B.C. is marking another grim milestone with a record number of deaths from unregulated drugs in 2023. Sarah Blyth, Executive Director of the Overdose Prevention Society in Vancouver. We'll discuss what direction the province needs to take in 2024. Ross Cloutier, Executive Director, HeliCat Canada, speaks with us about what the heli-skiing industry is feeling after the deadly crash north of Terrace on Monday, Jan. 23. He also talks about the measures the industry takes to ensure safety. And we were joined by Dr. Mariana Brussoni, professor and director of Human Early Learning Partnership with UBC's faculty of medicine to talk about how to mitigate risks in play and get more kids outdoors. Pediatricians say it's time to pop the bubble wrap and let kids play outdoors. We'll hear from parents on our open line.

Next steps in tackling drug crisis | Heli-skiing industry association says safety is paramount | Let kids take risks, pediatricians say

BC Today is where British Columbians connect on issues facing their lives and their community. Every week day at noon PT and 1pm MT, BC Today host Michelle Eliot delves into the top story for the province.

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As thousands of people remain on wildfire-related evacuation orders in northeastern B.C., guest David Hutton, Provincial Health Services Authority director, Provincial Psychosocial Services to learn more about the mental health impact of being forced out of your home. And, ahead of the long weekend, Whistler has enacted a campfire ban in the community. We hear from Thomas Doherty, the municipality's fire chief and ask viewers if the threat of wildfires is affecting their camping plans this summer.

Mental health toll on wildfire evacuees | Camping safely during fire season

As the leaders of B.C. United and the B.C. Conservatives are pressed on the potential of merging the two parties, we take a look at the latest polling data with Beyond the Ballot CEO Rachael Segal, and ask viewers if they think co-operation between them is a good idea. Then, the province has announced a pilot child-care program, including before and after school care, at elementary schools in three school districts. UBC sociology professor Sylvia Fuller talks about the current options and the existing gaps.

Should B.C. United and B.C. Conservatives merge? | Child care in schools

We bring you the latest on the B.C. wildfires, as conditions improve for crews battling the growing Parker Lake fire near Fort Nelson. Our guests Robin Cox, Professor, disaster management and response, Royal Roads University, and James Whitehead, engagement analyst on mitigating wildfire, Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue discuss emergency preparedness, while our audience share the resources their community needs this season. And, we remember Nobel Prize-winning author Alice Munro, who has died at age 92. We discuss her B.C. past and legacy with Justina Elias, head of fiction at Munro's Books in Victoria.

Wildfire supports in B.C. communities | Alice Munro dies at age 92

We get the latest details from CBC News reporter Yvette Brend, Peace River North MLA Dan Davies and Dawson Creek mayor Darcy Dober as the Parker Lake wildfire continues to approach Fort Nelson, B.C. Officials warn of an "extremely challenging" 48 hours ahead — and the possibility of "volatile" fire behaviour. 

Fort Nelson wildfire latest: More evacuations ordered as fire closes in

There's no shortage of funny movies about motherhood, or mom memes on social media. We meet funny moms Kara "mediocremom76" https://www.instagram.com/mediocremom76/ and CBC Vancouver's Charis Hogg and hear your funny mom stories. Our gardening columnist Brian Minter joins us to share more gardening advice..

Next steps in tackling drug crisis | Heli-skiing industry association says safety is paramount | Let kids take risks, pediatricians say

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