Massive New Westminster Fire, Fatal Charter Sinking & Plant Closure — Vancouver Saturday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Dozens displaced after a massive fire gutted a New Westminster apartment building. Dozens of residents were displaced when the fire gutted the apartment building in New Westminster, according to reports. Emergency crews attended the scene and the building was declared uninhabitable, requiring evacuations and temporary housing for those residents.
2. Fatal B.C. charter-boat sinking remains under investigation after death at sea. A charter-boat sinking off B.C.’s coast resulted in a death and is the subject of ongoing reporting into what happened. Authorities are examining the circumstances of the sinking and related search-and-rescue responses.
3. Highway 1 reopened in Fraser Canyon while twin wildfires remain out of control. Provincial crews reopened Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon after earlier closures, even as two wildfires in the area were still described as out of control by officials.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. B.C. announces new involuntary care facilities in Surrey and Prince George for severe mental health disorders. The provincial government announced new involuntary care facilities will be established in Surrey and Prince George to treat people with severe mental health disorders, a planned expansion of care infrastructure by the province.
2. Tsleil-Waututh Nation seeks to overturn permits allowing dredging to accommodate larger tankers in Vancouver. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has launched legal action seeking to overturn federal permits that allow dredging to accommodate larger tankers in Vancouver, challenging the permits in court.

💼 Economy & Business

1. American firm Central Moloney plans to close Chilliwack Cam Tran plant, cutting 43 B.C. jobs. Central Moloney Inc. says it will consolidate Canadian operations and close the Chilliwack Cam Tran plant, eliminating 43 jobs by the end of August; the company says five other Canadian facilities will continue to operate. B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the government is considering options ahead of next week’s meeting between Central Moloney and BC Hydro’s CEO because Cam Tran supplies transformers to BC Hydro.
2. Four First Nations celebrate opening of a new industrial park near Vanderhoof, B.C. Four First Nations marked the opening of a new industrial park near Vanderhoof, a development led by Indigenous communities to create industrial capacity in that region.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Staff warn rot and anti-'rat' culture at Port Coquitlam jail fuel escape risks. Staff at the Port Coquitlam jail reported fears that rot and an anti-'rat' culture among employees are contributing to conditions that increase escape risks, according to internal concerns raised by staff.
2. Mother of Tatyanna Harrison devastated to learn daughter was buried in an unmarked grave three years ago. Tatyanna Harrison was buried in an unmarked grave three years ago, and her mother has publicly said she is devastated upon learning that fact.

📰 Also Today

• Second boat accompanied B.C. charter before fatal sinking, raising rescue-timing questions.
• Interior designer bookends career with projects at Royal Columbian Hospital, completing early- and late-career commissions.
• Wolf Parade guitarist reflects on growing up on Vancouver Island, new audience and tour discussions.
• Mediator Vince Ready appointed to help end B.C. nurses' dispute, provincial appointment announced.
• Kelowna posts highest unemployment among major Canadian cities despite June job gains, unemployment rate tops peers.
• First Nations chiefs across Canada say they were 'blindsided' by pipeline announcements, national chiefs express surprise.
• Residents and pilots clash over noise at Qualicum Beach Airport, public complaints reported.
• (Duplicate ID noted) Second boat accompanied B.C. charter before fatal sinking, related coverage.
• (Related) Staff concerns at Port Coquitlam jail continue to surface, staffing and safety issues reported.
• (Related) Coverage continues on deadly charter-boat sinking off B.C., ongoing reporting.
• (Related) National pipeline announcements prompt reaction from First Nations chiefs, ongoing response coverage.