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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that the federal government will be requiring temperature checks for all air travellers at Canadian airports amid COVID-19.
During his daily address Friday morning, the Prime Minister revealed the new mandatory protocol.
“Physical distancing is still the best way to protect yourself and others, but of course there are some places, like on flights, where it’s not always possible to keep two metres apart,” Trudeau said.
According to the Prime Minister, the plan is to roll out the mandated checks in a three-phase approach.
“First for those travelling to Canada, then for those travelling from Canada and finally for those travelling within Canada,” said Trudeau on Friday during the announcement.
Trudeau has stated that anyone who shows symptoms of a fever will not be permitted to board their flight.
He also added that employees in secured areas of airports will also be required to have their temperatures checked as well.
“There are strong measures already in place to keep people safe, and this screening will add yet another layer of protection,” said the Prime Minister.
Enhanced cleaning protocols on planes and in airports have also been implemented, and the requirement of non-medical masks is becoming more commonplace for travellers during COVID-19.
Victoria has joined several other municipalities in the region in announcing a reopening of playgrounds and other recreation facilities this week.
In a statement released today, the City of Victoria stated that playgrounds, spray parks, lacrosse box, basketball courts and outdoor fitness areas will reopen for public use on Friday, June 12.
“Recreation and play are essential elements of community health and well-being,” said Mayor Lisa Helps in a statement.
“For many children and families, shooting some hoops or getting back to your favourite swings and monkey bars will feel like a significant milestone in the recovery process.”
Signs will be posted encouraging frequent hand washing and asking people to refrain from using these facilities when sick.
Reopening playgrounds and all outdoor recreation facilities falls under Level 2 of the city’s reopening plan, level 1 of which constituted the reopening of tennis and pickleball courts, skate and bike parks, and sports fields.
However the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre will remain closed and is not expected to open until January 2021.
Nanaimo RCMP are searching for a violent offender who twice broke into the home of a woman he had had a relationship with in the past.
In the first incident, 26-year-old David Arlen Thomas broke into the north Nanaimo home in which his ex and her child resided.
The woman called police upon seeing Thomas trying to pry open a locked window to her home. Officers arrived and were unable to locate him, but found that he was in breach of earlier convictions that prohibit him from being at the woman’s residence, and from possessing break in tools.
At the time, investigators issued a warrant for his arrest for charges of Break and Enter.
More recently, on June 7, Thomas again broke into the same residence while the woman was inside. She was able to flee from her home, but was chased by the suspect.
Thomas allegedly dislodged a can of bear spray at the victim. Fortunately the woman was not seriously injured, but the suspect fled on his bicycle before police arrived.
“These were terrifying experiences for the female and it appears the violence is escalating,” says Cst. Gary O’Brien.
“We are doing what we can to help with her personal safety and we are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Thomas and to hold him accountable for his actions.”
The suspect is described as an Indigenous man standing 5’7″ tall and weighing 140 lbs. He also has a distinctive tattoo on his outer left forearm which spells the word ‘Indian’.
Anyone who knows of Thomas’ whereabouts is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
A new Provincial Health Order has replaced the original order for food service businesses to shut down buffets and limit dine-in capacity to 50 per cent.
Instead, owners of restaurants and other food or liquor service establishments will be allowed to determine the number of people that can be present at the venue based on its size and therefore the ability to physically distance staff and patrons by two metres.
“This will support the work we accomplished on patio extensions, those restaurants who are expanding their patios will now be able to come closer to their licensed capacity numbers with the use of a larger patio while still abiding by social distancing requirements,” reads a statement from the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association.
For spaces where guests might congregate, like in front of washrooms, establishments will be required to issue markers or barriers to make sure people stand apart.
Eateries that offer buffets or self-serve stations can reopen, provided they offer hand-washing stations or hand sanitizer for all guests to use within reach of the self serve station.
When inside, patrons will be restricted to groups of six per table, and each table must be spaced six feet apart. Customers from different parties must sit six feet apart when seated at a bar or counter, unless there are washable partitions between each table or bar seat.
Wherever possible, eateries are also asked to note down the contact information for one customer from each party and save it for 30 days in case a medical health officer needs that information for contact tracing purposes.
These new regulations replace previous order on eateries issued by Dr. Bonnie Henry in May.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 14 new test-positive cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number cases in B.C. to 2,694.
In total, 917 of test-positive cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 1,386 in Fraser Health, 130 on Vancouver Island, 195 in Interior Health and 66 in Northern Health region.
The number of active cases decreased to 183 in B.C. today.
There are now a total of 13 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, five of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
For the sixth day in a row, no new deaths were reported today, and the death toll remains at 167 in total across the province.
In good news, a total of 2,344 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
Several health care system outbreaks have been declared over and in total, there are now five long term care facilities that have active ongoing outbreaks.
A number of community outbreaks have also been declared over in the past week and no new outbreaks were reported today.
The following are currently ongoing:
One outbreak has been detected at Holy Family Hospital, a long term care facility in Vancouver.
Three people tested positive for COVID-19 at Beresford Warming Centre, a shelter in the Fraser health region.
Two small outbreaks were reported at offices in the Fraser Health region.
Mountain federal correctional institution in Fraser Health Region where two people have tested positive for COVID-19.
Nature’s Touch, a frozen food processing plant in Abbotsford, where five people tested positive for the virus.
The Oppenheimer Group, a fruit and vegetable processing plant in Coquitlam, has three cases.
A total of 17 people returning to B.C. from the Kearl Lake oil sands project in Alberta have tested positive for the virus, and there are an unknown number of family members of those workers who have also contracted the virus.
As of June 11, Dr. Henry expects to declare this outbreak over next week.
Island Health region
Specific data for the Vancouver Island Health region shows that have been 130 total cases of COVID-19 in the area and five people have died.
Specific data from the Ministry of Health shows that southern Vancouver Island has had 43 cases, there were 25 in central Vancouver Island, and 59 in the northern part of the island.
Thus far, there have been 161,434 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 24,159 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 coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 7,574,052.
Over 422,800 people have died from the illness and 3,831,029 have made a full recovery.
The annual roll out of Victoria’s trademark hanging baskets has begun, marking the unofficial start to summer in B.C.’s capital.
As of June 10, City of Victoria crews began installing about 1,300 hanging baskets on downtown lamp posts featuring flowers grown at the Beacon Hill Park nursery.
Once the baskets are assembled they remain inside the Beacon Hill Park greenhouses for one week, before being moved outside to become acclimatized. When fully grown, the hanging baskets can weigh over 20 kilograms (approximately 45 pounds).
First introduced in 1937, Victoria’s hanging flower baskets are now recognized around the world.
Each year Parks staff create both sun and shade baskets to ensure the flowers thrive in their chosen location.
507 shade baskets will contain 18 plants each, with red and pink Dragon Wing Begonias, which are adaptable and have a high heat/drought tolerance.
785 sun baskets sun baskets contain 25 plants of nine different varieties, including Lobelia, Geranium and Petunia, which do well in full sunlight.
The baskets remain on lamp posts until late September. After removal, the hardware is dismantled for reuse and the plant material is composted in the Beacon Hill Park Maintenance Yard.
The City of Victoria recently announced their project to grow food plants to combat food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic, and stated that the city will be planting 20 per cent fewer hanging baskets around Victoria this year as a result of the funding necessary for that project.
It’s that time of year! 🌼 Our iconic hanging baskets are now up, bringing colour and vitality to boulevards and…
Saanich Police are not considering any charges against a man who made aggressive, sexually explicit comments towards a female jogger, and believe he suffers from mental health issues.
On June 5, officers were called to reports of a man walking in the trails in the 3200-block of Cedar Hill Road and making sexualized comments towards a woman in the area.
A social media post that was shared over 1,000 times provides more explicit details of the encounter.
According to the post, the woman was preparing for an early morning jog along the Cedar Hill Golf Course chip trail when the man, who is known to frequent the area while walking his dogs, approached her.
“He then began to speak to [her] in a sexually aggressive manner and made statements such as: “do you know what kind of evidence is left behind at a sexual assault?”, and pointed to the wall of the rec centre saying, “that’s my semen on the wall”,” reads the post.
The woman reported the incident to Saanich Police who attended the scene but were not able to locate the suspect.
Shortly afterwards, police received another report from a different woman stating that the same man had made verbally aggressive towards her in the area last summer.
On Wednesday, June 10, police were able to identify and locate the suspect. However no arrest was made.
“We have taken steps to involve our mental health team workers on this file, which we believe are the underlying reasons for the man’s actions,” reads a statement from Saanich PD.
May 2020 has been recorded as the deadliest month ever for illicit drug overdose deaths in the history of British Columbia.
A new report from the BC Coroners Service reveals that 171 people died from overdosing last month, surpassing the previous monthly record of 161 deaths reported back in December 2016.
“It is both sad and deeply frustrating to see the number of illicit drug deaths reach a new high in B.C. four years after the declaration of a public health emergency,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.
“We still know that illicit drug toxicity death rates in B.C. remain the highest for any jurisdiction in Canada, and every region in B.C. has been impacted. That said, were it not for the dedicated efforts taken to date, the death toll would be higher. We must continue to build on further access to safe supply in B.C. and for a regulated, evidence-based, supportive treatment and recovery system as important pillars in preventing future deaths.”
B.C. has now recorded three consecutive months with over 100 people dying from drug overdose. So far this year, 554 people have lost their lives to drugs.
Toxicology testing data from this recent report suggests that there has been a spike in the number of deaths that have an extreme concentration of fentanyl in April and May, compared to previous months.
Fentanyl and analogues have been detected in 82.8 per cent of all suspected illicit drug overdose deaths since 2016, followed by cocaine detected in 50 per cent of all such cases.
Victoria remains one of the top three regions most affected by this crisis, losing 49 people to drugs so far this year, and 21 in May alone. The overdose epidemic in B.C. has claimed 98 lives in the Island Health region in 2020.
(BC Coroners Service)
According to a statement from the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Judy Darcy, closed borders leading to an unusually toxic supply of illegal drugs are partly to blame for this spike in deaths.
“Unemployment, social isolation, declining mental health and increased alcohol and substance use are also the reality for so many right now,” writes Darcy.
Before March, deaths related to drug overdose were on the decline in B.C. as the Coroners Service report in February showed a 36 per cent reduction in the number of people who died by overdose in 2019 compared to 2018.
Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry has long advocated for the establishment of harm-reduction measures like safe consumption sites, and naloxone training and availability.
“We’re dealing with addiction. And addiction is an illness, a health condition. We are in no way out of this crisis yet,” said Dr. Henry in a statement back in February.
The province is working on strategies support people dealing with both the opioid overdose and COVID-19 crises.
A safe supply of drugs are available to people from homeless encampments who are now being sheltered at hotels and emergency shelter sites secured by BC Housing.
Naloxone kits are also available for free at any pharmacy, according to Minister Darcy.
Police watchdogs in B.C. are investigating an incident on Vancouver Island in which a man died while police were present.
On Tuesday, June 9 at around 10:45 p.m., Comox Valley RCMP were called to assist on a well-being check alongside Emergency Health Services.
According to a statement, an individual called authorities to perform the wellness check on their acquaintance who was staying at a local hotel in Courtenay.
At first, the man who was being checked on spoke to front line officers outside the hotel, and assured them that he would not hurt himself.
But soon after, he went back into his hotel room, came out with a firearm and “harmed himself,” according to police.
Officers then called Emergency Health Services paramedics who had been waiting near the scene as a precaution. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO BC) is now investigating to find out whether police actions were linked to the man’s death.
IIO BC is a civilian-led police oversight agency responsible for conducting investigations into incidents of death or serious harm that may have been the result of the actions of a police officer, whether on or off duty.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the B.C. Crisis Centre Distress Line number at 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433.
Authorities are still searching for 51-year-old Michael Gazetas who went missing several months ago.
Gazetas was last seen leaving his Courtenay residence on January 31, 2020, and is believed to have been travelling in his red Ford Ranger, BC license plate HX4109.
Search and rescue teams, accompanied by his friends who launched a fundraiser and hired a helicopter to try and find him, scoured areas of interest in and around Comox Valley and the Buttle Lake area of Strathcona park, and along the coast from the Nanaimo ferry terminal to Courtenay.
Neither Gazetas, nor his truck have since been found.
(Gazetas’ car/Photo by Comox Valley RCMP)
He was wearing a red and blue poncho over a black shirt and vest, paired with dark jeans and a green toque at the time of his disappearance.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that the federal government is committing a further $133 million to help Indigenous businesses suffering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trudeau stated during his daily address that the federal government has heard from First Nations, Inuit and Metis business owners, who told him the last few months have been extremely difficult.
According to the Prime Minister, $117 million of the total amount is being allocated to help small and community-owned Indigenous businesses.
Additionally, the remaining $16 million will go towards supporting Indigenous businesses in the tourism sector, which in turn is expected to support thousands of jobs across the Canada.
These funds are on top of the $306 million in federal emergency aid, which was previously announced in April for small and medium-sized Indigenous businesses.
The money will be provided in the form of short-term, interest-free loans and contributions through Aboriginal financial institutions.
Many of these institutions are able to aid in financing and business support services to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis businesses.
RCMP have been unable to capture a man accused of domestic violence and robbery after a report was called in on Tuesday.
At around 4:30 p.m. on June 9, Campbell River RCMP responded to reports of domestic violence and robbery near the Evergreen and Masters Road.
Reports indicated that the suspect, a man, had fled on foot which led to an extensive search involving an RCMP K9 unit. Officers also used road blocks and stopped vehicles to see if the suspect was fleeing in a car.
“The individual did not pose a threat to the general public in the area, but in cases of domestic violence it is always our intent to apprehend a suspect as soon as possible,” said Cst. Maury Tyre in a statement.
“The public was very patient and cooperative and it was greatly appreciated.”
However officers were unable to find him, and it is believed that he may have escaped in a vehicle that had been parked nearby before police arrived.
While the suspect’s name has not been released “for privacy reasons”, police ask that the public look out for a black 2008 BMW 323 I, with BC Licence Plate JL071R.
Anyone who sees this vehicle is asked to contact Campbell River RCMP at 250-286-6221.
A search warrant execution led to police seizing a firearm and taking one man into custody in Saanich.
On Tuesday June 9, Saanich Police say they assisted the Greater Victoria Response Team in executing a search warrant at a residence in the 3800 block of Cadboro Bay Road.
“Investigators learned that this man had a firearm, formed grounds to believe that there were safety concerns to either himself or others, and applied for a warrant to search for and seize that firearm,” reads the statement from police.
The man was taken into custody and later released on recommended charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unsafe storage and other firearm-related offences.
During the course of the investigation, officers seized a firearm, ammunition, and body armour.
The man is expected to appear in court later this year.
Have you dreamed of working in a field that helps make a difference in the world?
Now could be the time to make that a reality!
Island Healthis currently hiring Community Health Workers, and not only do they offer competitive wages and an extensive benefit packages (3 weeks vacation, anyone?) you’ll have the chance to join the ranks of many others who work for the largest employer on Vancouver Island!
As a Community Health Worker, your job is to promote and maximize their clients’ independence and self-sufficiency in a home setting, and help improve their quality of life.
In joining Island Health’s team, you’ll be privy to perks such as flexible schedules, with the opportunity to pick up extra shifts when available, and ongoing training and educational opportunities to help grow your skills.
They also offer a salary range between $22.38 and $24.47 per hour, a benefits package that may include (depending on position) dental and prescription coverage, government backed pension plan, long term disability and extended health plan and three weeks’ vacation after the first year.
Community Health Worker opportunities are currently available across Southern Vancouver Island, as well as the Southern Gulf Islands, and you can apply online today!
(Island Health)
This job’s for you if you have:
Health Care Aide Certificate (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
Registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry (in good standing)
Food Safe certificate
Current level “C” Basic Life Saving Certificate
Valid BC driver’s licence
Island Health provides public health care services to over 794,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and the mainland communities north of Powell River and south of Rivers Inlet.
They’re also the largest employer on Vancouver Island with more than 24,500 employees, 1,900 physician partners and 3,000 volunteers.
Vancouver Island’s famed BC Forest Discovery Centre is set to open their doors this Friday, June 12 after being shuttered due to COVID-19.
The Centre outlined their reopening plans in a Facebook post yesterday morning, announcing how excited they were despite having to adjust to a “new normal”.
There will be new cleaning protocols implemented to help keep all visitors healthy, and they recommends everyone head over to their website for full safety plan details.
The new hours will be five days a week, Thursday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Centre will be opening select activities gradually throughout the month of June, as follows:
Friday, June 12th to Monday, June 15th
The grounds, main building, washrooms and the schoolhouse will be open. Bring your picnic lunches, games and enjoy the grounds. Admission will be $5.00.
Thursday, June 18th
The grounds, most major buildings and a limited concession will be open. Admission will be $5.00.
Thursday, June 25th
First train rides of the year with limited seating and proper social distancing will be available. Admission rates posted on their website.
Despite this, many large events the centre had planned will not go ahead this summer.
“Our summer special events – unfortunately, have been cancelled,” writes the centre on Facebook.
“The opening of our playground and our major Fall and Winter events are on hold pending government regulations.”
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 12 new test-positive cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number cases in B.C. to 2,680.
In total, 911 of test-positive cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 1,378 in Fraser Health, 130 on Vancouver Island, 195 in Interior Health and 66 in Northern Health region.
The number of active cases increased to 185 in B.C. today.
There are now a total of 12 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
For the fifth day in a row, no new deaths were reported today, and the death toll remains at 167 in total across the province.
In good news, a total of 2,328 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
One new outbreak was reported today at Holy Family Hospital, a long term care facility in Vancouver.
Several health care system outbreaks have been declared over and in total, there are now five long term care facilities that have active ongoing outbreaks.
A number of community outbreaks have also been declared over in the past week and no new outbreaks were reported today.
The following are currently ongoing:
One outbreak has been detected at Holy Family Hospital, a long term care facility in Vancouver.
Three people tested positive for COVID-19 at Beresford Warming Centre, a shelter in the Fraser health region.
Two small outbreaks were reported at offices in the Fraser Health region.
Mountain federal correctional institution in Fraser Health Region where two people have tested positive for COVID-19.
Nature’s Touch, a frozen food processing plant in Abbotsford, where five people tested positive for the virus.
The Oppenheimer Group, a fruit and vegetable processing plant in Coquitlam, has three cases.
A total of 17 people returning to B.C. from the Kearl Lake oil sands project in Alberta have tested positive for the virus, and there are an unknown number of family members of those workers who have also contracted the virus.
Island Health region
Specific data for the Vancouver Island Health region shows that have been 130 total cases of COVID-19 in the area and five people have died.
Specific data from the Ministry of Health shows that southern Vancouver Island has had 43 cases, there were 25 in central Vancouver Island, and 59 in the northern part of the island.
Thus far, there have been 159,995 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 23,933 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 coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 7,439,189.
Over 417,900 people have died from the illness and 3,721,870 have made a full recovery.
Hockey may be making a return to the province of British Columbia sooner than later, according to Premier John Horgan.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Horgan announced that the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has approved Vancouver as a hub city for the recently reinstated NHL; now it’s up to the major hockey league to make their choice.
The Premier says he has written to the Prime Minister stating that Vancouver and the B.C. overall would welcome the National Hockey League, if chosen as a hub city.
Horgan went on to confirm that teams would be required to travel as a ‘bubble’, would share only one hotel, and limit their interactions with the public.
He also added that this amendment will not change the 14-day quarantine requirements currently in place.
In response to a Victoria Buzz question on the subject, the Premier stated that Vancouver will be the only option in the province for a hub city, and that there will only be one city selected for each conference, Eastern and Western.
There are currently 10 cities under consideration to be one of the NHL’s two Return to Play hub cities, with Vancouver being up against Edmonton, Las Vegas and Los Angeles in the western conference.
As recently as May 26, Dr. Bonnie Henry stated that the province would not “bend the rules” for NHL players, stating she had yet to see a plan and wouldn’t want anybody put at risk, or “undo the good work that we’ve done here so far in BC”.
Now that B.C.’s top doctor has given the go ahead and the Premier has sent off the letter of recommendation to Prime Minister Trudeau, all hockey fans can do is wait and see if Vancouver is one of the lucky cities chosen.
Mounties are investigating after a sawed-off shotgun and several boxes of ammunition were seized from a home in the Highlands.
On June 4, West Shore RCMP officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Millstream Road after receiving information that firearms were being improperly stored at the residence and the man living there did not have a valid firearms license.
Members of the West Shore RCMP, including the Drugs and Organized Crimes Unit, successfully recovered a replica .45 calibre handgun, along with a sawed-off shotgun and boxes of shotgun ammunition from the residence.
“Safety was the main concern in this investigation as investigators found the firearm was not stored properly and there was information that children were coming and going from this residence,” said Cst. Kris Valentine, West Shore RCMP General Duty Investigator.
The investigation is ongoing and crime and firearm charges are expected to come, according to RCMP.
B.C. Premier John Horgan has extended the state of emergency for the sixth time, meaning the province remains within the longest period of emergency it has ever seen.
Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth initially declared a state of emergency on March 18 as a result of COVID-19, which was originally in effect for 14 days.
It was then extended five times by Premier Horgan, on March 31, April 15, April 29, May 13th, and May 27.
Today’s announcement further extends the state of emergency until the end of day on June 23, 2020. Declarations of emergency can be extended by the province by increments of 14 days at a time.
“This is part and parcel of our making sure that we’re putting public safety first, putting us in a position to better manage any challenges that may emerge and I’m confident that as the summer proceeds, we’ll see less and less requirement for the state of emergency,” said Horgan on Wednesday.
“But we are coming out of the flood season and looking squarely in the face of fire season so we’ll see how that unfolds.
Starbucks is planning on closing hundreds of stores across North America in response to revenue losses brought on by COVID-19.
In a letter to stakeholders, Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson announced that up to 200 stores will close or be repositioned in Canada over the next two years.
This is in addition to the closure of 400 Starbucks stores in the United States over the next 18 months.
According to the statement, Starbucks expects their third quarter revenue to decline by about $3 billion, and their operating income to decline by about $2 billion as a result of COVID-19.
In Canada, Starbucks resumed the majority of their operations by the end of May, after most cafés were shut down entirely and services were reduced to drive-thru, delivery and takeout at others.
The stores that provided reduced services have allowed Starbucks to test and refine a new model of operation that they will implement at all stores moving forward.
Mandatory safety measures at Starbucks branches for employees include masks or face coverings, temperature checks ahead of each shift, extra cleaning protocols, and plexiglass shields at the register.
They say, “never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach”; well, now you might have to.
Costco stores in Canada have implemented a whole host of changes since the onset of COVID-19, but they have recently announced one more that’s here to stay: the provision of food samples will not be resumed.
This is one of the latest safety measures put forth by Costco, including enhanced physical distancing measures, stricter return policies and more recently, a request that all shoppers visiting their stores wear non-medical face masks.
Much to the dismay of many of the chain’s frequent shoppers, the end to food sampling is the most recent step taken in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.
Despite Costco in the U.S. announcing they would be reinstating food sampling practice mid-June, Canadian Costco shoppers will not be privy to such luxuries for the time being.
Costco’s free food samples started being pulled from Canadian stores at the beginning of March, as COVID-19 case numbers began to rise.
Though food samples are no more, food courts in Canadian Costco stores will still offer services to shoppers.
According to the chain, a limited menu is now available at Costco Food Courts, and orders are only available for takeout, with no dine-in seating at this time.
A healing gathering will be held at the Legislature Building in Victoria on Thursday, June 18 for Chantel Moore.
The 26-year-old Indigenous woman was shot and killed by a police officer who was performing a wellness check on June 4 in New Brunswick, where she had moved to from Vancouver Island.
Moore had previously lived on Tseshaht First Nation in Port Alberni, before moving to Edmundston with her mother and 5-year-old daughter.
“This is an event to honour Chantel Moore, and also to acknowledge racism and police brutality as it relates to Indigenous communities in Canada,” reads the event page on Facebook.
Organizers of the event are asking for everyone who attends to wear yellow in Moore’s honour. The gathering will include a moment of silence in memoriam.
According the the event on Facebook, the goal is to “echo love, not hate”, and attendees are asked to bring Indigenous spirit, sage for smudges, drums, sacred pipes, red shawls, and moccasins.
Masks will be required for all attending, and everyone is asked to maintain physical distances as much as possible, especially when it comes to elders.
There will also be a smudging ceremony at the beginning of the event, and near the end.
Members of the Tseshaht First Nation have recently called for an inquest into the death of Chantel, but say they have not been consulted during the investigation.
The Vancouver Island First Nation community has also recently been victim of racism, when a video on social media surfaced of a truck driving through reserve while its passengers yelled racial slurs.
One suspect was arrested in relation to this incident, and has been released from custody, while awaiting a court date.
A Nanaimo woman has reached out to issue a public apology after racial slurs she posted online went viral.
“I feel completely horrible about it,” said Alysha Stewart in a phone interview with Victoria Buzz on Wednesday morning.
This week, Stewart shared posts on Facebook using the ‘N’ word in reaction to the recent Black Lives Matter protests that were sparked by the police killing of unarmed Black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis MN.
In her post Stewart makes statements like “I would have done the same thing. But worse…” while citing news articles about Floyd’s death.
This morning, Stewart stated that those statements were a part of a private post in a heated conversation with another person and were taken out of context. Still, she agrees that does not excuse her views or online behaviour.
“I do not mean it. That’s not how I talk on a day to day basis. That’s a keyboard warrior attitude that I have sometimes,” says Stewart.
“I’m never saying the ‘n’ word again and I’m probably going to talk to a counsellor about [my issues]. I’m completely floored and embarrassed with myself. I would just apologize from the bottom of my heart, not because I don’t wanna get hurt but because I did not mean it like that.”
The Nanaimo resident says she is Native American, comes from a low income background, and has experienced ample racism herself.
Employment and the role of law enforcement
When her social media posts first started going viral, many expressed outrage and created petitions to have her suspended by what appeared to be her employer—Vancouver Island Health Authority—over concerns about how she might be treating patients in her care.
However in conversation with Stewart on Wednesday, it was revealed that she did in fact work for Island Health under her maiden name ‘Chattaway’ until 2015.
Once presented with this information, VIHA issued the following statement:
“Safe, quality patient care for all of the people we serve is a top priority for Island Health. We encourage anyone with a concern about the care they received to contact our Patient Care Quality Office. We investigate every complaint.”
Stewart also says she has been receiving death threats as a result of her racist posts, which have since been taken down, and individuals have been egging her home. As a result of feeling unsafe, she contacted Nanaimo RCMP.
“Police had a discussion with her and as far as I know the file has concluded at this point,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien of Nanaimo RCMP.
Multiple people had also filed cases against Stewart for posting hate speech online.
According to Stewart, she was also contacted by a Victoria Police officer. While VicPD declined to comment as the case is outside their jurisdiction, Stewart says there is no indication that she is being investigated for any crime by either department.
“They said if I feel in danger, I should call the cops but there’s nothing that they can do about it,” added Stewart.
“They let me know to remove social media accounts, not to engage in hate speech, remove myself from that environment and let this blow over.”
An awesome new summer destination for fans of local craft beer is about to open its doors (benches?) in downtown Victoria!
Since 2014, the Drake Eatery & Craft Beer Parlour has been a staple of downtown’s Market Square, offering not only a selection of delicious brews but also a variety of tasty treats.
Now, they’ve expanded their provisions to a larger location which encompasses part of the lower level of Market Square.
As of 12 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, craft beer lovers can enjoy a selection of ten unique beers and one craft cider in the new open-air beer garden; wine and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.
They will also have their entire food menu up for grabs inside the beer garden, in case you want some accompaniment to your favourite malty beverage.
If indoors is more your jam, The Drake also offers an extensive tap list upstairs in their main location, which rotates and is posted to their website daily.
Racial slurs and threats posted online by a woman who claims to be from Nanaimo have gone viral on social media over the past week.
A woman named Alysha Stewart, whose social media accounts say she is a health care worker on Vancouver Island, has issued several racist messages on Facebook—screenshots of which have been shared multiple times online.
Her posts were in reaction to the recent Black Lives Matter protests that were sparked by the police killing of unarmed Black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis MN.
Stewart uses the ‘N’ word multiple times and makes statements like “I would have done the same thing. But worse…” while citing news articles about Floyd’s death.
These posts garnered attention from social media users on Vancouver Island who shared them to express outrage and showcase how overt racism is alive here on the island.
The reaction to Stewart’s statements also led to the creation of multiple petitions like this one, urging RCMP investigation and an immediate suspension from her job at Vancouver Island Health Authority.
While Stewart’s social media pages allege that she is employed by VIHA in some capacity, but Island Health says otherwise.
“Island Health has been made aware of racist comments on social media allegedly made by an Island Health employee. We have conducted a detailed internal review and concluded the individual is not an Island Health employee,” reads a statement from Island Health sent to Victoria Buzz.
“Island Health strongly condemns racism of any kind, respects people of all ethnicities, cultures and faiths, and is committed to upholding and promoting inclusive values and opposing racism and hate in all of its forms. We expect our staff, medical staff and volunteers to uphold these values, and will continue to investigate any complaint that suggests otherwise.”
Multiple concerned island residents have also reached out to Victoria Buzz over the past few days to voice their outrage over Stewart’s statements and her alleged affiliation with Island Health.
Police complaints have been filed across various island jurisdictions to prompt an investigation into her posts.
Her Facebook account was made private after the posts went viral. Corroborating social media posts from Stewart’s family members and friends suggest her account is not fake.
Alysha Stewart has not responded to our request for a response in time for publication.
The Vancouver Island Health Authority has announced the completion of a new long-term facility that is set to welcome residents starting July.
The building, located at 955 Hillside Ave, is called ‘The Summit’ and can accommodate 320 seniors.
According to a statement from Island Health, the new long-term care home will be used to relocate residents living Oak Bay Lodge and Mt. Tolmie care homes.
“The Summit care home will offer a campus of care that is flexible and responsive for seniors living with complex health issues and dementia,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix in a statement.
“Our goal is to ensure that residents and health-care workers are protected to the maximum extent possible and I am confident that the right precautions will be in place to move safely at this time.”
The Summit will replace the two aforementioned care homes and residents will start moving in on July 10, 2020.
It features 320 private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, bright common or visiting spaces, walking paths and several outdoor areas.
Each floor will have clusters of 16 to 24 residents, and the first floor will feature a salon, an adult day program, and a dialysis room so patients don’t have to travel to a hospital.
Construction of the massive project began in 2016 and Island Health originally planned to move residents into the facility in April.
However due to COVID-19, that move was postponed for the possibility that the site could be used as a field hospital for pandemic patients.
The building was constructed and is owned by the CRD and is being leased by Island Health for a period of 25 years.
The Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation has also committed to raising more than $500,000 for therapy equipment and adaptive tools, visiting area/patio furnishings and ongoing therapy program support, as well as gardens for residents and ongoing funding for the Adult Day Program.
(Dr. Bonnie Henry, Minister Adrian Dix/BC Gov Flickr)
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported nine new test-positive cases of novel coronavirus and one epidemiologically linked case in the province today, bringing the total number cases in B.C. to 2,669 people.
In total, 908 of test-positive cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 1,370 in Fraser Health, 130 on Vancouver Island, 195 in Interior Health and 66 in Northern Health region.
The number of active cases remains steady at 183 in B.C.
There are now a total of 16 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No new deaths were reported today again, and the death toll remains at 167 in total across the province.
In good news, a total of 2,319 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
No new outbreaks were reported Tuesday.
Several health care system outbreaks have been declared over and in total, there are now four long term care facilities that have active ongoing outbreaks.
A number of community outbreaks have also been declared over in the past week and no new outbreaks were reported today.
The following are currently ongoing:
Three people tested positive for COVID-19 at Beresford Warming Centre, a shelter in the Fraser health region.
Two small outbreaks were reported at offices in the Fraser Health region.
Mountain federal correctional institution in Fraser Health Region where two people have tested positive for COVID-19.
Nature’s Touch, a frozen food processing plant in Abbotsford, where five people tested positive for the virus.
The Oppenheimer Group, a fruit and vegetable processing plant in Coquitlam, has three cases.
A total of 17 people returning to B.C. from the Kearl Lake oil sands project in Alberta have tested positive for the virus, and there are an unknown number of family members of those workers who have also contracted the virus.
Island Health region
Specific data for the Vancouver Island Health region shows that have been 130 total cases of COVID-19 in the area and five people have died.
As of June 5, there are officially no more active cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island.
Specific data from the Ministry of Health shows that southern Vancouver Island has had 43 cases, there were 25 in central Vancouver Island, and 59 in the northern part of the island.
Thus far, there have been 158,040 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 23,778 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 coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 7,302,526.
Over 412,700 people have died from the illness and 3,592,087 have made a full recovery.
Students and the general public will be able to access playgrounds and sports courts at public schools across Victoria beginning this week.
The Greater Victoria School District announced in a release on Monday that they will be reopening playgrounds and sports courts on June 12.
‘Sports courts’ include tennis courts, basketball courts and tetherball courts.
“We are conditionally reopening our playgrounds and play courts after receiving guidelines from our public health authorities,” Greater Victoria School District superintendent Shelley Green said in a media release.
Students will be instructed on how to safely engage in outdoor actives during the pandemic, according to the district’s website.
The general public is also being asked to follow existing health and safety protocols in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
According to the district’s website, they’re asking people visiting the playgrounds to follow these guidelines:
Sick children must not enter the playground
A physical distance of two metres (six feet) between parents and guardians should be maintained
Children should clean their hands before and after using the playground
Avoid overcrowding
Avoid touching your face
Playgrounds and sports courts in the Greater Victoria School District originally closed to the public on March 21 in response to COVID-19.
SD61 is comprised of 27 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and seven secondary schools.
Victoria Police have busted a convenience store in the Burnside-Gorge area that was allegedly buying and re-selling stolen property.
On Thursday, at approximately 8 a.m., officers from the VicPD Strike Force team executed a search warrant at a business located in the 400-block of Gorge Road East.
Police say an investigation led them to believe that Mega Mart was involved in purchasing and re-selling stolen property at their business.
Strike Force Arrests Two, Seizes Stolen Property In ‘Fencing Operation’ Bust
This is known as a “fencing operation”, in which the business takes in stolen property from thieves and re-sells it for profit.
According to police, the Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood has seen an increase in property crime over the past few weeks.
Strike Force, along with other VicPD resources, have been tasked with targeting this issue.
“By focusing on the business, Strike Force effectively disrupted a marketplace for stolen goods within the neighbourhood,” VicPD said in a release. “Strike Force officers searched the business and seized a number of stolen items.”
The recovered stolen property includes alcohol, perfume, electronics, coffee and other items.
Two people, a man and a woman, who are associated with the business were arrested.
Victoria residents 50-year-old Gurjit Purewal and 41-year-old Manjeet Purewal face charges of trafficking in stolen property, possession of stolen property, and laundering the proceeds of crime.
If you have information about property crime offenders in our community, you can call VicPD’s Strike Force directly at (250) 995-7260.
(Image / Gutsy Walk for Crohn's and Colitis Canada Facebook)
Victoria’s 25th annual Gutsy Walk to support Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis research is quickly approaching, but this year it’s going to look a little bit different—they’re going virtual!
The annual tradition, which usually features participants walking through Esquimalt Gorge Park, was originally scheduled to take place on June 7, but due to COVID-19, the new virtual walk will take place on August 23.
Since 1996, dozens of cities across Canada have taken part in the fundraising walk which raises money for research on Crohn’s disease and Colitis, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Roughly 270,000 Canadians live with IBD, meaning they contend with daily abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, fatigue, frequent and urgent bowel movements, unintended weight loss, and internal bleeding.
Moreover, one Canadian is diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease every hour.
While treatment is available for IBD, no cure has been discovered yet, which is why 60 Canadian cities take part in the Gutsy Walk every year.
“With technology a click away, and from the comfort of everyone’s homes, we will rally the entire Crohn’s and colitis community, along with friends and families, to walk together virtually. Anywhere. Anyhow!” the event’s website reads.
So far, the Victoria community has raised nearly $12,000 out of their $55,000 goal for the 2020 event.
Now, with a few months before Victoria’s virtual Gutsy Walk takes place, there’s still plenty of time to donate or register to walk!
Details on how to register or donate can be found online here.
Jaime Traynor was last seen by her family shortly after 10:00 p.m. Saturday night.
Her 2001 red Saturn sedan was located several hours later by the Shawnigan Lake RCMP near the Malahat Summit.
The discovery of her vehicle sparked a large search of the area by police and Cowichan Search and Rescue.
Search and Rescue crews assisting in locating missing person near Malahat Summit (Karen Parkinson
Her remains were located by searchers late Monday afternoon near where her vehicle was found abandoned at the Malahat Highway Summit.
According to an earlier release from Saanich Police, Traynor was suffering from mental health issues. As such, police said, she was considered what they described as “high risk.”
Police said there is no evidence of foul play, but that her cause of death has not yet been determined.
“The Shawnigan Lake RCMP would like to thank all those that assisted with the investigation,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Chris Manseau. “The BC Coroners Service is also conducting an investigation to determine how, where, when and by what means the individual came to their unexpected death.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call the B.C. Crisis Centre Distress Line number at 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433.
A fire that was reported early Saturday morning is being treated as suspicious.
Saanich police officers and firefighters responded to reports of a truck that was on fire at around 5:45 a.m. in the 600 block of Ridgeback Crescent on Saturday, June 6.
The truck itself was entirely destroyed, and a nearby vehicle also sustained some damage from the fire.
“This fire is being treated as suspicious in nature and detectives from our General Investigative Section are working on the case,” reads a statement from Saanich Police on Tuesday.
Officers are now asking people who may have witnessed the incident to step forward.
Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area before, during, or after the fire can contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.
Thousands of British Columbians have called for police and RCMP officers in the province to start wearing body cameras.
An online petition has received more than 23,000 signatures to date after it was created nearly a week ago.
According to the petition, West Kelowna resident, Melanie Banman, wants Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth to make body cameras a requirement for members of the BC RCMP.
“Currently, events in the United States are demonstrating why body cameras are so important,” the petition’s description reads.
“While there is less documentation of racially-motivated police incidents in Canada, they occur all the time.”
In 2019, the provincial government pitched the use of body-worn cameras, but many organizations turned down the idea because of the cost of the devices.
On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he will push premiers to equip all Canadian police with body-worn cameras, to hold officers accountable after allegations of racism and police brutality.
These cameras would document police officers’ interactions with the public, and the Prime Minister says that they are one relatively simple way to address complaints against police in Canada.
He added that he has raised the issue with RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki in a call on Monday, and will pursue it with the provincial premiers later this week.
This announcement was made in response to several recent incidents in Canada, including allegations of police brutality from a First Nations Chief in Alberta.
More recently, a 26-year-old Indigenous woman from British Columbia was shot dead by police in Edmundston, New Brunswick, after they were called to check on her well-being.
Canada-wide rallies, including several in Victoria, have followed the massive American protests sparked by the video showing former Minneapolis PD officer Derek Chauvin killing an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, by kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes.
Though Trudeau is currently pushing RCMP, municipal and provincial police forces to use the body cameras, the RCMP rejected body-worn cameras in 2016 after they claimed that testing revealed technical problems.
If you mistakenly applied to receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit amid the COVID-19 pandemic, you will not face jail time or fines, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on Tuesday.
However, there will be punishment for criminals who try to take advantage of the programs, which also include the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
During his daily address on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said that there will be changes to all the federal government programs as the pandemic evolves and the country goes back to normal.
“We will continue to do that, change things as we go along,” he said, referring to the benefits and Canadians transitioning back into work.
Trudeau said the government tried to send out financial assistance to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.
“If we made things too complicated, if we ensured a lot of checks, we would never have got the cheques out in a few weeks to millions of Canadians who desperately needed the money,” said Trudeau.
He also added that the government knew they would have to introduce measures “to correct mistakes” after the fact.
“Now there may be a number of people who mistakenly took both the CERB and the wage subsidy because they weren’t sure what they were going to do,” Trudeau continued.
“Those people will simply have to pay back the one that they shouldn’t have taken.”
Reports suggest a draft copy of a CERB bill that has not been introduced to Parliament yet was leaked on Monday.
The draft bill outlined fines and imprisonment in reference to CERB violations.
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has since responded to the draft copy, claiming he would not be in favour of a bill that would punish Canadians who applied for financial aid during a pandemic.
(Victoria Chinese Public School/Photo by Tom Brenner - Google)
Victoria Police are searching for witnesses to a racist incident in downtown Victoria last week.
According to a statement, police responded to reports of racist graffiti being sprayed on the wall at the Victoria Chinese Public School located in the 600-block of Fisgard Street on June 5.
The targeted incident at the cultural landmark took place just two days before thousands rallied against racial discrimination in Victoria.
Police are now searching for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact VicPD and select option 1 for the report desk. To report what you know anonymously, contact Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
(Minister Adrian Dix, Dr. Bonnie Henry/BC Gov Flickr)
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 29 new test-positive cases of novel coronavirus in the province since Friday, bringing the total number cases in B.C. to 2,659 people.
There were 14 cases reported between Friday and Saturday, six cases between Saturday and Sunday, and nine cases between Sunday and Monday. One more epidemiologically linked case was reported today as well.
In total, 907 of test-positive cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 1,362 in Fraser Health, 130 on Vancouver Island, 195 in Interior Health and 64 in Northern Health region.
The number of active cases has now decreased to 183 in B.C.
There are now a total of 16 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units — showing a continued decline.
No new deaths were reported today, and the death toll remains at 167 in total across the province.
In good news, a total of 2,309 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
Several health care system outbreaks have been declared over and in total, there are now four long term care facilities that have active ongoing outbreaks.
A number of community outbreaks have also been declared over in the past week and no new outbreaks were reported today.
The following are currently ongoing:
Three people tested positive for COVID-19 at Beresford Warming Centre, a shelter in the Fraser health region.
Two small outbreaks were reported at offices in the Fraser Health region.
Mountain federal correctional institution in Fraser Health Region where two people have tested positive for COVID-19.
Nature’s Touch, a frozen food processing plant in Abbotsford, where five people tested positive for the virus.
The Oppenheimer Group, a fruit and vegetable processing plant in Coquitlam, has three cases.
A total of 17 people returning to B.C. from the Kearl Lake oil sands project in Alberta have tested positive for the virus, and there are an unknown number of family members of those workers who have also contracted the virus.
Island Health region
Specific data for the Vancouver Island Health region shows that have been 130 total cases of COVID-19 in the area and five people have died.
As of June 5, there are officially no more active cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island.
Specific data from the Ministry of Health shows that southern Vancouver Island has had 43 cases, there were 25 in central Vancouver Island, and 59 in the northern part of the island.
Thus far, there have been 153,359 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 23,120 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 coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 7,166,922.
Over 407,300 people have died from the illness and 3,503,831 have made a full recovery.
Saanich has joined Oak Bay and Sidney in announcing that playgrounds are reopening this week.
The District of Saanich announced on Monday that all 56 of their playgrounds will reopen by Wednesday, June 10.
“We are very happy to reopen our playground facilities just in time for summer,” said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes, going on to thank the community for their patience during the closure.
In Saanich, playgrounds have been closed since March 20. Exactly two months later, on May 20, the municipality reopened sports courts (tennis, basketball, and pickleball) and the Lambrick Skate Park.
“We do need to ask that families using the playgrounds continue to follow recommendations from the provincial health officer,” adds Haynes in his statement.
New signage will be installed at all playgrounds reminding everyone to follow these guidelines:
practice safe physical distancing;
wash your hands before and after using the play area;
come back later if the area seems too busy;
limit your time if others are waiting; and
stay home if you feel sick.
Public washrooms remain open with more frequent cleaning protocols in place, but portable toilets will not yet be reinstalled.
Starting next week, all passengers travelling on BC Ferries will be required to carry face masks with them.
In a statement released Monday, BC Ferries announced that all passengers over the age of two will need to have a face covering with them.
They will be asked to put on the face masks in situations where physical distancing is not possible. This new order will take effect Monday, June 15.
All passengers boarding a ferry route that travels longer than 30 minutes will be asked if they’re carrying a face covering and if they would be willing to wear it whenever necessary.
Anyone who says no to these questions will be declined boarding.
“As defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, a face covering should fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops, be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material fabric (such as cotton or linen) and be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping,” reads the statement from BC Ferries.
Existing questions include whether the travellers have a fever, a cough, and/or difficulty breathing, and if they have been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to the coronavirus.
Canadians can now report suspected fraudulent CERB recipients through the Canada Revenue Agency’s website.
The Agency has launched a “Leads Program” section on there website, where people are able report fraudulent claims. As of last week it has been expanded to include the following:
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB),
the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) and
the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) funds
“If you suspect a potential misuse of the COVID-19 emergency benefits and programs, the National Leads Centre is currently accepting leads on these programs,” the agency’s website now reads.
As of June 1, the federal government had processed over 15 million applications for CERB, which included eight million unique applicants.
In total, around $42 billion in benefits has been paid out to Canadians.
Previously, reports emerged that CRA staff processing aid applications were told to move ahead with payments despite individuals not meeting criteria, even when there was suspected fraud.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged this by stating that the government chose to favour speed in processing aid payments, and that the CRA would “clean up after the fact.”
“Our focus was getting help out to people when they needed it, as quickly as possible and cleaning it up afterwards,” Trudeau said during several addresses last month.
When it comes to Canadians who have claimed the CERB, many may have mistakenly “double dipped” and received two payments when they were only entitled to one.
Those individuals are being asked to return or repay the CERB benefit online or by mail.
The Leads Program is now accepting false claim reports for the CERB, CESB or CEWS, and ask that they should include as many details to enhance the report as possible.
They have also added on their website that “It’s not necessary to provide all the information below in your submission, simply tell us as much as you can.”
Some questions asked include details about the individual’s work and schooling situation, employer and eligibility.
(Screencap from video submitted by Chelsey Columbus, owner of Sidney Scones)
A video taken from from the passenger seat of a vehicle shows several fires blazing at a storage and vehicle rental business in Victoria Sunday night.
Police have confirmed that a string of fires reported last night have been deemed suspicious.
Firefighters from the Victoria Fire Department and Victoria Police officers responded to the blazes at the U-Haul Moving & Storage facility in the 700-block of Topaz Avenue just before 10 p.m. on June 7.
Preliminary investigation showed that two storage units and two vehicles were damaged in the fire.
Fortunately there were no injuries.
Video shows suspicious fires at U-Haul facility in downtown Victoria Sunday night.
Starting today, the District of Oak Bay and Town of Sidney will begin to reopen their playgrounds after being closed for several months amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the Town of Sidney said it will begin to reopen municipal playgrounds as of Monday, June 8, which have been closed since March 20.
Playgrounds at Tulista Park and Iroquois Park will both reopen as of today, while other playgrounds in the municipality will be reopened in the days after maintenance and inspections are performed.
The Water Spray Park in Iroquois Park as well as the Community Wellness Park adjacent to the library will remain closed, as the Town continues to develop safe reopening plans for these facilities.
Signage will be posted at all municipal playgrounds, advising that playground equipment and other park surfaces are not being sanitized.
According to the statement, Sidney staff say parents and guardians can make an informed decision before allowing their children to use the playground equipment.
An updated list of the status of each playground will be available on the Parks and Pathways Updates page on the Town Of Sidney’s website.
The District of Oak Bay has also announced that their playgrounds will re-open on June 8, in coordination with guidance from Island Health.
According to Oak Bay’s website, once play structures are re-opened, signage will be in place to provide guidelines for safe use.
Both the Town of Sidney and District of Oak Bay ask that people who visit the playgrounds in the coming weeks follow the public health and safety guidelines to protect themselves and others.
These include:
Playground equipment is not sanitized so come prepared and bring your own hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes;
Practice safe physical distancing and keep six feet (2 metres) away from others;
Stay home if you are sick;
Come back later if the playground seems too busy; and
Limit your playtime to ensure everyone gets a turn.
Centennial Square in downtown Victoria was the site of a massive peaceful gathering on Sunday as thousands took part in a Black Lives Matter peace rally.
According to organizers, around 9,000 people stood in the square, watched from the adjoining parkade, and spilled into neighbouring Pandora Ave to listen to Black people and People of Colour talk about their experiences of racism in Victoria and Canada.
The four hour long demonstration commenced at 4 p.m. and ended with a vigil to commemorate the lives of Black people killed by police in recent years.
This was the second protest held in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Victoria, after the initial movement last week which saw hundreds of people march to the Legislature grounds.
The grassroots movement was organized by Victoria residents Vanessa Simon, Pamphinette Buisa, and Asiyah Robinson after watching Black Lives Matter protests unfold in several cities in Canada and across the world.
“This isn’t us against you, but this is us telling you that we’re here and we’re not going anywhere… we’re not going to let anyone silence our voices any longer,” said Robinson at the event after several speakers relayed their experiences of racial discrimination perpetrated by individuals, business owners, and police right here in Victoria.
Over the past week, cities across the U.S. and several other countries have seen widespread protests against police brutality that caused the deaths of dozens of innocent Black people in recent years.
These protests were sparked after former Minneapolis PD officer Derek Chauvin killed an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, by kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes.
The movement snowballed over several days after local, state, and federal officers conducted arrests and deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and mace on peaceful protesters as well as identifiable members of the media.
In Victoria, police maintained their distance from protesters and were only present to establish a secure perimeter and shut down a section of Pandora Ave to vehicle traffic for the duration of the rally.
Major turnout at Centennial Square for the second #BlackLivesMatter peace rally in Victoria #yyj Almost everyone wearing masks, organizers handing out masks to those who don’t have one. Pandora Ave from Douglas to Govt closed to vehicle traffic @victoriabuzzespic.twitter.com/c9pbLtYiNN
The majority of attendees wore non-medical masks, while organizers handed out additional masks to those who did not bring one.
As a call to action, speakers took the stage to encourage everyone gathered to speak up against racism whenever they see acts of discrimination in their everyday lives.
For those who could not be in attendance, here are 16 photos from the event:
From clever creatures to spectacular sunrises, sunsets and everything in between, Victoria has had some truly eye-catching photos posted to Instagram accounts this past week!
This is exactly why we’ve decided each week, we would compile some of the best photos in town that used the hashtag #victoriabuzz on Instagram.
Every Monday we’ll create a new list, so if you’d like to be featured, upload your photo on Instagram and use the hashtag #victoriabuzz; the best pictures will be shared in our next photo gallery!
For now, feast your eyes on some of the most beautiful photos of our fair city had to offer this past week:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that a ‘limited exemption’ will be implemented at the Canada-U.S. border allowing immediate family members of citizens or permanent residents to enter the country.
“This is an incredibly difficult time to be apart from a spouse, a child, or mom and dad. We hear that,” said Trudeau.
“That’s why we are bringing in a limited exemption to allow immediate family members of citizens or permanent residents to come to Canada.”
These newly announced conditions will still require anyone who decides to visit a family member in Canada to quarantine for 14 days.
“If you don’t follow these rules, you could face serious penalties,” added Trudeau.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency website, the exemption will kick into effect as of 11:59 pm on June 8.
The Canada Border Services Agency website also outlines that an immediate family member refers to a person’s:
spouse or common-law partner;
dependent child, as defined in section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or a dependent child of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
dependent child, as defined in section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b):
parent or step-parent or the parent or step-parent of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
guardian or tutor
According to Trudeau, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marco Mendicino, will be revealing more information on this exemption later on Monday.
Saanich Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 33-year-old woman.
Jaime Traynor was last seen by her family shortly after 10:00 p.m. Saturday night.
Her 2001 red Saturn sedan was located at approximately 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning by the Shawnigan Lake RCMP near the Malahat Summit.
Police and Cowichan Search and Rescue crews are currently scouring the areas around the Malahat Summit, and witnesses say an RCMP helicopter is searching from above as well.
Traynor is described as a Caucasian female, 5’4” tall, 215 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a green and white top and black tights.
She has mental health concerns that have elevated this to a high-risk missing person.
Search underway for missing person near Malahat Summit (Karen Parkinson)
“Her family is very concerned about her well-being and hope that someone has seen their daughter or has information that can help the police locate her.”
If you see Jaime Traynor, have any information about where she might be, or saw her vehicle recently, please call the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported just one new test-positive cases of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number cases in B.C. to 2,632 people.
In total, 908 of test-positive cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 1,335 in Fraser Health, 130 on Vancouver Island, 195 in Interior Health and 64 in Northern Health region.
The number of active cases has now decreased to 193 in B.C.
There are now a total of 21 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, five of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units — showing a continued decline.
One new death was reported today, and the death toll is now at 167 in total across the province.
In good news, a total of 2,272 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
Several health care system outbreaks have been declared over and in total, there are now five long term care facilities that have active ongoing outbreaks.
A number of community outbreaks have also been declared over in the past week and no new outbreaks were reported today.
The following are currently ongoing:
Three people tested positive for COVID-19 at Beresford Warming Centre, a shelter in the Fraser health region.
Two small outbreaks were reported at offices in the Fraser Health region.
Mountain federal correctional institution in Fraser Health Region where two people have tested positive for COVID-19.
Nature’s Touch, a frozen food processing plant in Abbotsford, where five people tested positive for the virus.
The Oppenheimer Group, a fruit and vegetable processing plant in Coquitlam, has three cases.
Seven people tested positive for COVID-19 at the Fraser Valley Speciality Poultry outbreak.
A total of 17 people returning to B.C. from the Kearl Lake oil sands project in Alberta have tested positive for the virus, and there are an unknown number of family members of those workers who have also contracted the virus.
Island Health region
Specific data for the Vancouver Island Health region shows that have been 130 total cases of COVID-19 in the area and five people have died.
As of June 4, there are officially no more active cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island.
Specific data from the Ministry of Health shows that southern Vancouver Island has had 43 cases, there were 25 in central Vancouver Island, and 59 in the northern part of the island.
Thus far, there have been 151,458 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 22,858 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 coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 6,805,907.
Over 396,700 people have died from the illness and 3,310,410 have made a full recovery.
