Tuesday, June 23, 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

Agriculture ministers moved by B.C. floods

Agriculture ministers moved by B.C. floods
Popham says the devastation has stressed the need and importance of a federal partnership to ensure support for the farmers who have fed Canadians for years. She says visiting the area gave them a first-hand understanding of the situation and priorities.    

Agriculture ministers moved by B.C. floods

Surrey mayor Doug McCallum charged with public mischief: BC Prosecution Service

Surrey mayor Doug McCallum charged with public mischief: BC Prosecution Service
The BC Prosecution Service says the charge comes after Mayor Doug McCallum complained to the RCMP that he was verbally assaulted and hit by a car. There were public discussions at the time about Surrey replacing the RCMP with a municipal police force and McCallum said he was attacked during a "Keep the RCMP in Surrey" gathering at a grocery store.    

Surrey mayor Doug McCallum charged with public mischief: BC Prosecution Service

Feds face calls to fix GIS snafu in fiscal update

Feds face calls to fix GIS snafu in fiscal update
The federal Liberals are under increasing pressure to fix an issue in the pandemic safety net that has rolled back or cut off benefits to low-income seniors. About 83,000 seniors lost a key income support this year because they received emergency aid last year, money that bumped their earnings above the threshold to qualify for the guaranteed income supplement.

Feds face calls to fix GIS snafu in fiscal update

COVID-19 cases to rise if Omicron dominates: Tam

COVID-19 cases to rise if Omicron dominates: Tam
If Delta remains dominant, then the number of cases by that date could be as low as 2,900, if transmission is reduced by 15 per cent, or as high as 15,000, if transmission increases 15 per cent. If transmission remains the same, Canada could see 7,000 daily cases.

COVID-19 cases to rise if Omicron dominates: Tam

Two Michaels confessed to crimes: envoy

Two Michaels confessed to crimes: envoy
China's ambassador to Canada says Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor confessed to crimes before their release from his country's prisons this past September.

Two Michaels confessed to crimes: envoy

B.C. braces for more rain, snow and strong winds

B.C. braces for more rain, snow and strong winds
Winter storm, snowfall and wind warnings are in effect across coastal and southern British Columbia, including areas affected by flooding last month. Environment Canada says rain in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley would intensify Friday night before easing, with up to 60 millimetres expected along with strong winds.

B.C. braces for more rain, snow and strong winds