Friday, June 12, 2026
ADVT 
National

150 overdose deaths in October

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Nov, 2023 03:31 PM
  • 150 overdose deaths in October

British Columbia's coroner says the toxic and unregulated drug supply has claimed more than 2,000 lives in the province in the first ten months of this year. 

A statement from the coroners' service says in October alone 189 people died from overdoses, which is more than six deaths a day.

It is also the 37th consecutive month where at least 150 people died from illicit overdoses. 

The service says more than 13,300 people have died because of poisoned drugs since the crisis was declared in April 2016.

Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions, says in a statement that they recognize the depth of grief the figures represent, and her government continues to work urgently to provide access to effective care.

The corner says males make up more than three-quarters of the 2023 death toll, about seven of every 10 people who died this year were between 30 and 59 years old and overdose is the leading cause of death in B.C. for those aged 10 to 59. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Provinces still waiting on $2B for surgery backlog

Provinces still waiting on $2B for surgery backlog
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced the one-time top-up to "expedite" surgeries on March 25, and he and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland introduced a bill in the House of Commons the same day to enable the funding.

Provinces still waiting on $2B for surgery backlog

Feds still not set on dental-care model

Feds still not set on dental-care model
As part of a confidence and supply deal with the NDP to avoid an election until 2025, the Liberals pledged to launch a federal dental-care program for low- and middle-income kids before the end of the year and aim to expand its eligibility over the next several years.

Feds still not set on dental-care model

Premiers tell feds to stop 'quibbling' over health

Premiers tell feds to stop 'quibbling' over health
It's been eight months since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to meet with the premiers to address their request for stable, long-term health-care funding, and that meeting is overdue, Horgan told a news conference at the start of the final day of the premiers' Council of the Federation gathering in Victoria.

Premiers tell feds to stop 'quibbling' over health

Canadians worried about airport delays: poll

Canadians worried about airport delays: poll
A wide-ranging survey by Leger asked Canadians and Americans about issues including travel plans, airport delays and inflation. More than 80 per cent of Canadian respondents said they believe prices will keep going up, and 59 per cent say they think Canada is in an economic recession.    

Canadians worried about airport delays: poll

Duclos defends feds' health-care help to provinces

Duclos defends feds' health-care help to provinces
B.C. Premier John Horgan, who chairs the Council of the Federation comprising all the premiers, said the health-care system needs to be reimagined with a plan for sustainable human resources and stable federal funding.

Duclos defends feds' health-care help to provinces

Investigations, service for Kelowna crane collapse

Investigations, service for Kelowna crane collapse
The statement says the detachment is "actively investigating" the July 12, 2021, collapse that killed five people, including four workers and a man who was in a nearby building.

Investigations, service for Kelowna crane collapse