Minister of Public Safety declares provincial state of emergency

VANCOUVER – Solicitor General Mike Farnworth is declaring a state of emergency in British Columbia to allow the preservation of supply chains delivering groceries and other essential items.

The move follows Tuesday’s declaration of a public health emergency in B.C. over COVID-19.

Farnworth says it will also mean a quicker, co-ordinated response between federal, provincial and local governments, calling it an “all hands on deck” approach.

In Vancouver, Mayor Kennedy Stewart is convening a special virtual council meeting on Thursday aimed at getting support for the declaration of a local state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic.