Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
(Dr. Bonnie Henry/Province of British Columbia Flickr)
The BC Ministry of Health reported 2,090 new cases of COVID-19 for a four-day period on Tuesday, October 12th.
There have been 194,581 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Day-to-Day Breakdown:
Friday-Saturday: 603
Saturday-Sunday: 634
Sunday-Monday: 468
Monday-Tuesday: 385
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 229
Fraser Health: 814
Island Health: 292
Interior Health: 404
Northern Health: 351
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 5,183 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
186,955 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 357 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 153 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
28 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,029.
Data by Vaccination Status:
From October 4th to 10th, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 68.1% of cases. From September 27th to October 10th, they accounted for 73.7% of hospitalizations.
Past week cases (Oct. 4-10):
Total: 4,341
Not vaccinated: 2,649 (61.0%)
Partially vaccinated: 310 (7.1%)
Fully vaccinated: 1,382 (31.8%)
Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Sept. 27-Oct. 10):
Total: 383
Not vaccinated: 253 (66.1%)
Partially vaccinated: 29 (7.6%)
Fully vaccinated: 101 (26.4%)
Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Oct. 4-10):
Not vaccinated: 281.3
Partially vaccinated: 84.4
Fully vaccinated: 33.1
Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 27-Oct. 10):
Not vaccinated: 40.3
Partially vaccinated: 12.3
Fully vaccinated: 2.3
Outbreaks
The workplace and communal-living outbreak at Fort St. John – Site C (Northern Health) has been declared over.
There have been two new health-care facility outbreaks at West Shore Laylum and Evergreen Manor (Fraser Health).
There are a total of 19 active outbreaks:
Long Term Care: Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, The Residence in Mission, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor, Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre, Cherington Place, West Shore Laylum (Fraser Health), Cottonwoods Care Centre, Joseph Creek Care Village, Overlander, Village by the Station, Haven Hill Retirement Centre (Interior Health) and Wrinch Memorial Hospital (Northern Health).
Acute Care: Mission Memorial Hospital (Fraser Health) and University Hospital of Northern BC (Northern Health).
Assisted or Independent Living: Sunset Manor, Evergreen Manor (Fraser Health) and Cooper Place (Vancouver Coastal Health).
Island Health:
Island Health reported 54 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region and 550 active cases.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 257 │Total Cases: 4059
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 235 │ Total Cases: 4272
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 58 │Total Cases: 1186
42 people remain in hospital with 28 in ICU.
There were 5 new deaths reported in the Island Health region today, and a total of 77 deaths on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
As of Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, 88.8% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.6% received their second dose.
In addition, 89.3% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 83.3% received their second dose.
To date, 7,978,015 (+40,801) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,830,063 (+18,987) of which are second doses.
Nanaimo RCMP are investigating after shots were fired into a Nanaimo home on Sunday afternoon.
The incident, which is believed to be targeted, took place around 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 10th, in the area Nicol and Needham Streets.
Police said they received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire being directed at a derelict residence located near the intersection.
The residence is known to be used by persons who are marginalized and involved in the Nanaimo drug culture.
Officers were on scene within minutes and searched the interior of the home. No one was located inside the structure.
About 20 minutes after the shooting, Nanaimo RCMP were advised that a man had arrived at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with injuries thought to have been caused by gunfire.
His injuries were non-life-threatening and he was treated and released.
Following an investigation, police said they have arrested one man and one woman, who were found in a vehicle driving southbound along Nicol Street.
Both individuals are known to police.
Police said they were later released from custody while the investigation continues. Their vehicle was seized as part of the investigation.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
BC’s indoor mask mandate now includes children five and older.
At their weekly COVID-19 update BC health officials, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix, announced the new requirement for children in all indoor settings.
The move aligns with the mask mandate for schools in BC which expanded to include staff and students in kindergarten to Grade 3.
The list ranks fifteen Canadian universities based on thirteen categories including Student Awards, the Student/Faculty Ratio, Faculty Awards, Total Research Dollars, Scholarships and Bursaries, Student Services and more.
Last year, UVic tied for second place with the University of Waterloo on Maclean’s list.
This year, the university moved up in the rankings, tying for first place with SFU.
According to Maclean, universities in this category have a significant amount of research activity and a wide range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, including professional degrees.
Compared to other Canadian universities, UVic rated third in Student Awards, 5th in the Student/Faculty ratio, first in Faculty Awards, second in Total Research Dollars, third in Scholarships and Bursaries and fifth in Student Services.
West Shore RCMP are investigating an incident where the doors of a local COVID-19 vaccine clinic were glued shut.
On September 29th, staff at the COVID-19 vaccine clinic located at 174-2945 Jacklin Road contacted West Shore RCMP after a man caught on camera allegedly glued the door locks of the clinic.
The glue rendered the doors inoperable, making the entry impossible. The clinic was closed at the time of the incident.
Investigators obtained video surveillance and are looking to identify the suspect.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian man in his 50’s with a moustache and medium build standing 5’8” tall.
At the time of incident he wore glasses, a beige Tilly hat, blue plaid shirt, blue jeans, black and white shoes, and a black poncho with yellow inside.
“While we understand that not everyone shares the same beliefs during this pandemic, this act of mischief is a criminal offence and will be treated as such” saidCst. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the West Shore RCMP.
West Shore RCMP are asking anyone with information to call them at 250-474-2264.
A young Vancouver Island woman’s battle with bone cancer is inspiring millions around the world.
Victoria resident, Emily Cox, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2019 after a pain in her knee amplified after a hike in Whistler.
From then, her life was full of appointments and treatments including ten rounds of chemotherapy and an operation in which she had the bottom half of her femur and knee joint replaced.
The treatments were a success and for two years Emily lived cancer free.
Unfortunately, at 24-years-old, Emily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma for the second time. This time, amputation of her left leg was the best course of action for her survival.
In a now viral TikTok video which has amassed 41.1 million views, Emily counts down the days until her surgery.
The video appears to have inspired millions and opened up the conversation around young amputees and osteosarcoma— a cancer with no root cause that typically affects children, teens, and young adults.
“Sharing my story helps others; connecting with people who have gone through similar experiences is so nice because it can be really difficult to relate to others, but when you find someone that you can genuinely relate to, it’s extremely rewarding,” Emily told Buzzfeed.
“By sharing my story and showing people my story, it has really inspired others.”
Now, a GoFundMe has been set up to assist Emily’s recovery.
The fundraiser is to help raise funds for a prosthetic leg—which costs upwards to $75,000—and the types of therapy, equipment and medications necessary for Emily’s recovery.
“We are creating this fundraiser with a goal to help significantly reduce the financial burden this surgery is having on Emily and her family,” said the GoFundMe.
“Emily is a positive, hilarious, kind, and beautiful girl who deserves to be so much more than her cancer diagnosis and surgeries.”
As of this publication, the GoFundMe has raised over $32,000 with a goal of $75,000.
Additionally, a virtual yoga class will take place on Sunday, October 24th, with all proceeds going to assist Emily’s recovery.
If you want to follow Emily’s incredible journey you can also follow her on Instagram.
Despite all that has gone on in the tumultuous year that was 2021, there is still so much out there to be grateful for.
And in this season of thankfulness, it’s important not to forget about those less fortunate; such as hospital patients, people undergoing life-changing surgeries and even car crash victims.
Transfusions from blood donations can literally mean life or death for those people, some who may not survive without them.
The need for blood transfusions is actually a lot more common than you may think; in fact, more than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions each year in North America alone.
Though this can seem daunting, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – and it could be you!
Through the power of blood donations, you have the ability to help – and it doesn’t cost a thing.
Not only just during the holiday season, but also next month and next year, the need for blood is constant, and this is where Canadian Blood Services comes in.
You have the power to save lives not just now, during the holiday season, but all year long; and it’s something we all have within us.
Every 60 seconds someone in Canada needs blood, and as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues, many in the community have stepped up to do their part in helping the world navigate such uncertain times.
Now, there is still a demand for blood donations, and to keep the ball rolling, so to speak, CBS is still looking for donors throughout the busy holiday season.
If you’re looking for a way to give back to your community this holiday season, Canadian Blood Services urges you to come out and roll up your sleeves; there’s even a free cookie in it for you!
Donating blood during a pandemic; is it safe?
Short answer: Yes!
Canadian Blood Services wants to reassure people that it is still completely safe to donate amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
All workers at the blood donor clinics practice physical distancing whenever possible, and they’re continuing to take infection control measures at all of their facilities.
To ensure everyone’s safety, surgical face masks provided by Canadian Blood Service must be worn within our donor centres.
How to donate
Ready to roll up your sleeves and become a donor? Here are a few simple steps to you get started:
Not eligible to donate blood, or just want to give a little extra? There are lots of ways to join Canada’s lifeline!
You can donate your time as a volunteer with CBS, which is priceless, and on top of that, not only can you make financial donations to Canadian Blood Services, you can also launch online fundraisers, or even donate your car.
Although Canada has been welcoming American visitors through the border since early August, non-essential travel by Canadians into the states remains restricted.
This means, when the sailings resumed, only Americans were able to take advantage of the Clipper service.
Now, the Seattle Clipper has announced they will be suspending service until Spring 2022.
A recent notice posted to the ferry’s website reads: “Our fast ferry service is currently suspended until Spring 2022. Please check back for updates, thank you.”
“We knew that it would be a challenge to relaunch our international fast ferry service heading into shoulder season and given the current ongoing circumstances and travel repercussions of the pandemic,” said David Gudgel, CEO of FRS Clipper.
“Nonetheless, we needed to test the market and unfortunately the 72-hour PCR test requirement prior to arrival into Canada proved to be a significant barrier to travel for many of our guests,” said Gudgel.
According to the company, ridership has not picked up enough to cover the cost.
Although the boat can fit up to 500 passengers, the boat is currently only taking trips with fifty to sixty passengers.
The final boat docked in Seattle Monday night and 500 people will need to be issued refunds for advanced tickets.
With freshly frozen meals crafted by chefs who care, using carefully honed recipes with whole foods that are sourced from as close to home as possible, this new business is worth a visit.
Where to find them: 800 Yates Street, #109 (located in the Atrium)
Beer lovers rejoice! There’s a new brewery in town. The goal of Herald Street Brew Works is to offer a unique tasting room experience that is both enjoyable and educational.
Parents can now register their kids aged 5 and over for a COVID-19 vaccination in British Columbia.
Registration is available on the province’s Get Vaccinated website despite Health Canada not yet approving a COVID-19 vaccination for this group.
In September, Pfizer and BioNTech announced successful trials with their COVID-19 vaccine in five- to 11-year olds. Last week, they expressed how they will be appealing to Health Canada for authorization, and that by mid-October they hoped it would be approved.
If approved, children will receive a smaller dose – close to a third of what those aged 12 and older receive.
Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix will provide a COVID-19 update for British Columbians Tuesday afternoon.
The Pfizer vaccine is based on mRNA technology and was administered to children during trials using a similar two-dose regimen administered 21 days apart. Pfizer and BioNTech said their COVID-19 vaccine trials have induced a robust immune response in elementary-school aged children.
From erratic driving, fleeing police to running into the Gorge Waterway, one man was the subject of much police attention Sunday evening.
In a tweet Thanksgiving Monday, Saanich Police said they received a 911 call for dangerous driving and when officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled from police.
Not long after, police received a second 911 call after the same car crashed nearby. The 911 caller said they saw the driver running into the Gorge Waterway after the crash.
VicPD, along with police service dog Koa, assisted Saanich Police in searching for the driver—Koa eventually tracked the driver hiding at a nearby residence.
Saanich Police said the driver in possession of over $5,000 in cash and what they believed to be drugs.
The driver was also believed to be impaired by drugs, was on bail at the time, and was arrested for five separate criminal allegations in this incident.
Then another 911 was received when the car crashed nearby and the driver was seen running into the Gorge Waterway. Victoria PD officers arrived to assist and Police Service Dog Koa tracked the driver who was hiding at a nearby residence…
— Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit (@SPD_Traffic) October 11, 2021
Helmcken House, is one of the oldest residences in Victoria, and is believed to be haunted by Dr. Helmcken and his daughter.
For those who didn’t know, Victoria is considered one of most haunted cities in British Columbia.
Almost every building in the downtown core has a ghost story.
Some say it’s a result of our Wild West beginnings during the Gold Rush, when the streets were full of fortune hunters, pleasure houses, saloons, public hangings, and opium dens – back when vice was around every corner.
Or perhaps the desecration of native burial sites released spirits that could not rest. Maybe it is the position of alleged “ley lines” in the area – natural rock formations – and the surrounding salt water believed to be a conductor of paranormal energy.
Whatever the reason, Victoria’s spooky reputation has stuck around for years. So, in anticipation of Halloween, we’ve compiled some of the most famous active locations of paranormal activity in the city.
As can be expected, most center around what was once Fort Victoria, the foundation of our town.
Bastion Square, in the heart of Victoria’s Old Town, is considered the most haunted part of the city. Formerly known as Fort Victoria, these are the grounds from which the city of Victoria grew.
Prisoners were once transported through the square to the courthouse, jail, and for hangings behind the Maritime Museum. Almost every building around the historic square is believed to host some level of paranormal activity.
Considered the most haunted edifice in Bastion Square, the old Provincial Courthouse (Formerly the Maritime Museum Location) was built on the site of Victoria’s gallows.
The bodies of executed men who were buried in unmarked graves still lie under the building. Judge Begbie (who has come to be called “The Hanging Judge”) presided over the hangings during the town’s Wild West days. He, as well as former inmates, are believed to haunt the building.
Helmcken Alley that leads onto Bastion Square, used to be the site of a jail, where those scheduled to be hanged were housed. It is believed that in the 1850’s a prisoner was being transported when a guard beat him and he died in the alley. Many who walk here claim to have been followed by a man in chains or to hear the sound of rattling.
Right behind Helmcken Alley, in the basement of the Rithet Building, is the site of the original Fort water well. Legend has it that in 1858 a young First Nations boy was paid by a miner to retrieve a kettle he had dropped into the well. Unfortunately the boy slipped and fell, and was buried by falling debris.
In 1978 while the buildings were being renovated, the well was uncovered and restored as a centerpiece. It is believed that the boy’s spirit was then released and can be seen walking and playing around the lobby, before disappearing into the well.
The pub was a place where many of those heading for the gallows had their last meal, on Judge Begbie no less, who was actually not too fond of the death penalty.
However, its main ghost is believed to be that of former owner, Mike Powers, who was ambushed and brutally murdered by two attackers over 100 years ago. He can be seen resting by the fireplace on chilly nights.
Two ghosts are said to be active in this former restaurant. They are thought to be the ghosts of a man named “Brady” and his companion “Lady Churchill” or “Charlotte” who dined here regularly, before Brady came to a violent end.
One night, Brady was waiting for Charlotte at the pub when he got into a fight. His opponent smashed a bottle and slashed Brady’s throat. He staggered out behind the pub and soon after died from his injury. Many believe that Brady and Lady Churchill meet here again and again to relive their happy times together. They can be detected by the sudden smell of cigar smoke and heavy perfume.
Old Morris Tobacconist is a sumptuous heritage building with original polished wood cabinets, onyx pillars, and leaded glass. It is thought to be haunted by the ghost of a former employee, who died suddenly in the upstairs workshop. His footsteps and the sound of cupboard doors opening and closing are often heard when no one is upstairs. Poltergeist activity has also been reported, such as items flying off shelves and lightbulbs exploding. Strange activity and feeling of being watched, also occur in the basement.
His footsteps and the sound of cupboard doors opening and closing are often heard when no one is upstairs. Poltergeist activity has also been reported, such as items flying off shelves and lightbulbs exploding. Strange activity and feeling of being watched also occur in the basement.
John Murchie established his blended teas in Canada’s west in the 1890’s. Toward the back of the shop there is a set of stairs leading down to Langley Street.
The cause of Murchie’s abnormal activity is unclear. Though it looks normal enough, the Langley Street staircase is apparently inhabited by a poltergeist. Lower doors slam out of nowhere, small objects are thrown by unseen hands, and the adjacent elevator mysteriously activates itself.
The location of the original Roger’s, where Charles and Leah Rogers started making chocolates in the back of their grocery store in 1885.
Originally, the couple did not make milk chocolate, which Charles loathed, but the company began to make it after their deaths.
Thereafter employees regularly found milk chocolate strewn on the floor, as well as items rearranged. Once, a customer who had thrown out a sample he did not like, felt it flung on the back of his head – yet nobody was behind him.
Another mysterious incident saw the unexplained appearance of a child’s handprint on the mirror in the a corner of the store.
The 1913 turn-of-the-century European-style building has seen some of the world’s greatest performances. It is also the site of ghostly activity, with the apparition of a man sighted and attendees feeling “stabbed.”
Also known as “The Old Burying Ground” Pioneer Square was a cemetery from 1855 to 1873 and still contains more than 1,300 bodies beneath its surface.
When it was deactivated as a burial site and turned into a city park around 1908, the council simply removed dozens of stone markers, and the park’s manager at the time resigned after community anger. The spirits of those desecrated graves are believed to wander the park.
The ghost of Adelaide Griffin, Victoria’s first official ghost sighting, on Christmas 1861 haunts the grounds. Robert Johnson, who slit his throat in a house across the street in the 1870s, can also occasionally be seen reenacting his death.
Following a scandalous personal life that included a divorce, affair and apparent mistreatment of his former wife, the famous architect Francis Rattenbury escaped to England. When he encountered financial woes, his new young wife began an affair with their teenage chauffeur, who then killed Rattenbury in a savage attack.
The architect was laid to rest in an unmarked grave. His young wife then killed herself with multiple stabs by a dagger to her chest, before throwing herself into a river.
Rattenbury’s apparition – a thin man with a mustache, walking with a cane – can be seen from time to time. He is believed to have come back to the sites of his former glory days to get the recognition he did not find in England. Look for him at the Parliament Buildings and The Empress Hotel.
Built in 1852, Helmcken House is the original family home of Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken, the first doctor in the city. When he became gravelly ill, to comfort him, his daughter Dolly would play the piano late into the night.
After he passed away, she maintained his room just as he had left it. At night the sound of the piano can still be heard and Dolly is sometimes seen floating past the attic windows. Some visitors report seeing Dr. Helmcken join his daughter at the piano.
Victoria’s landmark hotel is thought to be haunted by multiple ghosts! Along with architect Francis Rattenbury iwalking the halls (See The Parliament Buildings above). A maid on the sixth floor also still cleans after death.
During the 1960’s, a construction worker saw a shadowy figure swinging from the ceiling, it turned out another worker had hanged himself there a year earlier. The area in question was converted into luxury suites.
Guests have also reported an elderly woman knocking on doors and looking lost. She leads those helping her toward the elevator. At one time the Empress, in order to generate income, rented its rooms to those looking for long-term accommodation, which often included the elderly. She is thought to have been one such long-term resident who died of old age and then haunted her room. That room, however, was demolished to make space for an elevator, leaving her lost in the hotel.
The Queen Anne style home of the Pendray family is reported to be haunted by a father and son. William J. Pendray had built a soap factory on sacred Songhees burial land. The soap factory burned down the day it was set to open.
He then rebuilt a new factory on the same site, this time with pipes in the ceiling for sprinklers. A pipe came loose and smashed him in the head, killing him instantly. One of his sons also killed when he was thrown by a horse. People who stay in room 15 – the Gatsby Mansion’s honeymoon suite – are often terrified by a floating head disrupting their sleep.
The childhood home of Emily Carr and a place of some of her happiest memories, today the house is a museum. However, the ghost of the famous painter has apparently been back to visit over the years. Prior to the provincial government buying the house, it was used as an arts centre. Volunteers reported that every time they tried to hang exhibits up for a new show, the pieces would fly off the walls.
Operating since 1911, between 1942-1945 the hotel was run as a priory by a Catholic order. Emily Carr came to stay as a patient, following a stroke. She painted in what is now the upstairs lobby and her portrait on the wall greets visitors.
On March 2, 1945, Emily died of another stroke. Her room was where the men’s washrooms are now in the James Bay Inn Pub.
The hotel is supposedly the site of very strong paranormal activity. People report a feeling of being watched, phones ringing at odd hours of the night, lights flickering, and a fire upstairs turning itself on. Emily Carr’s ghost is sometimes also seen floating around the pub and in some of the first floor bedrooms, particularly haunting anyone who criticizes her artwork!
One of Victoria’s most famous hauntings, and to date an unsolved murder: The Beacon Hill Doppelganger.
In the late 1970’s, witnesses saw a tanned woman with long blonde hair standing on top of a rock around the Superior and Douglas entrance, with her arms above her head and mouth wide open, looking up at the sky. This went on for many months.
Then, in November 1983, a body was found in a shallow grave under some bushes near the rock where the blonde woman had been. Shortly after that, a woman with fair skin and long dark hair was seen standing on the same rock morning after morning, repeating the behavior of the woman from the 1970’s. She looked like the woman who had been murdered and was the exact inverted image of the earlier apparition. Except – there was no doubt about it – she was not a real human. Hence the name Doppelganger, which is a German word for one’s double and considered to be a harbinger of death.
The Bent Mast is a James Bay restaurant and pub in a 1884 house. The house has been – at different times – a rooming home, a brothel, four different restaurants, and an erotic art gallery. Staff openly acknowledge the presence of several ghosts! There’s a happy child, a cranky old man who hides things in the kitchen and harasses women, and an older, matronly figure on the main floor who gives the pub warmth.
The second floor, where the washrooms and meeting room are, is also an area of strong ghostly activity. Visitors report feeling dizzy, pressure in their chest, and even somebody pushing them to leave.
Founded in 1858, the academy was originally a convent, but from 1863-1970’s also operated as a Residential School for First Nation girls.
People have heard children’s voices and described an eeriness in many parts of the complex. A young woman who died there from an illness has been seen dressed in white standing by the sun-dial on the front lawn. Visitors have also heard the bell toll mysteriously and there was even a report of (the busy spectr!) of Emily Carr.
Nuns who passed away were buried on the grounds of St. Ann’s, until 1908, when a plot in the northeast corner of Ross Bay Cemetery was opened for them. The sisters who had been buried at St. Ann’s before the new cemetery was established were finally moved to Ross Bay in 1974. Some say they have seen the ghosts of nuns on the grounds, which may be due to the original graveyard.
The Gate of Harmonious interest in Chinatown was built to scare away evil spirits. However, many still feel the ghosts of the past as they make their way down Canada’s narrowest street – Fan Tan Alley.
Once the center of opium dens and “Fan Tan” gambling rooms, a young Chinese man pushed his way through and hid here after killing a prostitute. She had spurned his advances, and in revenge he brutally killed her. She was given a proper burial, in order to appease her spirit and there have never been reports of her haunting. The man, however, is said to still run down Fan Tan Alley, pushing people out of his way.
In the late 1800s, Market Square teemed with sailors and gold prospectors seeking adventure and fortune. It was bustling with hotels, saloons, and shops that outfitted thousands of miners on their way to the Klondike gold fields.
Until about 1900, a ravine and stream ran through Market Square, separating what is now Johnson Street from Pandora Avenue, before it was diverted underground. This is significant, as many believe water is a conduit for the paranormal!
The square is known to be a central haunt for numerous spirits, believed to be those of past fortune seekers. Each store within the market has allegedly experienced poltergeist activity and sightings of various ghosts.
Staff openly admit that this theater is actively haunted. A “man in grey” believed to be a previous manager who took his own life has been seen.
Numerous other spirits are reported to roam the building. A specter called “The Frenchman” appears outside on the corner of the street in October. Poltergeist activity, such as objects being moved, has also been reported.
Formerly called Hotel Douglas, the building was constructed in 1911 by a Chinese merchant. It closed in 2007, and after extensive renovations, reopened as Hotel Rialto in 2009. Behind the front desk is the only door to the basement. In the past, the basement was briefly used as a morgue. Employees have reported an mysterious knocking on the door, despite nobody being in the basement.
Located n Trounce Alley, the lane itself has a colorful history. Built privately by Thomas Trounce, the alley gave him access to buildings he owned on either side of the alley. The City forced him to put up gates at each end to keep it “private.”
Secure and well lit, it became a popular rendezvous point for prostitutes and their clients. Tapa Bar staff and customers have reported seeing a woman in period costume under tables. Lights in the washroom have also been observed flickering.
A popular theater for plays and musicals, this Rockland building started life as the carriage house and barn of “The Laurels” – the home of the Robert Ward family, built in 1876. There is an apparition called “The Lady in the Loft” which has been seen by both performers and patrons.
Ross Bay is one of the most visually arresting cemeteries in British Columbia, as well as the final resting place of Emily Carr and Sir Douglas, among many others. Some believe its ghostly activity is a result of it’s proximity to the sea – salt water conducting spirits!
Ross Bay Cemetery is noted for several resident ghosts, including: Isabella Ross, the first woman in British Columbia to own land, whose farm stood where the cemetery is now and after whom it takes its name; David Fee – who was murdered on the steps of St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Christmas Eve in 1890; and a mysterious, elderly couple dressed in fancy Victorian attire who sometimes glide along the western side of the cemetery.
The golf course has the most well-known spirit in Victoria, called the “April Ghost.” Doris Gravlin was a thirty-year-old nurse and mother, who had separated from her alcoholic husband, a former reporter named Victor.
One day in September of 1936, they arranged a meeting to discuss a reconciliation. Her severely beaten and shoeless body was found days later on the golf course by a caddie and showed signs of strangulation. Her husband was also missing and his body was found floating in the ocean near the golf course a month later. He had Doris’s shoes in his pocket.
There have been many sightings of her apparition, typically in March, and why she became the “April” ghost is a mystery. The 7th hole is where she is often seen. She appears in many forms, from wearing a simple brown suit in the afternoon, to a white apparition later at night. Between 9:30pm and 10pm is the most common time to catch a glimpse of her.
She sometimes plays havoc with motorists passing the golf course when she crosses the street and even enters their cars. It is believed that if an unmarried couple see her, they will never wed.
28 – Glenlyon Norfolk School (junior campus)
Glenlyon Norfolk School (junior campus) (ItkasanImages)
The former home of architect (and famous apparition) Francis Rattenbury is now the junior campus of Glenlyon Norfolk School. The caretaker has arrived in the morning to hear mysterious noises and footsteps in the school but no trespassing alarms go off. Cold spots and moving objects such as books in the library have also been reported. Others have seen white hands and figures near the large tree next to the building, and apparitions in the windows.
Built in the late 1800’s by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, Craigdarroch is now a National Historic Site. But many visitors feel this castle is also a hub of ghostly activity! The building saw countless souls pass through its walls while it served as a military hospital, a college, government offices, and music conservatory.
Joan, the wife of Robert Dunsmuir, is thought to be one of the apparitions that appear. Some report hearing whispers, objects moving right in front of them, a child sobbing, and the piano playing on its own. Phantom burning candles are often smelled, as this was the scent that Joan enjoyed.
People have also reported seeing a woman in a white dress standing alone by a window in the ballroom. You can now even take a Google street view tour of the interior of the castle and perhaps see something other eyes have missed!
Point Ellice House is a Victorian museum set amidst restored gardens and located beside the Gorge waterway. The house was home to the O’Reilly family for 125 years. It is believed to be haunted by the O’Reilly’s, perhaps because of its proximity to water (conduit for paranormal activity), the noise and chaos of the industrial zone in which it now exists, or the tragic accident that happened right near its shore.
Children and adults have reported being given tours by members of the family. A woman in a blue dress has been one such mystery tour guide – Kathleen O’Reilly wore the same blue dress. Voices have also been heard.
The house is also located across from the former Point Ellice Bridge (Bay Street Bridge) which collapsed on May 26, 1896, due to an overloaded street car. 55 people perished in the water nearby, making it the worst accident in Canadian transit history. There are reports of a mysterious red glow that appears at night above the water where the passengers perished.
Hatley Castle was built in 1908 for Lieutenant Governor James Dunsmuir and his wife Laura. The first ghost sighting was by their daughter Eleanor, who saw a spirit of a young man in the Japanese garden, who she believed was her brother Jim Jr., who had died in battle.
Eventually, the castle was turned into a naval military academy. Many of the cadets quickly reported being dragged by someone out of bed in the middle of the night. Some think this was Mrs. Dunsmuir trying to prevent these young men from going to war, or perhaps she was searching for her departed soldier son.
There are also reports that the Dunsmuir’s servant Annabelle can be seen near the third floor window, where she committed suicide after being jilted by a lover. Pots have also been heard banging in the vacant kitchen, and a white figure has drifted by. Ten years ago, countless such stories even prompted Royal Roads University staff to call in a paranormal research society to explore the castle!
Have you seen or experienced anything “paranormal” in any of these places?
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP are investigating a serious collision that involved a pedestrian on the Pat Bay Highway Friday night.
The incident occurred at around 11:15 p.m. on Highway 17 near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
A pedestrian was struck in a serious collision involving a single vehicle north of McDonald Park Road in the northbound lane.
The female pedestrian was taken to hospital and police say she is now in stable condition.
Police are asking anyone who might have dashcam video that could help them with investigation to contact them.
Anyone who witnessed the collision and or the pedestrian in the moments leading up to the collision is asked to please contact the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP at (250) 656-3931
This is one doozy of a weekend we’ve got ahead of us, folks.
It’s turkeyfest time, but likely lesser known, it is also World Mental Health day on Sunday.
Coincidence? Yes. But terribly convenient for the thesis of a comedy op-ed.
Forgetting the colonial hangups and problematic tropes of this fall holiday, the core message of Thanksgiving — literally, giving thanks — still has some truck with me.
For my family, it was always just a time to eat my mom and sister’s delicious food, along with my brother’s epic baking. My father, brother-in-law, and I, the culinarily inept members of the family, were happy to be treated like decadent Jabba the Hutts. For the bounty we received (the food one, not the Han Solo one; I’m out of the Jabba metaphor now), we were very grateful.
But as the ol’ song goes, don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone?
With COVID-19, I won’t be seeing my family, or much of anyone, this year. And I don’t think I appreciated how much that can mean until now.
Even so, I’ve become more grateful for the times I had, and am ever-more-hopeful for the times that are hopefully ahead.
But I get that it can be hard to see hope right now. I get that platitudes about taking stock of the good things in life, “being thankful” for what we have, grinning despite this incredibly sucky time in history in an incredibly sucky world… It’s a bit much to ask.
I think we ought to try, though, if for no other reason than an overabundance of melancholy cynicism and a shortage of compassion, empathy and kindness seems like a bad way to get ourselves out of this mess.
See, I think that kind of pessimism, the kind that punishes even attempts at hope, is paralyzing. Enjoy nothing. Be thankful for nothing. Be angry at everything, all the time. Is that really how we want to rebuild a better world?
So, I put it to you to at least make the effort. Here, I’ll start us off.
I am thankful for…
This dog
If you aren’t a regular Ford on Friday reader, let me please introduce you to Bailey.
This magical creature is the legendary pitbull-corgi of Victoria, a beast of plenty who brings joy and delight in her wake. If you’re ever interested in meeting her, she can occasionally be seen along Dallas Road once in a blue moon or so.
This Island
When you really stop and think about it, we live in absolute paradise. I cringe my half-white ass inside-out that we are sitting on stolen land that rightfully belongs to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, but I hope I can at least offer up that I take that privilege seriously and am devoted to preserving the environment and natural beauty this wondrous land offers.
We. Are. Lucky. Here.
This column
I have gotten to write about one-star reviews in Victoria, a seagull crapping on me, the time I found Roger the Marmot, and more. I’m not going to lie: when I started this and attached my email address at the end of each piece, I thought for sure I’d be getting non-stop hate mail.
Only two emails have ever been cruel to me. Other than that, people have written in with incredibly kind feedback, or, at worst, constructive criticism that I have taken to heart. You guys are amazing. Thank you.
These tomatoes
Can you believe this? I can’t.
Seriously, you guys, back in Calgary I was barely capable of maintaining a snake plant, and those things are supposed to be more unkillable than Rasputin on Coke. But out here, I’ve got a wicked little garden going, and I am so dang proud of these tomatoes I practically set up college funds for them. God-dang.
This life
Listen, I know things are tough out there. I consider myself privileged, even as I’m still hacking away at personal debt amassed during my unemployed COVID time, and I barely make $30K a year in a city where rent is ballooning out of control. But I know there are people reading this who have it harder than me, and who will have a hard time even making a short list like this of things to be grateful for.
But I want you to try, not because I believe in empty ideas of positive thinking for mental health, but because I want you to be here, in this life. I want you to stay in it, engaged and looking for things to celebrate, or thinking of the things that would make the world more hopeful. We spend so much time right now focussing on what’s wrong, I worry that we won’t ever think of what can be good.
And that would be a shame, because there are good things out there worth fighting for, making change for, and being thankful for. You remember those, cause each day in this life is another chance they could come your way.
Welcome to Ford on Fridays: a weekly column where Victoria Buzz staff writer Tim Ford offers his thoughts on life, love, and the pursuit of the perfect joke.
This column is for comedic purposes only. Please feel free to send feedback, thoughts, and [constructive] criticisms to tim@victoriabuzz.com.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 743 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, October 8th.
There have been 192,491 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 69
Fraser Health: 265
Island Health: 70
Interior Health: 143
Northern Health: 196
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 5,969 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
184,121 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 360 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 137 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
5 people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,001.
Data by Vaccination Status:
From September 30th to October 6th, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 69.4%. From September 23rd to October 6th they accounted for 76.7% of hospitalizations.
Past week cases (Sept. 30 to Oct. 6):
Total: 4,667
Not vaccinated: 2,925 (62.7%)
Partially vaccinated: 313 (6.7%)
Fully vaccinated: 1,429 (30.6%)
Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Sept. 23 to Oct. 6):
Total: 450
Not vaccinated: 310 (68.9%)
Partially vaccinated: 35 (7.8%)
Fully vaccinated: 105 (23.3%)
Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 30 to Oct. 6):
Not vaccinated: 290.9
Partially vaccinated: 88.3
Fully vaccinated: 34.5
Past two weeks,cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 23 to Oct. 6):
Not vaccinated: 48.0
Partially vaccinated: 15.5
Fully vaccinated: 2.4
Outbreaks
There have been two new health-care facility outbreaks at Cherington Place (Fraser Health) and Haven Hill Retirement Centre (Interior Health).
The outbreak at Royal Inland Hospital (Interior Health) has been declared over.
There are a total of 17 active outbreaks, including:
Long-Term Care: Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, The Residence in Mission, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor, Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre, Cherington Place (Fraser Health), Cottonwoods Care Centre, Joseph Creek Care Village, Overlander, Village by the Station, Haven Hill Retirement Centre (Interior Health) and Wrinch Memorial Hospital (Northern Health).
Acute Care: Mission Memorial Hospital (Fraser Health) and University Hospital of Northern BC (Northern Health).
Assisted or Independent Living: Sunset Manor (Fraser Health) and Cooper Place (Vancouver Coastal Health).
Island Health:
Island Health reported 70 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region and 510 active cases.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 244 │Total Cases: 3921
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 213 │ Total Cases: 4120
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 53 │Total Cases: 1161
39 people remain in hospital with 25 in ICU.
There were no deaths reported in the Island Health region today, and a total of 72 deaths on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
As of Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, 88.6% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.2% received their second dose.
In addition, 89.1% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 83% received their second dose.
To date, 7,937,214 (+16,144) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,811,076 (+6,559) of which are second doses.
Monsters Haunted House is back once more, at a brand new location that’s sure to spook even the bravest ghouls and goblins this year.
This Halloween, you’re invited to experience the old Landmark University Heights Movie theatre in a new, spine-tingling way.
In October, the space that once held the movie theatre will be transformed by Monsters Haunted House to this year’s eerie ‘University Frights Theatre’ event.
Where: Landmark Movie Theater, University Heights Shopping Centre – 3980 Shelbourne Street
When: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. More dates are available around Halloween!
Tickets: $20 +tax each. Tickets can be purchased here.
No, you haven’t been transported back in time, this is real! Legacy Drive-In has announced showtimes for their Halloween themed movies at Westshore Motorsports Park.
This weekend, see Scary Movie and Pan’s Labyrinth from the comfort of your car as you enjoy food by Westshore Burger Co.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and it is recommended patrons arrive 30 minutes before showtime to ensure they get the best spot.
Where: Westshore Motorsports Park (formerly Western Speedway) 2207 Millstream Road
When: Scary Movie: 8:00, Friday October 8th and Pans Labyrinth: 8:00, Sunday October 10th
After being closed for nearly two years, Hecklers is back to fulfill your comedy needs. Every Saturday night enjoy a comedian followed by Comedy Here Often?’s The Late show.
Where: 123 Gorge Road East, Hecklers Bar and Grill
When: Andrew Grose and Michael Harrison 7 p.m., Saturday
Comedy Here Often? The Late Show: 10 p.m., Saturday
Tickets: $20. Tickets can be purchased online here.
It is the last weekend for Sooke’s Country Market! Browse through the vendors selling everything from fresh produce, jewelry, gardening supplies and more.
2021 marks Moss Street Market’s 30th season in operation. If you prefer contactless pick up, you can visit the online Moss Street Market to pick up your order.
Every Sunday in October, you can take a spooky, guided walking tour through Ross Bay Cemetery. Learn about the history of Victoria as well as about some of those who have settled there (Sir James Douglas, Emily Carr, Billy Barker and more).
This Sunday, the tour is titled ‘Scottish Columbia’. The tour will feature stories of some of the Scottish pioneers who are at Ross Bay Cemetery.
The Sidney Street Market is back! After a prolonged COVID-19 absence, the market has returned to a new location at the Mary Winspear Centre. While you’re there, be sure to check out Glory Bakehouse for some delicious brownies.
Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Sunday through October 10th
Tours of Craigdarroch are back! Tours are available Friday, Saturday and Sunday with tickets purchased in advance. Proceeds from tickets fund the ongoing castle restoration projects.
For more information on tickets, prices and to book your tour, visit the Craigdarroch Castle website here.
If you’re looking for a new series to watch on Netflix, check out ‘Maid’.
The series, which was filmed entirely in the Greater Victoria area, is based on the memoir “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” by Stephanie Land.
As restrictions ease, workout classes are finally re-opening and going back to regular capacity.
If you are interested in trying something new but want to try out some different workouts before committing to a lot of money we have a list of 15 new-member deals at local fitness studios!
BC was recently named Canada’s #1 staycation destination! Which means we are envied by the rest of Canada for our beautiful views, nature and relaxing environment.
Plan a staycation on our very own island with this list of 10 unique Airbnb getaways right here at home!
On a local subreddit, r/VictoriaBC, user fyrite asked the public to share their favourite local dishes, the go-tos, the ones people can’t live without.
Victoria delivered, and over 300 recommendations were posted to the thread.
Fyrite took the recommendations and created a mass spreadsheet and map to allow the suggestions to be easily accessible and enjoyed by everyone!
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, location has a huge impact on the quality of your running experience. Pick a cool morning or break out the running shoes later in the day when everything cools down. If you’re not sure where to go for your run, we have created a list of 10 scenic routes just waiting for you to explore!
Hatley Castle is a well known and allegedly haunted monument in Victoria. The Castle was built in 1908 for a Lieutenant and his family and eventually turned into a naval military academy.
Over the years, many ghosts have been spotted within and around the castle. Although the guided tours are not running at this time, visitors are welcome to visit the gardens. Controlled access will be in place to ensure a 50 visitor capacity limit at this time.
When: Garden access is open to the public between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m daily.
This Halloween, Frankenstein will wreak havoc in the hallowed halls of the Craigdarroch Castle.
Beginning October 9th and running until October 30th, this four-night, one-man version of Mary Shelley’s classic horror story, Frankenstein, will take place in the Castle’s dance hall, located on the fourth floor.
Where: Craigdarroch Castle
When: October 9th, October 16th, 23rd and 30th.
Tickets: $30 ($25 for members). Tickets can be purchased onlinehere.
Every Sunday in October, you can take a spooky, guided walking tour through Ross Bay Cemetery. Learn about the history of Victoria as well as about some of those who have settled there (Sir James Douglas, Emily Carr, Billy Barker and more).
On October 31st, the Annual Ghost Tour will take place. Tour guides note that some of the graves’ occupants may come to life to tell their tales.
Monsters Haunted House is back once more, at a brand new location that’s sure to spook even the bravest ghouls and goblins this year.
This Halloween, you’re invited to experience the old Landmark University Heights Movie theatre in a new, spine-tingling way.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., ghosts and ghouls will be ready to meet you at every turn. Closer to Halloween, more dates are available to visit University Freights Theatre.
The event reminds all attendees that weapons and costume masks are not permitted.
Where: Landmark Movie Theater, University Heights Shopping Centre – 3980 Shelbourne Street
When: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October. More dates are available around Halloween!
Tickets: $20 +tax each. Tickets can be purchased here.
On October 30th, Avalon Books and Treasures will be putting on a huge sale in celebration of Halloween. Spell kits, crystal sales, ghoulish gift ware, herbs, candles, tarot and oracle decks will all be on sale for you to enjoy.
Psychic tarot readings, palmistry and mediumship readings will also be available. Contact the shop via their Facebook page to book your spot.
After two years of distanced and virtual events, the Royal Victoria Marathon is back!
This Sunday, October 10th, participants will be running in a half marathon and 8km race around Dallas Road and Fairfield.
So if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, get out and cheer on the participants!
As a result, roads will be closed in Victoria’s Inner Harbour as well as along the entirety of Dallas Road and through Fairfield.
Traffic and parking along the route will also be disrupted during the road closures.
Many of the road closures begin in the early morning hours Sunday.
A detailed list of the road closures can be found below:
12:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Belleville Street between Oswego and Government streets
4:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Dallas Road between Cook Street and Ogden Point
3:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Menzies Street between Belleville and Superior streets
7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Belleville, Pendray, Quebec, Montreal, Kingston, St. Lawrence and Erie streets at Dallas Road. Beacon Hill Park including Park Boulevard and Heywood Way. Cook Street from Chapman Street to Dallas Road.
9:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Ross Bay Cemetery to Fairfield Road
9:55 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Fairfield Road to Quamichan Street
The delta-driven fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be levelling off nationally, according to officials from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
According to chief public health officer of Canada, Theresa Tam, both public health measures and vaccinations nationally are contributing to the levelling off.
With at least 80% of the eligible population in Canada with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, Tam said this bodes well for the upcoming respiratory season and Thanksgiving weekend.
With the levelling off, the number of new cases across the country could decline in the coming weeks.
Last year, Thanksgiving weekend was said to have prompted the second wave of COVID-19.
“With the level of vaccine coverage that we have achieved in Canada to date, we are much better protected going into the respiratory infection season, and today’s modelling update shows that by maintaining basic and less restrictive measures such as masking and limiting close contact, we could reduce the impact of COVID-19 this winter,” Tam said.
While the fourth wave has levelled out, Canadian health officials are still concerned about overwhelmed health care systems in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
“Over the past month, lessons have been hard learned where measures were relaxed too much or too soon—and especially where vaccination coverage remains low—providing further cautionary tales on the relentless behaviour and severe impacts of this virus,” said Tam.
As the Thanksgiving weekend is upon us Tam said that despite it being an awkward conversation, asking whether guests are vaccinated could help in preventing COVID-19 transmission.
Tam also iterated that masking should remain in place to avoid a winter surge of cases.
New data from the BCCDC regarding the last week of September reported that unvaccinated people are now 53 times more likely to die from COVID-19—17 times more than the week prior.
After a year and a half of job uncertainty, industry restrictions and lock downs, Canada is finally seeing employment rates return to a pre-pandemic normal.
According to Statistics Canada, employment in the country rose by 157,000 jobs in September, marking the fourth consecutive month of increase in employment rates.
The surge was more than double the number of new jobs than economists were expecting.
This increase means employment in the country returned to it’s February 2020 level, just prior to the beginning of the pandemic.
The increase in employment was concentrated in full-time work, among people ages 25 to 54 and across multiple industries and provinces.
The number of people working from home was 4.1 million in September, down from 5.1 million in April 2020.
In the same month, Canada’s unemployment rate also fell 0.2% down to 6.9%. This is 0.9% lower than in February 2020.
From May to August, employment in the accommodation and food sector saw a gain of 211,000 new jobs.
However, in September, the sector saw a loss of 27,000 jobs.
Statistics Canada says the job gains were widespread, but concentrated in full-time work and evenly split between the public and private sector.
Island Health has announced the COVID-19 outbreak at Victoria Chinatown Care Centre long-term care home is now over.
On September 19th, two residents tested positive for COVID-19. No other cases in residents or staff members were identified.
Island Health has implemented several strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in long-term care, acute care, assisted living, and licensed facilities.
As a result of the outbreak being declared over, the following will occur at Victoria Chinatown Care Centre:
Extensive cleaning, as part of standard end-of-outbreak protocols commenced October 6th
Pre-planned visitors and outings will resume October 12th
Admissions and transfers will resume October 12th
Resident movement around the home will resume
Diligent infection prevention measures and appropriate use of personal protective equipment for staff and visitors will continue.
There are currently 16 active outbreaks at long-term care, acute care and assisted or independent living facilities in the province.
There are currently no health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Beginning November 22nd, BC Hydro will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from all employees across the province.
BC Hydro employs more than 6,000 people in British Columbia.
Additionally, the company will require all of its contractors and subcontractors to be fully vaccinated by January 10th, 2022.
The requirements will apply to everyone working at any BC Hydro work sites including the Site C dam in northeastern British Columbia.
“BC Hydro will continue to work with its employees, unions, and contractors in the coming weeks to further define the vaccination policy and provide details for accommodations for those who are unable to be vaccinated due to a medically-approved exemption,” BC Hydro said in their release.
Government workers across the province are also required to be fully vaccinated, the BC Public Service Agency announced earlier this week.
According to the company, more than 2,000 of its employees have already reported their vaccine status and the vast majority are confirmed to be either fully or partially vaccinated at this time.
As of this publication, there are currently 5,929 active cases of COVID-19. Of that number, 373 people are in hospital with 132 being in ICU.
VicPD are working to locate wanted man Thomas McDonald for multiple charges.
McDonald was arrested and charged for a series of files including theft, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, assault, failure to appear in court and involvement in the trafficking of fentanyl to at-risk persons in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue.
McDonald is 49 years old, Caucasian, 5’11” and weighs 225 pounds.
He has short brown hair, brown eyes, and a brown and grey goatee.
If spotted, VicPD reminds the public to not approach McDonald, but to call 911 instead.
If you have any information on the location of McDonald, call VicPDat 250-995-7654.
To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
New data from the BCCDC regarding the last week of September is reporting that unvaccinated people are 53 times more likely to die from COVID-19 – 17 times more than the week prior.
According to the data, of the 283 new hospitalizations between September 23rd and September 28th, four out of five hospitalizations were unvaccinated.
To date, 100% of these new cases are the delta variant.
BCCDC reports that Interior and Northern health are experiencing lower vaccine coverage among younger individuals.
At a media availability today, Premier Horgan said he is aware of the “small percentage [of people not getting vaccinated] and they appear to be in very certain areas [of the province].”
In the last week of September, fully vaccinated individuals represented 70% of BC’s total population, but accounted for only 29% of cases and 15% of hospitalizations.
While there have been rising case rates in children and youth, luckily, they have not translated into more hospitalizations.
As of this publication, there are a total of 373 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 132 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
Of those cases, 43 of those are in hospitals around the Island Health region, 22 are in ICU.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 624 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, October 7th.
There have been 191,748 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 78
Fraser Health: 258
Island Health: 79
Interior Health: 118
Northern Health: 91
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 5,929 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
183,406 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 373 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 132 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
4 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 1,996.
Data by Vaccination Status:
From September 29th to October 5th, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 70.8% of cases and from September 22nd to October 5th, they accounted for 78.3% of hospitalizations.
Past week cases (Sept. 29-Oct. 5):
Total: 4,840
Not vaccinated: 3,117 (64.4%)
Partially vaccinated: 309 (6.4%)
Fully vaccinated: 1,414 (29.2%)
Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Sept. 22-Oct. 5):
Total: 429
Not vaccinated: 302 (70.4%)
Partially vaccinated: 34 (7.9%)
Fully vaccinated: 93 (21.7%)
Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 29-Oct. 5):
Not vaccinated: 304.2
Partially vaccinated: 86.8
Fully vaccinated: 34.3
Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 22-Oct. 5):
Not vaccinated: 46.1
Partially vaccinated: 15.5
Fully vaccinated: 2.1
Outbreaks
There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks.
The outbreaks at Jubilee Lodge (Northern Health) and Victoria Chinatown Care Centre (Island Health) have been declared over.
There are a total of 16 active outbreaks, including:
Long-Term Care: Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, The Residence in Mission, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor and Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre (Fraser Health), Cottonwoods Care Centre, Joseph Creek Care Village, Overlander, Village by the Station (Interior Health) and Wrinch Memorial Hospital (Northern Health).
Acute Care: Mission Memorial Hospital (Fraser Health), University Hospital of Northern BC (Northern Health) and Royal Inland Hospital (Interior Health).
Assisted or Independent Living: Sunset Manor (Fraser Health) and Cooper Place (Vancouver Coastal Health).
Island Health:
Island Health reported 79 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region and 616 active cases.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 310 │Total Cases: 3885
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 248 │ Total Cases: 4088
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 58 │Total Cases: 1153
43 people remain in hospital with 22 in ICU.
There has been one new death reported in the Island Health region today, and a total of 71 deaths on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
As of Thursday, October 7th, 2021, 88.5% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.1% have received their second dose.
In addition, 89.0% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 82.8% have received their second dose.
To date, 7,921,070 (+12,238) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,804,517 (+4,719) of which are second doses.
Bubble zones intended to protect health care workers may soon be introduced at hospitals and schools, the province confirmed this morning.
“The Province is planning to introduce legislation to ensure that the ability to safely access and provide critical services at facilities such as schools and hospitals is not impeded while the right to peaceful protest is respected,” a representative for Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, said.
The legislation is expected to be tabled this fall.
Talks of legislation came after anti-vaccine passport protestors took to Vancouver General Hospital and disrupted health care service on September 1st.
Separate, but similar, protests also occurred at elementary schools in Salmon Arm, which forced schools to go into a lockdown.
Nobody was injured and the protestors left without incident.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Trudeau said that his government will also be putting forward federal legislation making protesting at hospitals illegal.
“We will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to threaten or harass health care workers,” Trudeau said.
Both Alberta and Quebec have introduced similar legislation of which BC is proposing.
UPDATE: In a media release on October 7th, Nanaimo RCMP confirmed Jonathan Jones has been located, safe and sound.
— original:
Nanaimo RCMP are seeking the public’s help in locating a missing 30-year old man.
Jonathan Jones was reported missing by his family to the Nanaimo RCMP on October 3rd, however, he has not been in contact with his family and friends in over five weeks.
According to Jones’ family, this is out of character for him and they are concerned for his safety and well-being.
Jones is of no fixed address and frequents downtown Nanaimo. His last known location was a tent in Bowen Park.
As a result, RCMP have patrolled throughout Nanaimo and corresponded with emergency shelters and outreach teams in the area in an attempt to locate Jones.
Jones is described as Caucasian, 5’5″, 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone who spots Thomas is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
A household painkiller sold in Canada is now under recall for incorrect maximum daily dosing labelling on their bottles.
According to Health Canada’s recall, Novo-Gesic Forte/Acetaminophen tablets sold in Canada starting August 3rd 2021, sold in 500 mg tablets, detailed incorrect information on their labels that could lead to liver damage or an overdose.
The labels incorrectly instruct customers that they can safely consume 9 to 12 tablets a day of the 500 mg tablets (4,500mg to 6,000mg) per day.
However, according to Health Canada, the total amount of acetaminophen consumed in one day should not exceed 8 tablets (4,000 mg). Exceeding 8 tablets (4000 mg) of acetaminophen could result in overdose.
Teva Canada has now issued a recall for the product with DIN 00482323, Lot #’s 35364729A and 35217483A.
Customers who believe they have taken the recalled painkillers are instructed to stop using the products. If you believe you have exceeded the daily dosing maximum, you are instructed to call your local poison control centre or emergency health care services immediately.
Signs of acetaminophen overdose include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, sweating, loss of appetite and pain in the upper part of the abdomen or stomach. Abdominal pain may be the first sign of liver damage and may not be apparent for 24 to 48 hours.
If you have questions about the recall, you can contact Teva Canada by calling 1-800-268-4129, or emailing customer.service@tevacanada.con.
Looking for all of the convenience without all of the waste?
Triden has got you covered – and not just in bubbles.
Revolutionizing the way you clean your hands – and body, and hair! – Triden has created a product that not only provides a quick, convenient solution to storing and dispensing soaps and sanitizers, they do so while aiming to help the environment.
Here’s how
The cleaning-products industry contributes massive amounts of plastic waste because there’s been little to no innovation in their methods of dispensing – billions of plastic soap bottles and sanitizer cartridges are produced every year.
This is where Triden comes in, with their line-up of eco-friendly, stainless steel dispensers for both homes and businesses.
Their line of soap and sanitizer dispensers are refillable and completely touchless, meaning not only are you doing your part to help the environment by using them, you’re also doing so safely.
How they work
Triden offers both shampoo/conditioner dispensers and soap/hand sanitizer dispensers, and here are their perks:
Shampoo/conditioner dispenser for the modern home
Wall-mounted – unlock the full potential of your home by utilizing your walls so you can choose exactly how you want to design your dream room
Stainless steel – you deserve a little luxury in your life. The durable body is expertly crafted with corrosion-resistant stainless steel for a brilliant metallic finish
Touch-free sensor – simply place your hand below the soap dispenser to enjoy the convenience of touchless technology.
IPX7 waterproof – Stay protected with Triden Dispensers which are engineered to protect you and your loved ones in your home
Soap/sanitizer dispensers for the modern business store
Comes in wall mount, table top, or floor stand models
Touchless Dispenser – To dispense, simply swipe your hand below to activate the infrared motion sensor
Bulk Refill – Stop buying those small, expensive bottles and switch to buying in bulk. Fill your dispenser with any and all brands of liquid soap or hand sanitizer.
Stainless Steel Shell – First impressions matter. Building brand loyalty starts at the front door. The metallic finish leaves a positive and lasting impression.
Adjustable Liquid Supply – Choose between 5 liquid supply settings that meet your needs – their liquid levels are designed to help you save up to 75% off product expenses compared to pump bottles and other dispensers
Ready to make your life a little easier? Order your dispensers online today – we even snagged a sweet discount for 20% off for all of our readers with the code: VICBUZZ
Even better, we’re giving away 3 dispensers for one lucky winner to try for themselves, including:
1x Single Triden Mini Soap & Shampoo Dispenser
1x Double Triden Mini Soap & Shampoo Dispenser
1x Triple Triden Mini Soap & Shampoo Dispenser
Here’s how to win them:
LIKE Triden on Facebookand comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
FOLLOWTriden on Instagramand comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
SHARE this post on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on October 20th. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
A man who was deemed a missing person last week was the subject of a large police search in Saanich Wednesday afternoon.
Saanich Police and officers with the integrated police dog team were searching for Robert Gray, a man wanted on a mental-health warrant who they say poses a danger to himself and others.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. today, a large number officers flooded the area of McKenzie Avenue and Quadra Street searching for Gray.
He was spotted by officers several times but fled the area and was seen running through backyards on McBriar and Ambassador Avenue. He was last seen around 3:30 p.m. in the area of Greenridge Crescent and Quadra Street.
“There are significant concerns for his mental well-being,” said Const. Markus Anastasiades said.
Gray is described as a 30-year-old Caucasian male, standing 5’10’ tall and weighing about 170 pounds with long blonde curly hair in a high pony tail and blue eyes.
Police said he was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt and dark beige pants but may be actively changing his clothing.
The public is advised to call 9-1-1 immediately if they see Gray.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 752 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, October 6th.
There have been 191,124 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 85
Fraser Health: 297
Island Health: 76
Interior Health: 164
Northern Health: 130
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 5,945 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
182,786 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 350 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 136 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
9 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 1,992.
Outbreaks
There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Mission Memorial Hospital (Fraser Health). The outbreaks at The Hamlets at Westsyde (Interior Health) and Louis Brier Home and Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health) have been declared over, for a total of 18 active outbreaks, including:
Long-Term Care: Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, The Residence in Mission, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor and Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre (Fraser Health), Cottonwoods Care Centre, Joseph Creek Care Village, Overlander, Village by the Station (Interior Health), Wrinch Memorial Hospital, Jubilee Lodge (Northern Health) and Victoria Chinatown Care Centre (Island Health).
Acute Care: Mission Memorial Hospital (Fraser Health), University Hospital of Northern BC (Northern Health) and Royal Inland Hospital (Interior Health).
Assisted or Independent Living: Sunset Manor (Fraser Health) and Cooper Place (Vancouver Coastal Health).
Island Health:
Island Health reported 76 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region and 659 active cases.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 342 │Total Cases: 3855
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 264 │ Total Cases: 4052
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 53│Total Cases: 1142
39 people remain in hospital with 22 in ICU.
There has been one new deaths reported in the Island Health region today, and a total of 71 deaths on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
As of Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, 88.4% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.9% received their second dose.
In addition, 88.9% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 82.7% received their second dose.
To date, 7,908,832 (+13,857) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,799,798 (+10,619) of which are second doses.
During a press conference today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized for his vacation to Tofino during the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation last week.
Trudeau flew to the remote Vancouver Island tourist destination last Thursday, intending to spend time with his family when most were observing a day meant to honour Indigenous victims of residential schools.
“Travelling on September 30th was a mistake and I regret it,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau said he apologized to the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc First Nation Chief Rosanne Casimir over the weekend.
Trudeau had received at least two invitations to spend the day with survivors and their families of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, who uncovered the unmarked graves of 215 children at a residential school site in Kamloops earlier this year.
A journalist with Global News filmed the prime minister walking along a beach last Thursday, where Trudeau declined to comment.
It may seem a bit early to be thinking about the holiday season, but the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) has given us an early present this year with a highly anticipated announcement.
The Lights of Wonder holiday celebration is back! The DVBA purchased the whopping $500,000 light installation back in 2019 which brought over 75,000 people to Victoria’s downtown core.
After missing a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the holiday event returns to decorate downtown Victoria in an abundance of festive lights.
This December, the free, accessible, and all-ages outdoor light display will be held once again in Centennial Square.
This year, Starlight Investments is the new title sponsor for the event.
“We are honoured and excited to support the DVBA’s Lights of Wonder event this holiday season,” said Starlight Investments’ Andrew Browne, Senior Development Manager,
“This event offers residents of all ages from all over the region some magic and fun and we feel that is more important now, than ever before.”
The 2021 Lights of Wonder will include community performances and food vendors to keep you entertained and satisfied as you take in all the lights.
Stay tuned for more information as it is released!
Lights of Wonder
Where: Centennial Square
When: December 16th through December 31st, including on Christmas Night.
Henley & Partners ranks 199 passports of the world according to the number of countries their holders can travel to visa-free.
“Generally, visa requirements are a reflection of a country’s relationship with others, and take into account diplomatic relationships between countries, reciprocal visa arrangements, security risks, and the dangers of visa and immigration regulation violations,” Dr. Christian H. Kälin, chairman of Henley & Partners, told the Telegraph in 2017.
The list is determined by which 227 countries of which the passport holder can enter. Topping the list was Japan and Singapore. Passport holders from each country can enter 192 countries visa-free.
Canada (184) was one point behind the United States and the United Kingdom (185) in the top 25 most powerful passports.
Angola (50), Egypt (51), and Burundi (51) bottomed out the list.
Since Henley & Partners began ranking, Canada reached its highest ranking at the #6 spots twice, in 2006 and 2010.
Japan has remained within the top 10 since ranking began, falling lowest in 2010, at Canada’s highest position, at #6.
The world’s 25 most powerful passports
1. Japan, Singapore, 192 countries can be visited without a visa
2. German, South Korea, 190
3. Finland, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, 189
4. Austria, Denmark 187
5 France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden 187
6. Belgium, New Zealand, and Switzerland, 186
7. Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, Norway, United Kingdom, United States 185
In a press release today, the provincial government announced the inauguration of a new council set to give young people a platform to help shape future government policy.
The StrongerBC Young Leaders Council will be made up of youth aged fourteen to twenty-six from various backgrounds and locations across the province.
The council will provide ongoing feedback directly to Brittny Anderson, the Premier’s special adviser on youth.
“This is an exciting opportunity for young people across B.C. to meet like-minded leaders who want to make a difference,” Anderson said,
“This new council gives our future leaders a voice, and our government is committed to listening to that voice as we look to shape our province for generations to come.”
The council will aim to bring together a passionate and influential group of youth who are Indigenous, Black or people of colour, who live in rural or remote areas, young people living with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ and other young leaders from equity-seeking communities.
Those interested in being a part of the StrongerBC Young Leaders Council must first go through an application process in order to be considered.
Successful applicants will be appointed for a one-year term, attending a mix of in-person and virtual meetings every three months.
Meetings will cover topics such as economic recovery, the environment and natural resources, climate change, education, housing, mental health and other areas important to youth.
Once completed, they will have the option to continue with the council for up to three years.
“As a youth leader in B.C. and a high school student looking into the future, I feel it is vital for young people to learn how to tap in and engage with the opportunities and resources that interest and assist them, said Sophia Nguyen, interim chief executive officer of the B.C. Youth Council,
“I encourage youth to apply for the StrongerBC Young Leaders Council to help our society be better prepared for the future by communicating to the government what matters most to youth.”
Victoria Royals hockey is officially back in action, and this season there’s a long list of themed events that fans won’t want to miss!
Though the Royals home-opener kicked off on a not-so-spectacular foot with a 5-0 loss to the visiting Vancouver Giants, the club hopes to hit the ground running (skating?) with this full lineup of fan-friendly games.
From beer and bratwurst to a Halloween Spooktacular, here are six must-see Victoria Royals happening at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre this month:
Not-So-Spring Fling
Friday, October 8th
Social media “Frosh Week” will lead Victorians to “Pledge” their loyalty to the Blue in this collegiate inspired evening.
HOCKTOBERFEST
Saturday, October 9th
Enjoying the company of others with beer, music and bratwurst!
Tasty Tuesday
Tuesday, October 12th
“Cheap eats” at SOFMC concessions allows fans to indulge in the game and their favorite treats at a favorable price. Friends don’t let friends miss out on these deals.
Way Back Wednesday – 60s Night
Wednesday, October 13th
First throwback done in style, going back to the 60’s black and white HNIC era of television, bright and bold patterns as well as Woodstock inspired fashion in the stands. Peace!
Esports & Tech Night
Friday, October 22nd
Each year, EA Sports launches the new NHL game in early Oct. This season, the Royals delight gamers by celebrating Esports all around SOFMC.
Royals Halloween Spooktacular on Outdoors Night
Saturday, October 23rd
Celebrate Halloween by partaking in the Royals’ Frighteningly Fun Trick-or-Treat around SOFMC. A nightmarishly amusing evening for kids big and small, on Outdoors night no less!
Single-game tickets for all of the above games are available online and at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre box office.
Ticket prices start at $25 for students, seniors and corner seats, $30 for sides and ring, and go up to $39 for Premium Club seating.
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre will be welcoming a half-capacity crowd, in accordance with provincial public health guidelines. Additionally, the arena will require all employees and guests born 2009 or earlier to show proof of vaccination before entering.
Guests required to show proof of full (two dose) vaccination by providing their vaccine passport plus ID.
Those that are 12 and over will also be required to wear a mask at all times.
The Victoria Royals will take on the Kelowna Rockets this weekend in back-to-back games at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
The two teams first meet Friday at 7:05 p.m. for the Royals “Not-so-Spring Fling” which promises to be a night of collegiate fun and Royals pride. Then on Saturday, also at 7:05 p.m., the team celebrates Octoberfest with their very own version of “Hocktoberfest” featuring a $10 royal dog, pretzel and sauerkraut concession offer and special performances from Victoria’s Edelweiss Club.
VicPD announced this morning that they are reassigning seven officers to be redeployed to their patrol division.
Officers are being reassigned from the Capital Regional Distrct’s Integrated Road Safety Unit (CRD-IRSU), the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit-BC (CFSEU-BC), and the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET).
Chief Del Manak cited officer injuries, both physical and psychological, combined with the volume, complexity and severity of recent calls.
In September, a total of four officers were allegedly assaulted in three separate incidents.
While he was observing the ceremony after giving a speech, a woman walked up and poured liquid down Manak’s back from behind—he was not physically harmed.
Changes and shifts to VicPD are expected to take effect on November 7th and VicPD said this change will meet better public expectations.
“The VCPU is not happy with the proverbial ‘revolving door’ that seems to be increasing the likelihood that people in crisis are not getting the support they need,” said VCPU Union Spokesperson, Matt Waterman.
“Our officers are being left to pick up the pieces and fill the gaps in what are revolving doors in the criminal justice system and the health system. There are not enough services available for people, nor are there the right kinds of services for those who most need them,” their statement read.
While VCPU are feigning responsibility to public officials, both Mayor Helps and Mayor Desjardins provided no real conclusion on what they are doing to combat the crisis.
“It is clearly not working to release people with high needs back into the community without the appropriate support and resources to keep them and the public safe, and our officers out of harm’s way,” the joint statement concluded.
Now, it appears VicPD is opting for reassignment as their best course of action to mitigate the staffing shortages and challenges of “ensuring adequate deployment of frontline resources to respond to calls from our community,” VicPD said.
In 2018, VicPD reassigned six officers – including three school liaison officers, an intelligence officer, a reserve program officer and a beat officer – to their patrol division.
In 2019, VicPD disbanded their Crime Reduction Unit (CRU).
Despite frontline challenges, and what VicPD deems is because of a lack of support for mental health crisis management, the Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (IMCRT) will still be operational.
In a press conference today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced two new mandatory vaccine measures for Canadians.
First, Freeland announced that federal public servants in core public administration must be fully vaccinated by October 29th.
This measure will apply to those who work in the federal government’s various departments, the RCMP, Correctional Services, Canada Border Service agencies and many more.
Those not fully vaccinated or those who do not disclose their vaccination status by October 29th will be placed on administrative leave without pay as early as November 15th.
This new requirement is necessary in order to protect these workers, their families, their communities as well as those who do business with them directly.
Freeland also said the Canadian government is directing crown corporations and agencies to implement policies that mirror those they announced today.
The Chief of Defence staff will also issue a directive mandating vaccinations for the Canadian Armed Forces. The Canadian government is also working with employers in federally regulated workplaces to do the same.
Next, Trudeau announced new vaccination mandates for travelling within Canada.
According to the Prime Minister, everyone aged twelve and up travelling within Canada on a plane or train should be fully vaccinated by the end of October.
Trudeau acknowledges there will be a short time where those not vaccinated will be in the process of doing so, therefore a negative COVID-19 test will be acceptable prior to boarding a plane or train for a short time longer.
However, by the end of November, all passengers will be required to be fully vaccinated in order to board. Providing a negative COVID-19 test will no longer be an option.
Trudeau also announced vaccine passports for international travel are in the works as well as legislation making it a criminal offence to threaten or harass healthcare workers.
During the question period following these announcements, Trudeau was faced with many inquiries into his trip to Tofino on September 30th, the first federally observed National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
“Travelling on September 30th was a mistake and I regret it” he responded.
(Dr. Bonnie Henry, Minister Adrian Dix/BC Gov Flickr)
BC is expanding the group of clinically vulnerable who can receive a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
In their weekly COVID-19 update, BC Health officials, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix, announced the third dose booster for more than 100,000 individuals who are moderately to severely immuno-compromised.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said this new group includes (but is not limited to) people suffering from tumours who are receiving various treatments (chemo, molecular, hormone), people with immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and those taking immuno-compromising medications.
A complete list of eligible residents to receive a third vaccine is available on the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website.
At the same press conference, changes to long-term care and acute care settings were also announced.
People visiting long-term care and acute care settings will need to be fully immunized by October 12th and October 26th, respectively.
On the topic of vaccinations, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Dix encouraged health-care workers who have yet to receive a vaccination to do so by October 12th or risk a leave of absence without pay until they are vaccinated.
In September, BC mandated immunization in all health-care settings.
By October 12th, health care workers must have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, with the promise of receiving a second one up to 35 days later.
Religious exemption will not be accepted, only medical exemption will be.
Dix said that 97% of health-care workers on Vancouver Island have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with at least one dose; 94% are fully immunized.
As of yesterday, Minister Dix said there were 467 people in ICU right now – 94.3% of beds are occupied, not including surge beds.
In BC there are 510 critical care beds in BC and 218 surge beds.
From September 27th to October 3rd, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 70.7% of cases and from September 20th to Oct 3rd, for 78.1% of hospitalizations.
In the past two weeks 347 COVID cases were hospitalized. Of those, 242 (69.7%) were unvaccinated.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 593 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, October 5th.
There have been 190,372 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 68
Fraser Health: 203
Island Health: 107
Interior Health: 128
Northern Health: 87
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 5,937 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
182,045 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 345 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 144 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
There were no reports of deaths from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 1,983.
Data by Vaccination Status:
From September 27th to October 3rd, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 70.7% of cases. From September 20th to October 3rd, they accounted for 78.1% of hospitalizations.
Past week cases (Sept. 27-Oct. 3):
Total: 4,922
Not vaccinated: 3,160 (64.2%)
Partially vaccinated: 320 (6.5%)
Fully vaccinated: 1,442 (29.3%)
Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Sept. 20-Oct. 3)
Total: 347
Not vaccinated: 242 (69.7%)
Partially vaccinated: 29 (8.4%)
Fully vaccinated: 76 (21.9%)
Past week, cases per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 27-Oct. 3):
Not vaccinated: 297.3
Partially vaccinated: 90.1
Fully vaccinated: 35.1
Past two weeks, cases hospitalized per 100,000 population after adjusting for age (Sept. 20 to Oct. 3):
Not vaccinated: 36.7
Partially vaccinated: 12.9
Fully vaccinated: 1.7
Outbreaks
There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at the University Hospital of Northern BC (Northern Health).
The outbreak at Menno Terrace East (Fraser Health) has been declared over.
There are a total of 19 active outbreaks, including:
Long-Term Care: Willingdon Care Centre, Westminster House, The Residence in Mission, Magnolia Gardens, Manoah Manor and Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre (Fraser Health), Louis Brier Home and Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health), Cottonwoods Care Centre, The Hamlets at Westsyde, Joseph Creek Care Village, Overlander, Village by the Station (Interior Health), Wrinch Memorial Hospital, Jubilee Lodge (Northern Health) and Victoria Chinatown Care Centre (Island Health).
Acute Care: University Hospital of Northern BC (Northern Health) and Royal Inland Hospital (Interior Health).
Assisted or Independent Living: Sunset Manor (Fraser Health) and Cooper Place (Vancouver Coastal Health).
Island Health:
Island Health reported 107 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region and 621 active cases.
Breakdown of cases on Vancouver Island:
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 327 │Total Cases: 3813
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 242 │ Total Cases: 4010
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 52 │Total Cases: 1138
40 people remain in hospital with 23 in ICU.
There have been no new deaths reported in the Island Health region today, and a total of 70 deaths on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
As of Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, 88.3% of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.7% received their second dose.
In addition, 88.8% of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 82.5% received their second dose.
To date, 7,894,975 (+10,905) doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC; 3,789,179 (+7,171) of which are second doses.
A number of power outages have affected southern Vancouver Island residents this afternoon, likely due to the surprise high winds.
Residents in Oak Bay, North Saanich and Central Saanich, as well as Metchosin, Sooke, Duncan, and Salt Spring Island have been left in the dark as BC Hydro is investigating power outages in each area.
Over 5,800 residents have been affected by the power outage.
Outages began around 2 p.m. for most areas, with some beginning in the morning.
As of 3:16 p.m.,BC Hydro was still investigating the majority of the power outages.
This afternoon, wind warnings in Greater Victoria were in effect with wind moving west at 30 km/h and gusting to 50 km/h.
Currently, there are no wind warnings in effect.
If your outage isn’t shown, call 1-800-BCHYDRO (1 800 224 9376) or *HYDRO (*49376) on your mobile or report it online.
Hide and Seek Coffee’s Fall menu is overflowing with new favourites. The cafe will be offering a Butterscotch Pumpkin Spice Latte, Cardamom Tea Latte, Apple Pie Latte and a Ginger Apple Spritz .
Location: 2207 Oak Bay Avenue
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
This Fall, Discovery Coffee will be bringing back their Pumpkin Spice Latte crafted with their homemade spice blend. They will also be offering a hot apple cider for those looking for something without coffee.
Location: 664 Discovery Street, 1001 Blanshard Street, 2550 Rock Bay Avenue, 1964 Oak Bay Avenue and 281 Menzies Street
Victoria is receiving some well-deserved adoration.
Popular Travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, listed their 12 Best Hotels in Canada based on reader’s choice.
Two Victoria hotels topped the list—one of which came first.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel has been crowned #1 by Conde Naste Traveller’s reader’s choice and it’s the third time in a row it has topped the list.
This luxury boutique hotel is nestled on the shores of the Pacific ocean looking over the Juan de Fuca strait with the snowy-topped Mount Baker sitting in the distance.
Sitting at #12 is the oh-so-delightful Magnolia Hotel & Spa in downtown Victoria.
For the fourth time in a row, this Inner Harbour hotel and spa is both cute, small—at just 64 rooms—and perfect for anyone looking for rest and relaxation, as well as a night out on the town.
And this was all the more reason readers chose it again.
“This louche little boîte skews a tad small, but that’s what we like about it—no crowds, no confused or overwhelmed staff, and certainly no angling for speedy service,” said Conde Nast Traveler.
With an added spa, even locals can go in and enjoy some rest and relaxation.
So, if you’re coming from out of town, or you just need a staycation, consider one of these two hotels, because they’re already considered some of the best in Canada!
In a press release today, the BC Public Service Agency, along with the Provincial Health Officer announced new vaccination regulations for BC public service workers.
As of November 22nd, the BC government will be requiring full COVID-19 vaccination as a requirement of employment for BC public service workers.
This announcement affects 30,000 employees working in core government offices or ministries.
Later this fall, it is predicted more public works employees will be returning to regular workplaces after working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These additional measures will add an extra layer of protection as employees return to work.
Proof of full vaccination status must be provided by BC Public Works employees by November 22nd.
BC Public Works has not yet announced details of accommodation for those employees who are unable to be vaccinated, however, they said they will release those details by early November.
For nearly 6 hours, 3.5 billion users across the world were unable to access their favourite social media platforms and were forced to socialize in person and maybe even go outside.
Facebook attributed the crash to an error in the reconfiguration of routers, which took the site (as well as its other platforms) offline.
Confirmed: The DNS records that tell systems how to find https://t.co/qHzVq2Mr4E or https://t.co/JoIPxXI9GI got withdrawn this morning from the global routing tables. Can you imagine working at FB right now, when your email no longer works & all your internal FB-based tools fail?
As a result, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, is said to have lost approximately 9 billion dollars. However, his net worth is approximately 122 billion dollars.
Facebook stock also dropped nearly 5% by the end of the day.
By 4 p.m. PST, the social media platforms were restored and with them, peace.
Steve Wallace—owner of Steve Wallace Driving School and former Mayor of Quesnel—has been accused of three counts of sexual assault based on recommendations from VicPD.
One count is from 2011 and two others are from 2021—Wallace has 30 days to appeal.
The fallout comes after an Instagram account, Wallace Driving School Victims, began sharing stories of alleged sexual assault by Wallace towards women and girls—some as young as 16.
The group has amassed nearly 2,000 followers and effectively become a safe space for alleged victims of sexual assault by Wallace. So far, there are a total of 15 victim’s alleged stories.
In the meantime, Wallace has a court date—the undertaking documents show a tentative court date has been set for November 25th, 2021—and as a result of these
accusations, ICBC has permanently suspended Wallace’s teaching license.
“Over the past several weeks, ICBC has taken direct statements from individuals who have made allegations of unconscionable conduct, including sexual harassment, against Mr. Wallace,” ICBC said in a statement.
“As a result of the findings of ICBC’s investigation, we have made the decision to permanently cancel Wallace’s driver instructor license.”
Not only that, but Wallace’s bylines with the Times Colonist have also been removed.
Aiko Oye, an alleged victim of Wallace, said she feels grateful now that charges are being recommended by VicPD and the pending court date.
“It’s been really amazing to see something being done about this, I feel grateful because I know this isn’t always the outcome,” Oye said.
“I’m hoping the charges stick, and if this goes to court I’m hoping it will give power to victims of similar cases, and let them know they don’t ever have to stay silent.”
A 24-year-old woman has died after head-on crash in Courtenay Monday evening.
According to Comox Valley RCMP, the crash occurred at about 6:18 p.m., officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a crash on Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Upon arrival, officers saw that the driver of a heavily damaged Honda Civic was being treated by paramedics and firefighters who were trying to save her life.
Sadly, the young woman died after being transported to hospital.
Several witnesses told investigators the Honda Civic suddenly veered into oncoming before colliding with a full sized pickup truck towing a travel trailer.
“Investigators are being assisted by a traffic analyst from the BC Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstruction Service as the exact cause of the collision continues to be examined,” said Comox Valley RCMP Cst. Monika Terragni.
The driver of the pickup truck sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to hospital.
The BC Coroners Service has been notified and has launched its own concurrent fact-
finding investigation into the death of the driver.
Anyone who witnessed the crash and have not yet spoken to police, or you have dash camera footage of the collision, are asked to call the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321.
Nanaimo RCMP are asking for dashcam footage or witnesses who may have seen three male suspects assault a 24-year-old homeless man with a metal pipe this past weekend.
Police said the unprovoked attack occurred just before 11 p.m. at Museum Way in downtown Nanaimo on Saturday October 2nd.
Police responded to a report of an assault with a weapon and were told that a homelessness person had been struck with a metal pipe or similar object.
The victim was transported to hospital with head and facial trauma.
Witnesses told investigators that three male suspects dressed in dark clothing approached the victim on Museum Way.
According to witnesses, the suspects asked the victim a question and suddenly struck him with an object resembling a metal pipe.
The suspects then ran towards Gordon Street and were last seen getting into a black minivan that fled toward Terminal Avenue.
Anyone with dashcam or other video footage from the area bounded by Museum Way, Commercial Street, Terminal Avenue and Gordon Street between the hours of 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on October 2nd are asked to contact investigators.
Additionally, police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this attack to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
