BC and Ottawa have inked a deal to provide a range of contraceptives and diabetes medications to BC residents at little to no cost.

Provincial health minister Josie Osborne and her federal counterpart, Mark Holland, signed a four year pharmacare agreement worth more than $670 million.

It will give BC residents public coverage for a range of contraceptives and diabetes medications, and improve access to diabetes devices and supplies.

BC will also enhance pharmacare coverage by covering hormone replacement therapy to treat menopausal symptoms.

Osborne says they’re committed to making essential healthcare more accessible.

She says BC was the first province in Canada to provide free contraception, and is now expanding public coverage to include free medication for diabetes and menopausal symptoms.

However, people will not be able take advantage of the coverage until March of next year.

Federal NPD leader Jagmeet Singh says the delay in federal funding is a “bogus delay” on the part of the Liberals.

He says parliament approved $1.5 billion for pharmacare-covered medications for people in 2024-25.

Singh says the money is there and British Columbians should not continue paying out of pocket for another year to get the medicines they need.

– Files from My Kootenay Now staff

With Daylight Saving Time coming this weekend, drivers should get more rest before hitting the road.

On Sunday morning, the clock will go forward by one hour, with more light in the evening and less light in the morning.

Road Safety at Work says the change can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to drivers feeling fatigued, increasing the risk of vehicle crashes.

Program Director of Road Safety Trace Acres says even minor fatigue can have major consequences for those behind the wheel.

“We’re not as alert, we’re slower to react, we don’t judge distance or recognize hazards as well as we usually do, and our decision making is compromised,” said Acres.

Road Safety adds fatigued drivers pose a risk to not only themselves, but also other drivers, and road users like pedestrians and cyclists.

In the build-up to the time change, you are encouraged to sleep 15 to 20 minutes early, postpone driving when feeling very fatigued, recognize signs of fatigue like frequent yawning, struggling to focus, or drifting into other lanes, drive when you are at your most alert, take breaks, and stay hydrated.

Daylight saving runs from Sunday, March 9, to Sunday, November 2.

– Files from My Kootenay Now staff

A special community gathering is being held this weekend, marking the fifth year since Chad Staley’s passing.

The Chad Staley Memorial Foundation will be hosting the gathering on Sunday, celebrating it’s progress over the year, and unveil upcoming initiatives.

It will highlight ongoing efforts in supporting athletes, and promote mental resilience and well-being, the two core pillars for the foundation.

Speakers at the gathering include Executive Director of the Prince George Community Foundation, Rae Ann Noonan, and Director of High-Performance CSS-PG from Engage Sport North, Simone Lamarche.

The foundation will also recognize a community member whose helped establish new funding opportunities for local sports organizations and community services supporting athletes, coaches, and parents.

The event is at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club from 11:00am to 12:30pm.

At least 458 unhoused people in BC died in 2023, a 23 per cent increase from 2022.

That’s according to data from the BC Coroners Service, adding that its three times the number of people (155) who died while experiencing homelessness in the province in 2020.

The majority of deaths are attributed to accidental unregulated drug toxicity with 394, followed by other accidental causes at 25, natural causes at 24, and suicide, undetermined and homicide below 10.

In the north, 46 unhoused individuals died, a jump from 32 the previous year.

Detailed information can be found here.

Quesnel RCMP was called to an armed robbery at the Circle K convenience store early this (March 7) morning.

Corporal Rob Belanger, a Media Relations Officer, says the call came in at approximately 5 o’clock.

“The Quesnel RCMP responded to a report that a man, armed with a firearm, robbed the Circle K store located at the corner of Abbott Drive and Anderson Drive. Frontline officers arrived on scene within minutes of the call and additional officers, which included RCMP Police Dog Services, began canvassing the area.”

Belanger says the suspect was not located and based on the initial investigation, police believe that he fled on foot.

He says the investigation is in its early stages and police are working to obtain witness statements as well as video surveillance in the area.

“An older Caucasian male exited the store at the time of the robbery and may have witnessed the incident. Police are looking to speak with that individual.”

Belanger says the suspect is described as wearing a blue FILA hoodie, with a grey hoodie underneath, black gloves and black balaclava.

He is believed to be about 6 feet tall with a slim build.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Quesnel RCMP at 250-992-9211, or they can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit a tip online at www.northernbccrimestoppers.ca.

– Files from George Henderson, My Cariboo Now staff

The Prince George RCMP and the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation’s Community Heroes Night 50/50 draw was a success.

In a release, police said $60,000 was raised through donations, and will be split between the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, the Prince George RCMP and the Prince George Firefighters Charitable Society.

The RCMP will work with the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation to help fund a piece of equipment, identified as a need in Prince George.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Prince George RCMP for their dedication and helping support crucial medical equipment for UHNBC—strengthening care for our entire community.” said Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation CEO, Aimee Cassie.

“A huge thank you to the teams who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and to our community, who continue to step up year after year to support Community Heroes Weekend. Your commitment makes a real difference, and we are so appreciative.”

The B.C. government’s 2025 budget has received criticism from a variety of community and industry leaders, but Finance Minister Brenda Bailey assures that it “puts British Columbians first.” 

Deficit 

Budget 2025 forecasts a $10.9-billion deficit for the 2025–26 fiscal year before declining to $10.2 billion in 2026–27 and $9.9 billion in 2027–28. 

The record-breaking deficit has ignited criticism from the B.C. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of B.C., both of which say the province’s continued reliance on significant deficits is alarming and lacks a clear path to restoring fiscal sustainability. 

When asked for her response to these concerns, Minister Bailey told Vista Radio that “deficits have a place” during challenging economic times, which has been the case since the pandemic ended. 

“We’ve seen a worldwide economic headwind. We made the decision not to cut back on services for people. A different decision would have looked like significant cuts to health care and the services that people really rely on. We didn’t make that decision, and we are starting to see really good results from the money that we’re spending.” 

That said, she notes that deficit spending can’t go on forever, assuring that her government is working towards a path to balance. 

“That’s work that we’re doing now. So you see in the budget, there’s $1.5 billion we predict coming back into the coffers of British Columbia because we’re going to be focused on an efficiency review—looking at whether every dollar is landing the way we wanted it to, whether we’re getting the results that we expected from our spending.” 

Tackling the deficit will involve focused spending and growing revenue. An example of how this will be applied in Budget 2025 is the acceleration of 18 natural resource projects, which Bailey says will bring in $20 billion of activity into B.C. and create 8,000 jobs. 

Supporting the Forestry Sector 

The B.C. Council of Forest Industries (COFI) has also voiced concerns that Budget 2025 appears to lack support for the forestry sector. 

On top of former U.S. president Donald Trump’s tariffs, the forestry sector is now facing an increase in preliminary rates to 20.07 per cent on duties for softwood lumber. 

Bailey calls these anti-dumping duties “completely unjust and unfair” and vows that the province will fight against them. 

“We will be fighting against them in all diplomatic channels. It is uncalled for and unjust and will have a negative effect on our forestry industry. And look, this has been going on for a while. We also know that the tariffs will be on top of these anti-dumping duties, which is unfair for the industry. We will continue to work diligently to address these, but the U.S. has been an unreasonable partner so far in this regard.” 

COFI says Budget 2025 also fails to honour the government’s commitment to harvest 45 million cubic metres as outlined in its election platform, instead predicting a decline to 29 million cubic metres by 2027–28. 

This is below what COFI says is the Allowable Annual Cut of 60 million cubic metres, adding that harvest levels are critical to the province’s economy. 

Bailey didn’t provide much insight into why Budget 2025 doesn’t meet this harvest commitment but says B.C.’s Minister of Forests is “working closely” with COFI and feels confident that their concerns will be resolved. 

Budget 2025 promises to streamline the permitting and regulatory process for major projects. Bailey says the province will explore applying this approach to the forestry sector as it works to “keep British Columbians working.” 

“We are looking at streamlining in every industry. When we talk about tariff impact and unemployment insurance, what we want is British Columbians working. We are going to build, we’re going to get projects moving, and we’re going to get people working. That’s the most important thing we can do during this time of uncertainty.”

– Files from Storrm Lennie, My Kootenay Now staff

Tomorrow (Saturday) will be “An Evening in India” at the Civic Centre, hosted by The Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.

Marketing and Development Manager Amanda Holmes says the evening will be packed, all to raise funds for care in the north.

“It’s a full formal Indian dinner, we’ve got a live auction, we have an opportunity to win a $15,000 travel voucher, we have Delhi 2 Dublin coming, we have a DJ, we have a band, this is going to be the most elevated event that we’re hoping Prince George has ever seen,”.

Holmes said formal Indian garb is encouraged, though it’s not required, adding to think black tie.

She says the event will benefit cardiac care in the region.

“We are really looking down the road at the future of cardiac care here in the north,” she said.

“We all know there’s some big things coming, and Spirit of the North is tied into that. We want to see the changes, we want to see cardiac care grow here in the north. We want to keep our patients here in the north, not travelling south as much as we can.”

Holmes noted tickets are available on the Spirit of the North website.

– Files from Darin Bain, My PG Now staff

The BC Coroners Service is investigating the death of a person who was operating a snow plow near Prince George.

According to a GoFundMe set up for his daughter, Leslie Suvee was clearing BC Highways on March 1st, when his plow fell off the highway and he passed away on impact.

“He would protect anyone with everything he had and was the first to volunteer when someone needed a helping hand, he would give you the shirt off his back if that’s what you asked for,” the GoFundMe, set up by Thea Klassen reads.

The GoFundMe will benefit Suvee’s only child and sole next of kin, Amber, who is currently out of work due to a pair of car accidents.

“What we can do is help her out by taking away some of the financial burden and giver her the time and peace of mind to make the best decisions about everything Les was and has left behind,” the page reads.

The fundraiser has a goal of $24,000. As of 11:00 this morning (Thursday), it has raised $2,445.

The Prince George Family YMCA has given another reason for people to be active.

They unveiled new equipment throughout the gym, such as treadmills, stepper machines, and leg extension machines.

YMCA BC’s Chief Health Equity and Operating Officer, Amanda Alexander says it was a much needed upgrade.

“Connection to digital and technology is important, and kind of the new trends that keep people fresh and engaged in the important healthy lifestyle.”

“Those are all really important things to folks we’re seeing, and that they’re commenting on how much they’re appreciating.”

Alexander says this is another way for people to feel connected, and reducing social isolation to improve mental health.

More information about the Prince George Family YMCA can be found here.

The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation’s election is set to take place on April 9th, 2025.

That day, the First Nation will elect a Chief and eight Councillors. At the same time, and election is being held to elect three Lands Authority Representatives.

Two people are running to be Chief, incumbent Dolleen Logan and Regina Toth.

30 people have put their names forward for a Councillor role.

Seven candidates have come forward for the three Lands Authority positions.

Voting will take place at the Administration Office on 1041 Whenun Road from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm on April 9th.