7.55^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jul 18, 2025 12:20 PM - The Canadian Press

Minister restores drug funding for B.C. girl with rare disease

Share On

minister-restores-drug-funding-for-b-c-girl-with-rare-disease

The minister says a letter from experts on Batten disease confirmed that there's ``significant disagreement'' about the drug Brineura, which costs around $1 million a year. (Photo - The Canadian Press)

B-C Health Minister Josie Osborne says she's reinstated funding for drug coverage for a ten-year-old Langford girl who suffers from a rare neurodegenerative disease.

Osborne says she spoke to Charleigh Pollock's family on Thursday evening and told them that the funding will be available for as long as her doctor and the family deem appropriate.

The minister says a letter from experts on Batten disease confirmed that there's ``significant disagreement'' about the drug Brineura, which costs around $1 million a year.

Pollock is the only person in B-C with the disease, and one of around 20 in Canada.

Latest news

police-cleared-in-fatal-2024-shooting-of-woman-in-surrey-b-c

Police cleared in fatal 2024 shooting of woman in Surrey, B.C.

British Columbia's independent police watchdog says an officer was justified in using lethal force in the fatal shooting of a woman threatening her baby.The Independent Investigations Office says in a report released Friday that on Sept. 19, 2024, the Surrey, B.C., officer shot the woman who was holding scissors to her baby's neck.The report says the situation was made worse because the woman spoke little to no English, and there were no Spanish speaking services available other than the use of Google translate.Police had responded to a call after someone reported the woman breaking things and

vpd-investigates-pedestrian-fatality

VPD investigates pedestrian fatality

Vancouver Police are investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred last night, and are asking anyone with information to call police. The pedestrian, a 38-year-old man, was struck by a white Tesla at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Western Street September 25 just before 8:30 p.m. Despite life-saving attempts from first responders, the pedestrian died at the scene. The driver of the Tesla remained at the scene. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the collision. Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.

canada-not-part-of-mass-walkout-when-israel-pm-netanyahu-spoke-at-un-general-assembly

Canada not part of mass walkout when Israel PM Netanyahu spoke at UN General Assembly

Canada was not part of a mass walkout this morning during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address as dozens of diplomats from other countries walked out of the chamber. The official presiding over the speeches had to call for order multiple times as delegations, including many from developing countries, rose to leave the room. In his speech, Netanyahu said the "disgraceful decision" by countries like Canada to recognize a Palestinian state will encour

talks-to-resume-between-b-c-government-and-its-public-service-union

Talks to resume between B.C. government and its public service union

Talks are resuming between the union representing British Columbia's public service workers and the provincial government. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union, says the government has reached out to the union saying it has a new offer and negotiations will start again on Monday. Finch says union pickets will remain up. The union has been conducting escalating strike action over the last four weeks, with up to 15,000 workers conducting job actions including picketing and overtime bans. Finch told a gathering in Victoria that there has been unprecedented level

transportation-department-tightens-noncitizen-truck-driver-rules-after-fatal-crash-in-florida

Transportation Department tightens noncitizen truck driver rules after fatal crash in Florida

The Transportation Department will immediately tighten up the requirements for non-citizens to get commercial drivers licenses after three fatal crashes this year in Florida, Texas and Alabama that officials say were caused by immigrant truck drivers who never should have received licenses. The nationwide audit of these licenses began after a fatal U-turn crash in Florida that killed two people caused by a truck driver who officials said was in the country illegally. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said also threatened to revoke $160 million in federal funding for California because inve

Related News

post card alt

Canada not part of mass walkout when Israel PM Netanyahu spoke at UN General Assembly

Canada was not part of a mass walkout this morning during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address as dozens of diplomats from other countries walked out of the chamber. The official presiding over the speeches had to call for order multiple times as delegations, including many from developing countries, rose to leave the room. In his speech, Netanyahu said the "disgraceful decision" by countries like Canada to recognize a Palestinian state will encour

post card alt

Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.2 per cent in July

Statistics Canada says real gross domestic product grew 0.2 per cent in July, the first increase in four months. However, its early estimate for August indicated that real GDP for that month was essentially unchanged. The agency says the growth in July was driven by goods-producing industries which grew 0.6 per cent for the month. The mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector added 1.4 per cent in July as mining and quarrying, except oil and gas, rose 2.6 per cent. The oil and gas extraction subsector grew 0.9 per cent in July. The manufacturing sector grew 0.7 per cent as durable g

post card alt

Unionized postal workers on strike after plans to end most home delivery announced

Unionized postal workers are on a nationwide strike this morning, after Canada Post announced it was planning to end door-to-door mail delivery for almost all households within the next decade. Procurement Minister Joel Lightbound said the move is among sweeping changes aimed at shoring up the Crown corporation's finances in response to a decline in letter mail and its small share of the parcel market. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, representing 55,000 members of the postal service, said it was caught off guard by the changes and argued that Canada Post and the government are creating t

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2024 AKASH BROADCASTING INC.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

BC Children's Hospital