Vancouver Rundown Friday July 18, 2025

Jul 18, 2025

Summary

David Eby’s NDP government has finally backed down and will reinstate funding to cover an extremely expensive drug for a little girl who is dying of a rare disease. Ten-year-old Charleigh Pollock’s Brineura infusions cost close to $33,000 a dose - and the province will reverse its decision to end coverage following outrage from politicians, medical professionals and the general public. The Langford girl suffers from Batten disease - a very rare condition that is likely fatal.

Other news…

Two veteran MLAs have been turfed from David Eby’s Cabinet. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg and Citizen Services Minister George Chow have been stripped of their portfolios. The Cabinet shuffle sees Ravi Khalon moving to Jobs Minister while Christine Boyle takes over Housing. Eby has linked the continuing U.S. trade war to his decision to shake up the roles.

Two people have been rescued after a small float plane flipped off Lasqueti Island Thursday morning. Neither are seriously hurt. A local boater helped in the rescue effort.

Five Metro Vancouver beaches are closed to swimming due to high levels of E.coli. Warning signs have gone up at West Vancouver’s Dundarave Beach and Vancouver’s Trout Lake, Sunset Beach and Third Beach. Lions Bay is also closed to swimming. High levels of E. coli are linked to both human and bird shit.

Increasing cloudiness Friday. A slight chance of showers. Inland highs near 25C. A mix of sun and cloud for Saturday with the chance of showers. Cloudy on Sunday. Here are the latest conditions from our private weather station in Surrey.