointing," Adrian Dix says the province will still be able to immunize everyone who needs their second dose within 35 days of their first."I think getting the second dose is important. It's important to both the strength of the program and people's confidence in the program. So we'll have to make adjustments. We'll have to see. Hopefully, this is s one-time interruption but what we can do in British Columbia is use the vaccine we receive and use it effectively and on vulnerable populations and that is what we're gonna do. And that means second doses are particularly important, it seems to me, in making our long term care facilities safer."—Minister of Health Adrian Dix.More details about the revised vaccine roll-out plan will be released tomorrow.Report contains heartbreaking stories from young people in mental health systemYoung people in BC are being involuntarily detained for treatment under the mental health act at an ever-increasing rate, but no one is able to say why. That's just one finding in a report, released today by BC's Representative for Children and Youth. The report is calling on government to amend the mental health act to ensure compassionate care for youth who are forced into mental health treatment. Jennifer Charlesworth says her report contains dozens of heartbreaking stories from young people, forced into mental health treatment that she says results in trauma."They were really concerned and distressed by what had happened to them and they often said 'when does the healing begin?' You know this was an experience in sedation and medication and maybe some stabilization, but it was not an experience of helping."—Jennifer Charlesworth, BC's Representative for Children and Youth.What would help, according to the Representative, is for government to ensure involuntary hospital detention is truly the last resort, instead of it being the default position due to the lack of community-based programs. Charlesworth says young people should be involved in or at least informed about what mental health treatments they will receive and why. She says Health Authorities need to start collecting consistent data about who is being committed, restrained, sedated and how often. And, she's recommending a Mental Health Review Board be created that is trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.

COVID-19 update for Wednesday September 16thThere have been 122 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in BC over the past 24 hours. However, there have been no new cases in the Island Health region since Monday. There have been no new deaths reported today but admissions to intensive care units in hospitals have doubled to 23 in one week. No one is in hospital for coronavirus in our health region.No COVID-19 cases reported at School Districts within Island Health regionSchool districts will soon be reporting on COVID-19 cases. Regional health authorities are creating school notification pages. They will provide the date and type of notification, whether it be an outbreak, a cluster of cases or exposure, which is when someone from a school has tested positive for coronavirus but has little if any close contact with others. The Fraser Health Authority school notification page is in place now and shows there has been COVID-19 exposure at 6 schools. Other health authorities, including Island Health, are expected to have their school notification pages available soon. There have been no reported cases of school exposures in the Island Health region.Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses will now be able to prescribe hydromorphoneRegistered nurses and psychiatric nurses will now be able to prescribe safer alternatives to street drugs. BC's Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry issued the order today. Previously, only physicians and licensed practical nurses had the power to write prescriptions for alternative drugs like hydromorphone. BC's Minister of Health, Adrian Dix says this latest order is another step in dealing with the overdose crisis."Even the changes we made to expand the guidelines in March have seen a tripling of the number of people receiving hydromorphone in that project, in that program, but we felt we needed to create more opportunities that made sense for nurse practitioners and nurses to do it." —Minster of Health Adrian Dix.Health officials say the order will help those who come into contact with nurses working on outreach teams and in-hospital psychiatric departments to avoid toxic street drugs. The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is also looking at expanding the types of alternative drugs that can be prescribed. Statistics from July show there were 175 drug toxicity deaths in BC, and in June, there were 177 fatalities.Air quality slowly improvingThe air quality in Nanaimo has improved somewhat today. Environment Canada is rating air quality at 8, down from 10+ yesterday. However, that still means people should avoid strenuous exercise and vulnerable groups like children, seniors and pregnant women should consider staying indoors. Winds from the south are expected to continue to push smoke north over the next 24-48 hours and rain in the forecast is expected to help as well. The improvement in local air quality has led Canada Post to promise deliveries in some Nanaimo neighbourhoods today.

New in this update:COVID-19 updateThere are no new cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health Region, but there have been 97 new cases confirmed elsewhere in the province since yesterday. There are twelve active cases of the virus in Island Health and just under 1600 active cases province-wide.Indigenous rights and privacy rights at oddsA coalition of first nations is asking BC's Information and Privacy Commissioner to order the province to disclose the location of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases near their communities. The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, the Tsilhqot'in National Government and the Heiltsuk Nation say they need that information to keep their communities safe. They want to be told whether the case involves a person that has travelled to one of the Nations and the name of a person infected, if they are a member of one of the Nations so that culturally-safe contact tracing can be put into place. BC's Minister of Health, says he discussed the issue with first nations leaders yesterday. But, it appears Adrian Dix is not willing to agree to their request."There are issues to balance here, in terms of people's right to privacy, which is closely connected to their willingness to engage with us, in the health care system. So these are issues we are working on with first nations communities."—Minister of Health Adrian Dix.Dix says the best way to protect first nations communities is to have a robust and culturally sensitive approach by the health care system that supports those affected by the virus.The BC Greens will have full slate of Candidates says FurstenauThe new leader of the BC Greens says her party will run a full slate of candidates, if a snap election is called. Sonia Furstenau says calling a snap election would be irresponsible and unnecessary in the midst of a pandemic. But she says her party is ready if that happens."We're going to bring forward a platform and policy ideas to show that we are ready to lean into the recovery from COVID-19 in a way that puts health and well-being, security of people, small businesses, renters. It addresses the inequalities that we see in this province and we're going to focus on being a very strong alternative to what has existed in BC politics and will show we have only just gotten started in changing politics in BC and we are going to do a lot more in the future."—BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau.Furstenau says BC Greens have set partisanship aside and collaborated with the NDP government to ensure British Columbians get the programs they need to cope with the pandemic. She says she will continue to operate in the spirit of collaboration, no matter what the outcome of the next election.Mayor of Tofino announces plan to run for Mid Island-Pacific Rim for NDPMeanwhile, election speculation continues with the Mayor of Tofino throwing her hat in the ring as the NDP candidate in the next provincial election. Josie Osborne announced her plans to run in the riding of Mid Island-Pacific Rim, less than 24 hours after the current MLA Scott Fraser announced he will not run again.

New in this update:Smoke in Nanaimo continues Smoky skies have suspended mail service in Nanaimo. Canada Post says it will not be making deliveries due to unsafe air quality conditions. Meanwhile, BC's Provincial Health Officers is advising people to wear masks while outside, because of the smoke from US wildfires. Dr. Bonnie Henry says symptoms from smoke irritation can mimic COVID-19. She says she supports children continuing to go to school, despite the fact they will remain indoors throughout the day, in rooms where the windows are closed."Schools can be a very safe place for people, and children and all adults those in the school system. It's a place where you can be protected from both COVID-19 and from the smoky skies. We need to go back to our basics making sure we are screening out and if we have concerns about symptoms, to stay away from school. To make sure that we have our distancing, our hand cleaning, that we close windows during those conditions and that we use, if available, the HVAC systems with HEPA filters, which some places have."—Dr. Bonnie Henry.Rising COVID-19 Case NumbersBritish Columbia continues to see rising case counts, deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID-19. There have been 317 new cases confirmed since Friday and 6 more deaths, including the first coronavirus death in the Northern Health Region. There are five new infections confirmed in the Island Health region but no hospitalizations. However, there are 58 people in hospital elsewhere in BC, including 16 in intensive care. Nevertheless, BC's Minister of Health, Adrian Dix says he still intends to expand visits to assisted living and long term care homes."The visits that have been conducted to date have been positive, that we haven't seen from those visits any cases and that gives us confidence that we're on the right track. It's clear that as a goal, we want to increase those visits so that's the effort that's going on right now."—Minister of Health, Adrian Dix.Dix says the issue of visits in care homes is the most common topic in communication he receives from the public.Premier Horgan to call an election?The speculation over whether the Premier will call an election this month continues to grow, with the MLA for Mid-Island-Pacific Rim announcing he will not run the next time around. Scott Fraser, who is also the Minister of Indigenous Relations, has been an MLA for the past 15 years and before that, he was the mayor of Tofino. Fraser says "It is time to spend more time with my loved ones and allow space for the leaders of tomorrow to step forward." B.C.'s Minister of Forests, Don Donaldson has also said he will not run again.

New in this update:People from Ladysmith to South Nanaimo are advised to stay inside and avoid using water People from Ladysmith to south Nanaimo are being advised to stay indoors and avoid using water because of a toxic fire burning south of the Nanaimo Airport. The fire at the Schnitzer Steel recycling property is now under control, but smoke from burning tires and plastic continues to billow from the site. Environmental experts are on-site to assess whether groundwater has been contaminated. The fire broke out just after 10 a.m. yesterday morning and at its height, more than fifty firefighters from fifteen departments were battling the blaze.COVID-19 pandemic fundingB.C.'s Auditor General wants to know what kind of government oversight is in place to measure how its pandemic program spending is benefiting British Columbians. Michael Pickup's report on COVID-19 Pandemic Funding Allocations and Other Financial Relief Measures was released today. It is not an audit. It is simply a list of where $5 billion dollars in government pandemic relief has been budgeted. Pickup says it's too early to say whether it is money well spent."Given the uncertainty around the magnitude of economic decline caused by the pandemic, the province's path to economic recovery is largely unknown. One driver of this impact of a second wave of COVID-19 cases will be and what measure will need to be taken to keep the people of British Columbia safe."—B.C.'s Auditor General, Michael Pickup.BC's Minister of Finance says she will be announcing details next week, on how the government plans to spend one and a half billion dollars set aside to stimulate economic recovery.There are no masks available for elementary school students in Nanaimo and LadysmithThe Nanaimo Ladysmith School District is asking students to bring their own masks to school because it has not received its promised supply. A spokesperson for the district says there are no masks available for elementary school students and a very limited supply for those in high school. The Ministry of Education promised each student would receive two reusable face masks this year. Its return to class plan says high school students must wear masks when physical distancing is not possible. District spokesperson Dale Burgos says the lack of masks comes down to a supply problem."We've received some, but not enough for all schools. And so, we've got enough for our secondary students, who the masks are mandated for through the restart plan and through the province. I can't say if they are actually in the schools just yet. And we are waiting for another shipment of masks coming in, just so we can have masks available for every student if needed."—District spokesperson Dale Burgos.Burgos says the district hopes it will receive its next shipment of masks early next week.

New in this update:Dr. Bonnie Henry asks for ‘slowing down' with likely second waveTwo hundred and ninety four people have tested positive for COVID-19 and four people have died from it since Friday in B.C. Five of the new cases are in the Island Health region, which brings our active case count to 25. Province-wide, there are more than 1100 active cases and more than 2700 people who are self isolating because they have had close contacts with COVID cases.The provincial health officer is asking British Columbians to prepare for the fall by shrinking their bubbles. Dr. Bonnie Henry says with schools about to reopen and more people returning to work, everyone needs to rethink who they are having contact with outside of those controlled settings."We are entering a new phase of our B.C. COVID-19 pandemic. We will likely have a second wave. Now we must slow down. We need to take a step back from some of the social interactions that we have had this summer. As the weather changes and we move towards more indoors, we need to keep our visitors to a minimum and I need everyone to pay attention."—Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.Henry says people can look to restaurant limits of six and limits of five visitors at short term rentals as examples of social gathering limits. Parents need to consider whether to allow their kids to participate in extra curricular activities. She says people who have close contact with elders may need to reduce their contacts even more.B.C. not alone in economic woes caused by COVID-19From a budget surplus of $274 million dollars to a deficit of $321 million dollars, that's how COVID-19 has affected last year's provincial budget. BC's Minister of Finance has presented what's called "Public Accounts" or the final accounting of the past fiscal year, which ended in March. Carole James says during the first three quarters of the fiscal year, B.C. had no operating debt, was seeing steady economic growth and had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. James says COVID-19 changed everything."COVID 19 has ravaged economies across the world and BC is not immune to those impacts. Specifically, the pandemic led to lower tax revenues, a bigger loss at ICBC in the fourth quarter and unexpected government spending and health authority costs in respect to COVID-19."—Minister of Finance Carole James.James is calling it “The worst economic crisis in the province's history”. And the bad news isn't over yet. Last year accounting captured only the first month of the pandemic. Next year, B.C.'s deficit is already projected to be $13 and a half billion dollars. Next month, James will give a financial update on the first fiscal quarter of 2020.

New in this update:Nanaimo Ladysmith School DistrictThe demand for at home schooling in Nanaimo is so high this year, the district's website crashed on the first day of registration. The president of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School Board says more than 300 students have registered for the Island ConnectEd program. It allows students to learn from home. The district is hiring more teachers for the program. Charlene McKay says the district is doing all it can to accommodate students and their families."The registration is wide open. We are not wait listing families. We are getting them in. and we'll make those connections as soon as we can and then we'll investigate what else we need to do for those supports."—President of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School Board, Charlene McKay.The district opted to expand the program, instead of creating wait lists, after the Minister of Education, Rob Flemming promised school districts their funding would not be reduced. In past years, the district would receive less funding for a student enrolled in the ConnectEd program, compared to a student enrolled at a school.More Details on COVID-19 NumbersBC's Provincial Health Officer is offering more details into where and how COVID-19 cases have been transmitted. Normally, Dr. Bonnie Henry provides case counts by Health Region. Now, those numbers are being broken down into smaller areas. As of the end of July on Vancouver Island, the highest case count recorded is on the North Island, where 30 people in Alert Bay were infected in an outbreak early in the pandemic. There have been 15 cases in Nanaimo, nine in the Cowichan Valley and six in Parksville. Dr. Henry says the exposures fall into three main categories."About a third of the cases that we're seeing now are related to events like parties like clubs and nightclubs that we've seen and about a third are related to transmission within families and community groups and then a third are related to a workplace cluster or outbreaks at long term care homes."—B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie HenryHenry says there is a smaller proportion of cases related to travel.COVID-19 Testing on Vancouver Island Meanwhile, people on Vancouver Island are reporting being put on hold for up to 90 minutes when trying to book an appointment to be tested for COVID-19. Some say they made dozens of calls over several days before getting through to the COVID-19 call centre. The call centre saw its highest count of 900 calls on August the 17th. BC's Minister of Health says 70 per cent of calls were abandoned on that day. However, Adrian Dix believes the problem will be fixed soon."Island health is actively recruiting staff, extending offers to 45 individuals and recruitment continues. This week, Island Health has more than doubled the number of nurses they have answering calls and will have more nurses and registration clerks starting tomorrow."—Minister of Health, Adrian Dix.The call centre has extended its hours of operation to seven days a week.

New in this update:School Districts across the province have unveiled their back to school plans and many of the new rules apply to all. Elementary students will receive in class instruction 100 per cent of the time, while high school students will spent three quarters of their time in a classroom, with the remainder online. Neither masks nor physical distancing will be required within learning groups. But classrooms will be set up to ensure the maximum distance possible between students. Hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies will be in all classrooms. There will be staggered times for pick up, drop off, lunches and breaks. Students will bring their own supplies and take them home daily...there will be no lockers used this year. Each student will get two reusable masks. Classrooms will be cleaned twice a day and deep cleanings in schools will happen at night. BC's Minister of Education, Rob Flemming, says the plans are blueprints for a new normal.There's no question, as we all know, that schools are going to look very different than they did before the pandemic began or even in June. And that's why I encourage all families to visit their local school district's website, to find out the details of their local plans. High school students in the Nanaimo Ladysmith School District will take two courses for ten weeks, before switching to two new courses for the next ten weeks and so on. Elementary school classes will be limited to 30 students, with a maximum of 60 in a single learning group. But there is uncertainty over when elementary school students will be assigned to their classrooms and learning groups Superintendent Scott Saywell says a spike in new student enrollment means students may not be in their permanent classrooms by their first day on September the 10th."That is a bit of our challenge. We have a lot of work to do over the next number of days before schools start up." The plan says those students may start with more online and remote activities until intake meetings and registration has stabilized. The District does not yet have a transportation plan for highschool students on Gabriola, who have to travel off island to attend class. And, two schools, Cilaire Elementary and Ladysmith Intermediate have classrooms with no ventilation so in the short term, that means turning up the heat and opening up the windows. Despite the uncertainties, School Board Chair Charlene McKay believes issues will be resolved by engaging with parents."I think that we're going to continue our conversations and look at what our community might be needing, after they've had a chance to review it and then the board will be able to take that into consideration and make any local adjustments that they need to.Parents will receive specific plans for their childrens' schools via email in the coming days. The Board's next virtual meeting is on September the 2nd.The survey for seniors and their families can be taken online, by phone or through the mail. It is open until September the 30th and Mackenzie expects to have recommendations for the future of care home visits in October.

New in this update:Victoria Police served fines to a party host and a party goer over the weekend. Police say the host was twice warned about COVID party rules on Friday night before being hit with a $2300 dollar ticket. Police say 30 people were in the one bedroom apartment at the time but dozens more had come and gone between the warnings. Officers returned to the same Fort Street apartment for another crowded party early Sunday morning. When one partygoer refused to leave, he was hit with a $230 dollar fine. The fines were levied under new COVID-19 public safety rules, announced by the province on Friday.Nanaimo's Loaves and Fishes foodbank is turning the hardships of COVID-19 into an opportunity to improve services. Its executive director says many volunteers were uncomfortable about continuing to serve when the pandemic started. The foodbank was able to replace them with six younger workers for longer shifts thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Victoria Foundation. Peter Sinclair says other cash donations paid for COVID needed supplies like tents for outside food distribution. He says food donations also increased dramatically from restaurants that were shut down due to the pandemic.“At the height of it, we were receiving 9,000 dozen eggs a week: all of them were supposed to go to restaurants and we also got a lot of salmon coming in, again destined for restaurants. So we saw a dramatic increase in donations.” —Peter Sinclair, Loaves and Fishes Foodback Executive Director.Sinclair says Loaves and Fishes shared its overflow with other not for profit groups. As a result, that decreased the number of its clients, who collected their food hampers from other local organizations.Casino operators are hoping to get the green light to reopen, now that they have created restart plans, with the BC Lottery Corporation. The new rules would mean fewer slot machines, more plexiglass and only dealers would be allowed to touch the cards. But, BC's Minister of Health, Adrian Dix says there are NO plans to reopen casinos in BC, although they are open in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec. BC's Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reka Gustafson, says casinos are too high risk."COVD 19 transmission is highest risk in close settings where people are in close proximity, touching many things, and especially if some of the behaviours are altered by alcohol. We also know that as people get older, their risk of severe disease increases. So from a disease control perspective, these would be particularly worrisome places to reopen." —Dr. Reka Gustafson.Last year, casinos contributed close to one and a half billion dollars to provincial government revenues. Close to 3,000 casino workers were laid off when the pandemic began.Starting today, masks are now mandatory on all BC Ferries and your local transit buses.

New in this update:There are 90 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in BC over the past 24 hours and 2 more deaths. Both deaths are seniors who had been living on the lower mainland. There is one new case of the virus in Island Health. Over the past week, there have been 10 new cases confirmed in our region. All are considered community exposures which means, at this point, it is not known where the virus originated. However, health officials say they expect to find the source of the cases as their contact tracing investigations continue.BC's Minister of Public Safety says tougher fines and more enforcement are now in place, in an attempt to stop large public and private parties that have been the source of most new COVID-19 infections. Mike Farnworth says it's time to crack down on the small minority of people who are putting others health at risk. Party organizers will be fined $2000 dollars for gatherings of more than 50 people or for smaller gatherings if contact numbers are not collected and social distancing is not maintained. The same fine applies to people who host more than 5 guest at Air BnBs and other vacation rentals. Party goers who refuse to disperse and people who bully or abuse restaurant workers will be fined $200 dollars. Farnworth says he's empowering police, bylaw officers, and inspectors from provincial liquor, cannabis, community safety, gaming and Worksafe BC to levy fines."Stricter enforcement is necessary. The province is building a comprehensive and integrated compliance and enforcement regime to put a halt to bad actors in all corners in BC. This is an 'all hands on deck' approach."—Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth.However, neither RCMP nor local bylaw officials have been consulted about the plan and there is no word whether the province will compensate local governments for bylaw and police hours spent on enforcing public health orders.It appears retail stores across the country are bouncing back, according to new numbers released today by Statistics Canada. The Stats Can report says sales were up in all types of stores. The numbers show at the start of the pandemic, from February through April, retail sales fell by a third. Things began to improve in May and June with increases of 143 per cent in clothing stores, 70 per cent in home furnishings and 65 per cent at hobby, book and music stores, compared to the previous months. And, retailers are doing better now, than they were before the pandemic. In BC, sales in June of 2020 were close to two per cent higher than they were compared to June of 2019.

New in this update:BC Ferries is reporting a $62 million dollar loss in the first quarter of this year. Last year at this time, it was reporting a $12 million dollar profit. The loss in revenue is not surprising, since ferry traffic dropped by 80 per cent within days of the pandemic being declared in March. However, the ferry corporation says by the end of June, traffic volumes recovered to 65 per cent of normal. Earlier this month, the provincial and federal governments announced they will assist BC ferries in recovering from the loss. BC's Minister of Transportation says she wants to see a business plan first. Claire Trevena says that business plan must be in the public interest.The BC Wildfire Service says two fires burning near Victoria's drinking supply are not expected to grow. Fire crews are still working on the fires on Trap Mountain, which is in the Sooke Reservoir watershed. Fire Information Officer Julia Caranci says although rain does help the fire crew, it does not put out fires."So although we do have some rain happening right now we still want to press to people that there remains an open burning ban and while campfires are still allowed they have to be small, less then half a meter to half a meter, you have to monitor your campfire at all times, and you must not leave the area until, as our crews do it to the fires we attacked, the fire must be cold to the touch." —Fire Information Officer Julia Caranc.The fire danger level remains at high on Vancouver Island.The Minister of Health is downplaying complaints by family members who say visits to long term care facilities need improvement. All care homes in BC that do not have active COVID-19 cases have been allowing one hour-long visit every two weeks. And, only one designated permit may visit and it must be the same person every time. Some facilities allow hugging, others force visitors to remain up to five meters away. The Minister says he's hearing positive reports about visiting protocols in care homes. Adrian Dix says officials are reviewing whether more frequent visits are possible and whether more than one person can be a designated visitor. But he says those decisions will depend on the number of COVID cases in the wider community."There are 47,000 workers in long term care in BC and if there is a lot of COVID in the community, that affects people who work in health care and so it's all of our task to support this." —Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.Dix says there may be an announcement next week, about whether visiting will be expanded at long term and assisted care facilities.

New in this update:Despite Vancouver Island's low COVID-19 case count, health officials say it's an average two day wait to get tested. And, they say people trying to book an appointment for a test through its Testing Call Center, are often on hold for up to ninety minutes.BC's Minister of Health says it's important that Island Health ensures timely testing because Vancouver Island has a higher proportion of seniors and people with chronic medical conditions that make them more vulnerable if they get sick. Adrian Dix says improvements are coming.A Vancouver Island MLA who sits on a Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act says he's confident it will address the issue of defunding the police. Adam Olsen says the goal of the review is to ensure the right resources are showing up in the right places when they're needed.The 9 member committee of MLAs from all three parties has held two meetings so far. It heard presentations by the top level bureaucrats who manage the 45 year old Police Act. Presentations by members of the public will be scheduled over the fall and early spring. The committee will present its final report by May the 14th, next year.A pilot project at the Vancouver Island Regional Library's Harbourfront branch has proven to be a popular initiative. Close to 3200 people have taken advantage of the Walkthrough Service in its first three weeks. That's an average of 144 library customers a day. The Library says customers wore masks and followed COVID safety protocols. Staff say they received "an overwhelmingly positive response."In fact, the Nanaimo Ladysmith School District visited the branch to learn how the Walkthrough program could be used in school libraries this fall. The Walkthrough Service will expand to other regional library branches in the coming weeks.

New in this update:COVID-19 cases in the Island Health Region continue to creep up, but at a much slower rate than on the lower mainland. There have been two new cases of the virus confirmed here over the past 24 hours. Province-wide, there are 83 new cases but no deaths.BC's Minister of Public Safety has extended the province's state of emergency until September the 1st. The extension allows the province to continue to manage what it calls "immediate concerns, including recent outbreaks in some areas of the province." Mike Farnworth has confirmed he will be bringing in new measures later this week to address the actions of those he says "demonstrate their indifference to the health and safety of others." Yesterday, the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix confirmed the target."The places we're most concerned about in terms of transmission are parties and close contacts that take place over a period of time in closed circumstances and those are the circumstances that we're most focussed on with our enforcement right now."—Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.Dix says four nightclubs on the lower mainland including one in the Trump Tower, have been ordered closed until health authorities are satisfied with their COVID safety plans.A group of Milton Street residents has stepped up efforts to shut down a drug house that's been deemed a nuisance property at 560 Milton."The 'field of filth' we call it across from the house where everybody hides. We spent two four hour shifts as a community, clearing the lot because unfortunately, the owner of the lot has not been any help so we just got out there and we showed a sign of solidarity and people from all over Nanaimo came and stood with us in a stand against it."—Natalie Cunliffe, South End resident.Police raided the property in June, charging two people with trafficking. The city declared it a nuisance property last month.

New in this update:Tougher fines and more enforcement to control party makers are coming this week. BC's Minister of Health says it's an effort to try to stop COVID-19 infections from continuing to spike among people under the age of forty. At the same time, Adrian Dix acknowledges what some have called "pandemic fatigue." During Monday's COVID-19 update, the Minister said the key to getting through this pandemic is not shaming or punishment, but compliance.A downtown mural is drawing fire from some Nanaimo residents who say it's pornographic and glorifies drug use. The mural is on the retaining wall of the parking lot at 95 Cavan St. It depicts a cartoonish creature, lying in a mushroom field, who is smoking a pipe through its belly and is holding a staff that's spewing rainbow colours. It's one of three murals by local artists, commissioned by the city as part of the first Hub City Walls festival. The city's manager of Culture and Events says there has been a handful of negative emails about the mural. Julie Bevan says that's not surprising.Dozens of small fires continue to burn on Vancouver Island, the result of lightning strikes on Sunday night. BC's Wildfire Service says most are under 2 hectares and crews are on the ground at the hot spots. A helicopter was deployed to Mount Benson yesterday, to drop fire retardant on a fire that is about half a hectare in size. Crews expect the rain that is forecast later this week will help put the fires out completely.

BC's Minister of Health talks COVID-19 after the province passed 3,000 total cases since the pandemic began.

BC's Minister of Education discusses how the return to school went in the month of June and what can be learned as we look towards September. And Acumen Law's Kyla Lee discusses broadcasting court cases and why it may be beneficial to the justice system. We also discuss a possible class action among Uber drivers wanting to be designated as employees of the company.

The school year is officially in the rear view mirror. It was an unorthodox year with COVID-19 forcing kids to learn from home. Of course many voluntarily went back to class on a part time basis during the month of June. BC's Minister of Education Rob Fleming joins me on this.

The province is providing nearly $14 million for over 150 projects to support economic development in rural communities throughout the province. BC's Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Doug Donaldson joins me on that. And the Williams Lake Indian Band is calling for a Williams Lake city Councillor to resign and is asking for an apology from the municipality to the First Nations people of Canada. Is peak with the Chief of WLIB about what was said as well as a new cannabis production facility coming to the community.

BC Health Minister Adrian Dix joins me to talk about the upcoming long weekend and concerns over travel, visiting loved ones in long term care and PPE supply for businesses. BC's Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Bruce Ralston joins me to talk about a new program announced by the province to help clean up orphan and dormant gas well sites. And Dave Korzinski with the Angus Reid Institute will go over some recent surveys done to see how Canadians feel about China and how sports fans feel about empty seat games.

BC's Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Bruce Ralston joins me to talk about a new program announced by the province to help clean up orphan and dormant gas well sites.

There has been another death on the water, this time off Hornby Island. Hornby Island Fire Rescue says it was called out yesterday evening to tend to a patient with hypothermia as the result of an overturned boat. While en route more information came in that there was a second patient, possibly deceased. Rescue crews were dispatched and found the man at Norris Rock, but he was unresponsive and rescuers were unable to revive him. The BC Coroner's service confirms it is investigating the death of a man in his 70s. Hornby's Fire Chief, Doug Chinnery says the deceased man was not wearing a life jacket when his boat overturned, and he was unable to stay afloat. His friend was able to drag him to Norris Rock, then righted the capsized boat and rowed to Hornby to get help. This death follows one on Sunday night at North Saanich Marina. A man in his 50s died and two others were taken to hospital after a fire onboard the man's boat spread to the fuel dock.As more people are expected to head on to the water or into the backcountry this weekend, search and rescue groups are sounding the alarm. The organization "BC Adventure Smart says BC recorded a 35 per cent spike in search and rescue incidents during the first week of May, compared to the same week last year. The ongoing pandemic has added to concerns among search and rescue groups who face even more risks from COVID-19. "BC Adventure Smart" is hosting a seminar on Google Hangouts tonight on how to stay safe and survive when venturing into nature. It starts at 7 p.m. For more information check the BC Adventure Smart Facebook page.BC's Minister of Health is urging people to think twice about posting unverified information about COVID-19 from dubious sources. Adrian Dix says so-called "conspiracy groups" like the one that protested in front of a Vancouver hospital on Sunday do not deserve attention. BC's Provincial Health Officer says her goal in holding daily briefings is to combat misinformation that is widely circulated on social media sites. Dr. Bonnie Henry says reliable information can be found on the Government of BC's Facebook page and websites of the BC Centres for Disease Control and the Provincial Health Office.Meanwhile, health planners are looking for your input through a survey that is open until the end of this month. The 15-minute long survey asks questions, related to your experience under the pandemic. Dr. Henry says the information will guide pandemic planners in their next steps. The online questionnaire is at BCCDC.ca/covid19survey, or you can take the survey by telephone. The toll-free number is 1-833-707-1900.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in part by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

NANAIMO—COVID-19 figures released today show a steady decline in the number of new cases and hospitalizations in BC. There are just seven new cases of the virus reported over the past 24 hours, and none in the Island Health region. Fewer than 400 people are now suffering from COVID-19 in BC, with just 8 active cases in Island Health. However, the death rate continues to climb, with one new death at a long term care facility in the Fraser Health region. 63 people are in hospital with the virus, with one in Island Health.The BC Centres for Disease Control has launched an online survey to measure how COVID-19 has affected British Columbians and to inform those leading the pandemic response in their decision-making. BC's Minister of Health, Adrian Dix says it's an opportunity for British Columbians to have a say in improving our health care system. The survey, called "Your Story-Our Future" takes 15 minutes to complete and you can do so online at BCCDC.cacovid19survey. The online survey is offered in three languages. The survey can also be completed by telephone for those unable to access the internet and where the survey is offered in 150 other languages. The phone number is 1-833-707-1900. The survey is open until May the 31st, and the results will be made available this summer.The Provincial Health Officer has some advice to people wondering whether they can start dating during the pandemic. Dr. Bonnie Henry acknowledges it is an extra-difficult time for single people who do not have ready-made people in their bubble" but she is urging singles to proceed slowly and with serious thought before embarking on new relationships right now. Bottom line she says "this is not the time for rapid, serial-dating. But if you pick one person, be responsible, no kissing if you or the other person is feeling unwell. Keep your germs to yourself for now."The Mayor of Nanaimo is standing behind his council's decision to borrow $44 million dollars to pay for $89 million dollars worth of capital projects in this year's budget. Leonard Krog says "it is precisely during this time of crisis that makes it exactly the right time to invest in infrastructure projects." The projects include the replacement of Firehall #1, and major upgrades to Metral Drive, Bowen Road and the Harewood area. Krog says the infrastructure projects will mean continued employment for city workers and new jobs for companies that win city contracts. However, he could not say how many jobs would be created. City taxpayers will see an average $114 dollars increase to their tax bill this year.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in part by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Some Nanaimo-area Farmers' Markets that closed at the start of the pandemic, are reopening again, but with a whole new set of rules. The Cedars Farmers Market opened on Sunday. It has moved its location to Woodbank Elementary School to ensure safe physical distancing. And, there are 25 vendors this year, down from 85 last year. The Island Roots Market will reopen for the season on Wednesday at Beban Park. Like Cedars, there will be 25 vendors, and only they will be allowed to handle their products, to curb the spread of the virus. You can also order online from Island Roots. Meanwhile, Nanaimo's Downtown Market will not reopen this year.New COVID-19 cases in the Island health region continue to decline. None was reported on Saturday, and there have been only two new cases of the virus in the region in the past week. Province-wide, there were 15 new cases reported on Saturday and two deaths on the lower mainland. There was a death from the virus in Island Health on Wednesday, bringing the total in the region to 5. In BC, the death count is 129. The majority of deaths and continuing outbreaks have been in senior care homes. Currently, there are outbreaks in 15 senior care homes. Outbreaks in 19 others have been declared over.BC's Provincial Health Officer says for now, the ban on visitors to care homes will remain because it is not safe to relax the rules right now. However, Dr. Bonnie Henry is promising to find ways of allowing visits in the future. She says Health Authorities are working with the sector because the visitor policies will be shaped by the size of the home and its population. Henry acknowledged how "difficult, lonely and trying" it is for seniors who "have to stay in their own cocoon." She says allowing visits will depend on whether British Columbians continue to do their part to prevent the spread of the virus.Do you have a question about COVID-19, BC's Restart Plan or the plan to resume surgeries? You will have your chance tonight to ask Dr. Henry or Adrian Dix, the health minister. They will be hosting a COVID-19 virtual town hall meeting on the government's Facebook page. They will take some questions during the live broadcast, but you can also submit questions in advance at www.gov.bc.ca/covid19townhallsBritish Columbians who are on the federal disability program will not get the $300 dollar a month boost that people on BC's Disability Program receive in April, May and June. Speaking to reporters on Friday, BC's Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction indicated the province is unwilling to extend the provincial disability program boost to federal recipients. Shane Simpson says he has asked his federal counterparts to increase payments under their own plan.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in part by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

There has been one more death from COVID-19 in BC since yesterday. The person lived in the Fraser Health region. There are 29 new cases of the virus, including one in Island Health. In a written statement, BC's Provincial Health Officer referred to Mother's Day as a time to love and honour. Dr. Bonnie Henry wrote: "For now, avoid any close physical contact unless your mother is in your immediate household. And if your mother is older, awaiting surgery or has an underlying illness, celebrate at a safe distance. Give your mother the gift of staying safe and healthy."Alert Bay will lift its local emergency order at midnight. The order was put in place in early April, in an effort to stem a COVID-19 outbreak. The order included a 9:30 PM till 6 AM curfew and banned all but essential travel to and from Cormorant Island. 30 people tested positive for the virus in a community with a population of 1500. A 59-year-old woman from the 'Namgis nation died from COVID-19. The Mayor of Alert Bay believes his community has "turned the corner." Dennis Buchanan says his community got serious about obeying health orders after the death of the elder. The Mayor says all but three people infected have now recovered. One person remains in hospital.British Columbia's unemployment rate has more than doubled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are more than 400,000 British Columbians out of work, and that does not include those who have stopped looking for employment. BC's unemployment rate for April is 11 and a half per cent. Pre-pandemic, that number was five per cent. BC's Minister of Finance says most of the job losses are in the food and wholesale/retail sectors. Carole James says she is hoping employment numbers will improve with the gradual reopening of those businesses. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 13 per cent. Three million Canadians are out of work. Today, the Prime Minister reacted to the jobless rate by announcing the federal wage subsidy program will be extended past its June the 6th end date. No further details were revealed. The program covers 75 per cent of employees' pay, up to $847 a week. The goal is to keep workers on the payroll during the pandemic.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in part by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

British Columbia's unemployment rate has more than doubled since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. New numbers from Statistics Canada show BC's unemployment rate for April is 11 and a half per cent. Pre-pandemic, that number was five per cent. BC's Minister of Finance says most of the job losses are in the food and wholesale/retail sectors. Carole James says she is hoping employment numbers will improve with the gradual reopening of those businesses. More than 400,000 British Columbians have applied for the BC Benefit for Workers. James says the government is turning its attention to how it can best spend the one and a half billion dollars it has earmarked for economic recovery. She says she welcomes ideas from all British Columbians but admits there is still a hard road ahead, and it could take years for the province to fully recover.BC's Provincial Health Officer says there is help for small businesses that are unsure how to navigate safe openings during the pandemic. On Wednesday, the Premier announced that restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, barbers, and a series of personal health providers like dentists, chiropractors and counsellors will be allowed to reopen their doors after the May long weekend, if they follow provincial pandemic guidelines to do so safely. Dr. Bonnie Henry says specific plans for each sector, including templates and checklists are coming soon. She says individual business plans for reopening do not have to be approved by the province, but they do have to be publicly posted, whether on websites or taped to the entrance to the business. The idea is to instill public confidence that businesses are taking all the necessary steps to ensure their customers and staff are best protected from COVID-19.The Vancouver Island Regional Library is being recognized with an international award for a series of programs on indigenous affairs. VIRL's Indigenous Voices Initiative will receive a Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects from the American Library Association. The "Indigenous Voices Initiative" was created in 2018. It has presented forums on reconciliation, residential schools and creation stories, along with organizing medicine walks, drum making sessions and smudging ceremonies. More than 1300 people have attended almost 60 elder-led programs and the library says more are planned for the future. An article about Indigenous Voices will be published in the July issue of American Libraries Magazine.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in part by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Two more poultry processing plants on the lower mainland are reporting cases of COVID-19. Specialty Poultry in Yarrow, in the Fraser Valley, announced on its Facebook page, that one of its employees has tested positive for the virus. It says it's on-site Farm Store remains open, but it has closed its processing plant, in order to plan "next steps" with its local health authority. Sofina Foods of Port Coquitlam has confirmed it too has one worker who has COVID-19. However, its plant remains open. In a news release, the plant manager says the infected Sofina employee is a relative of a person who works at a different poultry plant, who also tested positive for the virus. Eighty workers at two other poultry plants, Superior in Coquitlam and United in Vancouver have tested positive. Those plants have been closed for a week.The mystery surrounding whether catching COVID-19 will lead to immunity is playing out in a case involving a Vancouver woman. CBC Radio is reporting 36-year-old Shilan Garousi contracted the virus in early March. She recovered, then became sick again in early April. Garousi says she is being monitored by her local health authority however it is unclear whether she was tested a second time. The mystery revolves around whether the woman had a relapse of her first infection, or if she caught the virus a second time. BC's Provincial Health Officer has said that is one reason she is looking forward to a reliable serology test that identifies antibodies. Researchers hope to discover how much and what type of antibodies deliver immunity when it comes to COVID-19.A new report from the University of Toronto says 35 people have died in Ontario because their surgeries and treatments were delayed, to free up hospital beds for the COVID-19 pandemic. British Columbia has also suspended all but emergency surgeries for the same reason. BC's Minister of Health says he knows there have been "unintended consequences" from its COVID-19 policies. However, Adrian Dix says planning is underway to resume surgeries and treatments. He expects that will happen next month.The Premier will hold a news conference in an hour from now. John Horgan is expected to address concerns that BC has not released its plan for relaxing COVID-19 restrictions. Other provinces, including Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have announced how they plan to do so. Yesterday, BC's Provincial Health Officer defended this province's decision to wait before any announcements. Dr. Bonnie Henry says Ontario is now reopening businesses that BC never closed. We'll bring you details of the Premier's news conference on our next news update at 3 pm.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

The Provincial Health Officer is not backing down from calls to increase the rate of COVID-19 testing, to get a better picture of how widespread the virus is in BC. Dr. Bonnie Henry says BC is capable of testing 3,000 people a day, but she does not believe it's necessary to reach that daily target. Henry says at the start of the pandemic, the only people being tested widely were health care workers, long term care residents and staff or those likely to end up in hospital. Others with symptoms were told to assume they had the virus and to isolate for two weeks. The goal was to try to limit outbreaks and help ensure the health care system would not be overwhelmed. Now that the curve has flattened, everyone who has symptoms is being tested. Henry says tests on people without symptoms yield unreliable results and is a waste of resources. She says she is waiting for a reliable serology test that will measure anti-bodies. Experts hope that type of testing will show what percentage of the general population was actually infected with the virus.BC's Minister of Health isn't ruling out possible legislation to ensure employees won't lose their jobs or suffer any penalties if they call in sick. The COVID-19 outbreaks at the poultry processing plants on the lower mainland spread quickly because some employees with symptoms continued to go to work. The non-union workers there do not have sick pay. Instead, they are allowed to make up sick days by working extra hours. Adrian Dix says it is vitally important that people do not show up for work when sick, and employers must respect that. When asked whether the province would impose penalties against employers who do not comply, Dix said he was not announcing anything about those issues today, but left the door open for "future announcements."BC's Seniors Advocate is calling for more volunteers to help elders manage during the pandemic. Isobel Mackenzie says more than 5500 people have already signed up with the Safe Seniors-Strong Communities Program. She says grocery shopping and virtual visiting are the two most requested services. They made up more than 20,000 of the requests for help in the first four weeks of the program. If you would like to volunteer, call the senior's line 2-1-1.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

There have been three more deaths and 50 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in BC since Saturday. BC's death count is 103. The total number of infected is just under 2000. There were no new cases or deaths reported in the Island Health region.Many of the new cases are linked to the outbreak at the federal medium-security prison in Mission. 118 inmates, almost a third of the prison population, along with 12 workers have tested positive for the virus over the past three weeks. Corrections Canada says it has taken the advice of provincial Health Authorities to manage the outbreak. Now, all inmates at the Mission institution will be tested. And, Corrections Canada has installed more hand-washing stations, provided more personal protective equipment and more disinfection of high-contact surfaces. The federal prison has come under fire from the union representing guards, and an inmates group, that has launched a class-action lawsuit, claiming Corrections Canada did little to prevent or control the spread of the virus. BC's Provincial Health Officer says a lapse in reporting to the local health authority meant the virus spread rapidly. Dr. Bonnie Henry says there were further challenges over differing opinions about infection control. The institution has since increased its nursing staff to provide 24/7 care and doctors are available seven days a week. The Mission outbreak sits in stark contrast to the outbreak of one inmate at the provincially run Okanagan Detention Center. That outbreak was declared "over" more than a week ago. BC's Minister of Health praised officials at the Okanagan facility. Adrian Dix says he hopes to share the healthcare model for BC prisons with other jurisdictions.The Provincial Health Officer says she has not set a date for when BC school classrooms might re-open. Dr. Bonnie Henry says she is not considering opening schools over the summer. However, she says some elementary school children, whose parents work, may see some open classrooms in the coming weeks. Henry says any classroom re-openings would be small scale, while the province creates a much larger plan for the fall. The Minister of Education is planning to speak tomorrow, about what schools are doing in the meantime.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Four more people on the lower mainland have died from COVID-19. Today's death count stands at 98. There are three more confirmed cases of the virus in the Island Health region today, bringing our total to 114. Province-wide, there are 29 new cases, totalling 1853. Public Health officials have closed a second poultry processing plant. Two workers at the Superior Poultry plant in Coquitlam tested positive for the virus yesterday. It was closed today. Its sister plant, United Poultry, was ordered closed last Tuesday after 28 workers there were confirmed infected with COVID-19.The City of Nanaimo is asking some parks and trail users to stay even further than two meters apart. It's asking joggers to stay 5 meters or 16 feet away from others. Cyclists are asked to stay 10 meters or 33 feet away from other park and trail users. The City admits these are not public health orders, but "these new standards are designed to help everyone practice proper parks usage and etiquette during this time."Remote and indigenous communities that lack high-speed internet can look forward to improved service in the near future. BC's Minister for Citizen Services says the COVID-19 pandemic means students and those with health problems need access to reliable internet service more than ever. Anne Kang says that's why she's fast-tracking the "Connecting BC" program to offer internet companies up to $50,000 grants to upgrade service before the end of June. The executive director of the Western Forest Contractors Association says tree planting companies are doing their best to calm community fears over the possibility of workers spreading COVID-19 in their towns. John Betts says tree planting in most of the province was delayed until May the first, to ensure all operators are prepared to implement new rules put in place, due to the virus. Now, all companies must have infection control plans approved by the Ministry of Forests, and each must have an infection control officer who will be responsible for duties like having one person picking up take out meals for crews. Workers who stay in hotels will be placed in groups of four or five who will remain together on the job site. They will be responsible for cleaning their shared truck and monitoring each other's handwashing. Security officers have been hired to monitor behaviour at hotels and work camps. Betts admits there is work to do to ensure the communities they work near are on-side. However, Betts points out that none of the 300 planters working in northern BC since February has contracted COVID-19.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Hundreds of people had questions for Island Health officials at a virtual town hall meeting last night. 300 queries were asked ahead of time, and a dozen more during the livestream broadcast. The questions ranged from when cancelled surgeries will resume to whether COVID-19 sticks to hair or money. The CEO of Island Health, Kathy MacNeil said she expects non emergency surgeries will be rescheduled starting in mid-May. The Island's Chief Medical Officer fielded questions about testing, when social isolation rules could be relaxed and why some remote and island areas aren't being locked down. Dr. Richard Stanwick said officials from several health authorities discussed lock downs with the Provincial Health Officer. But, he said Dr. Bonnie Henry is committed to not going that route since most people are complying and have legitimate reasons to travel. you can watch a repeat of the broadcast on the BC Government Facebook page or its YouTube channel.Meanwhile, the Island Health region recorded its largest spike in COVID-19 cases since the middle of March. Seven new cases were confirmed over the past 24 hours, bringing our case count to 109. Five people remain in hospital with one in critical care. 32 others are recovering at home.Homeless people in the Parksville area have been invited to sleep in the graveyard between St. Edmond's and St. Anne's Anglican churches, according to the Nanaimo News Bulletin. 18 people were expected to do so, starting last night. The area's only shelter was forced to close in mid-March because it had no running water and could not provide safe physical distancing. Reverend Christine Muise of St. Anne's says so far, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the BC Ministry of Housing have been unable to replace the shelter, so the graveyard will be used as a temporary replacement. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing is reporting it has secured two locations with 50 spaces for vulnerable people to self-isolate and recover, including 10 spaces for women leaving violent situations. It is promising to secure more sites in the future. However, some involved in the process, including the Mayor of Victoria, have complained that even with these arrangements, hotel owners continue to refuse to provide shelter to substance misusers or those with mental health issues. On Sunday, BC's Minister of Public Safety announced $2000 dollar fines for accommodation owners that refuse to provide spaces.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

The federal and provincial governments have announced more programs to help businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic. An expanded Emergency Business Account means more small businesses will be eligible for $40,000 in guaranteed, interest-free loans. Now, companies with payrolls between $20,000 and $1 and a half million dollars will qualify. The Prime Minister says his government will also provide a business rental assistance program for April, May and June, but no details were announced. Justin Trudeau says he needs to work out the details with the provinces first. Meanwhile, the provincial government says it will help businesses by further reducing their school tax. BC's Minister of Finance says the change will result in an average 25% reduction in the total property tax bill for most businesses. And, Carole James says late business tax payment penalties have been deferred from July until October.Municipalities that are struggling with reduced revenues will also get some relief. The province will allow local governments to borrow from their capital reserves, to pay for operating costs. Municipalities will also be allowed to carry debt into the next fiscal year. And, they will not have to pay their provincial tax bill until the end of December. The Minister responsible, Celina Robinson hopes the measures will allow municipalities to retain their employees. Last week, the City of Nanaimo announced 130 staff layoffs.The Mayor of Victoria is calling on the province to order hotel owners to allow vulnerable people to be housed in hotel rooms. Lisa Helps says although BC Housing has secured 200 hotel rooms for that purpose, in reality, hotel owners say they do not want people with mental health and addiction problems staying in them. BC Housing has been unable to secure even one space for that purpose in Nanaimo. Housing Minister Celina Robinson dodged the issue at her news conference this morning. She simply repeated the line that 1200 rooms have been secured around the province and BC Housing is continuing to work on securing more. Finally, BC's Provincial Health Officer is about to become famous for her fashion style. Dr. Bonnie Henry is a fan of Fluevog shoes. She has several pairs, which she regularly dons at her news conferences. Now, the Vancouver-based shoe company has unveiled a new design, called the "Dr. Henry." The Mary Jane-style pumps will come in cherry pink and will be inscribed with Dr. Bonnie Henry's words "be kind, be calm and be safe." All of the pre-sale profits from the shoe will be donated to Food Banks B.C. Henry calls the collaboration "the most exciting thing in my whole life that's ever happened to me," No word yet on when the pre-sale will begin.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

The federal and provincial governments have announced more programs to help businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic. An expanded Emergency Business Account means more small businesses will be eligible for $40,000 in guaranteed, interest-free loans. Now, companies with payrolls between $20,000 and $1 and a half million dollars will qualify. The Prime Minister says his government will also provide a business rental assistance program for April, May and June, but no details were announced. Justin Trudeau says he needs to work out the details with the provinces first. Meanwhile, the provincial government says it will help businesses by further reducing their school tax. BC's Minister of Finance says the change will result in an average 25% reduction in the total property tax bill for most businesses. And, Carole James says late business tax payment penalties have been deferred from July until October.Municipalities that are struggling with reduced revenues will also get some relief. The province will allow local governments to borrow from their capital reserves, to pay for operating costs. Municipalities will also be allowed to carry debt into the next fiscal year. And, they will not have to pay their provincial tax bill until the end of December. The Minister responsible, Celina Robinson hopes the measures will allow municipalities to retain their employees. Last week, the City of Nanaimo announced 130 staff layoffs.The Mayor of Victoria is calling on the province to order hotel owners to allow vulnerable people to be housed in hotel rooms. Lisa Helps says although BC Housing has secured 200 hotel rooms for that purpose, in reality, hotel owners say they do not want people with mental health and addiction problems staying in them. BC Housing has been unable to secure even one space for that purpose in Nanaimo. Housing Minister Celina Robinson dodged the issue at her news conference this morning. She simply repeated the line that 1200 rooms have been secured around the province and BC Housing is continuing to work on securing more. Finally, BC's Provincial Health Officer is about to become famous for her fashion style. Dr. Bonnie Henry is a fan of Fluevog shoes. She has several pairs, which she regularly dons at her news conferences. Now, the Vancouver-based shoe company has unveiled a new design, called the "Dr. Henry." The Mary Jane-style pumps will come in cherry pink and will be inscribed with Dr. Bonnie Henry's words "be kind, be calm and be safe." All of the pre-sale profits from the shoe will be donated to Food Banks B.C. Henry calls the collaboration "the most exciting thing in my whole life that's ever happened to me," No word yet on when the pre-sale will begin.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

New numbers on COVID-19 show 44 new cases in BC over the past 24 hours, including three in the Island Health region, bringing the total here to 92, and province-wide to 1561.The daily death count from the virus continues to rise, with three more fatalities reported since Tuesday, including the first death in the Interior Health region. The provincial health officer says that the case was a man in his 60s, with an underlying health condition. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the man had been recovering at home but died shortly after being admitted to hospital. Meanwhile, the Island Health Authority has launched an intensive at-home monitoring program to ensure people suffering from COVID-19 don't take a sudden turn for the worse. Those being monitored include people who live alone, who are immunocompromised, over the age of 60 and anyone with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or hypertension. Patients will be given equipment to monitor their temperatures and oxygen saturation levels. Registered nurses will connect with them several times a day, via telephone. Dr. Henry says health researchers are discovering that some people recovering from COVID-19 can go downhill quickly at the 5 to 7-day mark.Local citizens will have a chance to ask questions of their regional health authority officials and political representatives, in a series of virtual town hall meetings. BC's Minister of Health says the first will take place this Friday in the Vancouver Health Region. Adrian Dix says he'll be announcing meetings for other health regions in the coming days.The Premier says he's pleased with what has been happening at border crossings since new measures were put into place last Friday. All travellers returning to Canada must self-isolate for 14 days, but travellers returning to BC must also provide self-isolation plans. John Horgan says 4700 travellers have returned to BC since last Friday, and only 84 of them have been forced into federally supervised quarantine because they had inadequate plans for isolation. On Monday, the federal government expanded the isolation plan requirement to include all Canadian airports and border crossings. The time has changed for the free live stream concert on Thursday that will feature musicians from around BC The concert will start a little earlier, at 4 pm. The lineup includes Kym Gouchie, Alex Cuba Desirée Dawson and Dan Mangan. It's the first in a series being put together by the province, to provide grants to musicians and free music to housebound citizens. You can catch the live stream on the provincial government's Facebook page or at the ShowCase BC website.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

The Mayor of Alert Bay has posted a video, confirming he has contracted COVID-19. Dennis Buchanan says he caught the virus a week ago, despite practising physical distancing, regular handwashing and never leaving Cormorant Island. In the video, the Mayor is seen standing on his front porch, imploring people to stay at home. Buchanan says he's lost 9 pounds, due to dehydration caused by the virus. He says he might not be here if his daughter had not urged him to go to the hospital. Buchanan says "I have COVID-19 because someone has seen fit to bring it to the island. Wake up, people. Don't go visiting. Don't go partying."The federal government is expanding its surveillance of international travellers, to include a requirement that only travellers returning to BC were forced to meet. All travellers returning to Canada must self-quarantine for two weeks, whether or not they are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Last weekend, BC imposed an additional requirement that returning travellers at Vancouver International Airport and land border crossings had to prove they have a self-isolation plan in place. Starting at midnight tonight, travellers at all Canadian entry points must have plans in place, or they will be quarantined at government-sanctioned locations, including hotels. Yesterday, BC's Minister of Health said he hoped the BC plan would be expanded because many travellers enter the country at airports in Toronto or Montreal before returning to this province. Nanaimo RCMP says a new online scam involving COVID-19 benefits is making the rounds. Constable Gary O'Brien told Nanaimo News Now that a dozen people have reported getting texts, with a link to claim COVID-19 emergency funds, announced by the federal government. The fake website asks for people's names and their Social Insurance Number. O'Brien says some people did enter their information. No federal or provincial programs contact people through text messages. Individuals must contact governments directly, to receive any benefits.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

The latest COVID-19 numbers show no slowdown in the number of deaths. Eleven people died over the weekend, bringing BC's total to 69. All were over the age of 70 and most were from long term care facilities on the lower mainland. There were 3 new cases of the virus reported in the Island Health region, totaling 87. Province-wide there are just under 1500 cases, including 45 new ones reported over the weekend. One of those cases is a temporary foreign worker at the Bylands Nursery in West Kelowna. The nursery was already under quarantine because of an outbreak that began in late March when 19 migrant workers tested positive for COVID-19. Since then, the federal government ordered all temporary foreign workers to be quarantined for 14 days after arriving in Canada. Yesterday, it announced it will pay employers up to $1500 per worker to ensure they are paid during their quarantine, and to help with the cost of providing physical distancing space in living quarters.BC's Minister of Health and the Provincial Health officer are downplaying concerns about ferry travel, saying they believe most long-weekend travellers had good reason to take the ferry. Dr. Bonnie Henry says many were post-secondary students returning home at the end of their school year, while others were commuters whose numbers usually increase on the weekend. Minister Adrian Dix pointed to numbers provided by BC ferries that show Easter weekend travel on the major routes was only 8 per cent of the total from last year. Travel on the Southern Gulf Island routes was 80 per cent lower than the same period last year. Henry says she is very pleased with how new border regulations are being implemented. She says 1700 people returned to BC from international travel last weekend. All but 13 of them had the required self-isolation plans in place. Those without plans were provided accommodation. A federal government announcement about new portable COVID-19 test kits will have little effect in BC. Yesterday Ottawa announced a Canadian firm will produce 14,000 portable test kits per month. The kits will help remote communities that have to wait days or even a week to get test results back from labs that are far away. The new kits can produce test results on the spot. However, BC's Provincial Health officer says it's unlikely BC will get to use any of them before the summer. Dr. Bonnie Henry says a piece of equipment needed to read the portable tests is will not available to BC until then. However, Henry says BC has its own version of the portable test kit that it is deploying to several small and remote communities this week.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Disturbing unemployment numbers were released today. They show 132,000 British Columbians lost their jobs last month, as a result of COVID-19. BC's Minister of Finance says the province's 7.2 percent unemployment rate does not include thousands of British Columbians who were looking for work in March, but could not find it. And, Carole James expects those numbers will increase when the next unemployment figures are released. James says she hopes businesses will be able to "hang on" with help from a series of tax cuts and deferrals that the province announced last month. James says the government has set aside one and a half billion dollars as part of its economic recovery plan. But, she says "flattening the curve is our best economic plan at this point."Nation-wide, the unemployment rate is 7.8 percent, meaning just over one million Canadians lost their jobs in March. Statistics Canada reports a further 800,000 Canadians had their hours cut in half and another 1.3 million Canadians looked for work but could not find it. Another grim statistic is Canada's youth unemployment rate, which is 16.8 per cent...more than double the national rate. Yesterday, the federal government announced it would cover the entire cost of hiring students under its Summer Jobs Program. Today, James praised the move but offered no answer when asked whether BC would create a similar program.BC's Premier says lives have been turned upside down, people are feeling stress anxiety, disconnection and perhaps depression because of the COVID-19 crisis. John Horgan says that's why the government will spend $5 million dollars to expand mental health services. Most of the money will go to enhancing virtual counselling services. They include the BounceBack program that provides online coaching, along with programs delivered to youth through Foundry BC. There will be new programs for front line health and community care workers with peer support and psychological counselling. The Minister of Mental Health and Addictions says most programs will be free or at a very low cost. Judy D'Arcy says people will be able to access some of them without having to get a referral from their doctors.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

There is good news for Vancouver Island residents with the latest COVID-19 numbers. There have been no new cases of the virus here since Monday. There have been no new deaths in the Island Health region for close to a week. The same can't be said for the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions, where there have been four more deaths over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 43 in BC. There have been 25 new COVID-19 cases in those two health regions during that time, totalling 1291 infections province-wide.Meanwhile, other COVID statistics show the Island Health region is lagging behind the provincial average when it comes to the number of hospital beds available and the virus recovery rate. BC's Minister of Health says 58 percent of hospital beds are in use across the province, but Island Health reports a 75 percent occupancy rate. Province-wide, 62 percent of those who caught the virus have recovered, but that number is less than 50 percent in the Island Health region.The province has secured 900 spaces to help vulnerable populations to self-isolate or quarantine during the epidemic. However, the only secured spaces on Vancouver Island are in Victoria. It has two sites, totalling 160 spaces. The Ministry of Housing says the new spaces will be available to a range of people, including the homeless, vulnerable youth and some patients released from hospitals who still need ongoing health care. Non-profit societies with experience working with vulnerable populations will oversee the day-to-day management of the spaces. Staff will provide daily meals and cleaning services. Health-care workers will also provide on-site care when needed. The Ministry expects to have more announcements about other spaces on Vancouver Island, in the coming days or weeks.While the city of Vancouver will close Stanley Park to traffic to ensure physical distancing, the city of Nanaimo has opted for new signage at its parks and trailheads. The list of do's and don'ts include reminders to keep 2 meters apart and no one showing symptoms of the virus is allowed to be in the public spaces. Healthy citizens may use open areas in parks. However, the city has closed its sports and recreation facilities and has banned the use of playgrounds and amenities like basketball, soccer fields, skateboard parks and gated off-leash dog areas. And finally, the normally stoic provincial health officer added some levity to her latest update. Dr. Bonnie Henry confessed to disregarding conventional wisdom about not cutting one's hair during the pandemic. Henry offered her apologies to her regular stylist, saying she "hopes her hair will calm down over the next few days.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

BC's Minister of Health is warning travellers returning to Canada to self-isolate, or face arrests and fines. Adrian Dix says BC is concerned about the potential for a spike in new COVID-19 cases, with the return of Canadians from hot spots like India, the United States and cruise ships. Local newspapers have been reporting the case of a North Cowichan couple that is refusing to quarantine, despite having returned from travelling. Dix says "where people don't follow a plan for self-isolation, enforcement must take place." However, Dix concedes the federal and provincial governments are still working out protocols on when to levy fines and whether to make arrests or force detentions in federally sanctioned quarantine sites.Meanwhile, BC's provincial health officer says the province may be flattening the curve. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the percentage of the number of new cases is slowing, but she says the only way to ensure that continues is for people to self-isolate and venture out only when necessary. She says she is not recommending the use of non-medical masks when out in public, as her federal counterpart is doing. Henry says masks are not a replacement for remaining two meters apart. She says masks can prevent the wearers from spraying their droplets but are not proven to protect the wearers from catching the virus.There was another death from COVID-19 reported yesterday, but this time, it was a man in his 40s who died in his home. It's the second death outside of a long term care facility in BC but officials did not name the community where it happened. That death brings the total to 39 province-wide. There were 63 new cases of the virus confirmed since Saturday, totalling 1266 infections in BC. The Island Health region reported three new cases since Saturday, bringing our total to 79. The most recent numbers will be updated later this afternoon.Police in Nanaimo are sounding the alarm over the effects of COVID-19 on the city. RCMP say while shoplifting and residential break-ins have dramatically decreased, the number of commercial break-ins and theft from vehicles has increased. Nanaimo RCMP's media relations officer, Gary O'Brien, says police are seeing increasing desperation among substance abusers, whose illegal drug supply is drying up and whose support services have been reduced.Finally, a Nanaimo barbershop quartet has recorded a love song for Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's provincial health officer. The Tidesmen Barbershop Chorus sings their ditty to the tune of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." Last week, Qualicum Beach musician Phil Dwyer released his tribute, entitled "The Ballad of Bonnie Henry. He's accompanied by Gabriola island musician Tina Jones on vocals and banjo. Both are easily found on Google.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

BC's provincial health officer says there has been another death from COVID-19, but this time, it was a 40-year-old who died in his home. It's the second death outside of a long term care facility in BC but officials did not name the community where it happened. Today's death brings the total number of fatalities to 39 province-wide. There have been 63 new cases of the virus confirmed since Saturday, totalling 1266 infections in BC. The Island Health region has reported three new cases since Saturday, bringing our total to 79.Meanwhile, health officials here are confident they are not running as short on Personal Protective Equipment as they are in other provinces. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his province has only one week's worth of PPE because of a ban on US exports of masks to Canada.BC's Minister of Health says "we feel good about our supply." But Adrian Dix did not estimate when the supply could run out. The provincial health officer says a team in the Ministry of Health is in contact with companies and groups offering to provide PPE and it is assessing whether that equipment meets medical standards.Island Health is confident it's hospitals have enough equipment to handle the most serious cases of COVID-19. The BC Centre for Disease Control lists 11 people in hospital with five in critical care at either Nanaimo Regional General or Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. They are the two designated hospitals for COVID-19 patients on Vancouver Island. A statement from Island Health says there are 108 ventilators available, along with 70 anesthetic machines. It says many of the machines can be moved to where they need to be. Transport Canada has ordered BC Ferries and other marine transportation companies to cut in half, the maximum number of passengers per sailing. The ferry corporation must also conduct wellness checks on those coming aboard, with a series of questions. The federal minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, says the new regulations will be in effect until June 30th.On Saturday, BC Ferries suspended its Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route for the next 60 days. It has also cut the number of sailings in half from Duke Point to Tsawassen and on the Swartz Bay/Victoria to Tsawassen route.BC Ferries is not serving food on board, but vending machines are available.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

The Premier gave a pep talk about the COVID-19 pandemic last night. Premier John Horgan's address to the province included praise for healthcare workers, truck drivers, grocery and gas station clerks, pharmacists and daycare workers, saying "BC has got your back." John Horgan urged British Columbians to obey health orders, saying "We may be separated but you're not alone." He also acknowledged the incredible stress many people are under who are unable to pay their rent today. Horgan reminded them they can apply for a $500 rent subsidy, and an additional $1000 in provincial emergency money. He says British Columbians can look forward to more announcements in the future to support them and keep them safe.BC's Minister of Health, Adrian Dix says "there is zero chance that any health orders will be varied by the end of April." The provincial health officer offered some hope, saying it is possible that some orders related to the pandemic might be eased by the summer. Dr. Bonnie Henry says we are in the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, but there could be a brief reprieve in May or June, when the weather gets warmer. Henry says British Columbians can expect a second outbreak in the fall, when restrictions would be reinstated. She says living under restrictions will likely continue until there is a vaccine for the virus.Meanwhile, new numbers released yesterday show 43 new COVID-19 cases in BC, which have pushed the total to 1013 confirmed infections in the province. Five more people have died, all of them over the age of 70 and who were residents at care homes. There were no new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Island Health region, so our total stands at 67.BC's first large community outbreak has happened at a farm in West Kelowna. CBC is reporting 14 temporary foreign workers at Bylands Nursery tested positive for COVID-19 last weekend. It says 63 other migrant workers along with twelve local workers are now in isolation. All remain under a health order at their on-site housing at the farm. The Provincial Health Officer says the migrant workers cannot return to their home countries because of travel restrictions. Dr. Bonnie Henry says she is very concerned about the potential for similar outbreaks where seasonal farmhands work because many of the sites do not have facilities large enough to handle quarantines or isolations.On a happier note, CHLY is celebrating its birthday today. 20 years ago, the Radio Malaspina Society started internet live-streaming. We hope to celebrate this milestone with you in person in the future.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Health care workers, patients, staff and visitors are getting a break on parking starting April the 1st. BC's Minister of Health says parking will be free at all hospitals and health authority-owned and operated sites. Dix says no deductions will be taken off those who have signed up for monthly payment plans.The Minister is trying to calm fears of a shortage of personal protective equipment for health care workers. Dix acknowledges there are challenges world-wide in getting equipment, but BC is not facing shortages. He says BC suppliers have not been able to deliver as much as what the province has been ordering. However, he says shipments are arriving regularly, pointing out that one million surgical masks were delivered to the province yesterday. The Provincial Health Officer says a lot of innovative people in the private sector are working with the Health Ministry to develop items like visors, made from 3-D printers. The Vancouver Island Free Daily is reporting a group called "Project Draw Breath" is using a 3-D printer, to create valves that would allow up to four patients to use one ventilator. The report says the team is developing clinical tests with Island Health at the Cowichan District Hospital.New COVID-19 cases reported yesterday show 86 more British Columbians were infected since Saturday, with seven new cases on Vancouver Island. The total number of cases in the Island Health district is 67. The total for the province is 970. the Provincial Health Officer says there have been two COVID-19 deaths on the lower mainland since Saturday. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the good news is 469 people who were infected have now recovered including 70 people who were in intensive and critical care units.The province has named 19 hospitals in BC that have been designated Primary COVID-19 care sites. On Vancouver Island, they are the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria and the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. The Vic General Hospital has been named a secondary site. Health Authorities are also designating what are being called "off-site treatment centres" for less acute in-patient care. The Vancouver Convention Centre and the new tower at the Royal Columbian Hospital in Burnaby will provide 350 additional beds if needed. Island Health has not announced where its off-site locations will be.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

BC's Provincial Health Officer says most cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island are the result of travellers returning home and infecting others. Dr. Bonnie Henry says there have been no cases in care homes on the island. There are 52 confirmed cases of the virus in the Island Health region, with five new cases confirmed in the last 24 hours.Help is on the way for seniors who live at home and are having a hard time getting groceries, medicine, rides to appointments or who just need someone to talk to. BC's Senior's Advocate says elders who live at home are more fearful, isolated and vulnerable as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. And their caregivers, usually other family members or neighbours, are burning out. Isobel Mackenzie says that's why she's announced an expansion of the provincial 2-1-1 telephone hotline. Mackenzie says 2-1-1 operators will link at-home seniors to agencies or volunteers who can assist. MacKenzie is calling on younger British Columbians to call the service and sign up as volunteers. This latest initiative is part of a $50 million dollar package announced earlier this week, which includes more funding to the United Way's "Better at Home" programs that deliver services to seniors.People who hoard or try to resell food, medicine or medical supplies could face jail time or fines of up to $25,000 dollars. BC's Minister of Public Safety has announced sweeping new powers over consumers, retailers and distributors. Mike Farnworth says it's necessary to ensure the supply of food and medical equipment is secure. Retailers have been ordered to limit the amount of essential supplies it sells to shoppers, to prevent hoarding and empty shelves. Those retailers have been told to report their protective equipment inventories to a newly created Provincial Supply Chain Coordination Unit. The Unit will have the power to redirect supplies to where they are needed.Meanwhile, municipalities are being asked to provide the unit with lists of publicly owned spaces that could be used for isolation, testing, medical care, warehousing and distribution.The imminent shortage of illegal drugs in BC has prompted the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to empower doctors to write prescriptions for narcotics like heroin. They will be included in a new set of clinical guidelines for patients with substance misuse that will be made public soon.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.To hear more on how the Coronavirus epidemic is effecting students and social services in Nanaimo, check out the podcast edition of Students in the Know.Have a tip? Email: news@chly.caTwitter: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

On today's show Kamloops Mayor Ken Chirstian talks cannabis revenues, property crime, Performing Arts Centre and Trans Mountain. I am joined by the CEO of ViaSport and BC's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport to talk inclusion and diversity at the grass roots level. And to end off the program, a PhD student from UBC talks about a study he authored showing that 1 in 2 homeless people are suffering from a traumatic brain injury.

In today's episode I take a quick look ahead at Election 43 with voting day exactly two weeks away. Also, advanced polls are set to open at the end of the week and will remain open through the long weekend. I speak with Acumen Law's Kyla Lee about a senior citizens distracted driving ticket which was handed out after she simply had her phone charging in her cup-holder. What happened? Well Kyla explains just where the incident went after the $368 fine was handed out. We also talk about protesting and a SCC decision to not arrest people in advance of suspecting an incident of violence may erupt. I am also joined by BC's Minister of Advanced Skills & Training as she announced 15 new programs in the province to help victims of violence or abuse enter/re-enter the work force. And to end things off I am joined by the CEO of RoomVu to talk about a decrease in realtors in the Vancouver area for the first time in a decade.

In this episode I speak with Thompson Rivers University Lecturer and Lawyer Jeffrey Meyers about the 43rd Canadian election. I also speak with BC's Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing about the speculation tax and how that has impacted the provinces housing market. To end things off I speak with Steelworkers Union Local 1-417 President Marty Gibbons about recent mill closures in Chasm and Kelowna and the impact that is having on workers.