Author: Julien Lefebvre

As the toxic drug crisis continues to devastate families across British Columbia, the city of Delta is turning grief into action. On August 31, people in Delta came together to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, using the day not only to remember loved ones lost but also to strengthen community-led solutions. The Delta Community Action Team (DCAT) has been at the center of this work. Their efforts focus on addressing three major challenges that fuel the crisis: youth disconnection, lack of access to specialized supports, and the deep stigma surrounding substance use. One of the biggest issues highlighted in Delta…

Delta food and beverage companies are among the finalists for this year’s BC Food & Beverage Rise Awards. The 2025 Rise Awards recognize excellence across the province’s food and beverage sector and highlight innovation, growth, and leadership. Local craft soda maker Popoff is in the running for the Emerging Brand Award. It competes with Vancouver-based Atome Bakery and PrairieGoodnes Snacks. The award is designed for new companies showing strong promise, creativity, and business potential. Popoff, launched by former teacher Jenn Orr in June 2024, produces a “better-for-you, functional” craft soda. The drinks include real fruit, prebiotic fiber, and vitamins B6,…

Delta’s Ladner community came alive Sunday as the Delta Pride Society held its annual Pride picnic, bringing together families, friends, and allies for a day of celebration. The event featured live music, a variety of local vendors, activities for children, and a vibrant display of rainbow flags. One standout attraction was a massive Pride flag hanging from the ladder of a Delta Fire & Emergency Services firetruck, drawing attention and smiles from attendees of all ages. Started in 2018, the picnic has grown steadily each year. Delta Pride Society president Christa Horita Kadach said the event represents more than just…

Delta council has approved moving ahead with a wide-ranging traffic calming plan for North Delta, following more than a year of studies and public consultation. The decision was made last week after city staff recommended the project, which aims to reduce speeding, improve road safety, and create safer conditions for both drivers and pedestrians. The plan focuses on the Royal Your Neighbourhood area, which stretches from 72nd Avenue at 112th Street up to Santa Monica Drive. This zone has been the subject of detailed research and community engagement sessions aimed at identifying traffic issues and finding solutions that balance safety…

Delta’s industrial areas are vital to the city’s economy but face growing infrastructure challenges. This issue will be discussed at an upcoming city council meeting. Councillor Jennifer Johal, who put forward a motion last month, highlighted the importance of Delta’s industrial zones, especially Tilbury and Annacis Island. These areas contribute a large share of the city’s tax revenue and support many jobs. Johal stressed the need for safe and accessible infrastructure. Workers in these zones depend on crosswalks, sidewalks, and transit facilities. However, the current infrastructure has not kept up with the rapid growth and increasing activity in these areas.…

The Delta Hospice Society in British Columbia is now looking to Alberta to establish a secular, euthanasia-free sanctuary hospice. This move aims to avoid B.C. government pressure to allow Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in their care. Angelina Ireland, the executive director of the non-profit society, said she and the board traveled to Alberta in July to explore a possible location for their hospice. “We are actively searching for a property, and we have hundreds of thousands of dollars ready to buy one,” Ireland said in an email interview. “The situation in this country is urgent. The Delta Hospice Society…

Emergency rooms in two British Columbia cities were shut down over the long weekend due to ongoing staffing issues. The closures affected hospitals in Delta and Mission, both managed by the Fraser Health Authority. This left many residents seeking emergency care in nearby towns or waiting longer for medical help. The health authority confirmed that the closures were mainly due to a shortage of doctors and nurses. These temporary ER shutdowns raised concerns among residents and health advocates, who say such problems are becoming more common. The Delta Hospital’s emergency room closed from Saturday evening to Monday morning. During that…

In February 1973, a Delta police detective warned Tsawwassen business owners about a sharp rise in bad cheques and forgery tied to drug use. Detective Ted Thiessen explained how drug addicts were turning to illegal cheque schemes to fund their habits. Thiessen spoke at a Tsawwassen Business Association meeting, describing how people were using nonsufficient funds (NSF) cheques and forged signatures to get money. He highlighted a local case involving five women who ran an NSF cheque ring. These women disguised themselves with wigs, opened bank accounts, and forged numerous cheques by copying signatures from local businesses. The Delta cheque…

A new report reveals that homelessness in Delta has surged by 70 percent between 2023 and 2025. The findings come from the 2025 Point-in-Time Homeless Count for Greater Vancouver, which also shows increases in nearby areas like White Rock and Surrey. Delta recorded the largest rise, with the number of people experiencing homelessness growing from 44 in 2023 to 75 in 2025. White Rock’s homelessness increased by 53 percent, going from 17 people in 2023 to 26 in 2025. Surrey saw a smaller rise of two percent, with 1,060 people counted in 2023 and 1,078 in 2025. The count was…

A doctor from Delta has been recognized for his major contributions to organ transplant research and clinical trials. Dr. Paul Keown received the 2025 Clinical Trials BC Leadership and Advocacy Award for his decades of work in immunology, precision medicine, and organ transplant science. This award, presented by Clinical Trials BC, part of Health Research BC, goes to individuals who show strong leadership and support for clinical trials at different levels. It highlights experts who guide others, promote education, and drive forward new methods that benefit British Columbia’s medical research community. Dr. Keown has spent over 40 years advancing transplant…