Jane Skrypnek

People working in long-term care have filed the most approved COVID-19 compensation claims to WorkSafeBC since 2020, out of all the different work sectors in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

More than 15,000 COVID compensation claims approved for B.C. workers since 2020

Vast majority of claims to WorkSafeBC come from health-care sector

People working in long-term care have filed the most approved COVID-19 compensation claims to WorkSafeBC since 2020, out of all the different work sectors in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The B.C. Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit Feb. 1, which was filed by a Vancouver woman who sought damages over a 2017 dog biting incident. (Black Press Media file photo)

Pet owners not responsible for dinner party dog bite, B.C. Supreme Court rules

Guest sought damages after being bit on forehead and cheek by friends’ rescue dog

The B.C. Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit Feb. 1, which was filed by a Vancouver woman who sought damages over a 2017 dog biting incident. (Black Press Media file photo)
The B.C. Supreme Court ruled a Sunshine Coast man is not guilty of aggravated assault because he was ‘effectively asleep’ when he stabbed his wife in the back in 2017. (Credit: Pixabay)

Justice says B.C. man who stabbed wife in back was ‘effectively asleep’, not guilty

Man was taking huge dosages of prescription pills to control pain, insomnia

The B.C. Supreme Court ruled a Sunshine Coast man is not guilty of aggravated assault because he was ‘effectively asleep’ when he stabbed his wife in the back in 2017. (Credit: Pixabay)
Two Prince George RCMP officers have been charged with manslaughter and another three have been charged with obstructing justice, in connection with the fatal arrest of an Indigenous man in 2017. (Black Press Media file photo)

Manslaughter charges laid against 2 Prince George RCMP officers in death of Indigenous man

3 others accused of attempting to obstruct justice

Two Prince George RCMP officers have been charged with manslaughter and another three have been charged with obstructing justice, in connection with the fatal arrest of an Indigenous man in 2017. (Black Press Media file photo)
A B.C. woman who had to have her heart replaced is sharing her story to draw attention to the impact heart disease has on women in Canada. In this file photo a surgery is performed in the operating room in Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children on November 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

B.C. woman whose heart stopped at 19 looks to spread awareness to others

Heart disease and strokes are the leading cause of premature death for women, but few know it

A B.C. woman who had to have her heart replaced is sharing her story to draw attention to the impact heart disease has on women in Canada. In this file photo a surgery is performed in the operating room in Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children on November 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march from Centennial Square to the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Chief coroner prescribes ‘urgency’ as B.C. records 2,272 toxic drug deaths in 2022

Experts call for holistic action, call response so far a failure

Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march from Centennial Square to the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)

VPD officer urged hospital to keep Const. Nicole Chan on night she died: inquiry

Officer said he was concerned Chan would harm herself if she was returned home

Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)
Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)

Inquiry hears details on Vancouver Const. Nicole Chan’s final day from eyes of her boyfriend

Chan’s former boyfriend testified at the coroner’s inquest Wednesday

Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)
Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)

Const. Nicole Chan had history with suicide prior to VPD hiring her, inquest hears

Applicants with suicidal history almost never hired, Vancouver police psychologist testifies

Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroner’s inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)
Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroners’ inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)

Vancouver Const. Nicole Chan was blackmailed into sex, coroner’s inquest hears

Sister testified Chan was feeling hopeless about outcome of sexual assault complaint before death

Vancouver police constable Nicole Chan died by suicide on Jan. 27, 2019. A coroners’ inquest into her death is seeking to determine the facts around what happened. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chan)
A photo from Avalanche Canada shows the snowpack conditions near Valemount, B.C. on Jan. 21, when two snowmobilers were caught in an avalanche. One of them died. (Avalanche Canada/Twitter)

1 snowmobiler dead in avalanche near Valemount, B.C.

Second snowmobiler managed to get away Saturday

A photo from Avalanche Canada shows the snowpack conditions near Valemount, B.C. on Jan. 21, when two snowmobilers were caught in an avalanche. One of them died. (Avalanche Canada/Twitter)
A new UBC speaker series aims to answer questions around what people can do to live long, happy lives. (Credit: Pixabay/Pasja1000)

UBC promises to go beyond eating well and exercising in healthy aging speaker series

First lecture kicks off Jan. 23, with a discussion around daily stressors

A new UBC speaker series aims to answer questions around what people can do to live long, happy lives. (Credit: Pixabay/Pasja1000)
An ex-principal of Britannia Community Elementary School in Vancouver is facing a lawsuit from the school district, which claims she stole more than $170,000 from the school. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Former B.C. principal stole $170K from Vancouver elementary school, lawsuit claims

Tricia Low accused of stealing gift cards from families in need, using school funds for herself

An ex-principal of Britannia Community Elementary School in Vancouver is facing a lawsuit from the school district, which claims she stole more than $170,000 from the school. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A thin blue line Canada patch. (Thinbluelinecanada.ca)

Thin blue line cannot be worn by on-duty Vancouver police officers, department decides

Report prompted by complaint of officer wearing controversial patch at land back rally in 2021

A thin blue line Canada patch. (Thinbluelinecanada.ca)
Vancouver Folk Music Festival organizers say they don’t have the funds to run the annual event in 2023. They’ll ask their membership on Feb. 1 to vote on whether to end the festival forever. (Vancouver Folk Music Festival/Instagram)

Short $500K, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival calls it quits, possibly forever

Organizers say they don’t have the funding or staff to get the annual event off the ground

Vancouver Folk Music Festival organizers say they don’t have the funds to run the annual event in 2023. They’ll ask their membership on Feb. 1 to vote on whether to end the festival forever. (Vancouver Folk Music Festival/Instagram)
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. universities reviewing identity policy for Indigenous scholars amid Turpel-Lafond controversy

UBC, VIU consulting to determine how to stop Indigenous identity fraud

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has ordered Whitewater Concrete Ltd. and one of its employees to pay damages to a former worker over racial slurs that were made against him. (The Canadian Press)

Employee’s racial slurs put B.C. concrete company on the line for discrimination damages

Whitewater Concrete and employee ordered to pay former worker for injury to dignity, self-respect

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has ordered Whitewater Concrete Ltd. and one of its employees to pay damages to a former worker over racial slurs that were made against him. (The Canadian Press)
A Langara Gardens apartment building near the intersection of Cambie Street and 57th Avenue where a tenant accidentally started a fire in 2017. Angela Chou has since been ordered to pay over $500,000 for the resulting damage. (Google Streetview/screenshot)

Vancouver woman ordered to pay over $500K for apartment fire started by floor lamp

Inspectors said unit was in ‘near hoarding state’ when fire began on Nov. 14, 2017

A Langara Gardens apartment building near the intersection of Cambie Street and 57th Avenue where a tenant accidentally started a fire in 2017. Angela Chou has since been ordered to pay over $500,000 for the resulting damage. (Google Streetview/screenshot)
FILE - B.C. announced a $500 million Rental Protection Fund on Jan. 12. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Eby following through on $500M promise to put more rentals in hands of B.C. non-profits

Funds aim to take control away from speculators looking to bump up prices or evict tenants

FILE - B.C. announced a $500 million Rental Protection Fund on Jan. 12. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
A UBC study examining orca bodies found between 2006 and 2018 has found a number of concerning chemicals inside them, including in endangered southern resident killer whales (pictured). (Credit: Paul Cottrell, DFO)

Toxic chemicals from B.C.’s sewage are making their way inside orcas, UBC study finds

Compound in toilet paper can influence cognitive function, say researchers

A UBC study examining orca bodies found between 2006 and 2018 has found a number of concerning chemicals inside them, including in endangered southern resident killer whales (pictured). (Credit: Paul Cottrell, DFO)