B.C. drowning deaths rise as safety groups urge life-jacket use

British Columbia is seeing a sharp rise in drowning deaths this year, according to the B.C. and Yukon Lifesaving Society. The group says at least 30 people have drowned in the province so far in 2026, about 50% more than at the same point last year. The latest death reported by police happened at Hayward Lake in Mission, where a 58yearold man fell from a paddleboard and drowned. Officials said he had limited swimming ability and was not wearing a personal flotation device. Safety advocates say many of the incidents this year have involved swimmers, boaters, kayakers and paddleboarders who were not wearing lifejackets. They are urging people to wear proper flotation gear, stay within their skill level, and plan water activities carefully, especially in rivers, lakes and coastal waters where most drownings occur.