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Victoria Police are searching for a man who broke parole conditions and has a history of violent crime.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the police department said 40-year-old Jason Soukochoff is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after violating his parole conditions.
Police say he has an extensive violent criminal history including robberies targeting the elderly. Soukochoff’s parole location was Nanaimo but investigators believe he may be in Victoria.
He is described as a white man standing 6’2″ tall, weighing 260 lbs and has short dark brown hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone who sees him is asked not to approach him and call 911.
Those with information on his whereabouts can call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced surprise discrepancies in the province’s reporting of COVID-19 case counts for the past eight days.
The number of new cases reported each day between November 17 and 24 were found to be incorrect, due to technical errors in the Fraser Health Authority’s data reporting.
In some cases, daily cases in the Fraser Health region are lower than what was originally reported, but in other cases they are higher.
Fraser Health has had the highest number of COVID-19 cases each day for the past few months.
Here is a breakdown of case numbers across BC as they were reported originally, compared to what they actually are:
Date
Originally reported case count
Actual case count
November 16
646
509
November 17
717
557
November 18
762
624
November 19
538
765
November 20
516
639
November 21
713
835
November 22
626
791
November 23
594
772
November 24
941
695
As of November 25, there are 7,616 active cases of COVID-19 across BC.
The City of Nanaimo is asking residents for feedback on proposed bylaw changes that would affect outdoor cats.
Nanaimo Council passed a resolution on November 16 to delay the passage of the changes until public consultation could be completed.
The bylaw changes include:
removing reference to “Restricted Dogs”;
changing “Vicious Dog” to “Aggressive Dog”;
modernizing sections to reflect current best practices on standards of care;
requiring every owner of a cat to provide the cat with identification;
requiring every cat that is permitted to go outside be spayed or neutered; and
prohibiting cats to be at large in a public place or on another person’s property, unless it is under the immediate charge and control of the owner or other person responsible for the animal.
The City says that under the last item regarding cats, they would still be allowed outdoors on the owner’s property.
(Minister Adrian Dix, Dr. Bonnie Henry/BC Gov Flickr)
The BCCDC has reported 738 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 29,086.
In total, 8,161 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 18,167 in Fraser Health, 526 in Vancouver Island Health region, 1,426 in Interior Health, 713 in Northern Health region, and 95 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has decreased by 116 to 7,616 in B.C.
Today’s case counts reflect a data correction from Fraser Health region which affect the number of total daily cases reported between November 16 and 24 — while some days there were fewer cases, others showed more.
These errors have been attributed to technical difficulties, and a breakdown of actual case numbers can be found in this article.
There are now a total of 294 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 61 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units. More people are now hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. than there ever have been in the past.
13 additional COVID-related deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, and the death toll is now at 371.
A total of 19,814 people have recovered from novel coronavirus.
Outbreaks
No new health care facility outbreaks were reported on Wednesday, while two have been declared over
There are a total of 52 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and 5 acute-care facilities that have active, ongoing outbreaks.
There remain a number of ongoing COVID-19 exposure sites. B.C. residents are urged to check the BC CDC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
21 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region on Wednesday.
There have been a total of 526 cases of COVID-19 in the region, six of whom have died. Two people in the region are currently in hospital after contracting the virus.
Island Health reports that as of Wednesday, November 25, there are 173 active cases in the region.
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 49, Total Cases: 175
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 109, Total Cases: 233
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 15, Total Cases: 118
The COVID-19 case curve in Vancouver Island health region as of November 25 is represented below:
(Island Health)
As of Tuesday there had been a total of 1,077,733 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 123,339 of which were done in the Island Health region.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 60,656,000.
Over 1,425,186 people have died from the illness and 41,883,652 have recovered
A cyclist is in hospital after the driver of a parked car opened their door as she was riding by on Oak Bay Ave.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Victoria Police said said traffic cops were called to the intersection of Oak Bay Ave at Fell Street just after noon for reports that a cyclist had been knocked off her e-bike.
A driver bound for BC Ferries received some hefty fines and had their vehicle impounded after Central Saanich Police caught them speeding excessively on the Pat Pay Highway near Island View Road.
According Central Saanich police, the driver was caught travelling at 155 km/h around 8:15 p.m. Monday evening — nearly double the posted speed limit of 80.
The speeder, who was driving a Toyota Camry, was reportedly weaving between cars without signalling and initially failed to stop for officers.
When the driver finally pulled over, he told officers “I need to make the last ferry” as his reason for speeding.
Despite his attempt to reason with the officer, the driver was served $817 in fines, received 12 penalty points on their licence and the vehicle was impounded.
Excessive impounds last night, Hwy 17 @ Island View: 20-3670: 8:15pm, Camry @ 155kph. Weaving btwn cars, no signal, fail to stop. "I need to make the last ferry". $817 fines/12 pts 20-3674: 5:30am, Tracker @ 129kph. $368 fine/3 pts 8:15pm or 5:30am, Officers are out there. #csaanpic.twitter.com/orPH1tkpXw
The following morning, around 5:30 a.m., a driver in a Chevrolet Tracker was ticketed for excessive speeding after they were spotted driving 129 km/h along the highway.
That driver received a $368 fine and three demerit points on their license.
(Photo from petition by Laurie Arbuthnot/Change.org)
A petition to ban hunting near the Cowichan River Estuary has acquired over 22,000 signatures after a swan was shot and left for dead earlier this month.
Cowichan Bay resident Laurie Arbuthnot started the petition to the Cowichan Valley Regional District after a hunter shot at a pair of swans on November 13.
In it Arbuthnot writes about how the estuary is an internationally designated Important Bird Area (IBA) and hosts vast numbers of rare migratory and year round birds like Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagles, Blue Herons, as s many varieties of ducks, geese and song birds.
Walking trails at the estuary make bird-watching available for all, but the petition argues their proximity to hunting areas ruin the experience and frighten visitors.
“The community shudders every time the blasts are heard,” writes Arbuthnot.
“But the final straw was on November 13th 2020 a beautiful pair of Swans had taken flight only for one to be shot and not killed but coming to the ground by the walking trail.”
The petition notes that the hunter did not check on the injured swan, but birders in the area took quick action and transported it to a recovery centre where it is expected to make a recovery.
“It was an act of sickening, malicious destruction. Pictured are the exact pair moments before the shots were fired.”
Arbuthnot goes on to call for a ban on hunting in the area surrounding Cowichan River Estuary to “protect all the wildlife” in the region.
Since its creation, the petition has garnered over 22,800 signatures.
(Jason Heit speaking during the all-candidates forum hosted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce/Facebook)
One of the candidates for the Victoria byelection to fill an empty seat on council has announced he will be ending his campaign and endorsing someone else.
In his opening statement for an online forum hosted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, candidate Jason Heit announced he would be ending his campaign and endorsing fellow candidate Stephen Andrew.
Heit, a gym owner and former professional athlete, said he believed his candidacy would “split the vote” between him and former broadcaster Andrew.
“I am too late to drop off the ballot, but I am in agreement that we need an independent person on there with no ties to the alignments that are going on at city hall,” said Heit.
“I believe that will bring a better balance to the citizens of Victoria.”
His decision had been made public on Tuesday, however the statement seemed to take Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, serving in the role of moderator for the forum, off guard.
“Jason, you want to stay a part of this?” Williams asked Heit during the first all-candidate question.
“You’re endorsing Stephen, but you’re going to stay a part of this conversation?”
Heit said he would stay in the conversation, but deferred to Williams for the final decision on if he should participate. Williams said he could stay.
With the informal withdrawal of Heit’s candidacy, 10 candidates remain in the race for a seat on Victoria’s council:
Stephen Andrew
Rob Duncan
Riga Godron
Stefanie Hardman
Bill Heflin
Sean Leitenberg
Hailey McLeod
Keith Rosenberg
Alexander Schmid
Roshan Vickery
Andrew, Hardman, Heflin, and Leitenberg were the only other candidates to participate in Wednesday’s online forum.
During comments on the live video, Hailey McLeod asked why she had been excluded from the conversation.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce replied that they included individuals who had a demonstrated record of business experience, based on answers to a questionnaire they sent to all candidates.
In addition to McLeod and the candidates who participated in the online conversation, candidates Rob Duncan and Roshan Vickery submitted answers to the questionnaire. Those answers can be seen on the Chamber website.
Holiday lovers, rejoice – Christmas lasts the whole month of December at Craigdarroch Castle!
Starting November 29th, the Castle promises to bring holiday-themed theatre, decor and more for the entire family – all at one of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks.
Kicking off at Craigdarroch’s Museum Store on Sunday, November 29th, a special promotion offers shoppers from around the globe the chance to support local to start the busy holiday shopping season.
In order to allow for more physical distancing and safe shopping Museum Store Sunday will be recognized in the store for a second Sunday on December 6th, in addition the online store will have special discounts all week, from November 29th to December 6th.
Over 1,200 retailers worldwide will participate in ‘Museum Store Sunday’, including the Castle Gift Shop located in the Craigdarroch Castle Visitor Centre.
“By shopping in the Castle shop visitors are supporting our mission to share the stories of Craigdarroch Castle with the community,” says John Hughes, Craigdarroch Castle’s executive director.
Even better, in the spirit of Christmas, we’ve partnered with Craigdarroch Castle to give away a pair of tour admission passes Castle PLUS 20% off at their Castle Gift shop – contest details are below!
(Main fireplace decorated for the holidays at Craigdarroch Castle)
And what better way to channel the Christmas spirit than a one-man performance of the classic tale ‘A Christmas Carol’?
Jason Stevens channels the spirit of Charles Dickens within the historic walls of the Castle and brings this story to life from December 10th-24th – full schedule and tickets are available online for each showing, and are recommended for ages 13 and up.
Though the Christmas season at Craigdarroch Castle will look different than in the past due the ongoing pandemic, the Castle is open Wednesday to Sunday during December from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and tours are available only by reservation online or by calling 250-592-5323. This year, only the first floor of the Museum will be decorated for the holidays.
You can find Craigdarroch Castle’s full COVID-19 protocols online.
(Craigdarroch Castle)
CONTEST
We’re giving away a pair of admission passes to Craigdarroch Castle PLUS 20% off at their Castle Gift shop – for your chance to win, please complete one or more of the following:
Comment below and let us know your favourite thing about Craigdarroch Castle – make sure to register when commenting so we can contact you (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on November 29th, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter. Make sure to register when commenting below.
Two recent flights to Victoria have been added to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)’s list of COVID-19 public exposures.
Both flights were with Air Canada and originated in Vancouver. The first is Air Canada Jazz flight 8075, on November 18, and the second is Air Canada Jazz flight 8081 on November 19.
For flight 8075 on November 18, the affected rows are from 11 through 17, and for flight 8081 on November 19, the affected rows are from 1 through 5.
The BCCDC says that passengers seated in affected rows should consider themselves to be at higher risk of exposure due to proximity to the positive case.
Affected travellers are asked to monitor their symptoms for 14 days and call 8-1-1 to get tested if they do develop symptoms of the virus.
Since late March, the BCCDC has not been contacting passengers who sat near a confirmed patient during their flight.
Instead all travellers must check their website to find out whether they have been exposed to the virus.
Since the beginning of June, multiple international and domestic flights have landed in or departed from Vancouver and Victoria with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
No deaths have been reported at safe consumption or overdose prevention sites. (Photo via opiateaddictionresource.com)
At least 162 people have lost their lives to toxic drug overdose in October bringing the death toll of the overdose epidemic to 1,386 so far this year, according to the latest report from the BC Coroners Service.
This means more than five people overdosed to death each day of the month in October.
The latest report also brings with it revised counts of the number of people who died in prior months this year, meaning more people have lost their lives to the overdose crisis than previously thought.
June 2020 was the deadliest month for overdoses ever recorded, after 185 people died.
(BC Coroners Service)
“This is the fifth month this year with more than 160 suspected illicit drug deaths reported to the BC Coroners Service and more than double the number of people who died as a result of a toxic drug supply in October 2019,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, in a statement.
“Challenges during COVID-19, such as access to key harm-reduction services and the toxic drug supply, including the extreme concentration of illicit fentanyl, are resulting in continuing significant and tragic loss of life across the province.”
So far this year, 115 people have overdosed to death in Victoria, surpassing the overdose death toll of every year recorded.
The capital city remains the third deadliest for the overdose crisis in the province, after Vancouver and Surrey.
(BC Coroners Service)
In 2020, fentanyl either alone or in combination with other drugs was detected in 83 per cent of all drug overdose deaths.
Additionally, between April and Oct 2020, approximately 14 per cent of cases had extreme fentanyl concentrations, compared to 8 per cent from January 2019 to March 2020.
A review of cases between 2017 and 2020 shows that the top four drugs found in drug overdose deaths were fentanyl (87 per cent), cocaine (50 per cent), methamphetamine /amphetamine (35 per cent), and other opioids (30 per cent).
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating effect on the overdose crisis in B.C.,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, in the statement.
“Exacerbating this is the highly toxic drug supply that exists in our communities right now. Now more than ever, we must remove the stigma of drug use and remove the shame people feel, which keeps them from seeking help or telling friends and family.”
No deaths have been reported at safe consumption or overdose prevention sites.
In September, Henry issued a provincial health order allowing nurses to prescribe drugs to at-risk populations in an effort to separate people from the increasingly toxic street drug supply.
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses will be adhering to new standards through the availability of additional training, education, and access to expert consultation.
In addition, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and the Ministry of Health are working to develop an updated policy directive for prescribers and health authorities.
This policy will expand the eligibility criteria of prescription drugs to include individuals with opioid-use disorder, other substance-use disorders or individuals with a history of accessing the toxic street drug supply who are at high risk of overdose and other drug-related harms.
It would also expand the number of access points from which these medications can be dispensed to include health authorities and community pharmacies.
A Victoria-based orthopedic surgeon has been reprimanded and fined for inappropriate conduct and language, including calling a pre-teen patient a “loose woman.”
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) announced their findings of a disciplinary investigation against Dr. Bruce Taro Yoneda last week.
In their ruling, they said that Dr. Yoneda had engaged in unprofessional conduct during a consultation with a female pre-teen patient.
Specifically, they say he referred to the patient as a “loose woman” and told her he would be giving her a “lube job.” He also questioned the patient about her menstrual cycle without first offering a clear explanation of why he needed that information.
Reviews on the website RateMDs dating back to 2017 include comments critical of unprofessional behaviour from Dr. Yoneda.
The reviews are anonymous and can be submitted by anyone, but refer to statements from Dr. Yoneda towards female patients that they can “get back to pole dancing” and that he will offer “lube jobs” in relation to knee and joint issues.
On November 9, the CPSBC issued a formal reprimand to Dr. Yoneda and a fine of $7,500.
He has also been forced to register under the “Conditional – disciplined” class of the CPSBC and will be required to complete a program in communication and a course in professionalism.
VicPD say the fines stemmed from a dine-and-dash incident that began early in the evening of November 24.
Police were called to a restaurant in the 500-block of Yates Street just after 7:30 p.m. for a report that a group had left without paying.
Officers located the group nearby and escorted them back to the restaurant to have them settle their bill.
Staff at the restaurant told officers that some of the original group had not returned with police, and the missing individuals had been belligerent and aggressive towards staff who were trying to enforce COVID-19 restrictions.
One of the men in the group had apparently even threatened a staff member who asked him to follow the restaurant’s COVID-19 rules.
Officers were given surveillance footage from in side the restaurant to view and witnessed one man clearly violating restrictions and threatening staff.
Police were able to locate the man a short time later at another nearby restaurant. He was issued two violation tickets under the COVID-19 Related Measures Act (CRMA); one under Section 6 for Abusive or Belligerent Behaviour and one for Failing to Comply with Patron Conditions.
VicPD say each of these fines, with Victim Surcharge, is $230.
All British Columbians over the age of 12 are required to wear a mask or face covering while visiting indoor public spaces or face a $230 fine, according to the details of a provincial mask mandate released Tuesday afternoon.
“We’ve entered a second wave of COVID-19 in British Columbia and additional steps need to be taken to protect our health,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a statement.
“Last week, the PHO provided guidance that masks should be worn in all indoor public places. This new order under the EPA will ensure we have the tools necessary to enforce the mask mandate as recommended by the PHO.”
Under the Emergency Program Act (EPA), which applies for as long as BC remains under a state of emergency, masks are officially required to be worn by everyone over the age of 12 in many indoor public settings.
Some examples of these settings include:
malls, shopping centres, coffee shops, and retail and grocery stores
liquor and drug stores
airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres
restaurants, pubs and bars
places of public worship
on public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle
common areas of office buildings, court houses, hospitals and hotels
common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity
common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations.
More orders are expected to be issued to mandate mask use in common areas of apartment buildings, condos and workplaces.
According to the statement, this first order only covers situations in which strangers often interact.
For the purposes of this order, people are required to wear a mask or face covering that is medical or non-medical and covers both the nose and mouth. Face shields do not count.
Anyone who cannot wear a mask for a psychological, behavioural or health condition, or due to a physical, cognitive or mental impairment is exempt from this order, as is anyone who requires someone else to help them put on a mask.
Masks are not recommended for children under two years old. For children between the ages of two and 12, mask use is recommended. Anyone above the age of 12 must wear a mask in the aforementioned settings.
This order does allow people to temporarily remove their face covering to provide identification, consume food or drinks at an establishment that offers dine-in, while participating in a sport or fitness activity in a sport facility, or while receiving a personal or health service that requires the mask to be removed.
According to Farnworth, businesses are asked to review their COVID-19 safety plans to provide signage about the mandatory mask policy and let customers know about the new requirements.
“Of course, despite any range of efforts, some people will break the rules knowing full well what they’re doing,” the Minister added.
“These measures give police and other enforcement officials the tools to intervene with and penalize problematic individuals and groups.”
Anyone who does not comply with the new order, refuses to leave the space or responds with aggressive behaviour, even after being directed to follow the rules by an enforcement officer, could be subject to a $230 fine.
If violation tickets do not act as a deterrent, or in cases of particularly egregious contraventions or for repeat offenders, police can recommend charges in relation to the offence.
Those who wish to report non-compliance of this order can do so by calling their local government’s bylaw office.
Bylaw officers can then engage police or WorkSafeBC as required. Those who are unable to reach bylaw can contact their local police department using the non-emergency line.
This mandatory mask order takes effect immediately.
The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island is being driven by cases in the central region, according to Island Health.
Records show that between November 10 and November 19, central Vancouver Island saw a 500 per cent increase in the number of active COVID-19 cases.
On November 19, the region had 76 active cases. As of Monday, November 23, that number had increased to 100.
In comparison, in the nine day period between the 10th and 19th, the south island saw a 40 per cent increase in active cases and there was a 55 per cent increase in north island cases.
A bulletin posted on the Island Health website urges people to follow the rules in place in order to curb transmission rates.
These orders were issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry on Thursday, November 19 and remain in place until at least December 7, at which point they will be reevaluated based on whether or not the transmission curve has been flattened.
Most recently, on November 24, the province announced a record-breaking single day case count of 941, and added 10 more people to the COVID-19 death toll.
There are currently 7,732 active cases across B.C., 152 of which are in the Island Health region.
At its most rudimentary level, the new order looks to restrict social gatherings, get people to wear masks indoors, limit activities where the virus has been known to spread easily, and limit non-essential travel.
Answers to some of the most common questions about BC’s new orders can be found here.
The BCCDC has reported a record-breaking 941 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 28,348.
In total, 7,992 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 17,724 in Fraser Health, 505 in Vancouver Island Health region, 1,356 in Interior Health, 678 in Northern Health region, and 95 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has increased by 372 to 7,732 in B.C.
There are now a total of 284 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 61 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units. More people are now hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. than there ever have been in the past.
10 additional COVID-related deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, and the death toll is now at 358.
A total of 19,605 people have recovered from novel coronavirus.
Outbreaks
Two new health care facility outbreaks were reported on Tuesday, while one has been declared over.
There are a total of 55 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and 6 acute-care facilities that have active, ongoing outbreaks.
There remain a number of ongoing COVID-19 exposure sites. B.C. residents are urged to check the BC CDC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
11 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region on Tuesday.
There have been a total of 505 cases of COVID-19 in the region, six of whom have died. Two people in the region are currently in hospital after contracting the virus.
Island Health reports that as of Tuesday, November 24, there are 152 active cases in the region.
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 44, Total Cases: 170
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 95, Total Cases: 219
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 13, Total Cases: 116
The COVID-19 case curve in Vancouver Island health region as of November 24 is represented below:
(Island Health)
As of Monday there had been a total of 1,066,696 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 122,145 of which were done in the Island Health region.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 60,051,163.
Over 1,413,415 people have died from the illness and 41,473,076 have recovered.
With Christmas tunes increasing their volume as we head into the holiday season, most local crafters in Victoria are looking for other solutions to sell their their handmade crafts.
As local fairs and other market events are on pause due to the pandemic, makers have been forced to use even more of their creativity to come up with unique ways to showcase their wares.
To help with this task, Used.ca – known locally as UsedVictoria.com – launched a new handmade market section on their website to encourage people to go homemade this holiday season.
“We heard from our craft fair partners that this would be a tough holiday season for local crafters, bakers and jewelry designers – many of whom rely on the holiday season for the majority of their annual sales,” says Nicki Reich, Publisher and Director of Marketing at Used.ca.
“We wanted to provide a place for them to showcase their talent and products where locals are already online and ready to buy.” “We have already seen some beautiful items posted from pet treats to macrame wall hangings to pottery, and we want locals to purchase these unique handmade treasures right here in our community.”
As of publication, there were over 300 items already posted, including handmade candles, pet treat Christmas stockings, bird houses, stuffed animals, and abstract paintings.
“Esquimalt Farmers Market is eternally grateful for the number of businesses thinking outside the box to support local and handmade – like Used.ca creating a handmade page,” says Katrina Dwulit, Manager of the Esquimalt Farmers Market.
“With everything in the world being so uncertain, it’s comforting to know that we live in a supportive community that truly cares about the real humans making real items!”
So, if you are a local crafter that wants to promote your items or you are looking to buy locally-made holiday decor or gifts, check out the new handmade market on UsedVictoria.com.
“I think it’s a head cold. BUUUUUT should I get tested?”
“If you think you should, then you prob should”
“I don’t feel feverish or anything”
“not everyone with covid gets a fever tho”
“Never hurts to get tested.”
That brief exchange of messages in my workplace Slack was what spurred me to be COVID-smart and get tested for my cold-like symptoms.
The BCCDC says that testing is available for anyone experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, including the ones that I had been experiencing: a sore throat and runny nose.
I don’t like going to the doctor. There’s no good reason for it. In my head, I usually duck around it by saying that I don’t want to inconvenience health care professionals, waste resources, or otherwise be a hypochondriac.
But really, I just don’t like it.
In this case, though, it’s important to note that the BCCDC wants people to err on the side of caution. Check off that you are experiencing even mild symptoms and the online tool will tell you to self-isolate and get tested.
During a pandemic, my selfish anxieties needed to be put aside: I signed up for a test.
Signing up
To begin booking my appointment, I hopped online and went to the online collection centre finder.
Three centres are currently listed in Greater Victoria: West Shore Collection and Assessment Centre (in the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre), Peninsula Health Unit (in the Saanich Peninsula Hospital), and the Victoria Health Unit (on Cook Street across from Royal Athletic Park).
I was in luck; the Victoria Health Unit is a short walk from my apartment.
The collection centre finder details any special requirements, like whether testing is done by appointment-only or on a walk-in basis.
Testing for the centres in Greater Victoria are all done by appointment-only, and people can book in by calling Island Health’s COVID-19 testing call centre at 1-844-901-8442.
When I called in, an automated message told me that bookings were being taken on a call-back basis. By pushing a button, my number was recorded for callback, and I received one less than 24 hours later.
At this point I should mention something about my personal situation: I moved to Victoria last year, and have neglected to properly shift my health care over from my birth province of Alberta.
Even with this bureaucratic hangup, the professional who took my appointment was able to book me in for a 2 p.m. test the following day within just 15 minutes.
For people with BC Health Numbers, the process would be even quicker.
I was also fortunate in my timing; Island Health and Lower Mainland health authorities have recently started using saline gargle tests for children and adults alike in place of the more invasive nasal swabs where possible.
The call-taker concluded my booking by having me listen to an automated message that gave instructions on the gargle test:
Swish for five seconds
Gargle for five seconds
Repeat 1-2 twice more, for a total of 30 seconds
Spit into a provided collection tube
With that, I was ready for my appointment the next day.
The Test
I had been told to arrive about five minutes in advance of my appointment, wearing a mask.
When I showed up at the Victoria Health Unit, some very clear and well-posted signage on the door directed me around the back of the building.
As I approached the rear side of the building, a parking official in a high visibility vest greeted me warmly and thanked me for wearing a mask.
He then handed me a pamphlet explaining how to get my test results and directed me to a sandwich board, which instructed testing appointees to wait to be admitted.
No other appointees were present.
I waited less than a minute before a security guard with a clipboard asked for my name, confirmed my appointment time, and smoothly ushered me into an outdoor tent with a single chair.
Again, I waited less than another minute before a registered nurse in a mask, shield, and wearing a lab coat and protective gloves emerged with the testing equipment.
For the saline test, that equipment consisted of the solution and a collection tube.
The nurse confirmed the instructions I had been given earlier over the phone for the test, then uncapped the solution and handed it to me.
If you’ve ever taken a dip in the ocean and accidentally tasted a mouthful of water, it tastes no worse than that.
The nurse advised that I needed to return a sufficient amount of the solution for testing. She then helpfully counted off the seconds to help me switch from gargling to swishing as I proceeded with the test.
30 seconds later, I was done and on my way.
Getting Results
Results from my COVID-19 testing were available online through Island Health’s myHealth portal, which I signed up for when I booked my appointment.
It took just over 24 hours for the results to come in: negative!
You can also sign up for text message notifications, or call 1-833-707-2792. Parents of children who get tested can also call this number for results.
In sum total, the process crossed four days, but only took about an hour out of my life.
Bottom line, my COVID-19 test was a smooth, professional, painless experience, and if you’re in doubt about your symptoms, as I was: get tested.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article did not include the UVic testing facility among the centres available for testing appointments. The article has been updated to include this information.
Yes, it may still be November but we wanted to give you plenty of time to mark your calendars for one of Greater Victoria’s coolest kick-offs of the season!
Whether you identify as an elf or a grinch, Sidney BIA’s annual Christmas by the Sea is sure to get you into the holiday spirit with its plethora of safe, distanced and family-friendly activities.
Sidney will be transformed into a twinkling wonderland as it welcomes the community to celebrate the holiday season with festive displays all throughout the town. This year, you’re invited to cozy up with with your closest bubble and experience the small-town cheer in the safest way possible.
Also, keep your eye on the prize, as we’ve partnered with the Sidney BIA to gift THREE lucky winners with a $100 gift card to a Sidney business of their choice!
Hold onto your Santa hats, because here are 9 safe and distanced Christmas activities happening in Sidney this holiday season:
1. Festive Displays
The Sidney BIA has organized a professional contractor to install Christmas lights on business storefronts up and down Beacon Avenue, in addition to a dazzling display of holiday-themed features around town by local merchants, the Town staff and Sidney BIA.
2. Lighted Window Tour
Sidney merchants will put on their creative ingenuity on full display in their shop windows, and the Sidney BIA is offering prize incentives for the best arrangements of lights and sparkle! The Sidney Lighted Window Tour contest includes awards for the most enchanting window displays, with a chance to win one of three prizes.
The public can explore the storefronts and vote for their favourite here! Winners will be announced on December 23rd.
3. Gingerbread Showcase
Habitat for Humanity is bringing its Gingerbread Showcase to various locations throughout downtown Sidney, and you’ll find elaborate gingerbread displays around town from December 8th – January 3rd, 2021.
4. Horse Drawn Carriage Tours
Victoria Carriage Tours will offer festive rides through downtown Sidney on Saturdays and Sundays, December 8th – December 20th, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Tours are $40.00 per carriage and seat up to 6-people within your bubble or household. Click here to book your tour!
5. Free Holiday Films
This holiday season, every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. from December 8th – December 19th, the Sidney BIA has partnered with Star Cinema to offer a line-up of favourite holiday flicks for movie-lovers of all ages, including Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and more. Click hereto register!
6. Free Delivery
Free Commercial Delivery Service from downtown Sidney businesses to local residents to enhance shopping options is now available, just in time for Christmas shopping! More information can be found here.
7. Residential Decor Contest
Did you do an extra-festive job with outdoor Christmas decor on your Sidney street? Send an email to hello@sidneybia.ca to be featured on Sidney’s Christmas Map and to be entered to win $100 to your favourite Sidney shop!
8. Festive Brass Ensemble
Well-known individually and as symphonic and jazz ensemble musicians, the Festive Brass will will serenade shoppers in downtown Sidney every Friday and Saturday from December 8th – December 19th from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
9. Holiday Cheer Sweepstakes
Sidney’s favourite Sweepstakes Contest is back! Support local Sidney businesses and be entered to win one of six $500 shopping sprees to the businesses of your choice in Sidney, plus $500 cash for the small business of your choice in Sidney. Winners will be selected weekly throughout the holiday season! You can enter here.
Please keep in mind that all event start dates are subject to change in accordance with provincial health orders. As of this publication, all events are on pause until at least January 8th, 2021.
CONTEST
For a chance to win a $100 gift card to a Sidney business of your choice from Sidney BIA (we’re choosing three winners!), complete one or more of the following:
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 p.m. on December 15th, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
In an effort slow the spread of COVID-19 after an uptick of cases in BC, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a host of new restrictions last week, which will be in effect until at least December 7th.
When it’s broken down simply, the new order aims to restrict social gatherings, encourage mask-wearing in all indoor spaces, and limit or pause activities where the virus is known to spread or cause outbreaks.
For at least the next two weeks, non-essential travel has also been ordered to be limited, which will not only affect many on a social level, but also applies to athletic activities.
Here’s what sports leagues, players, and families need to know:
No spectators at any sport activities
Under the current provincial order, no spectators are allowed at any sporting activities, whether they are held indoors or outdoors.
The only exception to this rule is for those that provide care to a participant or player, like first aid attendants.
That being said, games, competitions and practices can continue within the above guidelines as long as they are restricted to each local community.
Some sports teams, such as PACE FC soccer which operates on the Saanich Peninsula in an outdoor-only model, have temporarily suspended all play for the next two weeks, saying they will extend their season to make up for the pause.
The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League also announced Saturday that it would be postponing all games due to the newly announced regulations, at least until December 7th.
Individual leagues are asked to review their current COVID-19 safety plans to ensure they meet guidelines. Meanwhile viaSport is reviewing the guidance and working with public health to release an updated version of the rules.
For the time being, as a part of the order, masks are required in all indoor public settings.
Sports team travel between communities
As a part of the order, people should stay as much as possible within their local communities for at least the next two weeks.
To that end, travelling across health regions for the purposes of sports tournaments is currently suspended for the time being.
Dr. Bonnie Henry recently clarified that children or players who live in different communities, but play on the same team, can still continue to play together.
That being said, entire sports teams cannot travel to another jurisdiction to compete with other teams.
Other athletic activities
Certain high-risk indoor group physical activities must be suspended until at least December 7th, including:
Spin classes
Hot yoga
High intensity interval training (HIIT)
According to an update on November 24, particular venues that offer other types of indoor group physical activities must suspend them temporarily, until new guidance is released. These include:
Dance studios
Martial arts
Yoga
Pilates
Strength and conditioning
Cheerleading
Gyms
Gyms and recreation facilities that offer individual training can remain, as open as long as they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan that is strictly followed.
Henry has made it clear that public health will close down any studios where transmission events are detected.
Some specific gyms have implemented mandatory mask measures, but it’s best to check with your gym to see whether or not they require masks at all times.
Who’s exempt from these restrictions?
Anyone identified by the Canadian Sports Institute Pacific as a high performance athlete is excluded from the sport-related restrictions, as long as they are already training in BC.
The Provincial Health Order restricting travel, gatherings, and more in BC for two weeks have been updated to include shutting down several other types of fitness facilities across the province.
Originally, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry ordered high-intensity interval training studios, hot yoga classes, and group indoor spin classes to shut down until at least December 7, to reduce transmission of COVID-19.
This order has been updated as of November 24, to include the following types of fitness activities:
Gymnastics
Dance studios
Martial arts
Yoga
Pilates
Strength and conditioning
Cheerleading
According to updated rules, these activities are to be put on pause at least until the province develops new guidance to allow them to continue safely.
This guidance, highlighting how facilities offering group indoor physical activities can operate during the pandemic, is expected to become available later this week or early next week.
Gyms and recreation facilities providing individual workouts and personal training sessions can remain open as long as they follow COVID-19 guidelines.
Another COVID-19 exposure alert has been issued on Vancouver Island for a secondary school in Qualicum Beach.
According to the Island Health school exposures notice website, students and staff at Kwalikum Secondary School, located at 266 Village Way, may have been exposed to COVID-19.
A statement from School District 69 says one member of the school community tested positive for the virus, and their last date of attendance is November 19.
The exposure alert is in place for November 18 and 19.
At the moment, there are seven ongoing exposure or cluster outbreaks in schools across Vancouver Island, two of which are in Victoria.
Alerts for cluster outbreaks at Dover Bay Secondary school and John Barsby Secondary school have been removed from the Island Health site as it has now been two weeks since they were first issued.
An ‘exposure’ is defined by Island Health as a single person with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection who attended school during their infectious period.
A ‘cluster’ means two or more individuals with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection attended school during their infectious period. These cases may be linked to school-based transmission.
Island Health says staff or students who see the exposure alert notice should not assume they have been exposed to the virus.
Close contacts of the person(s) who tested positive for COVID-19 will be identified and contacted by public health officials.
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for East Vancouver Island Tuesday morning.
According to the advisory, strong southeast winds of 70 km/h gusting up to 90 km/h are forming across parts of East Vancouver Island near the Georgia Strait late Tuesday morning as a cold front sweeps across the region.
These winds are expected to spread into the Southern Gulf Islands, southern Howe Sound including Bowen Island and parts of Metro Vancouver near the water, particularly Tsawwassen and Boundary Bay.
The gusts are expected to subside this afternoon as the cold front leaves the area.
The advisory is in effect for the area encompassing Duncan to Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay.
Residents are advised to be wary of loose objects that may be tossed by the strong winds.
A dog owner has been cautioned after his puppy got loose and scared a woman and her child, according to CRD Animal Control.
The RCMP said they were notified about the dog at approximately 4 p.m. on November 19th. The report said the dog was trying to bite a small child near the intersection of Glen Lake Road and Monnington Place in Langford.
According to Westshore RCMP, their officer arrived on the scene and saw the dog growling and lunging toward the pair. The woman had placed her child on the roof of a car to protect them.
Police say the dog had bit the woman’s rain boot but did not break the skin.
CRD Animal Control says the dog, an 8-month-old rottweiler, was likely displaying puppy tendencies and trying to play with the woman.
They also say that the woman and her child were playing with the dog prior to calling the police.
“Apparently these people were petting and playing with this dog,” chief bylaw officer Don Brown told Victoria Buzz. “The dog got overly playful.”
Brown says the RCMP officer was easily able to control the dog, and by the time Animal Control arrived the dog was cooperative and was taken to the impound.
CRD Animal Control was then able to contact the owner, who claimed the dog the next day and paid an impound fee and license fee.
The dog was also recorded in CRD Animal Control’s database with a dangerous dog caution. Brown says a further incident would designate the dog as dangerous.
“It’s still got some puppy tendencies but it’s also a very large dog, and it’s also unfixed, unneutered,” he said.
“We suggested to the owner that he do get it neutered and perhaps get some training for the dog.”
The owner was in the middle of a move and had asked a relative to look after the rottweiler, which Brown says may have made the dog anxious.
He added that the owner was cooperative with authorities, and says he personally thinks it is unlikely the dog will be the subject of a further incident.
Phones, TVs and radios will be blaring out one tone in unanimity tomorrow afternoon as BC conducts a test of the nation-wide emergency alert system.
This scheduled bi-annual test of the wireless Alert Ready system will take place at 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25.
A scheduled test earlier this year, in May, was cancelled across Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Alert Ready emergency system was launched in BC in 2018, and has been tested twice a year since then.
During the test, an alert will be broadcast on radio and television stations, as well as on compatible wireless devices. The test message will read:
“This is a TEST of the British Columbia Emergency Alerting System, issued by Emergency Management British Columbia. This is ONLY a TEST. If this had been an actual emergency or threat, you would now hear instructions that would assist you to protect you and your family. For further information go to www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca. This is ONLY a TEST, no action is required.”
For a wireless device to receive the alert, it must be compatible to wireless public alerting, have the most updated version of its operating software, and be connected to an LTE wireless network when the alert is issued. Click here to check your phone’s compatibility.
The Alert Ready system was developed by several authorities including federal, provincial and territorial emergency management officials, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers.
A man arrested on a break and enter charge in Saanich is believed to have been involved in a car crash a half-hour earlier.
Saanich Police were notified on November 23 at 2:50 p.m. of a single-vehicle collision in the 4500 block of Interurban Road.
Witnesses on scene told officers that a driver had run from the scene after the vehicle crashed into a forested area and came to rest against a tree.
Upon arrival, police saw a person in bushes that appeared to match the description of the driver, but they were unable to locate them.
At 3:15 p.m., while officers were continuing their patrols to find the driver, a 9-1-1 call was received from a home in the 4000 block of Markham Street of a home invasion in progress.
A resident explained that a man covered in blood had gained access to their home and was rambling and not making any sense.
Officers responded to the call and arrested the man for breaking and entering. Saanich Police say they suspect the man is the driver of the crashed vehicle and are investigating to confirm this.
They believe no other people were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
The man was taken to hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries believed to be related to the collision.
Investigators are still trying to piece together the incident, including what led to the crash, why the driver fled the scene and the reason the suspect entered a private residence that does not appear connected in any way to them.
They have not ruled intoxication or mental health components.
“The health and safety of this individual is first and foremost,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades.
“The investigation will take some time to paint the entire picture of what happened this afternoon. The impact this vehicle sustained as a result of the crash was significant and it is remarkable that anyone was able to walk away.”
Last week, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a slew of new measures aimed at curbing the upward trend in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in BC.
At its most rudimentary level, the new order looks to restrict social gatherings, get people to wear masks indoors, limit activities where the virus has been known to spread easily, and limit non-essential travel.
But as some types of businesses and activities are allowed to continue operating, many people across BC have questions about how the order impacts their lives for at least the next two weeks.
In this article, we look to the official guidelines and public health experts in answering some pressing questions sent in by our valued readers.
Can I go and take care of my elderly relative?
The answer to this question was clarified by Dr. Bonnie Henry on Monday.
The short answer is: yes, caring for elderly relatives is allowed if there are concerns.
The new orders do also allow grandparents to take care of their grandchildren, and allow parents to carpool children to and from school.
Can a group of say 10 to 14 people, who are not all in the same bubble, meet outside for a picnic or other type of gathering if they socially distance and wear masks?
The short answer is no.
Under the new orders lasting effecting until at least December 7, there are to be no gatherings of any kind, indoors or outdoors, with people outside your immediate household or, if you live alone, people in your small social circle with a maximum of two people whom you consider your household.
People are, however, encouraged to go for walks with people in their household.
Are music and dance classes still allowed?
Orders updated as of November 24 order dance classes to shut down until new provincial guidelines are made available to ensure group indoor physical fitness activities can continue safely.
While there are no specific instructions for music lessons in particular, these activities would likely fall under the ‘social gatherings and events’ category listed in the new restrictions.
This section specifies that for at least two weeks, no galas, no musical performances, and no theatre performances can take place.
As music classes involve gathering together, whether indoor or outdoor, with people outside of your household or core bubble, it follows that those classes must pause for the time being.
Does the mask mandate apply to gyms?
So far, no.
Three types of indoor physical fitness activities have been cancelled altogether, for the foreseeable future: high-intensity interval training, hot yoga classes, and group indoor spin classes.
For all other types of indoor physical activities, Dr. Bonnie Henry said the province is working on coming up with new and updated safety guidelines, and public health will close down any studios where transmission events are detected.
In the meantime, gyms must follow their own existing safety guidelines.
Some fitness facilities, like GoodLife Fitness, have proactively implemented rules that require masks to be worn at all times, after the new restrictions were announced last week.
Until new guidelines are announced, check with your gym to see whether or not they require masks at all times.
What can I do if a business is not complying with protocols?
Most businesses across BC are allowed to remain open as long as they follow their own COVID-19 safety protocols, created in accordance with WorkSafeBC guidelines.
These protocols must then be displayed at the storefront or website or in an otherwise publicly viewable space.
Customers and staff at businesses that are not complying with these protocols can make a complaint to WorkSafeBC via phone, fax, or mail.
People aren’t allowed to go over to someone’s house and have a social gathering, but can’t they just have their social gathering at a restaurant?
Restaurants that follow COVID-19 workplace guidelines can continue to operate and those guidelines allow up to six customers to sit and dine in together.
Under the new regulations, British Columbians can only visit restaurants with people in their immediate household or core bubble.
There is no way for restaurants to verify whether people dining together are indeed members of the same household.
However Dr. Bonnie Henry has expressed several times that she believes having the rules and guidance in place will be enough for people in BC to comply, as they have with advice to maintain six feet of distance between those who do not belong in the same bubble.
How about sports that have leagues that go across health boundaries? Can players travel?
Travelling across health regions for the purposes of sports tournaments is currently suspended until at least December 7.
In a clarification on Monday, Henry stated that children or players who live in different communities — like Burnaby and Vancouver — but play on the same team can still continue to play together.
However entire sports teams cannot travel to another jurisdiction to compete with other teams.
Sports activities can continue in accordance with ViaSport guidelines, but for the next two weeks, there are to be no spectators at any sporting event, whether indoors or outdoors.
Public Health officials are currently working with ViaSport to come up with further advanced guidance.
Can holiday events continue if they’re outdoors or drive-thru events?
This question was answered on Monday as well and sadly, it’s a no.
In accordance with the new guidelines, all events are cancelled until at least December 7.
That includes drive-thru light shows and outdoor events. Henry specifically mentioned Vancouver Island favourite Butchart Gardens’ winter light display.
In Victoria, this drive-thru light show event is slated to begin on December 7 and run until at least December 31, but it remains to be seen whether the show will be allowed to go on, as the province reevaluates guidelines based on the current situation in two weeks.
Still have questions?
Check out our favourite infographic outlining the province-wide restrictions in place, created by North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma.
The owner and operator of Beacon Hill Children’s Farm says the beloved petting zoo and community farm is up against a dire financial situation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s totally impacted us,” said Koenders in an interview with Victoria Buzz. “Our donations and everything was non-existent.”
Normally, the farm is open from early March to early October. This year, they have opened for just six days.
After opening on March 6, Koenders and her team made the decision to close on March 12 after seeing the situation in Europe.
Since then, the farm has been relying on donations to make their way through the most challenging year Koenders has seen in 35 years of business.
“Plus this last winter, we did like $55,000 of improvements in the farm — we re-roofed a bunch of our farms, and finished off our fencing,” she said.
“If we’d known we wouldn’t have been opening this year we would have held off on doing those improvements.”
But Koenders isn’t giving up. She and her staff have launched a new sponsorship challenge, where members of the public can sponsor various animals on the farm.
The sponsorships range in price from $25 for small animals like guinea pigs or cats, to $50 for larger animals like goats and miniature donkeys.
“You can choose the animal, breed of animal that you’re wanting, and you get a photo of the animal and a certificate that says whoever’s sponsored the animals,” says Koenders.
“It’s a great thing people can put on the fridge, put it in the kid’s bedrooms. It’s a nice card stock.”
Donors can also sponsor “hay for a day” for $75, providing feed, or veterinary care for $150.
Those who are interested in contributing other amounts to the farm can also check out the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm “GoatFundMe,” a play on GoFundMe and the farm’s famous four-legged critters.
The GoFundMe has a goal of $72,000, which Koenders says will keep them afloat until their next operating year. As of Monday afternoon, they had received just over $64,000 in donations.
Between that funding and the $6,000 the farm has already received in animal sponsorships, they are close to meeting their goal, but Koenders says all this hard work could be undone by another year of closure.
“It was already hard enough this year, to go two years, I don’t know what I’d be doing,” she said.
That threat and the other challenges COVID-19 has placed on Beacon Hill Children’s Farm’s operations has been a difficult strain.
Koenders says that the federal government’s wage subsidy has been a tremendous help, and she believes the municipality is doing what it can, too. Unfortunately, the very nature of the pandemic is a hit against the farm’s operations.
“I don’t think the petting area will be able to be open…we can’t wash the animals every time somebody has touched them,” Koenders said.
“Hopefully we can get this vaccination going.”
Right now though, she’s focused on raising the money she needs to be ready for opening next spring.
“It means everything,” said Koenders.
“The joy that we have brought to so many people, and generations. Grandparents are coming in with their grandkids, who used to come in with their kids. It’s a huge part of the community.”
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 1,933 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province since Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 27,407.
Between Friday and Saturday, there were 713 new cases; 626 more cases were reported between Saturday and Sunday; and 594 more COVID-19 cases were added between Sunday and Monday.
In total, 7,818 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 17,046 in Fraser Health, 494 in Vancouver Island Health region, 1,307 in Interior Health, 649 in Northern Health region, and 95 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has increased by 238 to 7,360 in B.C.
There are now a total of 277 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 59 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units. More people are now hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. than there ever have been in the past.
17 additional COVID-related deaths were reported over the past three days, and the death toll is now at 348.
There are currently 10,200 people being monitored by public health for symptoms of COVID-19 after they were exposed to the virus.
A total of 19,059 people have recovered from novel coronavirus.
Outbreaks
Six new outbreaks were reported at health care facilities across the province, while two outbreaks have been declared over.
There are a total of 54 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and 6 acute-care facilities that have active, ongoing outbreaks.
There remain a number of ongoing COVID-19 exposure sites. B.C. residents are urged to check the BC CDC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
48 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region since Friday.
There have been a total of 494 cases of COVID-19 in the region, six of whom have died. Three people in the region are currently in hospital after contracting the virus, one of whom is in ICU.
Island Health reports that as of Monday, November 23, there are 152 active cases in the region.
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 40, Total Cases: 164
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 100, Total Cases: 215
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 12, Total Cases: 115
The COVID-19 case curve in Vancouver Island health region as of November 23 is represented below:
(Island Health)
As of Friday there had been a total of 1,030,631 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 118,623 of which were done in the Island Health region.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 59,454,606.
Over 1,401,223 people have died from the illness and 41,093,430 have recovered.
The Independent Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating after a man died in Victoria Police custody.
In a statement released Monday, the police watchdog outlined an incident on November 20 in which Victoria Police officers attended reports of a man allegedly causing a disturbance in the 600 block of Douglas Street at around 1:45 a.m.
When police arrived, they arrested the man after he was medically cleared by Emergency Health Services. The man was transported to cells to be held in custody.
A short while later, at 4:15 a.m., the man appeared the be in medical distress while in cells.
Paramedics were called and they transported him to a local hospital.
On November 22, police were told that the man had died in hospital. That is when IIO, the civilian oversight agency was notified of the incident.
The IIO will investigate to determine what role, if any, police actions or inaction played in the death.
Did you know that on top of their incredible 8 grand prize options, bonus draws and more, the VGH Millionaire Lottery offers a 50/50 draw?
Their 50/50 PLUS jackpot is currently sitting at a whopping $1,580,400, and climbing, so if you want in on half of that jackpot, act fast to grab your tickets – because with amazing prizes like these they certainly won’t last!
When you purchase a ticket to the VGH Millionaire Lottery, you’re supporting a fantastic cause while doing so.
Your ticket helps support life-saving care at British Columbia’s largest hospital, along with all of the doctors and nurses, frontline workers, and first responders – as well as all the patients who visit VGH every day.
You’re also helping fund specialized adult health care and research in Vancouver, at Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital and GF Strong Rehab Centre.
Every year, VGH performs more than 30,000 surgeries and treats more than 600,000 patient visits. They treat 60% of British Columbia’s adult trauma cases – and 50% of their surgical patients are from outside Vancouver. Their health care heroes are fighting COVID-19 at VGH.
For their 2020 edition, the Millionaire Lottery Grand Prize packages include homes from Vancouver, South Surrey, Abbotsford, Kelowna, North Van as well the Island’s own Courtenay; plus a two-home option, with prizes in White Rock AND Sooke! The 8th option is a $2.7 million cash prize.
On top of all of this, the Millionaire lottery has several other incredible drawshappening before the Grand Prizes are drawn, which include prizes like brand new vehicles and vacation cash!
The 50/50 draw will be on Monday, January 27th, 2021. The deadline to purchase your ticket (or packs of them!) is on January 8th, 2021 and tickets cost 2 for $15 / 6 for $30 / 16 for $60. You can grab yours here.
(50/50 PLUS tickets must be ordered in conjunction with Millionaire Lottery main lottery tickets.)
Check out the video below of just one of the Grand Prizes, a luxury home in South Surrey:
Deadlines to enter the various draws are:
Christmas Bonus Draw Deadline: Midnight, Friday, December 4, 2020
Early Bird Draw Deadline: Midnight, Friday, December 18, 2020
Main Draws and Grand Prize Deadline: Midnight, Friday, January 8, 2021
Know your limit, play within it. Must be 19+ to play.
Six-term MLA and former cabinet minister Shirley Bond has been elected interim leader of the official opposition by the BC Liberal Caucus.
The Monday morning vote by the Liberals’ 28-member caucus comes on the heels of an abrupt resignation from outgoing leader Andrew Wilkinson on Saturday.
He has faced a storm of criticism from within his party’s ranks, including a rebuke from BC Liberal Membership Chair Nicole Paul, who wrote on Twitter that the Liberals “have a problem in the leadership of the party and their lack of willingness to stand up for diversity, inclusion and the values of BC Liberal members.”
The BCLP doesn’t have a Laurie Throness problem. We have a problem in the leadership of the party and their lack of willingness to stand up for diversity, inclusion and the values of BC Liberal members – not just the interests of a small group of constituents.
During the election, Wilkinson was also criticized for his handling of a controversy that emerged out of a digital roast involving Liberal candidate Jane Thornthwaite making sexist remarks towards the NDP’s Bowinn Ma.
Wilkinson’s immediate remarks following the incident centered on Thornthwaite and appeared to distance himself from the issue.
After the election, Thornthwaite denounced Wilkinson for “throwing her under the bus” in a blistering op-ed in the Vancouver Sun.
“I hope that whoever steps up to lead our B.C. Liberal Party recognizes the critical importance of instilling the right culture to ensure renewal and rebuilding,” Thornthwaite wrote.
Bond is a veteran of the BC Liberal party, and held positions in cabinet under Premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark.
The MLA for Prince George-Valemount also recently served as finance critic under Wilkinson during John Horgan’s first term.
“I appreciate the confidence and trust my colleagues have placed in me as we work together to hold John Horgan and the NDP government to account in the coming months,” said Bond in a statement.
“I want to thank Andrew Wilkinson for his service as leader over the past several years and I look forward to continuing to work with him and our entire team of new and returning MLAs to present a positive vision for this province.”
Bond added that she would be appointing a leadership team and assigning MLA critic portfolios in the coming days. The BC Liberal Caucus also appointed Stephanie Cadieux as their new Caucus Chair.
BC Liberal party MLAs will officially be sworn in on November 27, 2020. The BC Legislature is scheduled to be back in session on December 7, 2020.
The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, which encompasses a large portion of Tofino and surrounding area, has announced a total lockdown after one person tested positive for COVID-19 in the community.
According to Elmer Frank, Emergency Operations Chair of the First Nation, one member of the community tested positive for COVID-19 after returning home from Port Alberni.
“The individual that did have the virus travelled from Port Alberni, came home and stayed in their home and started coming down with symptoms,” said Frank in an interview with Victoria Buzz.
“The patient was responsible enough to make a decision to confine himself and isolate. There were some contacts directly involved that were very minimal.”
The individual tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, November 22. It is believed that they contracted the virus sometime between November 15 and 18.
Contact tracers were assigned to the case through Vancouver Island Health Authority and the First Nations Health Authority. All of their contacts are under public health monitoring.
“If there is an outbreak, there certainly can be some cause for alarm… The medical facilities that we have here, our local hospital, doesn’t have all necessary equipment,” said Frank.
The individual who tested positive for the virus is able to manage their illness at home, but if anyone requires hospitalization due to COVID-19 in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, they will have to be transported to a larger hospital elsewhere on Vancouver Island, according to Frank.
As a result, the community has announced a “total lockdown” to prevent the virus from spreading further.
This means all businesses in the First Nation are ordered to close effective immediately, there must be no visitors to the community, and no visiting between households.
“We understand and recognize that our members still need to travel for essential services. Our members are allowed to leave their community for those essentials,” said Frank.
“We ask that only one community member from each household leave to do errands, and try to do all their errands at once to minimize leaving the community.”
In addition, the lockdown order encourages all parents to keep their children home from school at least until everyone who may be affected by the COVID-19 case is found to be free of the virus.
First Nations in BC are able to impose restrictions within their territories that are separate from provincial health guidelines — however those guidelines still apply.
A host of new restrictions and measures were introduced by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry last week to curb rapid transmission of the virus in BC during the second wave of the pandemic.
A sunken car was discovered in the Saanich Inlet after an estimated five days underwater, according to Central Saanich Police.
Officials were notified about the submerged vehicle on November 20 at about 4:20 p.m. by a passerby who happened to glimpse it through the crystal-clear water.
Police say it entered the Inlet at Henderson Point, near the end of Senanus Drive, which merges from Mount Newton Cross Road. The area is currently being redeveloped with new pathway features.
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue – Station 31 Brentwood Bay (RCMSAR 31) assisted Central Saanich Police in locating and marking the vehicle. Divers confirmed that no one was inside.
“The owner of the car has been located and is well and likely drove it into the water,” said Sgt. Paul Brailey, Central Saanich Police, in an interview with Victoria Buzz.
“Based on our investigation it was probably put there on the 15th, and it was discovered on the 20th.”
Brailey says the vehicle, a Chevy Blazer, is still currently underwater as crews work to retrieve it.
He added that due to the difficult location, which is not easily accessed by road vehicles, a barge may be needed to help with the recovery.
“It’s a rarely used area, it’s quite isolated,” said Brailey.
“It’s still under construction. Obviously, for the future, there will be barriers erected to prevent this from happening again.”
The vehicle will be returned to the owner once it is recovered.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433. You can also visit them online.
Another private school in Victoria has an ongoing COVID-19 exposure in place.
According to Island Health, school community members at The Victoria School For Ideal Education located at at 2820 Belmont Ave may have been exposed to the pandemic virus on November 16 and 17.
This is the second school in Victoria to have an exposure alert in place, after Island Health issued an alert for Lakeview Christian School. Students and staff at that school may also have been exposed to the virus on November 16.
There are now eight active exposure or cluster outbreaks in schools across Vancouver Island.
An ‘exposure’ is defined by Island Health as a single person with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection who attended school during their infectious period.
A ‘cluster’ means two or more individuals with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection attended school during their infectious period. These cases may be linked to school-based transmission.
Island Health says staff or students who see the exposure alert notice should not assume they have been exposed to the virus.
Close contacts of the person(s) who tested positive for COVID-19 will be identified and contacted by public health officials.
A full list of schools with exposure or cluster alerts in place can be found on the Island Health School Exposures website.
A Victoria woman is celebrating an early Christmas after she took home $100,000 on a Season’s Greetings Scratch & Win ticket.
Brenda Schroeder purchased her winning ticket, and a few others, from the Tillicum Centre Lottery Ticket Centre. She decided to scratch them while she was waiting for her scooter to charge.
“I had started to scratch my ticket and noticed that I could be a winner, but I decided to scratch the other three first before I went to check them,” said Schroeder.
“When I checked the ticket on the self checker, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing…so many zeros on the screen. I just couldn’t believe it, I was completely shocked.”
The Victoria local says she shared the news with a friend, who thought she was joking at first.
“She was shocked as well, and it was the background noise of all the excitement that made her come to the realization that I was not joking and this was real,” Schroeder explained.
She plans to put her win towards a new home for her and her grandson, and to share the remainder with her family.
*Note: Victoria Buzz is not affiliated with BC Lottery Corporation and does not advocate gambling or taking part in lotteries. If you choose to participate, remember to play responsibly.
Island Health has announced that a COVID-19 outbreak at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is over.
“With the implementation of comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to COVID-19 in acute sites, there are no longer any COVID-19 cases related to this outbreak at the site,” the health authority said in a statement on Saturday.
The outbreak was detected after the virus was transmitted between staff on the Transitions Unit, and Island Health declared an outbreak on November 11.
Five staff members contracted COVID-19 during the course of this outbreak, and no patients were affected.
The Transitions Unit at NRGH is now open to new admissions and transfers.
In light of recent times, we’ve seen many events postponed, re-imagined, and some even downright cancelled.
But one of Victoria’s most popular foodie events has thought outside of the box (or maybe that’s inside?!) to create a take-home experience to mimic what event-goers have been missing this whole time.
The Victoria Cheese and Meat Festivalis an annual event that usually showcases a wide array of food and drink vendors all under one roof; the Festival showcases all artisan foods found on a platter.
There was no question that this year’s Cheese and Meat Festival would look a little bit different.
“Our focus went from producing social gatherings to building a fulfillment center. This has been a monumental shift for us that has been supported by vendors who wanted to see us live another day and guests that remained flexible and patient with us while went to work to develop our new take-home Festival,” says Dave Bain, the Cheese and Meat Festival’s Director and Founder.
“It has been a heartwarming experience to see how strong the Cheese and Meat Festival community is”.
This year, the event organizers have worked behind the scenes to find a way to offer existing ticket holders a COVID-19 safe Festival. Together, with their partner Whole Foods Market Canada, they’ve created an exciting new program.
Presenting the “take-home” Cheese and Meat Festival.
So, what is it?
The Festival has worked with its vendors to curate and build sample packages of delicious Festival goodies along with pairing notes and other surprises; these include your favuorite charcuterie board items as well as all kinds of complimentary treats.
And what’s in it?
What exactly is included inside of your Take Home Cheese and Meat Festival box is a surprise, but here’s the list of vendors whose products you’ll find inside:
Included in each of these boxes will also be a beverage passport, which allows you to visit any of the liquor vendors for a period of one year to receive a sample selection (based on the vendor). This program only applies to existing ticket holders and all ticket holders have been contacted.
Existing Cheese and Meat Festival ticket holders will receive their very own vendor box full of goodies, but there are still a few left to purchase! You can snag yours onlinebefore they’re all gone.
Even better than this, we’ve partnered with the Victoria Cheese and Meat Festival to give away vendor boxes to TWO lucky winners – contest details are below!
CONTEST
For your chance to win a Take Home Cheese and Meat Festival box (we’re drawing two winners!), complete one or more of the following:
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 November 23rd, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
(Dr. Bonnie Henry, Minister Adrian Dix/BC Gov Flickr)
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 516 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province on Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 25,474.
In total, 7,404 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 15,742 in Fraser Health, 446 in Vancouver Island Health region, 1,203 in Interior Health, 588 in Northern Health region, and 93 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has increased by 193 to 7,122 in B.C.
There are now a total of 227 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 57 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units. More people are now hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. than there ever have been in the past.
Ten additional COVID-related deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, and the death toll is now at 331.
There are currently 10,002 people being monitored by public health for symptoms of COVID-19 after they were exposed to the virus.
A total of 17,477 people have recovered from novel coronavirus.
There are a total of 43 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and 19 acute-care facilities that have active, ongoing outbreaks.
There remain a number of ongoing COVID-19 exposure sites. B.C. residents are urged to check the BC CDC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
17 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region on Friday.
There have been a total of 446 cases of COVID-19 in the region, six of whom have died. Three people in the region are currently in hospital after contracting the virus, one of whom is in ICU.
Island Health reports that as of November 20, there are 128 active cases in the region.
South Vancouver Island Active cases: 31, Total Cases: 150
Central Vancouver Island Active cases: 85, Total Cases: 186
North Vancouver Island Active cases: 12, Total Cases: 110
The COVID-19 case curve in Vancouver Island health region as of November 20 is represented below:
(Island Health)
As of Thursday there had been a total of 1,005,759 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 115,567 of which were done in the Island Health region.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 57,865,487.
Over 1,376,499 people have died from the illness and 40,064,715 have recovered.
Patrons at Victoria’s Irish Times Pub should check if they visited on one particular date last week.
Island Health has issued a possible COVID-19 exposure alert for the pub on November 13, and anyone who attended the business between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. should monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19.
The health authority deems this exposure ‘low risk’ but have issued a warning out of an abundance of caution.
“Contact tracing has been completed, and anyone identified as a close contact has been instructed to self-isolate,” reads the statement from Island Health.
“If you have not been contacted by public health, then please be assured you did not have a high-risk exposure related to this case. No ongoing COVID-19 risk from this exposure has been identified.”
There are now seven schools, two long term care facilities, one hospital, and two businesses with active exposures or outbreaks on Vancouver Island.
November 14 was just another work day for contractor Jody Wells when he swung by Summit Park Reservoir on a break between stops.
The Brentwood Bay local, who has been a passionate birder for several years, was looking for a trio of redhead ducks that were spotted in the area.
“I decided I would take a bit of time and run up and have a look,” Wells said in an interview with Victoria Buzz.
“I spotted the three redheads, and there was another duck that I perceived as a redhead, and I could see it was feeding really actively, with some ring-necked ducks. Every time it came up it was only for a couple of seconds at most.”
He couldn’t get a good look at the duck because it kept diving underwater repeatedly, but he managed to grab some shots of it by poking his camera through the chain-link fence.
Wells says he normally waits to get home to upload his photos to his computer, but during another break he took a peek at the high-resolution photos on his camera.
What he saw gave him a shock.
“I just had a moment of ‘oh my, is that really what I see on the back of my camera?'”
Wells had just photographed a common pochard, a species of duck whose name belies its extreme rarity in North America.
Common pochards have never been spotted in British Columbia, and two previous sightings in Quebec were dismissed as it could not be determined if the duck was captive or not. This means Wells’ discovery marks the first wild sighting in all of Canada.
(the common pochard, bottom left, alongside a ring-necked duck | photo courtesy Jody Wells)
Melissa Hafting, a Vancouver-based birder who runs the British Columbia Field Ornithologists Association’s Young Birder Program and the blog BC Rare Bird Alert, says word has been sent to the BC Bird Records Committee to verify the find.
“I see no reason they would reject this record,” Hafting told Victoria Buzz. “It doesn’t seem to look captive, it doesn’t come to people.”
She says common pochards have been found in the Aleutian Islands, not too far from their native Siberia, but appearances in North America are far less common.
This is all thrilling news to Wells, who says he ordinarily just looks for local species on the Island.
“I would say five years ago, before I became really intentional, sorting out the different species, I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much as I do now,” he said.
“Now I know that it’s notable, and that’s fun. It’s fun that a lot of people have gotten to see it.”
The find is even attracting international attention from the birding community, but with COVID-19 restrictions many are unable to pay a visit to the Island to catch a glimpse of the common pochard.
Hafting says it isn’t all bad news with the pandemic, though. She says she has seen a large uptick in interest in birding from locals around the lower mainland and on Vancouver Island, and the hobby itself is a COVID-friendly way to be active.
“Normally, birding in COVID is quite easy, you can bird alone, with your family,” said Hafting.
“It’s easy to space out on dikes, on trails. Now people are birding like crazy just to keep mentally well.”
Wells agrees. The birder says getting out into nature and looking at wildlife from a safe distance is a great de-stresser and a way to challenge your mind.
He also says that his passionate hobby is one he shared with his parents, and especially his mother, who passed away in February.
“Both my mom and dad very much encouraged me in birdwatching and wildlife appreciation,” said Wells.
“It was wonderful to share all of the finds that we had back and forth.”
His parents, a pair of small-town Saskatchewanians, occasionally visited Wells for the odd trip to Mt. Tolmie. His mother used the same model camera as Wells does to photograph wildlife.
Wells says she was ecstatic after spotting a white-faced ibis, a rare bird that now decorates her headstone.
He says she would have been thrilled to hear about his historic sighting.
“Dad and I talk almost daily on the phone and our sightings of birds and other wildlife are often the topic of conversation,” Wells said.
“He has plans to get going and learn Mom’s camera in the coming months. She was really happy to have found those birds, and she would be even more happy about this.”
(Bylaw officers dismantling, throwing out structures at Beacon Hill Park/Photo submitted)
Note: This article has been updated to include statements from the City of Victoria.
City of Victoria bylaw and Victoria Police officers attended the site of a community care tent and showers donated by supporters at Beacon Hill Park to dismantle those structures Friday morning.
“They were taking apart the community care tent and putting it all in a dumpster bin… There were tons and tons of donations from the community… they took all that out and threw it away,” said supporter and Victoria resident Gina Mowatt, in an interview with Victoria Buzz.
“The showers we built and an 800 gallon cistern full of clean drinking water, [they] poured that all out too. They took apart the showers and put them in a bin.”
Videos and photos uploaded on social media Friday morning confirm accounts of bylaw officers tearing down the community care tent and showers while Victoria Police stood by.
“City of Victoria Bylaw was conducting bylaw enforcement in Beacon Hill Park this morning. We were there to keep the peace while bylaw conducted enforcement,” said VicPD spokesperson Cst. Cam MacIntyre in an emailed statement to Victoria Buzz.
The community care tent at Beacon Hill Park offers a collection of donated items — like food, medical supplies, sleeping bags, and heaters — much needed by unsheltered people, particularly during a pandemic.
While Mowatt says the donations in the community tent were thrown away, City of Victoria representative Bill Eisenhauer says everything was boxed up and is being stored, ready to be returned to the group.
“Perhaps the bin that was used to transport all left an impression it was trash bin, but it was simply a bin for transport all together safely and in an organized fashion,” Eisenhauer added in an email to Victoria Buzz.
However Mowatt and other community members have little trust that the items will be returned to the unhoused population.
“Just from experiences of mass dispossession when homeless encampments are moved, like the one at Pandora (Ave), they confiscated everyone’s things, and people never got them back. Legal observers have documented instances when bylaw took people’s things and never gave them back,” said Mowatt.
“So it’s one thing for the city to say ‘yes we’re impounding it and you’ll get them back’, but it’s another story when the day comes of whether the items will be destroyed or not.”
The tent and showers have been a point of contention for the City of Victoria and, according to Mayor Lisa Helps, their placement violates the conditions of the Beacon Hill Trust, which governs what activities can and cannot take place in the park.
“If the Community Care Tent is not removed, the City could be found to be in violation of the Trust,” reads her blog post.
“Being found in violation of the Trust is serious and could put the park at risk and some important uses that are valued by the community may not be able to continue. The showers installed in the park fall into the same category.”
However community members and volunteers who have donated items to the tent and built the showers say the sudden raid by bylaw and police was unexpected, given that the group was in talks with the city to move the structures.
“The city was in negotiation with the [people who set up the] community care tent,” said Mowatt.
“They had sent us an email expressing an opportunity to move the community care tent and showers to another location. A lot of the folks that were involved with that were confused about why bylaw officers dismantled the structures.”
Witnesses say one person was also injured during an arrest by Victoria Police at the site.
“A woman assaulted a police officer while we were in Beacon Hill Park,” said Cst. MacIntyre. “She was arrested for assaulting a police officer and transported to cells, where she was then released, with the investigation ongoing.”
However witnesses on the ground have a different account of what happened.
“They were standing and the cops were trying to get by them. The cops were pushing them and so they put their arm out to protect themselves,” said Mowatt.
“When they put their arm out, the cops grabbed them and put them on the ground and arrested them for assaulting a police officer—which they didn’t do.”
The individual is currently in hospital, being treated for a broken elbow. The injury was present before the arrest, but witnesses say the arrest made it worse.
The events of the day have eroded the group’s trust in the City of Victoria, according to Mowatt.
“The community care tent wasn’t just about people giving out food, it was about the larger community in Victoria showing the people who are unhoused that we care about them,” she said.
“If there’s anything we learnt from this, it’s that any conversations we’re having with the city is a waste of time. So we’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing.”
City of Victoria spokesperson Bill Eisenhauer says bylaw and staff have been trying to find a solution by moving the structures but no agreement was reached.
“City Bylaw officers and other staff have had many discussions over the past few weeks with the individuals operating these unauthorized structures to offer to assist with possible solutions, including exploring alternative locations outside the park to establish these services,” said Bill Eisenhauer.
“They have simply declined to work with us to find an alternative solution, leaving us no choice but to remove the structures today.”
However Victoria city councillor Sarah Potts took to Instagram on Friday to denounce the dismantling of the facilities, adding that she had been in active talks with the community to find a solution.
(Sarah Potts/Instagram)
Eisenhauer also added that Beacon Hill Park residents and community members can apply for a $100,000 grant program established by the city to provide mobile hygiene and other social services to people sheltering outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s time to spread some holiday cheer – in the best way possible!
The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees is officially back for its 29th year at The Bay Centre, and in an unprecedented time where a little extra light is needed, the annual event is a welcome beacon of hope.
In total, 51 local businesses and organizations have stepped up during a difficult year to have their decorated Christmas trees displayed throughout the Bay Centre, in a magnificent showing of holiday spirit.
Raising funds for the B.C. Children’s Hospital
Each one of these trees hopes to win the coveted “People’s Choice” Award, and this is where YOU can help! All you have to do is cast your vote for your favourite tree with a donation to the B.C. Children’s Hospital.
Donating is easy, safe and virtual. Simply text a particular tree number to 45678. For example, our Victoria Buzz tree is #49, so if you’d like to vote for ours, you would text “TREE049” to the number 45678 to make a $5 donation to BCCHF and vote for our tree.
You can also donate to the Victoria Buzz fundraising page in direct support of BCCHF.
This year, the trees are scattered throughout the Bay Centre in a way that avoids crowding and flows with the directional way finding signs aimed to keep everyone safe.
New this year, funds raised through the Festival support mental health programs at BC Children’s Hospital.
Did you know that 70 per cent of mental health issues begin in childhood?
In British Columbia more than 84,000 children and youth are affected by mental health and only 30 per cent are receiving the specialized care they need. Today’s COVID-19 pandemic is expected to result in increased mental health challenges for kids.
During these exceptionally difficult times, even more children across the province may struggle with mental health challenges and BC Children’s Hospital is here to support them.
The Festival of Trees officially kicked off November 19th and will run until January 5th, 2021.
Updated statistics from Elections BC show that the 2020 Provincial Election saw the lowest voter turnout in B.C. on record.
On Friday, Elections BC released updated statistics that say 54.5 per cent of registered voters showed up to vote in this fall’s snap election.
That’s the lowest turnout on record since 1928, breaking a previous record low of 55.14 per cent in 2009. 61.4 per cent of voters turned out for the election in 2017.
The highest turnout on record since 1928 was in 1983, when 77.66 per cent of registered voters showed up to the polls and Social Credit premier Bill Bennett was re-elected for his third and final term.
Voter estimates for the 2020 election are based on the number of registered voters at the close of general registration on September 26, and the number of valid votes and rejected ballots, cast either in person or by mail.
1,900,353 voters cast a ballot in the provincial election, the second-highest total in B.C. electoral history.
Record numbers of voters used vote-by-mail packages in 2020, with 724,279 packages requested, compared to only 6,517 voters who voted by mail in 2017.
596,287 people returned their packages by the close of voting this fall, representing a return rate of 82.3 per cent.
Elections BC says the return rate does not account for voters who decided to vote in person after requesting a vote-by-mail package.
They say they will be reporting this statistic in the Chief Electoral Officer’s report, which will be published in 2021.
2020’s provincial election was also notable in that it was the first election where more voters cast their ballot in advance than on Election Day.
28.8 per cent of those who voted did so on Election Day, compared to 35.4 per cent who voted in advance and 31.4 per cent who voted by mail.
Green candidate Jeremy Valeriote lost to incumbent Liberal Jordan Sturdy in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky by a margin of only 60 votes after a mandatory recount.
At a press appearance this week, Premier John Horgan said he will swear his cabinet in on Nov. 26, and his government will deliver a throne speech on Dec. 7.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared visibly frustrated when he stepped out in front of the podium outside Rideau Cottage Friday morning.
“I don’t want to be here this morning, you don’t want me to be here this morning, but here we are again. The cases across the country are spiking massively,” he said, addressing the nation the morning after B.C. introduced sweeping restrictions to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
“If you were planning to see friends this weekend, maybe don’t. If there was a birthday party or a gathering for dinner you were thinking of doing, don’t do it,” said the PM.
Trudeau said he met with Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, along with federal ministers and leaders of the opposition to discuss the current situation, adding that all levels of government must work together to curb the spread of this virus.
As several provinces announced shut down measures harming businesses that were already suffering from the first lockdown, the Prime Minister noted that the best thing for the economy is to get the pandemic under control first.
To make sure supports are available for businesses, Trudeau said parliament passed a bill Thursday night to provide new rent subsidies for businesses that will go directly to tenants instead of through the landlord.
This subsidy will cover up to 65 per cent of rent for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Businesses facing a public health lockdown will also qualify for an additional 25 per cent rent subsidy through the new lockdown support.
These subsidies will be available alongside the existing Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) for small businesses.
Applications for these new subsidies will be available starting Monday, November 23, and they will be retroactive until the beginning of October.
The additional measures were announced in light of dark predictions by Dr. Theresa Tam that indicate the possibility of 60,000 new COVID-19 cases per day across Canada in December if people increase their contacts during the holidays.
But even with the current rate of contacts, the country could be seeing 20,000 new cases per day by December.
Public health officials expect between 366,500 to 378,600 total cases, and between 11,870 to 12,120 deaths across the country by November 30.
BC Ferries reported an $81.7 million drop in revenue for their second quarter, ending September 30, compared to the same time period in 2019.
The loss is the latest indicator of a serious impact on the transport provider stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net losses for BC Ferries’ year-to-date since April 1, 2020 were $24.2 million, compared to net earnings of $107.2 million for the same time period in 2019. This represents a decline in revenues of $131.4 million.
“COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on the ferry system as we navigate
through what is now the new normal with our employees, our customers and all British
Columbians,” said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President and CEO.
Passenger traffic has declined significantly as travel has been routinely discouraged by governments at every level, and even from tourism groups on the Island.
During their second quarter, BC Ferries saw a drop of 29 per cent in passenger traffic and 14 per cent in vehicle traffic, compared to 2019.
Expenses have also fallen as the transport operator has cut labour costs, fuel consumption, contracted services, and maintenance.
However, with an operational cost decrease of only 11.5 per cent for the second quarter compared to 2019, BC Ferries says these cuts will not be enough to offset their revenue losses.
They say that a significant portion of their costs are fixed and they are reassessing long-term capital plans to procure new vessels and to upgrade and modify existing vessels.
“Given the impact of the pandemic to our operations and financial position, we are reviewing all capital plans to identify opportunities to defer any expenditures that are not regulatory, security or safety related or operationally necessary,” said Collins.
On September 18, 2020, the Federal and Provincial Governments announced that
BC Ferries will receive $308 million under the Safe Restart Funding Program.
RCMP are investigating a rash of thefts involving batteries that were stolen from traffic control devices around Duncan and Shawnigan Lake.
Officers with the North Cowichan/Duncan detachment say four incidents were reported from July 2020 to October 2020, at locations including intersections of the Trans Canada Highway.
The batteries affected traffic lights and electronic constructions signs, which the RCMP are crucial to keeping roadways safe.
They say that anyone can report an inoperable traffic control device in the North Cowichan/Duncan region by calling their non-emergency line at 250-748-5522.
“If you approach an uncontrolled intersection, or a flashing red traffic control light, this should be treated like a four-way intersection and everyone must come to a complete stop, said Sgt. Trevor Busch.
“If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first when it’s safe to do so.”
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact their local police or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at a second long term care facility on Vancouver Island as of November 19.
According to Island Health, one staff member at Discovery Harbour long-term care home in Campbell River has tested positive for the virus.
The staff member who tested positive is self-isolating at home, and the outbreak is limited to one neighbourhood within the facility.
The health authority says that no residents within the care facility, which is owned and operated by Park Place Seniors Living, is showing any symptoms of COVID-19.
All admissions, transfers and visitations to the site have been stopped and enhanced control measures have been implemented.
The Discovery Harbour facility is the second long term care home on Vancouver Island to ever have an outbreak of COVID-19.
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Tsawaayuuss Rainbow Gardens long-term care home in Port Alberni on November 16 after one staff member there tested positive.
Nanaimo RCMP say they are close to concluding their investigation of an incident where a woman threw coffee at a McDonald’s drive-thru.
Dashcam footage from October 14 caught a woman on video walking up to a drive-thru window, throwing coffee at an employee inside, then walking away.
Police say the employee was not injured in the incident.
“This incident struck a nerve with many and the video of the incident was shared numerous times on social media,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Nanaimo RCMP say they are close to concluding their investigation of an incident where a woman threw coffee at a McDonald's drive-thru.
O’Brien says that following the release of the video, tips from the general public started pouring in. He says the information was extremely helpful to investigators and allowed them to narrow their suspect pool and to aggressively pursue the incident.
RCMP say they will be forwarding their report to Nanaimo Crown Counsel in upcoming weeks.
