National

B.C. aims to curb catalytic converter thefts

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Mar, 2022 03:10 PM

VICTORIA - The British Columbia government has moved to prevent thefts of catalytic converters, a crime that costs millions every year.

The province has changed the regulations for metal dealers and recyclers to require them to report each transaction, including seller information, to police.

Catalytic converters control exhaust emissions to reduce pollutants, but they have been a target for thieves because of an increase in the price of metals they contain.

The Insurance Corporation of B.C. says converter theft claims have climbed from 89 in 2017 to 1,953 last year, totalling more than $4 million in claim costs for 2021.

Up until the regulation changes on Monday, the converters could be sold without providing information about the seller, allowing them to remain anonymous.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says changing the rules will help police find offenders and work to reduce the incentive for people to steal them in the first place.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canadians support new climate policies: poll

Sixty-nine per cent of respondents to an online survey by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies say they support Canada's announcement at the summit that it will cap and reduce pollution from the oil and gas sector toward net zero by 2050.

Canadians support new climate policies: poll

Health Canada approves Pfizer COVID-19 boosters

The booster is designed to help people with their first two COVID-19 vaccine doses maintain their protection against the virus over time. The booster is identical to the regular Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and is to be administered at least six months after the first two vaccine doses.

Health Canada approves Pfizer COVID-19 boosters

Tories who questioned vaccines not in critic roles

O'Toole chose his shadow cabinet at a time when he's dealing with some members of his caucus expressing what he characterizes as unhelpful and confusing messages about getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Tories who questioned vaccines not in critic roles

Metro Vancouver least ready for outage: BC Hydro

The report from the Crown utility says more than half of Lower Mainland residents think their region is the most prepared for storm-related power outages, but fewer than half have an outage plan or emergency kit at home.

Metro Vancouver least ready for outage: BC Hydro

VPD makes arrest after woman stabbed with hypodermic needle

“Investigators believe the woman may have been followed out of the coffee shop and confronted by the suspect, who then stabbed her with the dirty needle,” adds Sergeant Addison. “Because we don’t know what was in the needle and whether there will be any long-term health impacts, the victim was taken to hospital for treatment.”

VPD makes arrest after woman stabbed with hypodermic needle

Woman transported to hospital after incident in Surrey

Just before 1:30 a.m. on November 7, a cell guard noted the woman had fallen from her bunk onto the floor. Upon further assessment the woman was found to be unresponsive and not breathing. An officer and the cell nurse began life saving efforts, until these efforts were assumed by BC Emergency Health Services and the Surrey Fire Department.