Two pedestrians have been rushed to hospital with very serious injuries after being hit by a truck on Lougheed Highway in Burnaby. A section of the road was closed for several hours near North Road late Tuesday night. Speed and alcohol have not been ruled out as contributing factors.

Mayor George Harvie and members of his city council are expressing outrage over two nights of emergency room closures at Delta Hospital. Several concerns, including a lack of nearby alternatives, have been outlined in a letter to Premier David Eby and Health Minister Josie Osborne. ER nurses provided first aid and redirected emergency cases over the weekend following closures due to a lack of doctors. Delta South Conservative MLA Ian Paton blames the NDP government for closures that he says continue year after year.

A shortage of doctors has forced the closure of Delta Hospital’s emergency room for two nights in a row. Fraser Health says nurses remained on hand to deal with basic first aid and transfers to other hospitals over the weekend. Delta joins a growing list of Lower Mainland hospital ERs that have experienced closures over the past year, including Peace Arch in White Rock, Lions Gate in North Vancouver and Mission Memorial.

Three people, including two officers, have been injured in a crash involving an Abbotsford Police SUV and a car. The car’s driver suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to hospital - the officers’ injuries are less serious. The crash happened late Thursday afternoon near King and Gladwin roads. The Independent Investigations Office has been called-in as per protocol.

The B.C. government is backing down on its much criticized Safe Supply program in the face of growing concerns taxpayer funded prescribed medications are ending up in the wrong hands. Health Minister Josie Osbourne says the province will now move to a witnessed consumption system - starting with new patients. Last month, the BC Conservatives leaked an internal document showing the Health Ministry and police have been investigating pharmacists who were paying incentives to patients and doctors.

Fighting back against U.S. tariffs - that theme has taken centre stage in B.C.’s 2025 throne speech. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia’s outlined measures the government plans to take including strengthening and growing the province’s economy, diversifying trade relationships and responding firmly and forcefully if required. There are also strong hints of more tax incentives for American studios wanting to film in B.C. The provincial budget will be unveiled March 4.

Even flights at YVR have been impacted by the crash at Toronto’s Pearson International. Several Family Day flights between Vancouver and Toronto were delayed or cancelled after a a regional flight under the Delta Airlines banner crashed at Pearson on Monday, shedding both its wings and flipping upside down. At least 15 people were injured, three critically, as the plane slid on the tarmac. There were gusty winds and blowing snow but the official cause has not yet been determined.

The Eby government is pulling the plug on its election promise of a grocery rebate blaming Donald Trump’s planned tariffs. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey has used a Thursday news conference to also say there will be a hiring freeze on new public servants…except for the essential ones that support core programs and services. The BC General Employees Union says it was not given the heads up about the announcement. The provincial budget will be delivered on March 4 with strong hints that much of the bad news will be blamed on Donald Trump’s yet-to-come tariffs.

Other news…

Breaking News: A small earthquake has been recorded in Juan de Fuca Strait, south of Victoria Thursday night. The quake had a very preliminary magnitude of 3.8 at a depth of 40 kilometres below the sea. It happened just before 10:00 p.m.

Premier David Eby says B.C. is looking for other, non-American customers. The comment comes as Eby and some fellow premiers wrap up their meetings with members of the Trump Administration in Washington, D.C. The premier described the meetings as mostly positive but lawmakers are already pushing back on Eby’s comments that Canada becoming a 51st state is a non-starter. Donald Trump did not meet with the premiers.

The Independent Investigations Office and the RCMP in Surrey continue to withhold information and details after a Mountie shot an autistic 15-year-old dead on Sunday. IIO Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund defends the lack of info saying patience is appreciated while the investigation is conducted thoroughly, fairly and to the highest standard possible. The Clayton Heights Secondary student died after falling into the snow with gunshot wounds - police say they had a lengthy interaction with the person after receiving reports of someone with a weapon. There is no indication anyone weapon was ever found. Friends describe the boy as friendly and kind. Classmates continue to receive grief counselling.