British Columbians to go to polls on October 24th

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Premier John Horgan calls an election

British Columbians are going to the polls. Premier John Horgan has announced an election will be held on October the 24th. Advance Polls will open on October the 16. The next scheduled election is set for October of 2021. However, New Democrats hope a snap vote will turn the party’s 41-seat minority government into at least a 44-seat majority. Horgan is currently enjoying a 70 per cent approval rating in the polls, but he insists the snap election is not about politics.

"I have grappled with this. We have significant challenges ahead on the health front, on the economic front, and what instability that brings to our communities and our social fabric. I believe the best way to get going on the work ahead, is to put the politics behind us. I cannot imagine twelve more months of bickering, twelve more months of not knowing whether a bill would pass the legislature because of uncertainty in numbers. I think the best way forward is to resolve that now. And that's why we're doing this."—Premier John Horgan.

This will not be the first time in B.C. history that voters will go to the polls during a provincial state of emergency. An election was held under a provincial state of emergency in World War two.

Worksafe BC is investigating complaints at two schools

WorkSafe BC is investigating complaints by Nanaimo and Ladysmith teachers about unsafe working conditions at two schools. Teachers at Cilaire Elementary and Ladysmith Intermediate lodged complaints because neither school has a working ventilation system and smoky skies last week forced students to be in classrooms with closed windows all day. WorkSafe BC has told the district and the local teachers' association to begin a joint investigation with the goal of finding a solution. The School District has said it plans to install a new HVAC system in the schools within the next five years. Teachers expect the short term solution will be to purchase portable hepa filtration units.

24/7 support coming to local ACT team

People living with severe mental health challenges in Nanaimo will now be able to access 24/7 community-based support. A new Assertive Community Treatment team will provide individualized support for adults with serious and often persistent mental health challenges that make it difficult to manage day-to-day activities. The Minister of Mental Health and Addictions says COVID-19 has made existing mental health struggles even worse so the new ACT team will be available 24/7 and can deliver services in any situation, ranging from clients homes, work places, parks or recreation locations. The MLA for Nanaimo, Sheila Malcolmson says, it means more people with serious mental health challenges will receive regular and consistent mental health support.