One man arrested in overnight shots fired incident at Surrey hotel

25 June 2025

ONE man has been arrested by the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team (LMD ERT) and Surrey Police Service (SPS) following an overnight shots fired incident at a suite in a hotel located in the 12400-block of King George Boulevard.

At about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, SPS frontline officers received a request to check on the wellbeing of a man staying in a suite of a hotel located in the 12400-block of King George Boulevard. SPS officers attended and while trying to have him come out of his suite, determined that the man had a firearm and was barricading himself inside.

The LMD ERT was called to assist and SPS officers evacuated nearby residents of other suites. At about 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, officers began to hear gunshots being fired from inside the suite, with the shots being fired towards the outside.

The man was arrested shortly before 1 a.m. by the LMD ERT and the Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Services. He was transported to hospital for evaluation, where he remains in custody.

SPS’s Frontline Investigative Support Team (FLIST) has assumed conduct of the investigation.

B.C. drivers say one thing, do another when it comes to tailgating

24 June 2025

ACCORDING to a new ICBC survey* by Ipsos, 77% of B.C. drivers admit to tailgating or following too closely behind the vehicle in front on occasion. Yet when the roles are reversed, 86% say being tailgated makes them feel frustrated, scared, angry or even intimidated. It’s a classic case of “do as I say, not as I drive”, proving that when it comes to the road, we’re not always as patient as we like to think.

When asked why they tailgate, drivers pointed to their frustrations. Half (50%) said it’s because the driver ahead is travelling below the speed limit, going too slow, while 30% blame slower drivers in the fast lane. Meanwhile, 17% admitted they tailgate to block others from cutting in, and 16% simply said they’re in a rush to get where they’re going.

The survey also uncovered where tailgating is most common. A whopping 84% of drivers say it happens at least sometimes on city streets, and 82% report it on highways. Three out of four drivers (75%) experience tailgating in the fast or HOV lanes, where speed is already expected. Surprisingly, 73% say they’re tailgated in construction zones, and 69% report it even happens in playground and school zones, places where extra caution and reduced speed should be applied.

“Every time you get behind the wheel, you’re sharing the road, and how you drive affects everyone around you,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC’s road safety program manager. “Tailgating isn’t just aggressive, it’s dangerous. It cuts your reaction time, increases your risk of a crash, and puts pressure on the driver ahead. A safe following distance isn’t just a courtesy, it’s a critical part of keeping everyone safe. Remember, the only place tailgating is fun is at a football game, not on the road.”

Rear-end crashes remain one of most common type of collisions reported to ICBC, with tailgating often being a contributing factor. In fact, more than 57,000 rear-end collisions were reported to ICBC last year alone.

While some drivers may brush it off, the vast majority say being tailgated is anything but harmless. Only 12% say it doesn’t bother them, while the rest report a range of negative reactions. 31% feel frustrated, 23% admit they’re scared, 21% say they feel angry, and 11% feel intimidated when another driver follows too closely. Tailgating isn’t just risky, it’s an emotional trigger for many behind the wheel.

When faced with a tailgater, B.C. drivers take a variety of approaches — some defensive, others more reactive. According to the survey, 41% choose to move to another lane when it’s safe to do so, while 28% try to ignore the behaviour and maintain the posted speed limit. Others take different tactics. 11% pull over to let the vehicle pass, 9% deliberately slow down to send a message, and 7% admit to speeding up to create space, a move that can increase the risk for everyone on the road.

Here’s the twist: while many drivers surveyed admit to tailgating, even more recognize the importance of maintaining a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of them. Nearly everyone surveyed (95%) say they are likely to maintain a following distance of at least two seconds when driving at 50 km/h or less on city streets. On highways, 92% report they are likely to keep at least a three-second gap when traveling at 80 km/h or more in good weather conditions. When road conditions deteriorate, most drivers indicate they adapt their behavior accordingly. In poor weather, 86% say they are likely to increase their following distance on city streets, and 87% say they are likely to do the same on highways, demonstrating an awareness of the added risks that come with reduced visibility and slippery roads.

More insights from the survey are available in the results summary

Tips to avoid and handle tailgating:

If you’re being tailgated, stay calm. Consider slowing down slightly to increase the space in front of you. This way, if you have to slow down or stop, you can do so gradually and give the driver behind you more time to react. Other strategies are to move into another lane or to pull over to the side of the road if it’s safe to do so and let the tailgater pass. When stopped at an intersection, leave about one car’s length between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. This gives you room to move ahead or potentially change lanes if a vehicle is approaching from behind quickly. When stopped behind a larger vehicle, allow more space.
Give yourself extra time. If you give yourself extra time to get to your destination, you won’t be in a hurry and tempted to speed. Consider the time of day and peak commute times when planning out your drive. If your travel involves a longer route, check road conditions, possible road closures on drivebc.ca, and use GPS to get an estimate of how long your drive will take.
Consider others when you’re behind the wheel. Our roadways are shared spaces. That means, allowing space for vehicles when they’re trying to merge into your lane or being considerate of slower moving vehicles like RVs and trailers. When passing, keep within the speed limit, ensure there’s enough space in the lane you’re entering, and communicate clearly with other road users by using your signals. If you need to pass a vulnerable road user, like a cyclist, on roads with speed limits of 50km/hr or less, you have to leave one metre of space and for roads with speeds above 50km/hr, leave 1.5 metres of space.
Manage your speed and following distance. If you tailgate, the vehicle in front of you may block your view of hazards ahead. Worse, if the vehicle ahead suddenly stops, you won’t have time to slow down and stop safely. Allow at least three seconds of distance when driving behind a large vehicle that could block your vision or a motorcycle that could stop very quickly. Increase your following distance to four seconds if weather conditions are bad or visibility is reduced.

*Survey conducted by Ipsos online panel. 800 total surveys completed. Data collected from March 21 to 25, 2025. Those surveyed met the criteria of having a valid B.C. driver’s licence and self-reporting having driven since receiving their licence.

Delta’s Chisholm Street Wharf detailed design available for feedback

24 June 2025

THE City of Delta has released a detailed design proposal for the Chisholm Street Wharf and is inviting the community to provide comments. At the June 23 Regular Meeting, Delta Council directed staff to move forward with engagement with the public to confirm that the updated plan reflects the community’s vision for the Wharf.

The updated design incorporates ideas and input shared by more than 150 participants during last year’s initial engagement. Based on the feedback received, the concept has been refined to create a welcoming, year-round destination with flexible gathering spaces for events and community use.

“We heard a great deal of excitement from the community during our first round of engagement, along with some thoughtful suggestions,” said Delta Mayor George V. Harvie. “This updated design reflects the feedback we received, and we’re now asking residents to take a final look and let us know their thoughts on the design.”

Key features of the proposed design include flexible gathering spaces with movable and feature seating, stepped seating areas that encourage social connection, shaded seating and misting areas to provide relief during warmer months, lighting that adds a level of safety and ambiance while minimizing light pollution, and natural landscaping along the dike pathway to maintain strong ties to the Fraser River, and a fully accessible Wharf with durable concrete paving around the perimeter, ensuring safe and easy access for everyone.

Residents are encouraged to get involved in the following ways:

Review the updated design at letstalk.delta.ca/Ladner-Village
Complete the feedback form on the project page by Friday, July 11, 2025
Join us in person at a pop-up event at the Wharf to connect with City staff. The first 50 participants will receive free ice cream, served by local business, Cookie’s Ice Cream:
- Location: Chisholm Street Wharf (4857 Chisholm Street)
- Date: Saturday, July 5
- Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Chisholm Street Wharf is one of seven projects in the Ladner Village Revitalization Action Plan endorsed by Delta Council in 2024. To support this initiative, $4.5 million in funding has been allocated to upgrade the Wharf. The vision is to improve public access to the waterfront, create a safe and engaging space for community use, and celebrate the area’s connection to its natural surroundings.

Residents can read the Council Report and the Community Engagement Report here.

To learn more about the Chisholm Street Wharf project, visit letstalk.delta.ca/Ladner-Village.

Planning for the future of Vancouver’s Kitsilano Pool

24 June 2025

THE City of Vancouver and Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation are seeking public input to help plan a future for Kitsilano Pool.

After serving the community for decades and having sustained storm damage to its structure, the Kitsilano Pool is at the end of its service life. As directed by City Council, City and Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation staff are conducting a feasibility study to explore options for the future of Kitsilano Pool that could: address climate resilience and storm preparedness; honour the history and cultural significance of the site; and improve accessibility and support community wellness.

Community feedback will help identify community aquatics and recreation needs that will be considered in planning for the future of Kitsilano Pool. The public is invited to:

• Take the online survey from June 24 – July 14, 2025, at ShapeYourCity.ca/Kits-Pool-Replacement  

• Attend in-person events at Kitsilano Beach Park to learn more and provide input:

Saturday, June 28 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Friday, July 4 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 6 from noon to 3 p.m.

The replacement of Kitsilano Pool will be considered as part of the City’s 2027-2030 Capital Plan. Future funding decisions will be made in the context of city-wide priorities, climate resilience requirements and commitments to honour the significance of this site to local Nations.

Learn more at ShapeYourCity.ca/Kits-Pool-Replacement.

Off-Road Vehicle Trail Fund supports projects throughout B.C.

24 June 2025

tamara_davidson — Tamara Davidson Photo: NDP

OFF-ROAD vehicle enthusiasts can soon enjoy improved trails and recreation infrastructure in several communities throughout B.C.

This year, $400,000 from the Province’s Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Fund will support 20 regional projects, such as building new trails, maintaining existing trails, or promoting safe and responsible use among riders.

“Outdoor recreation connects people to nature,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks, on Tuesday. “It’s all about staying active, building community and respecting our natural spaces. The ORV Trail Fund helps keep our trail networks safe and provides space for people to come together to enjoy the outdoors.”

The projects are mainly led by volunteer groups and organizations that contribute thousands of hours to maintain and improve trails throughout the province. One of those groups is the Blue Mountain Motorcycle Club (BMMC), which received nearly $25,000 from the ORV Trail Fund to improve two key trails – Canterbury and the Pit – within the Blue Mountain riding area in Maple Ridge.

Established in the late 1980s, the historic trails serve as connectors through mature forest and rugged terrain, offering riders unique features, such as technical rock slabs. The project ensures the two trails meet modern sustainability standards, while preserving their historic and recreational values for riders.

“ORV Trail funding provides BMMC the opportunity to supplement our ongoing volunteer trail-maintenance projects with specific focus on erosion control, drainage, water crossings and trail tread hardening,” said Ryan Thom, president, BMMC. “Prioritizing these key practices allows BMMC to lead the charge in sustainable trail maintenance in coastal B.C., which is recognized as one of the most traditionally complex settings to build and maintain. Maintenance at Blue Mountain requires significant planning to bring our key trail improvement practices together with our team of volunteers and contractors, resulting in a long-lasting, sustainable, high-value recreation resource.”

In the Okanagan, the Kelowna Snowmobile Club received $25,000 from the ORV Trail Fund to launch a major safety and signage improvement project across the Graystokes and McCulloch trail systems. The two-phase project, which supports responsible year-round use by all outdoor recreationists, includes creating new digital maps and artwork, followed by the installation of kiosks, trail markers and hazard warnings.

“Receiving support from the ORV Trail Fund will allow us to improve trail safety, accessibility and signage across our network,” said Ashley McKillop with the Kelowna Snowmobile Club. “These upgrades will benefit both new and seasoned snowmobilers by creating a more informed and enjoyable riding experience.”

In the southeastern corner of B.C., the Kootenay Rockies ATV Club received $25,000 to support brushing and maintenance work on more than 22 kilometres of trail northeast of Cranbrook. Four key trail sections that form a scenic loop connecting the St. Mary River Valley, Angus Creek and Hell Roaring Forestry Service Road will be restored to improve access for ATV riders.

“The Kootenay Rockies ATV Club is excited to hear we will receive funding from the ORV Trail Fund to improve safety, promote responsible recreation and ensure long-term access to one of the region’s most beautiful trail networks,” said Bernie Ogonoski, chair, Kootenay Rockies ATV Trail Committee. “These trail sections connect to a larger trail network in the area, thus providing some great riding over a vast scenic area just outside of Cranbrook.”

Now in its eighth year, the ORV Trail Fund is a user-funded program administered by Recreation Sites and Trails BC in partnership with the BC Power Sports Coalition. Since its beginning in 2017, more than $2 million has supported 160 projects throughout the province, removing financial barriers for communities and volunteer groups.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Off-Road Vehicle Trail Fund and view a full list of this year’s recipients, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/camping-hiking/sites-trails/orv-trail-fund

To learn more about Recreation Sites and Trails B.C., visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/camping-hiking/sites-trails

Expanded borrowing powers will help municipalities deliver infrastructure quicker

24 June 2025

MUNICIPALITIES throughout B.C. will now have quicker access to financing to deliver capital projects, such as infrastructure or amenities, thanks to changes in provincial borrowing regulations.

The updated regulations respond to concerns raised by municipalities about the cost, complexity and risk of delays associated with implementing capital projects.

“Municipalities told us that outdated borrowing thresholds were slowing down their ability to deliver the infrastructure people count on,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, on Tuesday. “We have responded by expanding the borrowing powers for municipalities so they can act faster, reduce costs and deliver the services that support growing communities. These changes reflect today’s economic realities.”

The Province has amended the municipal liabilities regulation and the short-term capital borrowing regulation to give municipalities more flexibility to plan and finance infrastructure projects that support population growth and housing development. Municipalities can now borrow up to 10% of their annual revenue, without having to hold a public vote, saving time and costs. These changes will help municipalities deliver a wider range of essential infrastructure more efficiently.

“We are pleased to see these changes implemented in response to requests from BC local governments,” said Trish Mandewo, President, Union of B.C. Municipalities. “The amendments will help some local governments manage essential infrastructure more efficiently, ensuring public assets continue to meet the needs of communities facing climate change and population growth.”

Provincial law regulates how much money municipalities can borrow before requiring an elector approval process. The Province is now adjusting that amount to account for decades of inflation, giving municipalities a greater opportunity to make the investments needed to continue building British Columbia’s future.

Municipalities can borrow up to $150 per capita without elector approval, up from $50, when the term of the borrowing is less than five years (amendment to the short-term capital borrowing regulation). For larger amounts of debt or longer-term debt, municipalities can borrow twice as much without elector approval (increased from 5% to 10% of dependable revenue, through an amendment to municipal liabilities regulation).

To help local governments build housing people need, the Province has delivered a range of tools and funding. This includes:

* the historic $1-billion Growing Communities Fund to support 188 local governments;

* $51 million in grant-based funding to support activities or projects, such as updating housing needs reports, official community plans, and zoning bylaws; and

* $25 million through the Local Government Development Approvals Program.

These new regulatory improvements build on that support by giving municipalities more flexibility to invest in infrastructure more efficiently and with greater confidence.

Ross Siemens, Mayor of Abbotsford, said: “Abbotsford is growing rapidly, and that growth brings an increased demand for upgrades to infrastructure like roads, utilities and community amenities. These changes will make it easier for all growing communities in B.C. to move forward on major projects more efficiently and with greater flexibility. We are grateful to the Province of BC for supporting local governments to better meet the needs of our growing communities.”

Mike Hurley, Mayor of Burnaby, said: “This program is an important step to enable municipalities to build quickly and efficiently, responding to the rapid growth in our communities. We are facing pressing issues – housing and infrastructure – in our cities, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Province to address the needs of our communities.”

Leonard Krog, Mayor of Nanaimo, said: “These regulatory changes are a timely and practical response to the challenges fast-growing communities like Nanaimo are facing. By modernizing borrowing limits that had not been adjusted in decades, the Province is giving municipalities more flexibility to invest in essential infrastructure without unnecessary delays. This will help us move forward on key priorities like housing, transportation and community services, while continuing to manage public finances responsibly.”

Quick Facts:

* The amended municipal liabilities regulation and short-term capital borrowing regulation took effect on June 9, 2025.

* The amendments apply to all 161 municipalities in B.C., except the City of Vancouver.

* The City of Vancouver is governed by the Vancouver Charter, which provides different authorities and requirements related to short- and long-term borrowing.

* In 2024, the local government financial review working group, comprised of staff from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Ministry of Finance and the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM), reviewed the existing borrowing limits and recommended updating.

* The revisions identified would assist communities in funding critical infrastructure more effectively.

Measles exposures notifications for Interior, Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island

24 June 2025

PUBLIC health on Tuesday advised of several locations where people may have been exposed to measles between June 16 and 21.

Seventeen new cases of measles have been reported in Fraser Health, Interior Health and Northern Health regions since June 19. A total of 49 cases have been reported in BC in 2025, with 12 cases currently active.

Public health is following up directly with known contacts of measles cases. However, individuals known to have measles spent time in several public locations. People may have been exposed to measles at the following locations, dates and times:

Chilliwack on June 16:

Mark’s – 45737 Luckakuck Way, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Redwing Shoe Store – 8249 Eagle Landing Pkwy #716, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Walmart – 8249 Eagle Landing Pkwy, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Kamloops on June 16:

Denny’s Restaurant – 570 Columbia St., from 12 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Aberdeen Mall – 1320 Trans-Canada Hwy, from 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Earls Restaurant – 1210 Summit Dr, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Shoppers Drug Mart -1210 Summit Dr. from 9:30 p.m. to 11:35 p.m.

Chilliwack on June 18:

Ahmad Barber Shop, 7325 Vedder Rd #100, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Kamloops on June 18:

Castles and Cottages – 347 Victoria St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

BC Ferries and Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on June 20:

Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal – 1 Ferry Causeway, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
12 p.m. Coastal Celebration ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay
2 p.m. Coastal Celebration ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
6 p.m. Coastal Celebration ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
8 pm. Coastal Celebration ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay

BC Ferries is reaching out to employees and reserved customers who were onboard the identified sailings.

Victoria on June 20:

Hot and Cold Café – #1 – 313 Cook St., from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Surrey on June 20 and 21:

Marriot Civic Autograph Hotel, 13475 Central Ave, Surrey, from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on June 20, and from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on June 21.

What to do if you were exposed

People who are most at risk of getting measles are those born in 1970 or later who are completely unvaccinated against the disease, including children under one year of age.

Contact your local public health team if you may have been exposed and any of the following apply to you:

you are immunocompromised
you are unvaccinated and pregnant
you have a child under one year of age who was exposed
you are born in 1970 or later and are unvaccinated
you are born in 1970 or later and are unsure of your immunization status

The public health team will review your immunity to measles and provide recommendations around potential post-exposure prophylaxis.

Individuals exposed to the measles virus should monitor for symptoms that may develop up to three weeks after being exposed. If you were exposed between June 16 and 21, you could develop symptoms up to July 12.

Public health contact information:

Fraser Health: 604-507-5471
Interior Health: 1-855-549-6364
Island Health
- South Island: 1-866-665-6626
- Central Island: 1-866-770-7798
- North Island: 1-877-887-8835
Northern Health virtual care clinic: 1-844-645-7811
Vancouver Coastal Health: 604-675-3900 or 1-855-675-3900

Find your health authority

Police appeal for public help after youth assaulted in New Westminster park

24 June 2025

ON Monday, June 23 at approximately 3:45 p.m., New Westminster Police were dispatched to Moody Park after several witnesses reported seeing a large group of youth fighting. Callers indicated concern over at least one of the youths being armed with a weapon. Responding officers had reason to believe a firearm may be involved.

When police arrived on scene they found a youth who had been assaulted with bear spray. Officers provided aid to the victim and searched the surrounding area for suspects.

“We’re aware of some of the online conversations and speculation about what happened,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “While we understand the community wants answers, the most effective way to help is by speaking directly with police. If you witnessed the assault or have any information, we urge you to file a formal police report by calling 604-525-5411.”

If you witnessed this incident, or believe your business or residence may have CCTV footage of the suspects leaving the area, you are requested to reach out to the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.

Burnaby to issue open call for operation of Harry Jerome Sports Centre

24 June 2025

THE City of Burnaby announced on Tuesday that it will issue a competitive, open-market process for the future use and operation of the City-owned Harry Jerome Sports Centre.

This City-owned facility, located at 7564 Barnet Highway, opened in 1997 and has been leased to the same tenant for more than 20 years. The building has now reached an age where significant investment is required to keep it in a good state of repair, increasing the need to ensure any future arrangements for the facility offset that cost and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.

The City says that as a responsible steward of this asset, it will soon issue an open call for proposals from potential operators, to test the market and ensure Burnaby residents get the best possible value for this civic asset. Any interested parties—including existing operators—will be able to submit a proposal. The facility currently serves primarily regional users. Through this open call, the City aims to address existing infrastructure needs and position the site to deliver lasting public value in alignment with Burnaby’s evolving needs.

Following the call for proposals, staff will evaluate submissions and return to City Council with a summary of responses, key findings and recommended next steps.

Learn more:

BC Cancer and UBC roll out the fastest PET/CT scanner in Canada

24 June 2025

BC Cancer, in partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC), has rolled out the most advanced PET/CT scanner in the country – a next generation machine that provides fast imaging and is the first capable of whole body imaging from head to pelvis in a single frame. This will provide patients with improved diagnostics and further the development of novel imaging agents and targeted cancer treatments.

“This new PET/CT scanner will be transformative,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, on Tuesday. “People with cancer today will benefit from high-quality images and a more accurate diagnosis. In the future, people who receive a cancer diagnosis could have access to innovative, precision treatments developed through research enabled by this technology.”

The new Quadra PET/CT scanner – the first in Canada – began scanning patients in May 2025. Located at BC Cancer – Vancouver, the new scanner offers the largest field of view among any PET/CT scanners in Canada and can scan faster with higher image quality and less radiation exposure than previous scanners.

“As an oncologist, having access to cutting-edge imaging technology provides the detailed and accurate information I need to create efficient and effective treatment plans,” said Dr. Paris-Ann Ingledew, interim chief medical officer and executive vice-president, BC Cancer. “For our patients, this means precision care with fewer side effects and the best chance at a long, healthy life beyond cancer.”

In addition to elevating cancer imaging, the new scanner will offer researchers at BC Cancer and UBC critical capabilities for the development of new radiopharmaceutical drugs to treat cancer. A growing area of research and innovation is to use radioisotopes to directly target cancer cells in the body. This is enabling a new generation of diagnostics that can detect cancer earlier with lower radiation, and highly precise radiation treatments that have minimal impact on nearby healthy tissues and potentially fewer side effects for patients.

“This new scanner enables research that was previously impossible,” said Dr. François Bénard, Senior Executive Director, Research, BC Cancer and Associate Dean, Research, BC Cancer Research Institute, UBC Faculty of Medicine. “With this technology we can assess new radiopharmaceuticals at extremely low doses, conduct research on early cancer detection with minimal radiation exposure, and provide critical information to foster and evaluate new treatments.”

The purchase of this scanner was made possible as part of a larger research infrastructure grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) awarded to UBC, with Dr. Bénard and Dr. Arman Rahmim as co-principal investigators. The total funding for this initiative includes $6.2 million from CFI and $6.2 million from BCKDF, with an additional $6.1 million from the BC Cancer Foundation.

“This is a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration between leading academic institutions, researchers and clinical partners,” said Dr. Dermot Kelleher, Dean, UBC Faculty of Medicine and Vice-President, Health, UBC. “The research enabled by this next-generation PET/CT scanner will drive future innovations in cancer care that allow us to detect cancer sooner, improve outcomes and enhance quality of life for patients in B.C.”

BC Cancer has the most heavily utilized PET/CT scanners in Canada. This scanner replaces an older unit that has reached the end of its life after 13 years of medical use. Though time is still needed to set up the equipment and comfortably situate the patient, this new technology allows images that previously took up to 30 minutes to be acquired in five minutes or less.

The faster scanning time and high sensitivity of this new PET/CT scanner will enable BC Cancer – Vancouver to expand its research capacity, and eventually increase its scanning capacity. Recruitments are now underway to hire the specialized staff to expand capacity in Vancouver.

The newly-renovated Molecular Imaging and Therapy Department at BC Cancer – Vancouver features a myriad of images of Indigenous art that greet patients as they undergo treatment. Created by Squamish Nation artists Kolten Khasalus Grant and Lyle Williams, the art illustrates the provincial government’s commitment to deliver culturally safe care and, together with a new immersive digital wall serves a therapeutic purpose as it will help to calm patients in a moment of tense anticipation.

B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan outlines steps to better prevent, detect and treat cancers and deliver improved care, while preparing for growing needs, including building more cancer centres in B.C., adding new diagnostic equipment, hiring new physicians and clinical support staff and expanding cancer screening programs.

Quick Facts:

In 2024/25, BC Cancer provided 20,314 PET/CT scans to people with cancer in the province.
PET/CT combines positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scans to evaluate a body’s organs and tissues at a molecular level. PET/CT identifies abnormalities in cells and can show whether a tumour has grown, shrunk or returned.
PET/CT imaging enables physicians to accurately diagnose and stage cancers, determine appropriate treatment options and measure treatment efficacy.
This next generation Quadra PET/CT scanner enables imaging of patients with lower radiation exposure, improved access to the best technology available, shorter wait times due to faster scans, more detailed and dynamic imaging of their cancer, and improved comfort during the scanning process.
The new scanner will also enable new research and drug development to diagnose and treat cancers. From early detection of cancer for patients with genes linked to hereditary cancer to optimized treatment planning and personalized therapies, the scanner will support a wide spectrum of research projects.
There are four publicly funded PET/CT scanners in B.C.:
- Two are located at BC Cancer – Vancouver
- One is located at BC Cancer – Victoria
- One is located at BC Cancer – Kelowna
BC Cancer’s four new cancer centres will add publicly funded PET/CTs to the provincial health care system:
- Two PET/CT scanners in the new Surrey Hospital and BC Cancer Centre
- One PET/CT scanner as part of the new BC Cancer centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
- One PET/CT scanner as part of Burnaby Hospital phase 2 redevelopment and BC Cancer – Burnaby McCarthy Centre
The rollout of the most advanced photon-counting CT scanner in Canada, announced on May 5, is part of B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Care Action Plan, which is centered around improved ways to prevent, detect and treat cancers.

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