Big City Mayors Launch Fentanyl Task Force To Share Experience, Best Practices

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Feb, 2017 12:25 PM

VANCOUVER — Mayors from a dozen major Canadian cities have launched a task force to tackle the opioid crisis.

The big city mayors' caucus of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities wants to share experiences and best practices in an effort to stem the escalating number of overdose deaths.

The task force will meet with federal Health Minister Jane Philpott and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, though a date has not yet been set.

Representatives from the provinces and territories will also be invited to attend.

Opioid overdose deaths surged in 2016, with 914 people losing their lives last year in British Columbia, including 142 in December alone.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson will head the initiative.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Coal Train Derailment Near Ashcroft, B.C., Causes Water Contamination

A health authority in British Columbia says a recent train derailment that spilled coal into the Thompson River near Ashcroft has made water unsafe for consumption.

Coal Train Derailment Near Ashcroft, B.C., Causes Water Contamination

Woman Hospitalized, 2 Men Arrested After Stolen Pickup Truck Crash In Vancouver

Vancouver Police continue to investigate a stolen pickup truck that snarled traffic at Granville Street and West 16th Avenue early this morning.

Woman Hospitalized, 2 Men Arrested After Stolen Pickup Truck Crash In Vancouver

B.C., Yukon Spent More Than $1Million On Royal Tour; Overall Cost Likely More Than $3Million

The Canadian government has yet to announce its final bill. But the RCMP has said it spent $2 million and the federal government's budget estimate is $855,600, bringing the likely overall cost of the visit to more than $3.8 million.

B.C., Yukon Spent More Than $1Million On Royal Tour; Overall Cost Likely More Than $3Million

Two Hamilton Men Facing Conspiracy To Commit Murder Charges In Richmond, B.C.

Police have laid charges against two men from Hamilton after investigating the attempted murder of a man in Richmond, B.C., and the conspiracy to commit the murder of an unknown person in 2015.

Two Hamilton Men Facing Conspiracy To Commit Murder Charges In Richmond, B.C.

B.C. Liberals Report Donations In 'Real Time,' Raise $12.3 Million In 2016

The Election Act filing deadline for 2016 donations is March 31, but the figures were released in what the party said is a voluntary move to improve transparency and accountability.