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The Nanaimo RCMP are asking the public for help to find the rightful owner of a ring that was turned in to their detachment last week.
The person who found the ring told police they had found it on Thursday, October 8 near Long Lake on Wellesley Street.
RCMP describe the piece of jewelry as a men’s ring, square on top with an embossed pattern in the square.
Constable Gary O’Brien said the image on the ring is very distinct and the owner should be able to describe what it is.
Anyone with information about the rightful owner of the ring should call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file number 2020-37738.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 142 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number of cases to 11,034 in the province at a test-positivity rate of 1.5 per cent.
In total, 3,974 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 5,800 in Fraser Health, 239 in Vancouver Island Health region, 587 in Interior Health, 345 in Northern Health region, and 89 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has decreased by two to 1,494 in B.C.
There are now a total of 74 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 24 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No additional deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, and the death toll remains at 250.
3,683 people are now in isolation and being monitored by public health officials after being exposed to COVID-19.
A total of 9,257 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
No new outbreaks were reported at health care facilities in the province.
There are now a total of 17 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and two acute-care facilities that have active, ongoing outbreaks.
One new community cluster was reported in the Interior Health region at a FedEx office near an airport. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry says contact tracing is underway, and there is no risk to the public who were picking up packages at the office.
There continue to be 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
Two new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region over the past 24 hours.
There have been 239 total cases of COVID-19 in the region, six of whom have died, and 218 people have recovered. One person is currently in hospital.
This means there are now 15 active cases on the Island.
As of Monday there had been 678,085 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 82,048 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 39,105,354.
Over 1,101,409 people have died from the illness and 29,291,283 have made a full recovery.
A BC Liberal Party candidate has resigned after facing heavy criticism online for comparing a plan to provide free prescription birth control to eugenics.
Laurie Throness, candidate for the riding of Chilliwack-Kent, made the problematic comments at an all-candidates’ debate on Wednesday, October 14. The announcement of his resignation was made by party leader Andrew Wilkinson on Thursday afternoon, and the party issued a statement shortly afterwards.
A video of the debate shows Throness’ response after being asked whether government should provide free contraception to everyone. He started off saying he has no “moral” problem with birth control, but spiralled into a surprising comparison.
“It contains a whiff of the old eugenics thing where poor people shouldn’t have babies and so we can’t force them to have contraception so we’ll give it to them for free,” said Throness.
“And maybe they’ll have fewer babies so there will be fewer poor people in the future. And to me that contains an odour that I don’t like and so I don’t really support what the NDP is doing there and that’s my answer.”
Both the BC NDP and the Green Party promised free contraception in their platforms, but the Green Party limited their pledge to making it available for people under the age of 25.
Throness’ comments were widely shared on social media Thursday morning, drawing condemnation from many including the Twitter account for Access BC’s campaign for free contraception.
“No @LaurieThroness, increasing access to prescription #contraception is not eugenics! It’s helping people make decisions about what happens to their bodies,” reads a post from the account.
“We met with you…We informed you about how increasing access to #contraception improves health outcomes for mothers + infants, increases equality, reduces the number of unplanned pregnancies + saves money!”
The advocacy group has been calling for governments to include free birth control as a health care measure for the past four years.
The NDP was also quick to respond to the Liberal Party’s latest scandal.
Their candidate for Coquitlam-Maillardville and former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Selina Robinson, weighed in, saying she was “horrified and flabbergasted” to hear Throness’ comments.
“To suggest somehow that giving people a choice to use contraception and that somehow making it free smacks of eugenics is from another century it is so disrespectful for women that I’m outraged,” said Robinson.
This is not the first time Laurie Throness has come under fire for problematic comments and actions.
Calls for his removal were also made earlier this year after he refused to stop advertising in a Christian magazine known for its homophobic views. Throness went even further to defend an article about conversion therapy.
BC Liberal Party leader Andrew Wilkinson was quick to respond to the comments, stating that he supports providing free birth control for anyone who wants it.
“What Laurie Throness said was wrong and against my position as leader of this party. I will be making this very clear to Laurie when we next speak,” wrote Wilkinson in a tweet.
Let’s be clear, I support government providing free contraception to anyone in B.C who wants it. #bcpoli#BCElection2020
This is the second time in one week that the party leader has had to perform damage control for one of his candidates’ missteps after a leaked video showed BC Liberals’ North Vancouver-Seymour candidate Jane Thornthwaite making sexist comments about Bowinn Ma, the NDP’s North Vancouver-Lonsdale candidate.
In response to Thornthwaite’s controversy, party leader Andrew Wilkinson was quick to apologize and add that the candidate “made a fool” of herself.
In the past, he refused to directly address Throness’ comments and views on the LGBTQ+ community, dodging questions on the subject by bringing up the fact that he has “gay family members” and therefore supports their rights.
But this time Throness’ comments appear to have been the last straw.
“Laurie Throness has accepted that his comments were wrong and inappropriate. It was clear that he couldn’t continue to be part of the BC Liberal team,” reads a statement from the BC Liberal Party.
“The BC Liberal Party is dedicated to a diversity of perspectives, but all party members are dedicated to inclusiveness and equality – that is not up for debate.”
They are offering a host of different positions (full and part time!), and the possibilities are endless; plus, with perks like paid vacation and benefits, it’s a win-win.
There are currently security positions in Victoria and Nanaimo up for grabs, and company-paid training available for new hires.
If you’re ready to make the world a safer and friendlier place, one shift at a time, take a look at these 5 reasons why you should become a Paladin Security Officer:
1. Company-paid training, security licence, and uniform
Paladin pays for all of your training! As a company committed to delivering the highest level of training and education, they provide over 50 additional Safety and Security related courses to advance your career.
They also pay for:
Security licences
Uniform deposits
2. Promotion from within
Paladin is also dedicated to employee development and provides great opportunities for advancement, such as:
Shift Lead, Assistant Supervisor, Site Supervisor, Field Manager, Security Program Manager, or Client Service Manager
In fact, many of their Branch Managers, Directors, and Vice Presidents started out as Security Officers. This commitment has made them recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures!
3. Variety of positions and industries to work in
They have a variety of challenging assignments and positions to offer you, such as Full-time, part-time, and casual Security Officer positions located in Victoria and Nanaimo!
Exciting industries to work in include:
Retail, Mobile Patrol, Tourism, Community Support Programs, and Office Buildings
4. Amazing benefits
Paladin offers some of the most comprehensive benefit programs in the industry, including:
Dental insurance
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Did you know 25% of Paladin’s employees move on to law enforcement careers?
Pursuing a career as a Security Officer can provide you with tangible experience, which will increase your eligibility for countless career opportunities, such as:
(from L-R: Rishi Sharma, Lana Popham, Kate O'Connor, photos via BC Liberal Party, BC NDP, BC Green Party)
From October 10 to 16, Victoria Buzz will be profiling the seven ridings in the Greater Victoria area.
We reached out to candidates to provide information on what they think the most important issues are in this election.
Today we’re looking at the riding of Saanich South.
The riding covers a large portion of Saanich from the Saanich Inlet in the Northwest to the Mount Douglas Park in the Southeast. It includes neighbourhoods like Cordova Bay and Royal Oak.
Here are the candidates running for the riding:
BC Liberals – Rishi Sharma
Age: 45
Background: Director, Ministry of Advanced Education, public servant, equity, seconded to BC Construction Association for diversity and inclusion initiative
Key issues: “COVID-19 and economic recovery. At the doorsteps of Saanich South residents and during my meetings, I am hearing that people are looking for a representative they can trust, someone they can count on to responsibly manage their (taxpayer) money and for someone to ensure their personal and family safety through the COVID pandemic.”
BC NDP – Lana Popham (incumbent)
Age: 51
Background: Minister of Agriculture
Key issues:
“COVID-19 is the biggest issue facing Saanich South, and indeed the whole province.
In the first six months of the pandemic, our government responded by investing in services and supports that are truly helping people, communities and local businesses.
We have kept the economy moving, and are taking care of those who have become sick.
And of course the pandemic has caused financial hardship or disruption for everyone.
A re-elected BC NDP government will focus on continuing to invest in people and building an economic recovery that works for everyone.
It’s about looking after each other, and building back better.”
BC Green Party – Kate O’Connor
Age: 18
Background: High school graduate, produce clerk, worker on Sonia Furstenau BC Green Party leadership campaign
Key issues: “Kate is 17, soon to be 18, and a passionate advocate for urgent climate action, indigenous rights, better mental health care and food security.
She also believes decisive action is needed to address the affordability crisis. Kate represents a generation of young people who are done being ignored. They’re standing up and demanding their future is protected.
Kate believes that we need a strong team of Greens in the legislature to hold the NDP accountable. She also believes in the value of intergenerational leadership and diverse perspectives to make the best decisions possible for all British Columbians.“
VicPD say they recently spotted a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after his parole was revoked.
Dallis Briet is the subject of an ongoing VicPD Community Update Wanted Alert and officers are still working to locate him.
Police spotted Briet breaching conditions of parole yesterday, including a prohibition on being in or driving a vehicle.
Briet fled and officers held off their pursuit out of a concern for public safety and risk to nearby bystanders.
He has past arrests and convictions for offences including driving-related offences, possession of stolen property, break and enter and breaching conditions.
Briet is described as a 44-year-old white man, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a heavy build, weighing approximately 229 lbs.
He has blue eyes, one of which is a glass prosthetic, and short brown hair, which is greying at the temples and forms a widow’s peak.
He recently had a short, scruffy dark brown beard with salt and pepper areas.
A three-hour search in the Inner Harbour took a twist when a man who was pulled from the water was arrested on outstanding warrants.
VicPD said that they were initially called Wednesday afternoon for a report of a person in distress in the water on the south side of the Johnson Street Bridge.
Officers arrived shortly after 4:20 p.m. and began searching the area.
One officer entered the water and had to be treated by paramedics for exposure due to staying in the Harbour for a long period of time.
The rescue operation also included the Victoria Fire Department, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Coast Guard, and the Saanich Police Dive Team.
At approximately 7:15 p.m., while the Saanich Police Dive Team was conducting their search, the missing man surfaced from the water and was pulled from the water by officers.
This individual was just pulled from the water. He came up from the water from under the wharf. @vicpdcanada are trying to determine who this individual is and if he’s connected to the person they’re searching for. Search continues. #victoriabuzzpic.twitter.com/6dOMUprXiE
Vote-by-mail packages can be requested by anyone, right up until general voting day on October 24.
However, Elections BC recommends that people request their package by October 17, as they will stop allowing requests online or through the Elections BC contact centre at 8 p.m. that day.
Completed packages must be received by Elections BC by 8 p.m. on October 24 in order to be counted.
A section of the Pat Bay Highway in Saanich was closed last night and will be again overnight today for the filming of an upcoming Netflix series.
Filming is scheduled to take place on the highway between the McKenzie Avenue exit and entry ramps between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15.
A detour is in place during production and there will be signs and traffic control personnel will be in the area to direct drivers.
Additional filming will take place on the Pat Bay Highway in Sidney between McDonald Park Road and Lands End Road on Oct. 17 or 23. According to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation said, there will be rolling closures from 12 a.m. until 6 a.m. on Oct. 17.
“Maid” is a new series from Warner Bros/Netflix based on the memoir “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” by Stephanie Land.
The City of Colwood says that the series will have a limited run of 10 episodes, filmed exclusively in the Victoria area between September 2020 and March 2021.
The series tells the story of a single mother who turns to housekeeping to make ends meet, battling poverty, homelessness, and bureaucracy.
Netflix announced Maid in November 2019. LuckyChap Entertainment, a production company founded by actress Margot Robbie in 2014, will be producing the series. Robbie is also listed as an Executive Producer on the show.
“Stephanie Land’s book is a powerful and necessary read, with incredible insight into the struggles people face whilst just trying to get by,” LuckyChap Entertainment said in a statement.
The City of Colwood says that the film industry sees dollars spent in the community for other businesses outside the film industry, multiplying the financial benefit for the region.
“Showcasing Colwood’s beautiful west coast waterfront location at Royal Beach to national and international audiences through film is an exciting way to promote our City and attract new investment in our community,” the City said.
A premiere date for Maid has not yet been announced on the Netflix website.
ShakeOut Day returned for another year on the third Thursday of October – this year, October 15 – to remind people about earthquake safety.
In the Victoria area, municipalities encouraged the public to participate by signing up for reminders and information at shakeoutbc.ca, while also offering information of their own.
“Victoria has a one-in-three probability of a damaging earthquake in the next 50 years – and we need to be prepared,” the City of Victoria wrote in a release.
The City posted information on emergency preparedness, including tips on assembling a kit, on their website.
“What we have experienced with COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of being prepared now more than ever,” said Frank Macdonald, Saanich Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief.
“The ShakeOut drill can be completed wherever you are on October 15 and is a great way to practise your preparedness while maintaining physical distancing.”
The science behind earthquakes
Dr. John Cassidy, Head of the Earthquake Seismology Section at Natural Resources Canada and an adjunct professor at UVic, says the drills are very important for raising awareness and can save lives.
“The greatest danger is from non-structural damage – items flying around, cabinets falling over, fridges,” said Cassidy in an interview with Victoria Buzz.
“It’s not so much a building a collapsing. Things falling…That really is the danger, the most common type of impact. That’s what we’re trying to minimize with this exercise.”
Cassidy says that earthquakes can cause household and workplace items to fly through the air with more force than just gravity. He says that’s why ShakeOut’s instructions stress “holding on” to a protective surface.
In the event of an earthquake, you should drop to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy desk, table, or another solid surface, and hold on to it to prevent it from moving away from you.
There are three main types of earthquakes that can impact Vancouver Island: subduction zone earthquakes, crustal earthquakes, and deep earthquakes. Subduction zone earthquakes are the most severe but are also much more infrequent.
The Island rests over the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate, which is being pushed towards North America by undersea volcanic activity.
(diagram showing different earthquake types along with the Juan de Fuca plate: 1) crustal earthquakes, 2) deep earthquakes, 3) subduction zone earthquakes; graphic by Natural Resources Canada)
“Plates are moving at about the same speed your fingernails grow,” said Cassidy. “It’s that movement that ultimately produces the earthquakes.”
As the Juan de Fuca plate presses against the continent, the risk of a subduction zone earthquake increases. When the plate finally “pops” under the continent, a massive quake will occur.
However, Cassidy said this is a very rare event.
“We know that the last one was January 26, 1700; that comes from Japan where there were written documents of a tsunami,” he said.
“That fits with Indigenous oral traditions [in Canada] that describe a village disappearing, and shaking that continued for a long time.”
Deep earthquakes are more frequent, such as the 2001 quake that caused $2 billion worth of damage in Seattle.
Cassidy says those types of quakes are caused by differences in composition and density in rock and magma along the bottom of the tectonic plate, and occur about 50 to 70 kilometres below the surface.
Shaking from deep earthquakes is reduced on the surface by the distance the shockwave has to travel, but can still cause major damage, injury, and even death.
Cassidy also says that aftershocks from particularly large earthquakes, like the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, can last for months or even over a year.
He says practicing drills and safety tips, like keeping a flashlight in the house and slippers on hand for walking through broken glass and other debris, can prevent injury and save lives.
“We know that the more people are prepared, the more lives will be saved,” said Cassidy. “Spreading the message is so important.”
Who police describe as “one tough kid” was rescued from the waters underneath the Johnson Street bridge on Wednesday evening, after he was submerged underwater for several hours.
At around 4:20 p.m., VicPD officers were called to a report of a person in distress in the water on the south side of the Johnson Street bridge.
Upon arrival, multiple officers began to search for the individual, with efforts even including an officer entering the water and searching underneath nearby docks himself.
After searching for a significant period of time, the officer was treated on scene by paramedics for exposure to the cold, and the search continued.
Along with VicPD, the Victoria Fire Department, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Coast Guard also attended to assist with the search.
At around 7:15 p.m., one surprised officer on scene spotted a person emerge from the waters beside the docks where police dive teams were searching.
After police asked the man what he was doing in the waters, he simply replied, “I’m swimming.”
Video shows officers pulling the man from the water in a shocking recovery, though at that time they were unsure as to if the man was the original individual they were searching for.
This individual was just pulled from the water. He came up from the water from under the wharf. @vicpdcanada are trying to determine who this individual is and if he’s connected to the person they’re searching for. Search continues. #victoriabuzzpic.twitter.com/6dOMUprXiE
After confirming that it was indeed the man who was being sought, paramedics arrived on scene and immediately undressed the individual and wrapped him in a thermal blanket.
He was then transported to ambulance, with what police describe as non-life threatening injuries.
As the scene was being cleared, one officer told Victoria Buzz that the man had clung to the underside of the wharf for what is believed to be several hours.
UPDATE | AMAZING NEWS! Officers have pulled the man from the Inner Harbour. He's alive, with what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries from exposure to the cold. He's being transported to hospital by @BC_EHS paramedics. #yyj
Victoria police are currently at Johnson Street bridge for a report of a person in the water.
A VicPD officer who was in the water searching for the person for a significant amount of time is now being treated by paramedics for exposure to the cold.
According to police, they’re continuing to search for the person in the water.
The bridge is still open to traffic and pedestrians at this time.
We’re really sorry we missed our regular Things to Do yesterday, but we’re back to our regularly scheduled event listings today!
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
Without further ado, here are five things to do today, Thursday October 15th:
The Bateman Gallery of Nature offers after-hours admission is by donation, with two amazing nature-themed exhibits: The World of Robert Bateman is a brand new show that celebrates the artistic process and environmental advocacy of this Canadian icon, and Grizzly Bears: Teachers of the Land is an in-progress installation exploring the lessons of the Grizzly.
Want to discuss what you’ve just experienced over a cold beverage and some tuna tataki? Head downstairs to the Steamship Bar & Grill, home of Victoria’s most scenic patio. Tell them you’ve come from the gallery to get an exclusive discount!
A full list of the gallery’s physical distancing policies is available here: https://batemanfoundation.org/visit/
New creations that explore humanity in all its forms. Quanz’s Wistful to Rachmaninov’s classic “Vocalise” shows how love is eternal even as we grow apart. “Polovtsian Dances” to Borodin’s “Prince Igor” expresses the intensity and power of rival groups. Finally, follow the journey of The Little Prince as he travels through the universe and tells tales of his planet and the wonderful, mysterious, and enlightening people he meets along the way.
Live Music at Pagliacci’s! Forcing any and every genre through a dinner music filter. Young, talented and ready to shred. Harry Siegel: guitar and The Tyrants of Jazz are Steven Taddei on bass as well as Mike Zurmehly: drums.
Esquimalt Farmers Market heads into the fall season with a new time and location. For the final eight weeks of the season, you can see local growers and producers with terrific goods and services made with environmentally sound practices. There will be food trucks on hand too!
When: 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Just outside the Esquimalt Rec Centre (527 Fraser Street), in the lacrosse box
Victor Frankenstein created a monster. The terror and fear that the monster inspired is legendary. But do you know the real story? Do you dare listen to it in the upper reaches of Craigdarroch Castle on a dark October night?
Actor Jason Stevens makes a rare non-Christmas appearance in the Craigdarroch Castle dance hall with his interpretation of this classic gothic horror story. If you’ve been delighted by Jason’s one-man performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, you won’t want to miss his gripping take on Frankenstein.
Please note: Frankenstein takes place in the Castle’s dance hall, located on the fourth floor (there are 87 steps and no elevator in the Castle).
Re-working transit strategy by eliminating PST on e-bikes, supporting active infrastructure like bike lanes, promoting neighbourhood car co-ops, and reworking local government finances to be less reliant on property taxes
One of the biggest highlights of the full Green platform is a pledge to “integrate the principles of basic income.”
While the platform doesn’t offer a fully universal income, the Green Party promised they would begin a transition towards basic income by making $300 crisis supplements through income and disability assistance permanent.
They would also index assistance to inflation, and eliminate asset tests.
The party also pledged to reduce clawbacks on earned income to reduce the disincentive to work and would establish a 12-month period where those who qualify for income assistance can earn extra income without clawbacks.
The BC Green Party also said they would eliminate loopholes on the speculation tax, while promising to create a task force on employment standards that would “ensure that multinational companies are paying their fair share of taxes in BC.”
Additional promises include:
Introducing equal pay legislation
Offering free prescription contraception for people under 25, and removing PST on all prescription contraceptive products
Bringing back BC Ferries as a crown corporation
Establishing a $500 million fund to support sustainable jobs
A beloved local Halloween must-see is coming to a permanent end this year.
The owners of Heritage Haunted House, an annual pop-up haunted house attraction in Saanich, has announced that they will never again have ghouls and vampires and monsters of all kinds on display.
For the past 15 years, Carly Burbank and her family have converted their Saanich character house into a haunted house for visitors in October, but says they have decided to shut it all down after the set up for the show turned into “somewhat of a monster itself”.
“The months of set up involved requiring me to take months off work,” said Burbank in a message to Victoria Buzz.
‘We run our own business so that’s difficult, I also have some health issues that the stress was exacerbating.”
The entire display spanned 6,000 sq. ft. and encompassed a section of the home and yard. Each year featured a different theme (like classic horror films, phobias, Circus Freakshow, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more) with different props, costumes, and building materials sponsored by the family business, Dino Lab Inc.
“Porta potties were donated by coast Environmental Services. Knappett Industries donated materials and labour, Everything Old donated some creepy scene setting props. Food for the volunteers and candy donations have been supplied by Thrifty Foods, Quality Foods, Villages Pizza, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Ali Baba Pizza, Domino’s, Costco and Dino Lab. We thank them all!” said Burbank.
Up to a thousand visitors would show up at Heritage Haunted House every year, and get spooked for a small fee.
All proceeds from that fee were donated to charitable organizations, most notably the Help Fill a Dream Foundation, for which the community raised over $20,000 over the years.
The popularity of the annual display has Burbank worried that too many people might be caught unawares by its closure and try to attend this year.
“We are worried that if the news doesn’t get out that we are closed that there will be a bunch of people crowded onto our small strata on Halloween and distancing rules will be impossible to enforce,” she added.
Even before COVID-19 hit, the growing number of visitors who wanted to go see the attraction were starting to pose a problem for the Saanich neighbourhood.
Burbank says last year, one of the Haunted House volunteers’ vehicles was the victim of a hit and run incident, and beer cans and cigarette butts had been left on neighbours’ properties.
“We just thought it was probably a good idea to get out before anyone got hurt or our neighbours started resenting the event,” said Burbank.
“We have some incredible memories of the haunt and wanted to end on a high note.”
Even though the event has been cancelled, Burbank hopes community members will continue supporting the Help Fill a Dream Foundation and other charities with regular donations.
The Saanich property will still be decked out with its usual family-friendly Nightmare Before Christmas display between October and January this year for anyone who wants to drive by and check it out.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 158 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number of cases to 10,892 in the province.
In total, 3,941 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 5,697 in Fraser Health, 237 in Vancouver Island Health region, 585 in Interior Health, 343 in Northern Health region, and 89 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has increased by 20 to 1,496 in B.C.
There are now a total of 84 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 24 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No additional deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, and the death toll remains at 250.
3,608 people are now in isolation and being monitored by public health officials after being exposed to COVID-19.
A total of 9,112 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
No new outbreaks were reported at health care facilities on the mainland, while the outbreak at St. Paul’s Hospital has been declared over.
There are now a total of 17 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and two acute-care facilities that have active, ongoing outbreaks.
No new community outbreaks were reported but there continue to be 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
Two new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region over the past 24 hours.
There have been 237 total cases of COVID-19 in the region, six of whom have died, and 218 people have recovered. One person is currently in hospital.
This means there are now 13 active cases on the Island.
As of Monday there had been 678,085 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 82,048 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 38,688,328.
Over 1,095,490 people have died from the illness and 29,035,374 have made a full recovery.
Autumn has arrived and with it the cooler weather, giving us all of the cozy fall vibes and craving those familiar creature comforts that go along with the season.
With shopping looking a little bit different this holiday season, many markets have been put on pause which is exactly why the Bay Centre’s newest retailer is the perfect happy medium for all those craving that market feel, but want to experience it in a safe and COVID-19 friendly way.
Market Collective by Shi Studio is now open on level 2 of the Bay Centre, and hosts over 60 local makers, designers, artists and food producers of Canada’s handmade movement; and 50% of those are from the Island and the mainland. All are Canadian hand made!
Luckily for you, if you haven’t experienced Market Collective by Shi Studio yet, the Bay Centre is giving away a carefully curated gift pack valued at almost $100! You can check out the contest details below.
What’s Market Collective by Shi Studio all about?
(Market Collective / The Bay Centre)
Market Collective by Shi Studio looks to showcase a collection and pairing of grassroots to Canadian professional artisans and makers, and provides a space for local creators while in person markets have been cancelled.
The all-new store is a partnership between Cory Judge, Designer and Creator of Shi Studio and Katrina Dwulit, Manager of the Esquimalt Farmers Market and Vanessa Gaudet, artist and owner of Lady Dragon Glassworks.
The shop was created to help mitigate some of the extensive financial losses predicted for many of the featured artist/artisans, and the shop is a response to the need for venues for local creators to be available for holiday shopping.
They look to create a connected community space (with safety measures in place) and an in-person and tangible alternative to shopping online.
Market Collective by Shu Studio is also hosting a Grand Opening event on Saturday, October 17, where they’re giving away the chance to win one of FOUR $50 gift certificates, so make sure you stop by!
What you could win
(Market Collective by Shi / The Bay Centre)
The curated gift pack from Market Collective by Shi Studio valued at $95 courtesy of the Bay Centre includes:
o Westcoast Tin Candle by Sealuxe Organics
o Earth’s Herbal Chai Tea
o Marta’s Delectables Shortbread
o Wychbury Ave Soap
o Yooyoung Yong ceramic mug
All items are from local makers in Victoria with the exception of the Yooyoung Yong ceramic mug, which is made in Vancouver!
CONTEST CLOSED – CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER!
To enter to win a $95 prize package from Market Collective by Shi Studio in the Bay Centre, please head on over to ourInstagram page to enter:
Don’t have Instagram? No problem! Just share this article on Facebook for your chance to win – and don’t forget to tag a friend.
Contest entries will be accepted from time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. PST on October 21st, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they enter within 24 hours of the contest closing. Good luck!
In the spirit of Small Business Month and October’s yearly focus on thankfulness and giving back, we’re all about showing our local love. Downtown Victoria businesses are soldering through the pandemic, but they need some of that love more than ever.
That’s why we’ve partnered with the Downtown Victoria Business Association to put a spotlight on local spots. We’re helping out in the way we know best: by giving away a free advertising package to one lucky business. Contest details are below!
Downtown Victoria is host to a wide array of incredible businesses—there’s something for everyone!
These businesses continue to offer their services despite the challenges the pandemic brings. Many quickly made modifications to their operations to service their clientele, like offering online shopping, curbside pickup, local delivery, and take-out and delivery options for restaurants.
Businesses are also carefully following safety protocols, so you can visit downtown in person without sacrificing your personal safety.
As Downtown Victoria has re-opened for business, local shop owners and staff needs our help. The future of many local small businesses is uncertain, they need our support so that they can keep providing the great products and services we all love.
And what better way to celebrate Small Business Month than to offer up a customized article on the house, care of none other than Victoria Buzz!
(Oscar & Libby’s / DVBA)
Here’s what the advertising package we’re giving away includes (valued at $1200!):
1 x Business, Product or Service Promotional Article
Blog style creative content article
Engaging social media caption
Client social and website links included
1 x Facebook post with article link
2 x IG Story post with swipe up to article link
2 x Tweet with article link
Hosted indefinitely on Victoria Buzz website and Facebook
$15 Facebook boost
Article link added to Victoria Buzz Email Newsletter
Additional social media strategies
Contest component included, prize provided by client
1 x Instagram Post
Blog style content written by Victoria Buzz
Preferred photo style
Client tagged in post, call to action to follow client
Article subject included with link in bio
Contest engagement directly on Instagram Post
CONTEST
To nominate your favourite downtown Victoria business to win an advertising package with Victoria Buzz, head over to our Instagram page and complete the following:
TAG a downtown Victoria business you think deserves this prize in the comment section of the Instagram post
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on October 31st, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter. Make sure to register when commenting below.
(Clockwise from top-left: Gord Baird, Tyson Riel Strandlund, John Horgan, Kelly Darwin, images via BC Green Party, Communist Party of BC, BC NDP, BC Liberal Party)
From October 10 to 16, Victoria Buzz will be profiling the seven ridings in the Greater Victoria area.
We reached out to candidates to provide information on what they think the most important issues are in this election.
Today we’re looking at the riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca.
This riding is relatively new, being first created in a redrawing of boundaries in 2015, and contested only once in its current form, in 2017.
Here are the candidates running for the riding:
Green Party – Gord Baird
Age: 51
Background: Business owner, Councillor
Key issues:
“This election has me focused on three main issues, all of which are interconnected.
The climate and ecological crisis – unrealistic plans continue to be guided not by science, but instead what is palatable politically.
Community resilience and well-being is another issue close to home as I witness antiquated legislation tear communities apart and divert their attention from being able to focus on responding to the climate crisis.
The issue that triggered my decision and made me commit was the abuse of democracy from the premeditated ‘snap’ election – let alone using the pandemic as the rationale. I can’t look away.”
Communist Party of BC – Tyson Riel Strandlund
Age: 28
Background: Socialist, Métis activist & history graduate student
Key issues:
“There are many serious crises facing the people of this province, all symptomatic of an increasingly unstable and decaying capitalism.
These include the prioritization of profits over people and inadequate management of the pandemic; the climate emergency; the violent incursions on unceded Wet’suwet’en territory by the racist, corporate attack dogs, the RCMP; increasing poverty, inequality, and homelessness; and the unchecked opioid crisis.
Working people need support, including an immediate ban on ‘renovictions,’ ‘demovictions,’ and all evictions during the pandemic, a $20 minimum wage, and protections for those out of work due to COVID-19. It’s time we made the rich pay!”
BC Liberal Party – Kelly Darwin
Age: 45
Background: Government relations consultant, Ministerial Chief of Staff, radio/tv reporter and talk show host
Key issues:
“At this point in the pandemic I believe the economy is key to getting people back to work, helping put food on the table. I believe that the government should support small businesses in the reopening of the province.
It is the government’s job to create the environment to stimulate the economy. A government that hires people to create jobs only creates future liabilities.
Providing PPE, tax incentives and other support will help businesses hire back staff, ensure everyone is safe so people can have access to products and services they need as we adapt to life in the pandemic.”
BC NDP – John Horgan (incumbent)
Age: 61
Background: Leader of the BC New Democratic Party, Premier of BC
Key issues:
“People are worried about their future and their health. The BC NDP has a plan to lead us through the pandemic and build an economic recovery that works for everyone.
We will continue to make investments in healthcare and seniors care. We’ll support the conditions to create good paying jobs and provide relief for small businesses. We’ll make life more affordable with a Recovery Benefit of up to $1,000 for families and by continuing with our historic investments in affordable child care and housing.
And we’ll continue with our climate action plan, because we need to protect this beautiful place.”
Trees snapped and power lines went down as a massive wind storm slammed into Vancouver Island and the West Coast on Tuesday.
Photos and videos posted to social media show numerous fallen branches, intense waves and even a rockslide, all results of the extreme weather.
Monitoring systems from Environment Canada showed that winds reached up to nearly 130 km/h on the west coast of the North Island. Around Victoria, wind gusts peaked at about 80 km/h.
Saanich Police also reported a road closure late Tuesday evening on Cloverdale Avenue, between Douglas Street and Oak Street.
BC Hydro estimated that the storm knocked out power to over 192,000 customers across Vancouver Island and the mainland.
At one point an outage of nearly 9,000 people was reported in the Sidney area, which nearly covers the entire population of the municipality.
As of 6 a.m. on Wednesday, BC Hydro had restored service to 96 per cent of customers, with about 7,700 customers primarily in Chilliwack and Duncan still without power.
Several users took to social media to post photos and videos of the storm’s aftermath and effects.
Ottawa Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 43-year-old Ottawa man, who was last seen one year ago.
Corey Baldwin was last seen in Ottawa in April 2019 and was reported missing in December 2019. Investigators believe that he may possibly be in British Columbia or in the Montreal area.
He hasn’t spoken to his father in a year, who says “this is unlike Corey.” His family is concerned for his wellbeing and safety.
Anyone with information about the current whereabouts of Corey is asked to call the Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222. ~ Si vous savez où se trouve actuellement Corey, vous êtes prié de communiquer avec le Service de police d’Ottawa en faisant le 613-236-1222. https://t.co/e28bUAMg4j
Baldwin is described as a white male, 5’10, 230 lbs, with a muscular build, grey and blue eyes, a shaved head and dirty blond/grey facial hair. He has multiple tattoos on his arms, back and calf.
Anyone with information about Baldwin’s whereabouts is asked to call Ottawa Police at 613-236-1222.
(Left to right: John Horgan, Sonia Furstenau, Andrew Wilkinson/Photo compiled by Victoria Buzz)
The first, and likely only, BC Leaders Debate of the 2020 election has come and gone, but the 90 minute conversation Tuesday night has given voters a lot to think about as they look to general voting day on October 24.
We here at Victoria Buzz tuned in like so many of you, offering live commentary and an ongoing highlight reel. Here are five moments that stood out to us in particular:
1. An expertly moderated panel kept the debate on track
The debate was moderated by Shachi Kurl, President of polling firm Angus Reid. Kurl started things off by clearly laying out the evening’s proceedings, which were agreed upon by all leaders prior to the debate, with topics selected by the province’s Broadcast Consortium.
Topics were broken down with some questions directed from the moderator to leaders, and some “head-to-head” portions where leaders were allowed to question each other.
It meant that the debate ran like a swiss watch, with precise allocations of time and limited moments of cross talk.
Kurl was widely lauded on social media for keeping leaders on time, asking pointed questions, and observing when they dodged answers.
Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson was notably called out by Kurl on a question about carbon taxes and the environment.
“It wasn’t a clear answer to the question,” Kurl said. “Would you like 10 seconds to answer it again?”
If there was one flaw in the evening’s structured proceedings, it was that there were so many topics to cover, and a limited amount of time to do so.
Early in the election Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson called for three debates, and judging by the slightly rushed proceedings on Tuesday he might have had a point.
That said, the recent circus sideshow in the United States has soured many on debates, even if millions of eyes were glued to Trump and Biden like a crowd watching a trainwreck.
Did the consortium’s format make the B.C. debate less entertaining? Perhaps. But what voters sacrificed in reality-tv style meltdowns was more than made up for in a tone of civility, professionalism, and clarity.
2. “Dad” vs. “Doctor” – Horgan and Wilkinson trade barbs and labels
Even with a strictly choreographed format, NDP Leader John Horgan’s “Premier Dad” persona was on display as he needled Wilkinson with some barbs.
“You gotta get out of your neighbourhood,” Horgan said in an exchange on housing. The NDP leader also referred to Wilkinson as “man” on more than one occasion.
“You sold the land, man,” Horgan said in a back-and-forth with Wilkinson on hospital construction in Surrey.
Wilkinson observed, perhaps correctly, that Horgan was leaning into an “us vs. them” approach, portraying the BC Liberals as a party of elites.
But if the Liberal leader was truly offended by that approach, he didn’t seem to mind promoting himself as a doctor.
“My medical background is very helpful in this,” Wilkinson said about 15 minutes into the 90-minute debate.
That title-drop kicked off a series of soundbites throughout the event, with the Liberal leader reminding voters time and time again of his credentials as a physician.
With polls showing the NDP in a wide lead and the Liberals trailing distantly behind by double-digits, it seems that both leaders felt the wisest move was to play to their bases.
3. Three white people talked on stage about racism. One did okay.
If there was one moment that truly exposed the flaws in pre-canned, playing-to-personality messaging though, it had to be the exchange on diversity and racism.
“How have you personally reckoned with your own privilege and unconscious bias as a white political leader?” Kurl asked, leading into the biggest moment of the evening.
Wilkinson stuck to his doctor message, then bizarrely pivoted to an anecdote about how an indigenous patient (maybe?) named her son after him.
“I believe there’s a young man in Lillooet now who’s named after me when I delivered that baby from his mother,” said Wilkinson. “That’s the kind of experience that makes you feel like we’re all equal.”
But if Wilkinson’s response was somewhat tone-deaf, it was quickly overshadowed by Horgan’s.
“I grew up in Southern Vancouver Island, I was a lacrosse player, I played with indigenous friends, I played with South Asian friends,” the NDP leader began, sending off alarm bells somewhere.
“For me, I did not see colour.”
Oof.
The moment was widely seen by commentators as the one true slip-up of the evening, as two practiced personas — doctor and dad — came up against the reality of racism.
Yet one leader confronted the question with a degree of humanity.
When it came time for Sonia Furstenau’s turn at the topic, the Green Leader quietly bowed her head and paused for three seconds before answering.
“I think the moment for me that really hit it home was imagining being a mother and saying to my child: if you’re approached by a policeman, don’t do anything, just put your hands up.”
It was a human beat in a debate that was lacking in them, and Horgan’s loss turned into Furstenau’s gain.
4. “Unnecessary Election” may not have traction with voters, but it still makes for a great one-liner
If the polls are to be believed, the Greens are not just in danger of losing their voice in a minority government, but potentially may lose their legislative caucus altogether.
Furstenau has struggled in the early stages of the campaign to move beyond a rote message that this is an “unnecessary election” brought on by Horgan and the NDP.
Voters may have expressed a reluctance to punch the ballot box in the first days of the election, but polls show they aren’t alienated from supporting the NDP.
That said, while there was no single “knock-out punch” in the evening’s proceedings, Furstenau may have scored the one-liner of the night in an exchange with Horgan.
When asked — inevitably, perhaps — by Furstenau why he had called the election, Horgan brought out an oft-repeated line.
“I did so because I believe we need to put the politics behind us,” the NDP leader said.
“It’s astonishing to hear you say that you needed to put politics behind us by putting politics front and centre in a campaign election,” Furstenau shot back.
It was a solid hit in a night mostly filled with whiffs, and it came from a leader who has only had her job for a month.
5. Two men entered, one woman won.
Yet ultimately, while Furstenau may have been the leader with the least to lose, she came out with the most gains.
It may seem odd to proclaim her a debate winner based on coming in second in a poll, until we consider that result against an earlier poll from Victoria Buzz that placed the Greens in a far distant third.
In Tuesday’s debate, Furstenau evoked a sincerity that distanced her from the more pre-programmed responses of her NDP and LIberal counterparts.
If the Green Party’s goal is to retain their existing seats and to position themselves as a left-wing alternative in a future election, Furstenau’s debate performance has teed them up nicely.
It remains to be seen if that half-portion of the electorate will be moved significantly by Tuesday night’s conversation, but we can bet on the Greens hoping for an uptick in support.
Who do you think won last night’s debate? Let us know in the comment section below!
Need a ride to the polling stations? They’ll be free of charge, says BC Transit.
Ten days ahead of General Voting Day in the B.C. 2020 snap election, BC Transit has announced that voters in the Greater Victoria area can ride the bus for free on that day.
Free transit will be available all day on October 24, across all scheduled routes and handyDART services throughout the Victoria Regional Transit System.
This year, due to concerns of COVID-19 transmission, a large portion of the population has decided to cast their ballots by mail.
According to Elections BC, nearly 700,000 people have requested vote-by-mail packages for this election, compared to just 6,500 requests for the same during the entire provincial election in 2017.
The man who approached an 11-year-old boy walking home school in Esquimalt yesterday and repeatedly asked the child to get inside his vehicle has been identified.
The person was a family friend who the child did not recognize and police have now deemed the incident not suspicious.
“Officers would also like to commend the 11-year-old boy who did the right thing in a challenging situation. When the boy was approached and felt uncomfortable he immediately went to a safe location and alerted adults,” VicPD said in a media release.
— original:
VicPD are asking the public for help tracking down information after a man approached a boy walking home from school in Esquimalt on Tuesday.
Officers were told that a man had approached an 11-year-old boy as he was walking near Head Street and Esquimalt Road at approximately 2:45 p.m. on October 13.
The man was driving a vehicle and pulled up beside the boy, telling him to get inside for a ride home. The man was unknown to the boy.
When the boy turned around and began walking in the opposite direction, the man in the vehicle made a u-turn, followed the boy, and told him to get in the vehicle again.
The boy made it safely back to the school and reported the incident to his family. He was not physically injured.
Police say the man is described as white, approximately 50-years-old, with a bald head and a full grey beard.
He was driving a white-four door vehicle, which was described as being relatively new and very clean. There may have been a small dog in the back seat of the vehicle.
Anyone who witnessed this incident or who may have CCTV footage in the area of Head Street and Esquimalt Road is asked to contact VicPD at (250) 995-7653, extension 1.
Those who wish to report information anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
(from L-R: Mitzi Dean, RJ Senko, Andy MacKinnon. Photos supplied by BD NDP, BC Liberal Party, Andy MacKinnon)
From October 10 to 16, Victoria Buzz will be profiling the seven ridings in the Greater Victoria area.
We reached out to candidates to provide information on what they think the most important issues are in this election.
Today we’re looking at the riding of Esquimalt-Metchosin.
The Esquimalt-Metchosin riding actually covers four municipalities: Esquimalt, Metchosin, Colwood and View Royal.
Here are the candidates running for the riding:
Independent – Desta McPherson
No information received prior to publication.
BC NDP – Mitzi Dean (incumbent)
Age: not specified
Background: Social worker, community builder
Key issues:
“Affordability, need for housing, ensuring a robust pandemic response, strengthening child care and health and wellness services.
I am proud to be running for a party that is working to build a B.C. where strong public services are always there when people need them.
We’re focused on better health care, building more affordable housing, expanding child care, and good jobs and livelihoods in a clean-energy future.
Our proposal to freeze rents until 2021 will help, as will expanding $10 a day child care, and making transit free for kids under 12 years old.”
BC Liberal Party – RJ Senko
Age: 56
Background: Government relations consultant, Ministerial Chief of Staff, radio/tv reporter and talk show host
Key issues:
“Rebuild our economy so we can create an inclusive and equal society that addresses local needs such as: access to primary health care; commuter rail and ferry between the Westshore and Victoria; affordable housing; seniors’ care; homelessness; opioid crisis; reconciliation and economic opportunity for indigenous peoples; and the environment.
Finally we need to break through our antiquated system of “left vs right” partisan politics so we can work together to build a prosperous and just society of which we can all be proud participants.”
Key issues:
“Our riding is a collection of vibrant human communities set in an area with a significant natural presence.
With your help, I hope to represent the needs of the people of this riding–especially in the pressing issues of healthcare, childcare, transportation, housing, and how we can build communities that relate to their natural environments in healthy and sustainable ways.
Additionally, I’m a retired Professional Forester and Professional Biologist, I believe that we need better leadership than has been supplied by BC Liberals or NDP on important provincial issues such as land use planning, old-growth forests, and threatened and endangered species.“
On Tuesday afternoon, hours before the televised leaders debate, the BC NDP decided to address an issue specific to the Greater Victoria area.
NDP Saanich South candidate Lana Popham announced that the party would pledge $750,000 to reduce the number of toxic algae bloom outbreaks at Elk and Beaver lakes in Saanich.
Both lakes have been the site of multiple toxic cyanobacteria outbreaks in recent years, during which humans and pets are advised to stay out of the water to avoid illness.
“These lakes are a treasure for our communities, our province and our country – we need to keep these waters clean, safe and enjoyable for everyone,” said Popham in a statement.
“By making sure these waters stay healthy and clean, we can protect the beauty and benefits of these lakes for everyone.”
The party says they will fund the use of oxidation technology to dramatically increase oxygen levels in the deepest parts of the lakes, restricting the ability of the toxic blooms to take hold.
The cleanup would also protect the health of fish and wildlife habitats both in the lakes and downstream.
(photos compiled by Victoria Buzz via BC NDP Twitter, BC Liberals Twitter, BC Green Party Facebook)
Welcome to Victoria Buzz’s LIVE blog on the 2020 BC Leaders Debate. We’ll be posting updates to this page throughout the evening.
Tonight’s debate will air live from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Each leader will also be scrumming remotely with media afterwards, beginning with John Horgan at 8:10 p.m., then Sonia Furstenau at 8:25 p.m., then Andrew Wilkinson at 8:40 p.m.
A live stream of the debate will be embedded below, starting at 6:30 p.m.
You can also follow Victoria Buzz on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for live updates and more coverage.
Let us know what you think of tonight’s debate in the comments section below!
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 549 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province since Friday, bringing the total number of cases to 10,734 in the province.
Between Friday and Saturday, 170 people were reported COVID-19 positive; 159 new cases were reported between Saturday and Sunday; between Sunday and Monday, there were 119 additional cases; and 101 cases were reported between Monday and Tuesday.
In total, 3,892 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 5,595 in Fraser Health, 235 in Vancouver Island Health region, 582 in Interior Health, 341 in Northern Health region, and 89 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
According to the provincial health officer, part of the higher than average case numbers is attributed to a backlog of tests over the weekend, meaning about 6,000 extra tests were processed, primarily in the Fraser Health region.
The number of active cases has increased by 70 to 1,476 in B.C.
There are now a total of 77 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 24 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
Five additional deaths were reported over the past four days, and the death toll is now at 250.
3,618 people are now in isolation and being monitored by public health officials after being exposed to COVID-19.
A total of 8,974 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
Four new outbreaks were reported at health care facilities on the mainland, while two others were declared over.
There are now a total of 17 long-term care or assisted-living facilities and three acute-care facilities that have active, ongoing outbreaks.
No new community outbreaks were reported but there continue to be 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
10 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region over the past four days.
There have been 235 total cases of COVID-19 in the region, six of whom have died, and 212 people have recovered.
This means there are now 17 active cases on the Island.
As of Friday there had been 638,915 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 77,622 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 38,314,324.
Over 1,089,471 people have died from the illness and 28,808,888 have made a full recovery.
The BC Liberals are trailing in the double-digits, with 34 per cent of Ipsos respondents and 35 per cent of Leger respondents saying they will vote for the party.
Sonia Furstenau’s BC Green Party continues to lag in a distant third, with 11 per cent of Ipsos respondents and 12 per cent of Leger respondents expressing their support for the Greens.
The results are largely unchanged from previous polls done by each firm.
From the previous BC election poll by Ipsos, released on September 29, the NDP and Liberals have each gained a single point, while the Greens dropped 1 per cent.
At Leger, the difference was only slightly larger from their last poll, conducted from September 24 to 28. The NDP gained three points, the Liberals gained four, and the Greens gained one point.
(Decided voters, Leger)
Among leadership, the results were even more stark, with NDP leader John Horgan rated by 45 per cent of Ipsos respondents as the best choice for premier, while Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson was selected by 16 per cent and Green Leader Sonia Furstenau was chosen by 6 per cent.
Leger found similar results with a more personal question, asking who voters would most like to have over for dinner and a casual conversation.
40 per cent said they’d host Horgan for dinner, compared to 19 per cent for Wilkinson and 11 per cent for Furstenau.
Ipsos reported a high number of undecided voters, with 27 per cent of respondents saying they were either exploring options or had no preference.
Leger on the other hand found only 7 per cent of those they surveyed were still unsure who they would vote for, and another 4 per cent who said they wouldn’t vote at all.
With the polls coming out just ahead of the BC Leaders Debate on Tuesday, the opposition parties are poised to seize any advantage they can to cause a shift in voting intentions.
The Ipsos poll surveyed 1,000 British Columbians from October 8 to 11, 2020. The overall poll is accurate to within +/ – 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
The Leger poll surveyed 1,100 British Columbian residents, 18 years of age or older, who have the right to vote in British Columbia, randomly recruited from either LEO’s online panel or telephone interviewing, from October 6 to 9, 2020. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of 1,100 respondents would have a margin of error of ± 3.0%, 19 times out of 20.
Two men were arrested after what police say was a busy day of criminal activity in Langford.
In a statement released Tuesday, West Shore RCMP say they were called for reports of an attempted break-in at a property near the 3100 block of Glen Lake Road at around 9:20 a.m. this morning.
The homeowner told police she was returning home after dropping her child off at school when she saw a Dodge Ram 2500 pick up truck in her parking spot.
Then she noticed two men emerging from her home with stolen items in tow. When the suspects saw her, she says they got in the pick up truck and drove off.
The homeowner was able to note the vehicle’s license plate and called police.
West Shore RCMP say officers were able to determine that the truck in question had actually been reported stolen from a different Langford residence earlier in the day.
They spotted the truck driving on 6 Mile Rd in View Royal but when police attempted to pull the truck over, the drivers sped up and eventually stopped when they crashed the vehicle into a rock wall near the entrance to Thetis Lake Park.
That’s when the two men got out of the truck and tried to flee on foot.
“West Shore RCMP Police Dog Section was already on scene along with West Shore RCMP frontline officers, police chased down and caught both suspects,” said Cst. Nancy Saggar in a statement.
“One suspect sustained a dog bite and is being treated for minor injuries.”
A search of the two suspects revealed that they were in possession of weapons including an extendable baton and a concealed knife.
They were arrested for several offences including break and enter and theft from the residence, vehicle theft, dangerous driving and flight from police.
Further investigation is underway and weapons related charges could be forthcoming.
A privately-owned collector plane was forced to perform an emergency landing at Victoria International Airport on Saturday, according to airport and emergency officials.
The plane, a 1960’s era Nanchang CJ-6, was unable to deploy its landing gear due to a malfunction.
The pilot performed a belly landing, skidding along the surface of a closed runway and coming to a stop in the grass just past the concrete.
John Trelford, Fire Chief at North Saanich Fire Department, said that they were called to the scene at 11:53 a.m., but were informed prior to their arrival shortly after noon that their services were not needed.
“We basically got called out, and between the call coming and us responding the aircraft had come down without the landing gear out and done a belly landing,” said Threlford in an interview with Victoria Buzz.
“When we came on, they said we weren’t required.”
A spokesperson for the Victoria Airport said the plane suffered only minor damage, and very little debris was scattered on the runway.
VicPD officers arrested three people and seized a replica firearm after an incident Tuesday morning at a housing facility in Burnside Gorge.
Police were called to the 100-block of Gorge Road East at approximately 8 a.m. for a report that a man had pointed a gun at another person.
There were no injuries in the incident.
Officers responding to the scene saw a suspect leaving the area in a vehicle. They pursued and stopped the vehicle in the 1500-block of Hillside Avenue.
Two men and one woman from the vehicle were arrested. One of the men and the woman were released without charges.
Officers searched the vehicle and found a replica handgun.
The remaining man was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, pointing a firearm, and use of an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence.
(BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson, centre, announces the party platform / Andrew Wilkinson Twitter)
The BC Liberal party announced their election platform on Tuesday, hours ahead of a televised leaders debate with leader Andrew Wilkinson, NDP leader John Horgan, and Green leader Sonia Furstenau.
The announcement comes a week after the BC NDP launched their own platform, and 11 days before general voting day on October 24.
Among the new pledges that were added in the platform on Tuesday was a promise to appoint a Fair Tax Commission to review all provincial taxes. The Liberals say the Commission would specifically “reduce or eliminate” taxes to spur COVID-19 recovery.
The party also renewed their criticism against John Horgan’s NDP government for calling a snap election, pledging to ban early elections during provincial emergencies.
Additional new promises include:
Appointing a new Minister of Fisheries and Coastlines
Constructing 10,000 new child care spaces across the provinces
Establishing an all-party Pandemic Response Committee with the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry
Implementing a “Trespass Act” to “protect the properties and livelihoods of farmers”
Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson ended his prepared remarks on the platform announcement by saying the comments were “inappropriate.”
“There’s no place for those kinds of sexist remarks in our society, period,” said Wilkinson.
“I want to apologize to Bowinn Ma and commit that we will all work very hard to do better.”
The Liberal leader also said that Thornthwaite had reached out to Ma to apologize directly and to offer further conversation.
The majority of questions during Tuesday’s announcement also focussed on the incident, while only a handful were directed to the platform itself.
When asked why Wilkinson, who was participating in the online roast when the remarks were made, did nothing to stop the incident, the Liberal leader said he struggled in the moment.
“I think we’ve all been in those scenarios where someone is saying something inappropriate,” he said.
“It’s hard to stop the train in a social event when you don’t know what the next words will be…what’s done is done.”
(BC NDP / BC Liberals / BC Green Party - Facebook)
We’ve heard promises and platform proposals, commentary and backlash, and more from the leaders of B.C.’s three main political parties.
Now, provincial NDP leader John Horgan, Liberal Party leader Andrew Wilkinson, and Green Party Sonia Furstenau will face each other in the only televised debate scheduled ahead of General Voting Day on October 24.
The 90-minute debate will be televised on all major broadcast networks, and Victoria Buzz will carry a live feed of the event on our Facebook page through the British Columbia Broadcast Consortium.
We will also be live tweeting highlights from the debate on our Twitter account.
The three politicians will begin their discussion at 6:30 p.m. PST, moderated by Shachi Kurl, President of the non-profit Angus Reid Institute.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no in-person audience, and reporters will also be watching the debate remotely.
Earlier in the campaign, BC Liberal Party leader Andrew Wilkinson advocated for three televised debates ahead of the snap election.
It is unclear if this is still his goal, as the party has recently taken heavy fire for sexist remarks made during a Zoom call, the footage of which was leaked online.
That incident is expected to feature heavily during the debate, alongside issues of taxation, homelessness, economic recovery, and pandemic response.
Autumn has arrived and we believe that’s enough reason to treat yourself, all the way from your head to your toes (quite literally).
Which is exactly why we’re bringing you this massive giveaway valued at over $1500 from Kharma Salons that’s all about the self care; in more ways than one. You can check out the contest details below!
Kharma features three salons in Greater Victoria, each with a unique range of services and products to suit any style – their beauty experts get that everyone is unique and aim to get to know every person that sits in their chair.
Whether its balayage, root touch up, a hair cut, lashes, waxing or even microblading – they want everyone to look and feel their very best when they walk out of their doors.
Kharma has partnered with six local businesses to offer the ultimate in pampering for one lucky winner;
Here’s what the $1590 prize package includes:
$300 gift card towards any products or services from Kharma Salons
$300 gift card towards any products or services from Mediskin
To win the $1590 pampering prize package care of Kharma Salons, head on over to their Instagram page and complete the following steps on THIS POST:
1. FOLLOW all businesses above on Instagram
2. Tag 3 friends on Kharma’s giveaway post’s comment section
3. LIKE Kharma’s giveaway post
4. EXTRA bonus entry if you SHARE on your stories! Don’t forget to tag @kharmasalons – each time is an entry!)
Winner will be announced October 31st – good luck!
(BC Liberal Party Zoom call/Screenshot from video shared by Mo Amir @vancolour - Twitter)
October long weekend dealt a heavy blow to the BC Liberal Party’s election campaign after a leaked video showed candidates making and laughing at sexist comments about a female NDP candidate.
The video, posted on Twitter Saturday evening by Vancouver-based podcast host Mo Amir, shows a group of BC Liberal MLAs on a Zoom call in which they meant to ‘roast’ former West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan.
In it BC Liberals’ North Vancouver-Seymour candidate Jane Thornthwaite is seen commenting on interactions between Sultan and the NDP’s North Vancouver-Lonsdale candidate Bowinn Ma.
“Bowinn, as you know, very pretty lady, and she knows she’s got ‘it,’ and she knows how to get Ralph going,” Thornthwaite says in the video.
She goes on to discuss how the two were seated “very, very close together for almost the entire time,” at an event at Capilano University, alleging that “Bowinn knows how to get you.”
“Bowinn would be right up, right next to him, cuddling, cuddling, a little bit of cleavage there and Ralph would be enthralled with her,” Thornthwaite goes on.
Thornthwaite’s largely male audience of BC Liberal candidates, including Sultan himself and party leader Andrew Wilkinson, can be seen laughing at these remarks.
I’m not going to editorialize this.
Rather, I’d like to hear from women on how they feel about this clip.
The video went viral on Twitter, garnering accusations of sexism, solidarity with Bowinn Ma, and calls for apologies from the Liberal Party candidates.
“Today is the #DayOfTheGirl; I’m furious this is what they see political ‘leaders’ doing to female colleagues,” tweeted Victoria MP Laurel Collins.
“Bowinn Ma is a phenomenal MLA. She deserves an apology. But the BC Liberals should also apologize to all young girls who want to see a place for themselves in politics.”
BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau also weighed in, along with other Green and BC NDP candidates.
“This is appalling. If women are not warm in the workplace, we are castigated as rude. If we are friendly, we get this,” said Furstenau.
“This clip reveals common racist & sexist dynamics in politics/work: A White woman (with dyed blonde hair, like the other woman in the clip) gains points with a group of White men by sexualizing and belittling a successful and outspoken young woman of colour,” writes UBC Sociology professor Dr. Jennifer Berdahl.
Mere hours before Amir shared the explosive video, Thornthwaite shared one of herself discussing the need to reduce stigma surrounding mental illnesses.
Within minutes of her sexist comments going viral, the comment section under that video was flooded with posts accusing Thornthwaite of hypocrisy and further calling for an apology.
Apologies?
The next day, Jane Thornthwaite took to Twitter to share a post that was largely decried as a non-apology, drawing attention to herself as a woman who had to “push through glass ceilings.”
I have huge respect for all women who push through glass ceilings. I’m one of them. So is Bowinn Ma. Ralph Sultan has the same respect and a soft spot for his fellow UBC engineer, and I made light of that at a roast. I have always and will always support more women in politics.
“This is not adequate. This is not an apology. You can’t explain away something like this,” wrote Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone.
“You’re only making it worse by trying to minimize the impact of your words. The laughter of your colleagues when they should have interjected demands more from all of you.”
About two hours later, Thornthwaite appeared to realize her mistake, issuing a second tweet with a full apology.
“The comments I made at the roast for my colleague Ralph Sultan fell flat and were inappropriate. I unreservedly apologize for making these comments. I have reached out to Bowinn Ma to apologize to her directly as well,” she wrote.
Twitter also did not fail to note a pointed silence from party leader Andrew Wilkinson who held no media availabilities on Sunday or Monday, instead choosing to share the following tweet in response to the controversy:
Jane Thornthwaite has apologized for comments she made during a Zoom retirement event for Ralph Sultan. On reflection, those comments were inappropriate, and it was right for Jane to apologize. I want to apologize to @BowinnMa, as this never should have happened. 1/2
The BC Liberal Party leader’s first live comments on the subject were issued on Tuesday morning in the aftermath of a full platform reveal.
On October 13, the day of the first all-party leaders’ debate in this election, Wilkinson told media that he has issued an invitation to Bowinn Ma to speak further on this issue.
When asked why he did not stop the roast when it was happening, Wilkinson said he was embarrassed but “it’s hard to stop the train in a social event.”
Now on Bowinn Ma apology. Thornthwaite's remarks were in incredibly poor taste, says Wilkinson. Includes himself in fault.
On October 11, the wronged NDP candidate Bowinn Ma issued a response to Thornthwaite’s misogynistic remarks, stating that she is no stranger to casual sexism having worked in male-dominated industries her entire life.
“Like many women in these situations, I found myself making choices about the way that I act, dress, or carry myself to avoid having sexist interpretations read into my interactions — interactions such as, for instance, deliberately speaking closely with an elder who is very hard of hearing,” wrote Ma.
“The video of BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson watching on as a multi-term BC Liberal North Shore MLA sexualized my interactions with another multi-term BC Liberal North Shore MLA is a deeply uncomfortable characterization of my efforts to extend kindness across partisan lines.”
She went on to add that politicians must work harder to create an environment void of sexism if they want more young women and people of colour to enter politics in B.C.
Multiple NDP candidates, including party leader John Horgan came to Ma’s defence in the aftermath of the video.
We need to be a province that enables young women to take on leadership roles without fear of sexism. British Columbians deserve better from their political leaders. pic.twitter.com/sE3MbnKbSZ
Debris on the Patricia Bay Highway from Tuesday's storm (Victoria Buzz Staff)
Winds reaching speeds up to 100 km/h across Vancouver Island forced cancellations of regular ferry crossings and knocked out power to thousands Tuesday morning.
Environment Canada issued a warning for the high wind speeds at 5:06 a.m., saying damage to buildings, including roof shingles and windows, could occur.
They also added that people should avoid wooded areas due to the risk of flying debris, and that campers should seek shelter.
Dozens of power outages were reported across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
As of 9 a.m. BC Hydro reported around 1,300 homes were without power on Gabriola Island, with about 500 more each on Denman and Galiano Islands.
An earlier outage on Galiano also knocked out power to over 2,500 households at 3:38 a.m. and was restored by 8:30 a.m.
BC Ferries cancelled two sailings along the Tsawwassen – Duke Point route due to adverse weather conditions, at 5:15 a.m. from Tsawwassen and 7:45 a.m. from Duke Point.
Wind gusts up to 90 km/h are expected to continue throughout the day, calming to 50 km/h later in the evening.
Ready, set, ducks! At Gorge park. (@allibaba77 /Instagram)
It’s the start of a short week after the Thanksgiving long weekend, but there is no easing into the week as the first BC Elections debate takes place this evening.
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
Without further ado, here are five things to do today, Tuesday October 13th:
Join Royal BC Museum curator emerita Dr. Kathryn Bridge and walk along with her in the footsteps of Emily Carr’s 1911 trip to France. Where did she go? What did she paint? Who did she meet?
A combination of Classic films and new releases will be presented in the David Foster Foundation Theatre. Each ticket includes complimentary parking, one glass of sparkling wine, a bottle of water, local charcuterie board and pre-packed theatre snacks such as popcorn and licorice.
The leaders of B.C.’s three main political parties will meet Tuesday in the first televised debate. B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan, B.C. Liberal Party Leader Andrew Wilkinson and B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau will debate key election issues where voters get a chance to truly assess the leaders
When: 6:30 p.m.
Watch online: Live streaming online at CBC as well as on TV – the Victoria Buzz team will be providing live updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Bringing in the Bystander is a free online workshop designed to empower and equip students with the skills and awareness to recognize and safely intervene in situations that contribute or lead to sexualized violence.
The 90-minute online workshop covers:
Identifying a continuum of inappropriate sexual behaviours and situations where bystander intervention is appropriate
Understanding the impacts of sexualized violence for survivors and communities
Creating an intervention plan based on suggested scenarios
Participants will receive recognition on their co-curricular record, a certificate for workshop completion, and chances to win a $250 tuition credit. Register here.
When: 6 p.m.
Where: UVic online – participants will receive a Zoom link upon registration.
(Clockwise from top-left: Grace Lore, Jenn Neilson, Karen Bill, Jordan Reichert. Photos supplied by BC NDP, BC Green Party, BC Liberal Party, Jordan Reichert)
From October 10 to 16, Victoria Buzz will be profiling the seven ridings in the Greater Victoria area.
We reached out to candidates to provide information on what they think the most important issues are in this election.
Today we’re looking at the riding of Victoria-Beacon Hill.
This riding encompasses the City of Victoria proper, all the way from the south and west coasts up to Bay and Haultain Streets.
Here are the candidates running for the riding:
BC NDP – Grace Lore
Age: 35
Background: UVic lecturer and researcher.
Key issues:
“People tell me the most important issue to them is still Covid-19 and the recovery.
People know John Horgan and the BC NDP are taking us through the pandemic safely and trust we will build a recovery that works for everyone.
Housing is also a major issue. The BC Liberals neglected housing except to side with speculators, leaving us with a housing crisis.
I’m proud of John Horgan’s record-level investments in housing and work to take on speculators, but there is more to do. People know the stakes are too high to go back. We need to move forward, together.”
BC Green Party – Jenn Neilson
Age: 39
Background: PhD in Philosophy, Community Organizer
Key issues:
“As an experienced community organizer (Save 950 Kings/Blanshard Elementary and Victoria Needs a Hillside Library campaigns), I am now turning to provincial politics to build resilient communities in the face of the climate crisis.
The key issues that I think the province needs to address are:
Investing in affordable and emergency housing.
Taking immediate climate action.
Protecting old-growth forests and stopping the extraction of non-renewable resources.
Respecting Indigenous rights and advocating for Indigenous self-determination.
Providing lifelong access to trauma-informed mental health supports and compassionate harm reduction services.
Reducing class sizes to promote physical distancing.”
BC Liberal Party – Karen Bill
Age: 51
Background: Policy analyst
Key issues:
“The most important issue in Victoria Beacon Hill is the rapidly increasing levels of homelessness and crime in our neighbourhoods and parks. Everyone should feel safe using our parks and living near them.
Mental health and addictions funding must be increased, giving police, courts, and outreach workers tools they need to transition people from tents to housing. Integrated, on-site supports to assist homeless individuals and protect our communities are crucial.
Neighbourhoods and local businesses are being devastated by warehousing people in tents and hotels. The balance is off and our communities are suffering.
Key issues:
“I believe the biggest issues facing people in Victoria are addictions and homelessness, housing affordability, lack of mental health services, and cost of living.
Protecting the environment and fighting for climate action are priorities for people of all ages. Improving our relationship with Indigenous communities is also front of mind, as well as confronting systemic racism in our past and present.
It is inspiring to live in a community where we have strong opposition to hate, discrimination, and social stigma. These are the issues that affect everyone in our community, no matter what walk of life you are from. “
Police have identified this 1991 Chevrolet Suburban with damage to the driver’s side headlight and bug screen, as a vehicle of interest following the death of a woman near Parksville. (RCMP)
The suspected driver in a fatal hit-and-run near Parksville Saturday morning (October 10) has turned himself in, police say.
In a media release, Oceanside RCMP says a woman in her 20s was found dead on the median of Highway 19 near Parksville.
Highway 19 was closed in both directions for hours Saturday as police investigated.
Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances around the woman’s death but believe she was the victim of a hit-and-run.
On Sunday, police identified a vehicle of interest and released a photo to media in an effort to locate it and the driver.
The photo which was taken on the 5:15 p.m. ferry from Duke Point to Tsawassen Saturday showed a brown 1991 Chevrolet Suburban with damage to the driver’s side headlight and bug screen.
The owner of the vehicle, a 55-year-old man from Woss, BC turned himself into the Kelowna RCMP last night after seeing his truck on the news.
The investigation into the fatal hit and run is continuing, and no charges have been laid yet.
“It has really been because of tips from the public received as a result of the media coverage that we have been able to locate this vehicle so quickly,” states Cst. Jeff Pelat, the lead investigator in the case.
“Our focus now will be on preparing the investigation for charge assessment by the BC Prosecution Service, a process which could take many months to complete.”
It’s no secret that the year of 2020 will go down in history as one for the books, but despite that, there is still so much out there to be grateful for.
And in this season of thankfulness, it’s important not to forget about those less fortunate; such as hospital patients, people undergoing life-changing surgeries and even car crash victims.
Transfusions from blood donations can literally mean life or death for many of those.
Did you know that prolific cultural icons Andy Warhol, Stephen King and George Lucas’ lives were saved by blood transfusions?
Transfusions (and the need for them) are actually more common than you think. More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada.
Despite all of these common threads, one positive thing about the above that is that you have the power to help – and it doesn’t cost a thing!
Next week, next month and next year, the need for blood is constant, and this is where Canadian Blood Services comes in.
You have the power to save lives not just now, during the holiday season, but all year long; and it’s already in you to give.
Every 60 seconds someone in Canada needs blood, and as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues, many in the community have stepped up to do their part in helping the world navigate such uncertain times.
Despite this, there is still a demand for blood donations, as CBS has seen a decrease in bookings as well as an increase in cancellations during the fall season.
So if you are looking for a way to give back to your community this holiday season, Canadian Blood Services urges you to come out and roll up your sleeves; there’s even a free cookie in it for you!
Donating blood during a pandemic; is it safe?
Short answer: Yes!
Canadian Blood Services wants to reassure people that it is still completely safe to donate amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Not only are they pre-screening donors about their symptoms and travel history before they’re allowed to enter one of their donation centres, donors will also complete a temperature check.
All workers at the blood donor clinics practice physical distancing whenever possible, and they’re continuing to take infection control measures at all of their facilities.
To ensure everyone’s safety, face masks have become a mandatory requirement while within all donor centres as well.
How to donate
Ready to roll up your sleeves and become a donor? Here are a few simple steps to you get started:
(Clockwise from top-left: Roxanne Helme, Murray Rankin, Nicole Duncan, Florian Castle, images via BC Liberal Party, BC NDP, BC Green Party, Communist Party of BC)
From October 10 to 16, Victoria Buzz will be profiling the seven ridings in the Greater Victoria area.
We reached out to candidates to provide information on what they think the most important issues are in this election.
Today we’re looking at the riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head.
As its name implies, this riding encompasses all of Oak Bay, as well as the neighbourhood of Gordon Head. It also includes portions of Victoria, including Jubilee and Gonzales east of Richmond Road.
The University of Victoria and the Jubilee Hospital are within the riding’s boundaries.
Here are the candidates running for the riding:
BC Liberal Party – Roxanne Helme
Age: 58
Background: Courtroom lawyer, community volunteer, mother and environmentalist
Key issues:
“It is clear that the three key issues in this Election are:
integrity – people are furious about the opportunistic election call, they see that the NDP would rather be judged on Dr. Henry’s work than their own
economic recovery – people are concerned with respect to how our next government will be able to jump start the economy and in particular the private sector
homelessness/mental health/addictions/public safety – there is no shortage of compassion in our community for those who are struggling and the feeling is that everyone is being put in harms way with the current government’s ‘response’ “
BC NDP – Murray Rankin
Age: 70
Background: Environmental lawyer, treaty negotiator, former MP
Key issues:
“As your MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, I’ll advocate for accessible healthcare, affordable housing and childcare, strong environmental protection and climate action, and meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
A re-elected BC NDP government will expand $10-a-day childcare to more families and open a new medical school to train more doctors, nurses and health care professionals.
These are challenging times for so many of us. We need a government that is going to continue to effectively navigate us through this pandemic and put people at the centre of our economic recovery. Let’s keep moving forward, together.”
BC Green Party – Nicole Duncan
Age: not specified
Background: School board trustee, student and parent advocate
Key issues:
“I’m Nicole Duncan, your Green Party candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. I am running with the BC Greens because I believe our elected representatives must be accountable to the people they serve.
The Green Party is the only party that allows Green MLAs to exercise their independent judgement and vote their conscience.
As your Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA, I will work for you. I will collaborate across party lines to prioritize education and health care.
I will support progressive economic policies that meaningfully address climate change while supporting the innovation needed to make our communities stronger and more resilient.”
Communist Party of BC – Florian Castle
Age: 19
Background: Student, activist, socialist
Key issues:
“Key issues for me this election include the pandemic, the climate emergency, the NDP government’s criminal invasion of Wet’suwet’en land, the opioid crisis, the housing crisis, and the ongoing crisis of Capitalism (triggered by but not caused by the pandemic).
These issues are not isolated from one another, however. They are all, in one way or another, symptoms of Capitalism and Colonialism.
Broadly, I believe that socialist and anti-colonial leadership will be necessary to address the many issues that face this province.”
Stormy day at Ogden Point (Robby Benn / @bcrobby on Instagram)
Those planning to cook a turkey dinner may want to prepare for a possible power outage.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Greater Victoria, calling for strong winds Sunday afternoon and tonight.
According to the weather agency, a low-pressure centre is approaching Vancouver Island this morning and will move right over Victoria late this evening and then quickly move through the Lower Mainland overnight.
“This afternoon, southeast winds will increase to 50 km/h gusting to 70 over communities near Georgia and Haro Strait, with southeast winds of 60 km/h gusting to 80 over exposed sections of West Vancouver Island,” the special weather statement read.
Behind the low overnight, winds will shift to west 50 km/h gusting to 70 to 80. The westerlies will ease Monday morning.
Currently, the track and depth of the low suggest wind speeds will stay just below warning thresholds but some power outages are still likely, Environment Canada warned.
(from L-R: Adam Olsen, Zeb King, Stephen Roberts - images supplied by BC Green Party, BC NDP, BC Liberals Party)
From October 10 to 16, Victoria Buzz will be profiling the seven ridings in the Greater Victoria area.
We reached out to candidates to provide information on what they think the most important issues are in this election.
Today we’re looking at the riding of Saanich North and the Islands.
This riding encompasses North Saanich, Sidney, Central Saanich and the Southern Gulf Islands, including Galiano, Pender, Salt Spring, and Saturna.
Here are the candidates running for the riding:
BC Green Party – Adam Olsen (incumbent)
Age: 44
Background: Central Saanich Councillor, small business person
Key issues:
“While there are a range of opinions of what the main issues are, there are common themes. A major issue is primary healthcare. There are over ten thousand people on the Saanich Peninsula without a primary care physician.
Another very visible issue for us is transportation. Residents of the Gulf Islands are familiar with the challenges of the ferry system and public transit.
Education is also a concern in our riding. Whether it’s our kids or grandkids, a complete education sets a person up for success in life. This requires a well funded and well supported school system.”
BC NDP – Zeb King
Age: not specified
Background: Councillor, Central Saanich
Key issues:
“COVID-19 is the biggest challenge facing our communities—here in Saanich North and the Islands and indeed right across our province. People are worried about their loved ones and uncertain about the future.
A lot of progress has been made over the pass three and a half years to improve health care, create jobs and opportunities, and make life more affordable. Now more than ever we need to invest in people and keep moving our province forward.
On October 24th, I ask for your support to serve as MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.”
BC Liberal Party – Stephen Roberts
Age: 55
Background: Former Banking COO
Key issues:
“The key issue in this election for Saanich North and the Islands is recovery from the many impacts of the global pandemic.
Our seniors are worried about their future and parents are concerned about education, while all of us are stressed dealing with restrictions on our social activities.
Economy has been hit badly, from tourism-based small business and farmers to manufacturers on the Saanich peninsula.
This riding needs a plan that will get people back to work and provide training opportunities where needed. I have the economic and financial background needed to help guide the much-needed recovery.”
A long weekend filled with food, music, and much more.
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
Here is our list of things to do in and around Victoria this Thanksgiving Long Weekend:
Michell’s Farm is a family-owned and operated farm in North Saanich. They have a ton of organic, local produce to browse through, along with pasture-raised local beef. Their U-Pick Pumpkin patch is perfect for families looking to participate in a wholesome autumn activity!
See their COVID-19 protocols here, or see our list of other places to pick a pumpkin.
When: Friday October 9th to Saturday October 31st 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
New creations that explore humanity in all its forms. Quanz’s Wistful to Rachmaninov’s classic “Vocalise” shows how love is eternal even as we grow apart. “Polovtsian Dances” to Borodin’s “Prince Igor” expresses the intensity and power of rival groups. Finally, follow the journey of The Little Prince as he travels through the universe and tells tales of his planet and the wonderful, mysterious, and enlightening people he meets along the way.
Off the Eaten Track hosts a tour just for you, chocoholics. Victoria is a mecca for talented chocolatiers and turns out we also have some gorgeous places of worship. So let’s get biblical and indulge in some sinful chocolate while learning about some of the most historic churches in the city. Off the Eaten Track visits 6 local businesses and three historic churches on this guided 2-hour tour. Max 6 guests and Covid-19 safety protocols in place.
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel has curated something truly special this year while working around COVID-19 protocols, giving families an option to come together locally to enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner with a regionally sourced menu and wine pairings by Executive Chef Kreg Graham.
Dinner begins with guests personally seated by masked hotel staff to their individual table in the hotel’s stunning Grand Lobby. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy a Thanksgiving-styled four course dinner, each course paired with a local, British Columbia wine chosen and presented by Chef Graham.
The Ghostly Walk Halloween tours are said to be the best way to experience Halloween in Victoria. These 90 minute tours include locations such as Bastion Square, Parliament Building, Pendray Inn, St. Andrews Cathedral, James bay and Bent Mast, Trounce Alley and more!
When: October 9th to October 31st. Tours begin at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Where: The tours begin at the archway entrance to Market Square (560 Johnson Street)
Price: Check online for availability and to book tickets. Limits in place to reserve times and for social distancing.
Ross Bay Cemetery, a Victorian-era burial ground, is the final resting place of Emily Carr and Sir Douglas. It is believed that the proximity of the sea acts as a conduct for spirits and has become a popular spot for themed cemetery walks.
When:
Murder Most Foul: October 11th, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Hatley Castle is another well known and allegedly haunted monument in Victoria. The Castle was built in 1908 for a Lieutenant and his family and eventually turned into a naval military academy.
Over the years, many ghosts have been spotted within and around the castle. Although the guided tours are not running at this time, visitors are welcome to visit the gardens. Controlled access will be in place to ensure a 50 visitor capacity limit at this time.
When: Garden access is open to the public between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m daily.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 119 new cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number of cases to 10,185 in the province.
In total, 3,728 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 5,253 in Fraser Health, 225 in Vancouver Island Health region, 559 in Interior Health, 331 in Northern Health region, and 89 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has increased by 12 to 1,406 in B.C.
There are now a total of 68 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 19 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No additional deaths were reported over the past 24 hours, and the death toll remains at 245.
3,180 people are now in isolation and being monitored by public health officials after being exposed to COVID-19.
A total of 8,502 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at the Good Samaritan Delta View Care Centre.
There are a total of 15long-term care or assisted-living facilities and three acute-care facilities that have active, ongoing outbreaks.
No new community outbreaks were reported but there continue to be 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
Two new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region over the past 24 hours.
There have been 225 total cases of COVID-19 in the region, six of whom have died, and 204 people have recovered.
This means there are now 15 active cases on the Island.
As of Thursday there had been 627,578 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 76,437 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 37,058,696.
Over 1,071,341 people have died from the illness and 27,857,277 have made a full recovery.
A 27-year-old man has been arrested following an arson fire and theft at a Walmart in Campbell River last week.
The theft occurred around 10 p.m. on October 1. A video circulating online shows a fire burning in the toilet paper aisle as smoke fills the store.
It was determined the fire was intentionally set as a diversion tactic to enable a very significant theft from the store.
Thousands of dollars worth of electronics, including phones and iPads, were stolen as the store was being evacuated.
RCMP are warning the public to avoid any “too good to be true” prices for electronics.
“It’s very buyer beware, as items that are stolen can be disabled by the manufacturer when they are brought online,” reads a statement released by RCMP on Friday.
The small blaze which ended up causing damage in the millions of dollars temporarily shuttered one of the largest retailers in Campbell River for the Thanksgiving long weekend, with no reopening date set at this time.
“We’re doing everything we can to re-open the store… We need to ensure the store is safe and up to the standards Campbell River customers expect,” a spokesperson for Walmart told the Campbell River RCMP in a statement.
The suspect from Campbell River is facing recommended charges of arson with a disregard for human life, theft over $5,000 and mischief over $5,000.
“This was and continues to be a group effort for our detachment,” said Inspector Jeff Preston. “The professionalism and skill with which our officers have conducted this investigation has provided the opportunity to hold the correct person accountable.”
The maximum sentence for arson is life in prison, and the maximum sentence for theft and mischief is 10 years each.
A local phone repair shop has moved house, and luckily for you, they’re celebrating with an exclusive promo offer and contest.
For the month of October, Blackapple Cellular is offering free tempered glass with any phone repair as an exclusive promo to their customers.
Along with the offer comes a chance to win $100 to Turmeric Indian Cuisine; contest details are below!
The new space, located at 780 Goldstream Avenue in Langford Centre, will offer the same great service Blackapple Cellular customers are used to.
They have now moved on from their previous location, and no longer operate out of the All Battery in Langford.
Blackapple Cellular, a long standing, local company began nine years ago and has now expanded to seven locations across Vancouver Island. The company’s certified technicians provide comprehensive services for mobile phone repair sales, as well as pre-owned and new phones.
Blackapple repairs all major smartphone models and tablets including Sony, Blackberry, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, LG and HTC.
Now more than ever, we utilize our smartphones to stay connected with our loved ones while we practice physical distancing measures. Blackapple Cellular understands the importance of these connections, and looks to keep you and yours supplied with a properly working phone.
Whether you’re in need of advice, phone repairs or are just looking to upgrade your phone, Blackapple’s got you covered!
CONTEST
To enter to win a $100 gift card to Turmeric Indian Cuisine in Langford from Blackapple Cellular, please do the following:
Contest entries will be accepted from time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. PST on October 23rd, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they enter within 24 hours of the contest closing. Good luck!
