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Today, we’re reflecting on a decade of BC’s toxic-drug crisis. It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since the health emergency was declared, yet the crisis feels more urgent than ever.

If you’ve lost a loved one to toxic drugs, my heart goes out to you today and everyday.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: 🌧️ 10 / 4

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 8 / 4

Thursday: 🌤️ 11 / 5

7-day forecast

Today marks 10 years since BC declared the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency. Since April 14, 2016, more than 18K people have lost their lives in the devastating epidemic.

“This crisis is impacting our entire province, as well as Canada and North America, and has been filled with heartbreak, fear, and grief for families, friends, and colleagues,” Josie Osborne, the provincial health minister, said yesterday. 

The problem has become considerably worse since the declaration was made, based on data that showed 528 British Columbians died from using illicit substances in 2015. This figure would jump to 997 in 2016—a staggering statistic at the time. 

That would be the last time BC would record a toxic-drug death toll lower than 1K. Since then, the province has witnessed a shocking rise in toxic drug deaths, peaking in 2023 when 2,590 people died. 

Last year, 1,826 British Columbians, including 343 on the Island, lost their lives after consuming toxic drugs. It was the first year since 2020 that fewer than 2K people died this way. 

Still, five people on average die each day in BC due to the toxic drug supply.

A community in mourning

Many Victoria community members—from all walks of life—have lost loved ones to the crisis, and recent initiatives have been launched to help the community grieve collectively. 

Since January, monthly memorials have been held at St. John the Divine Anglican Church, honouring Victorians lost to toxic drugs. 

Last month, friends and family members shared emotional tributes for six people who died in the city. Details for April’s memorial have not been released and will be shared on the church’s social media pages.

Right now, an art exhibit at the Bay Centre—on display through April 26—is showcasing the toll of the health emergency in BC. Naming a Crisis aims to capture the magnitude of loss through a multimedia exhibition, which includes the names and photos of those killed by toxic drugs in the last 10 years. Audio and video elements offer insight into the people behind the statistics and poetry readings, grief workshops, and speaking events are scheduled to take place over the next two weeks. See the full schedule here. 

Today, a rally to mark the anniversary of the crisis will take place on the legislature lawn from 1pm to 3:30pm, hosted by Moms Stop the Harm.

Read the full story here.

Recall: Soo brand Mala Spicy Flavoured Beef Jerky and Pork Jerky, due to mould. [CFIA]

Crystal Pool reopens today after last week’s chlorine gas incident. Summer camp registration begins tomorrow at 7am.

Keating Cross Road southbound on-ramp to Hwy 17 closed until next Monday for construction cleanup. Off-ramp remains open.

Saanich Road Closure: Reynolds at Cumberland today, 9am-3pm.

Part of living on an island is being exposed to the possibility of a tsunami.

With the massive fault of the Cascadia Subduction Zone about 100 clicks off our west coast, a major quake in the area could send huge waves of water to our shores in minutes. 

It could also happen after a major seismic event in the Pacific Ring of Fire—a horseshoe-shaped area about 40K km long that rings much of the Pacific Ocean and is home to about two-thirds of the world’s active or dormant volcanoes. 

With that cheery news out of the way, Happy Tsunami Preparedness Week!

It’s a time to review emergency plans and make sure you have a grab-and-go bag packed and ready.

It's also not a bad time to take a spin through the Capital Region Tsunami Information Portal for reminders.  

“People in British Columbia take enormous pride in our Province’s stunning natural beauty,” says Kelly Greene, BC’s minister of emergency management and climate readiness.

“However, far below these spectacular geographic marvels lie active, moving plates that have shaped our mountains and coastlines over millions of years.”

Tsunamis are rare in our neck of the woods, for sure. But it's better to be prepared than surprised, eh?

If a tsunami risk is expected, the province will issue emergency alerts to cellphones, radio, and TV. 

Greene says every local government will have its own unique emergency-response plan and following yours is key to keeping safe during a quake or tsunami event.

The City of Victoria has an emergency preparedness hub called VictoriaReady.ca and encourages residents to sign up for its free emergency notification system, Vic-Alert.

Some communities are hosting high ground hikes to prepare. There’s one at Royal Roads this Saturday, with Colwood Fire Rescue.

On May 13, Saanich is offering a 90-minute presentation called “Preparedness 101: Emergency Preparedness Begins With You.”

PHS Community Services Society supports thousands of underserved vulnerable people every day; many who need significant health supports—and you can help make a real impact.

Registration is now open for our 2026 PHS Run Team at this year's Under Armour Eastside 10K. Join PHS in Vancouver on race day (Sept 27th), or participate remotely from Victoria, or wherever you are. Every runner receives a personalized online fundraising page to help PHS reach our $30,000 goal.

Funds raised directly support emergency needs and our Food Program that provides over 2,200 meals every day to our supportive housing residents.

Be part of a community making meaningful change.

Click here to register today, or donate to our PHS Run Team to help reach our goal.

Learn more: [email protected]

🧘 Yoga fundraiser: Stretch and support the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. Saturday, 10am-2pm. [Details]

🎶 Premiering next week! Get your seats for Pacific Opera Victoria's Orpheus & Eurydice at the Royal Theatre, April 22-28, tickets start at just $35.*

🦉 Sweet dreams: A tiny saw-whet owl looks peaceful while sleeping at the Cowichan Estuary. [Facebook photos]

🌎 Saanich Earth Day Festival is on Saturday.

*Sponsored Listing

Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways. Nestled by the serene Shawinigan Lake, our luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable experience.

Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

Man found dead in Sooke mobile home; 2 arrested
RCMP got a call shortly after 3am Saturday and found a deceased man in the West Coast Road home. They found evidence about a suspect vehicle, which was located about an hour later. Two people inside were arrested. Police are interested in dash cam footage of a red MINI Cooper that may have been in the vicinity of Sooke and the West Shore Parkway in Langford between midnight and 4am that day. [CHEK]

Good Samaritans save man from frigid waters of Cadboro Bay
A man who managed to cling to the side of his sailboat for 15 minutes in 9 C water despite a dislocated shoulder was rescued about 100 metres off the beach at Gyro Park over the weekend. The 36-year-old fell into the water while trying to transfer from his kayak into the sailboat. People in a nearby sailboat heard his pleas for help a little before 4am Saturday and paddled over in a dinghy to rescue him. [Times Colonist]

BC’s average snowpack is 92% normal, but the Island’s is well below that
Snowpack on the Island is sitting at 44% of normal, down from 48% last month. When snowpacks fall below the normal range, it can indicate that droughts will occur during the summer. Drought risks increase if the weather is warm between April and June; Environment Canada is predicting above-average temperatures for May throughout BC, and low precipitation on the South Island. [CP/ CBC]     

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🎼 Joy of Music Concert 2026: Students from St. Patrick's, St. Joseph's, and St. Andrew's schools will take the stage for an evening of choir, band, and solo performances at Farquhar Auditorium, UVic, tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🎶 Taylor Swift Music Bingo: A night of prizes, singing, and dancing to your favorite Taylor Swift songs at Loghouse Pub tonight. 7-9pm. [Info]

🌱 Seed-to-Sky Planting Bar: Drop in to pot an edible herb or pollinator seedling to take home at this self-directed Earth Month station at Malahat SkyWalk, happening all month long. [Info]

🎵 Master's Graduate Recital: Jesse Marshall will present his Master of Music recital for guitar performance at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall tomorrow. 8pm. [Livestream] [Info] 

📰 Disney’s NEWSIES:The Broadway Musical: The Tony Award-winning play, based on the 1889 strike led by NYC kids selling newspapers, will hit the stage at McPherson Playhouse. Friday-April 25. 7:30pm. [Info]

🧑‍🎨 Fairfield Artists Studio Tour: Take a self-guided tour of artists’ studios and work while exploring the beautiful neighbourhoods of Fairfield, Rockland, and Gonzales. May 2 & 3. 11am-4pm. [Info]

🏒 First Annual United Professionals Charity Classic: Registration will open for hockey players to take part in this fun game, with proceeds to be donated to End2End Cancer. Save on Foods Memorial Centre. May 30. 2-7pm. [Info] 

Sunday’s headlines: 1M cruise ship passengers expected to visit Victoria this summer; Weekly roundup; Hate crimes on the rise in Victoria. [April 12]

Mark Carney’s Liberals secure majority with yesterday’s byelection wins. [CBC]

Water-bottle filling stations are being installed across Greater Victoria. [Victoria News]

Moving to Victoria was the proper prescription for these US doctor transplants. [Times Colonist]

Parliament returns: Premier’s plan to suspend parts of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is front and centre. [CTV / CP]

Wanted: Joshua Armstrong, 34. [RCMP]

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