State of emergency longest in B.C. history

British Columbia’s state of emergency has been extended for another two weeks, until June 9.

It’s already been in effect for ten weeks due to the Covid pandemic, and by next week, it will be the longest state of emergency in the province’s history, surpassing the 10-weeks of emergency orders for the wildfire season in 2017.

Premier John Horgan said as the province increases its social and economic activities, it’s important not to lose sight of the overall objectives, or to give up progress already made.

“[There is] no likely end in sight. We’ve been making progress and I’m excited about the future, but we also have to recognize we don’t want to give up the ground we have made, collectively and and as individuals,” Horgan told a news conference.

The premier also announced the B.C. legislature will resume June 22, with some MLAs in-person in Victoria and others online.