Family of Chinese hiker who died in B.C. mountain fall faces ‘enormous’ medical bills

PCs renew calls for CFS inquiry

The Progressive Conservatives renewed calls to put Manitoba’s child and welfare system under the microscope Thursday, tabling a motion that urged the province to appoint a commissioner to lead a public inquiry.

Families critic Jodie Byram’s opposition day motion, which was ultimately defeated by the NDP majority, reiterated demands for an inquiry into the systemic failures of Child and Family Services, more than 20 years after the death of Phoenix Sinclair first prompted demands for answers.

“We have seen far too many children die under the care of CFS, and we need to determine where the gaps are in the system in order to make the system a safer place for children,” Byram told reporters before the motion was defeated in the legislature.

Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine said in an interview that her department, CFS agencies and authorities are “doing good work” and won’t call an inquiry.

Jets goaltender quickly taking on folk hero status with hot start

Stuart Skinner is giving the hometown crowd plenty to cheer about.

The Winnipeg Jets new No. 1 netminder came up with another brilliant performance, making 32 saves — including several of the highlight-reel variety — to propel his team to a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night at Canada Life Centre.

With each save he makes and each win he records, Skinner is doing what he can to help turn the page on the Connor Hellebuyck era.

“I would say that they are big shoes to fill 100 per cent, but I’m not looking into the scenario of filling his shoes,” said Skinner, who lowered his goals-against average to 2.62 and raised his save percentage to .920 through three starts. “My job’s the same job as any other goalie in this league. So it’s a little bit of a difficult question for me to truly answer.”

Sex offender who changed name sent back to prison

The father of a boy repeatedly abused by convicted sex predator Ryan Knight said he believes his son would have been kept safe had there been a law in place preventing sex offenders from legally changing their name.

Klein promises revamped system for mental health, wellness calls

Kevin Klein is promising if elected to pair advanced care paramedics and mental health clinicians in SUVs to respond to some wellness checks, with a goal to treat more patients on scene.

Three such units, with one of each of the specialized staff per vehicle, would be added in each of his first three years in office, the mayoral candidate says.

Through a pilot project, they would help patients primarily with non-violent mental health issues, as well as some less serious medical concerns, if needed.

“The paramedic treats. The clinician connects the patient to care that is not a hallway bed. Together they can cancel the ambulance and the fire truck,” a press release put out by his campaign says.

Family of Chinese hiker who died in B.C. mountain fall faces ‘enormous’ medical bills

VANCOUVER - An outdoor adventure group says a member who died after trying to rescue a companion on one of Metro Vancouver's tallest mountains was a visitor from China, whose family now faces "enormous" medical bills.

The Pacific Northwest Outdoor Association says in an online statement that Yan Cen, who fell about 100 metres on Brunswick Mountain near Lions Bay, B.C., "lost his life while bravely helping another friend."

Lions Bay Search and Rescue says the incident happened on Saturday when a woman in a group of 14 hikers slipped and fell about 20 metres.

Yan then tried to climb down to assist her, but the rescue group says he also slipped and fell further down the steep, snowy terrain, coming to rest just above a waterfall.