Daily Digest — British Columbia (2026-03-09)

Heartbreaking loss in Vernon: A Vernon mother is demanding answers after 22‑year‑old Ezra Cool, who checked himself into Vernon Jubilee Hospital on Feb. 6, spent six days in an emergency hallway because the psych ward was full and then escaped and was fatally struck near the facility. Interior Health confirms the psychiatric unit is at full capacity and is reviewing the case — this raises wider concerns about psychiatric bed shortages and care differences between psych wards and ERs.

Budget backlash grows: A poll by Innovative Research Group (survey Feb. 6–Mar. 3, BC sample n=991, budget questions Feb. 20–Mar. 3 weighted to n=500) finds Premier David Eby’s February 2026 budget is the most unpopular since 2010’s HST budget under Gordon Campbell. Among the 41% who noticed the budget, 67% feel less favourable toward the NDP, net favourability fell to −61 (a 43‑point drop), and many expect higher taxes, more user fees and worse health care.

Tumbler Ridge family sues OpenAI: The parents of 12‑year‑old Maya Gebala — critically injured in the Feb. 10 school shooting that killed eight people in Tumbler Ridge — have filed a civil suit alleging OpenAI failed to flag the shooter’s violent ChatGPT activity and didn’t alert police. The suit names employee warnings, a disabled account in June, a second account that allegedly wasn’t caught, and notes OpenAI’s 2025 revenue was about US$20 billion; the company has not yet been served.

Vancouver airport parkade may never be finished: Construction on a planned 2,000+ stall parkade at YVR stopped in 2020 (part of a $9‑billion 2018 expansion) and CEO Tamara Vrooman now says it likely won’t be completed — about $200 million has been spent and finishing would cost roughly another $200 million. With 65% of passengers using non‑private‑car modes and ride‑share trips at 24%, the airport is rethinking the land and may demolish or repurpose the structure.

New autopsy details in Myles Gray case: Forensic pathologist Dr. Matthew Orde told a public hearing that 33‑year‑old Myles Gray’s August 2015 death has no single definitive cause but was most likely cardiopulmonary arrest complicated by police restraint (pepper spray, blunt injuries, neck compression, face‑down restraint). Orde noted multiple injuries — fractured eye socket, nose, brain bleeding — and underlined that forced prone restraint can raise the risk of death; the 2023 coroner’s inquest had previously returned a homicide finding.

Ontario mulls rules to block B.C.‑style superlabs: After the RCMP’s late‑2024 Falkland, B.C. bust, Ontario proposed regulations to create a criminal offence for landlords who “knowingly” allow properties to be used for illegal drug production or trafficking. The change would let police seize evidence, order people out and recover enforcement costs — the regulation is tied to justice legislation passed last year but has not yet come into force.

Gas prices jump in Lower Mainland amid Iran tensions: Drivers saw prices near $1.899 per litre (about 189.9¢) as oil spiked toward US$120 a barrel after attacks and Iran’s shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted supplies. Experts warn further upward pressure from an industrial carbon tax rise on Apr. 1 and the Apr. 15 switch to summer gasoline blends; diesel sits near $2.27/L and markets remain volatile.

Snow possible in Metro Vancouver — plan ahead: Environment Canada issued a special weather statement (through Wednesday) saying a cool, unstable air mass could bring flurries and 2–5 cm of snow in places, with freezing levels near sea level overnight. Drivers should expect quickly changing road conditions and allow extra time for morning commutes, especially at higher elevations.

Province to protect access to schools and places of worship: Premier David Eby announced legislation to extend B.C.’s Safe Schools protections to churches, gurdwaras, synagogues, mosques and temples, creating clear perimeters (20‑metre school zones already exist) and required signage so police can act against harassment or intimidation. The government says peaceful protest remains protected, but harassment of students or worshippers won’t be tolerated; the Safe Schools Act protections will be extended to 2028.

Damaging winds sweep the Prairies and parts of B.C.: Environment Canada warned of 90–110 km/h winds across much of Alberta into southern Saskatchewan (gusts to 90 km/h in Fraser Valley), causing power outages and infrastructure damage; Fortis Alberta reported outages falling from 8,000 to 2,000 customers, and BC Hydro from about 1,900 to 350. Snowfall up to 20 cm was possible in southern Alberta (Calgary, Banff areas) with dangerous travel; the winds were expected to ease Sunday evening.