Auditor raps B.C. on missing women

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s auditor general rapped the province Thursday for dropping its public progress reports on a commission of inquiry that reviewed the disappearances of 67 women — some of them victims of serial killer Robert Pickton — from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Carol Bellringer said the tragedies continue to affect families and communities, and the government must keep British Columbians informed of its progress in meeting more than 60 recommendations from the inquiry.

She said the government stopped public reporting in 2014, two years after former attorney general Wally Oppal tabled his report.

Attorney General Suzanne Anton said the government accepted Bellringer’s report and will resume public reporting next year, three years after its last report.

Blast of winter weather on the way

VANCOUVER — British Columbians are being warned to pack their toques and mittens as a winter storm blows into the region.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement, saying an intense Pacific storm will bring significant snowfall to much of Vancouver Island and the south coast starting Thursday evening.

Officials predict a mix of snow and rain through the weekend.

The agency has also issued an Arctic airflow warning for several areas on the north and central coast, as well as around Whistler, where strong wind and chilly temperatures will lead to wind-chill values near –20 C throughout the day.

Minister defends probe into death

EDMONTON — Alberta’s human services minister says he didn’t botch an investigation into the death of a girl in government care and rejects opposition calls for his resignation.

Irfan Sabir said Thursday he is committed to fixing a system that has been broken for years and failed the four-year-old girl named Serenity.

“We do recognize that we have failed many children, many Serenitys, but it’s time to take action,” Sabir said at a legislature news conference.

Sabir’s department has been criticized in recent weeks for its handling of Serenity’s death, which was outlined three weeks ago in a report by child and youth advocate Del Graff.

Leaked reports to the media revealed that Graff’s office was not told that an emaciated and hypothermic Serenity was taken to hospital in September 2014 with dilated pupils and multiple bruises, including around her pubic area. She had an extensive brain injury, was put on life support and died soon after.

In the two years following her death, there were delays and secrecy over her autopsy as well as about police and government investigations. No one has been charged.

Calgary Zoo says 7 penguins drowned

CALGARY — The Calgary Zoo says seven of its Humboldt penguins drowned in their holding area.

Jamie Dorgan, director of animal care, says an investigation has begun to try to figure out what happened.

“Very, very shocked to come in this morning and find that we had seven Humboldt penguins dead in their pool,” Dorgan said Thursday.

“We didn’t see it coming at all. Everybody looked great when the zookeeper left (Wednesday) at 4 o’clock and yeah, we’re very surprised.”

They drowned in the holding room pool — their exhibit had been closed at the time for maintenance.