Dec 17 - Area hospitals working above and beyond

Good morning !

Get ready for some seasonal weather.
It’s been a milder-than-usual December so far—we’ve even set records up and down the Island. The mercury reached 16.8 C at YYJ on Monday, beating the old mark of 14.3 C, set a quarter of a century ago.
But look for daily temps to stick around the norm for this time of the year—around 7 C during the day and half that at night.
There’s a possibility we may see some snow flurries during the Christmas Season, but Environment Canada says the chance of a White Christmas is slim.
 

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 8 / 6 

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 8 / 5

Friday: 🌦️ 6 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

2 Greater Victoria hospitals on list of BC's most crowded

New data reveals that 20 BC hospitals operated above capacity by at least 10% last year—including three Island hospitals. 

The Royal Jubilee, Saanich Peninsula, and North Island hospitals operated between 110 and 117% of their capacity in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, according to a report from The Tyee.

In these crowded hospitals, at least one out of every six patients is cared for in an “unfunded” bed. Fifty of BC’s 87 hospitals had more patients than beds over the last year.

This has led health-care staff to look after more patients than they should—an issue for a system already dealing with the strain of staffing problems.

Jubilee and Saanich Peninsula have struggled with staffing for years

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, South Island hospitals have had to serve more patients than they can handle.

For years, the Jubilee operated at 100% capacity or less, but since 2023, the hospital has been well over its manageable limit. Last year, it ran at 110% of its capacity.

Saanich Peninsula Hospital was hit even harder last year, operating at 115% of its capacity. It, too, has seen more patients than it can manage since 2023. 

The two hospitals have had notable issues arising from overcrowding. 

Capital Daily reported in 2022 about complaints of too many patients and not enough doctors at the Royal Jubilee. That same year, there were reports of Jubilee patients being dumped at the bus stop by hospital security. Last year, it was found that this practice is still going on. 

Saanich Peninsula Hospital has had to close its ER several times in the last five years—in 2023, staffing issues led to rolling overnight closures and changes to ER operations. Since 2024, the hospital’s ER has remained closed from 10pm-7am nightly.

Across the province, there has been an 86% increase in ER patients leaving the hospital without seeing a doctor, per the findings of a Freedom of Information request from the BC Conservatives. 

Earlier this year, two physician assistants were hired at the Saanich Peninsula in an attempt to increase its ER services, the BC Health Ministry said. 

Read the full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Wanted woman: Michelle James, 48, who is considered dangerous. [RCMP]

Limited parking at Beaver Beach today as film crews work in the area. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Bus line changes en route for the new year

BC Transit and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission are applying some additional funding from the municipal and provincial governments to expand service with a new route and a series of changes to some established ones.

Residents looking to travel between Esquimalt, View Royal, and Saanich will be able to take the 40—a new route between Dockyard and UVic via Admirals and McKenzie.   

New bus stops will be added on the TCH at Carey and on Ravine at Vernon.

Several routes have been adjusted “to improve connections and reliability,” BC Transit said yesterday. They include:

Route 88 Airport/Sidney via McDonald Park will have improved service to YYJ and West Sidney. Regular trips that don’t make it to West Sidney will operate as Route 88A Airport/Sidney.

Route 81 Brentwood/Saanichton/Sidney/Swartz Bay will end at the Saanichton Exchange and become Route 75 Saanichton/Royal Oak/Downtown.

Route 87 Tsawout/Sidney via Dean Park combines routes 82 and 87 and will double the number of trips to Tsawout First Nation.

Other changes:

For Camosun and UVic: Route 39 will become two routes, Route 38 Westhills/Interurban/Royal Oak and Route 39 UVic/Royal Oak/Interurban. 

Route 51 becomes Route 51X Westhills/UVic McKenzie Express and is extended to Westhills and rerouted via Goldstream.

Route 65 will be rerouted through northeast Sooke to better serve the Arranwood and Steeple Chase neighbourhoods, with added peak-hour trips along Church/Helgesen.

For the Ferries: Route 72 to Swartz Bay is to be rerouted via Carey and Ravine, will use the new transit-only lane, and serve the new bus stop on Ravine at Vernon.

If you’re headed to Saanichton, Route 75 is going to be along Highway 17 and Elk Lake Drive instead of West Saanich Road.

BC Transit is also expanding handyDART service, with seven new buses and additional service hours to address peak demand. Service will continue to run Monday–Sunday from 8am to 10pm. 

For more information, please visit bctransit.com/victoria.

SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

Knowledge just got closer.

Discover fresh ideas without leaving your community. The new John Horgan Campus is now open in the heart of Langford.

Whether you're looking to gain new professional skills, advance your career, or expand your network, Continuing Studies at UVic has new courses available:

• Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Fundamentals (starts Jan. 14)

• Data Ethics and Security (starts Jan. 13)

• Digital Communication (starts Jan. 15)

• Leadership Skills Development (starts Feb. 18)

• Marketing (starts Jan. 17)

• Navigating the Conversation—Tools and Practice (starts Feb. 18)

• Organizational Behaviour (starts April 20)

• Self-Awareness and Unconscious Bias in Dialogue (starts Feb. 4)

Courses are now open for registration—with evening and weekend availability. Ready? Sharpen your skills in the workplace today.

Explore the new courses

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍎 Intention: A wellness getaway in Victoria. [Jan. 5-18]

🎯 Prepare today so you can lead tomorrow. Grow your career with relevant topics, expert-led courses, and employer-valued skills with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

🎁 Way to go, Oskar! Saanich Holiday Card contest winner.

💼 Did you know: The annual economic impact of the capital region's charitable sector is now enough to support 60,600 full-time jobs and $366 million in municipal taxes? Read the full report.*

✉️ Old Victoria: Sending out mail by seaplane in 1920. [Facebook photo]

*Sponsored Listing

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

🗞️ In Other News

Red Barn settles lawsuit with employees secretly recorded in bathroom
Multiple former employees sued after finding out that a former assistant manager, Matthew Schwabe, had filmed them in the bathroom of the Mattick’s Farm location without their knowledge and had stolen intimate images from their phones. He then posted the footage online, including personal information about the women. The amount paid out was not made public, but the plaintiffs’ lawyer called it a “substantial” settlement for six people. Schwabe was the son of one of Red Barn’s owners at the time and pleaded guilty in his criminal case for unlawful recording and dissemination of footage. He was sentenced to 15 months in 2021. [Times Colonist] 

Water main break caused ‘significant’ traffic in Esquimalt
The break happened at 1070 Tillicum at the entrance of Gorge Park yesterday afternoon, according to the township. Traffic was reduced to single alternating lanes as crews worked. Esquimalt issued an advisory around 3pm, through its alert system, advising commuters to take alternate routes. The advisory said the situation was evolving. At press time, there was no estimate as to how long it would take City of Victoria workers—Victoria operates the water distribution system in Esquimalt—to fix the problem. 

Car nearly crashes into Hillside commercial building
A two-vehicle collision yesterday afternoon in Victoria’s Hillside neighbourhood sent a car crashing into a planter, which shielded the side of a building. The car didn’t hit anyone and just missed the structure, which is home to several businesses and is located across from Hillside Centre. VicPD said the collision was caused by an improper lane change, forcing one car onto the sidewalk. Paramedics attended the scene, but nobody needed medical attention. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Housing, meals, and community supports

The housing crisis is forcing people across the city into homelessness.

Supportive housing provider PHS Community Services Society has launched a $100,000 Holiday Season Campaign to help people of all ages in Victoria and Vancouver.

Donations to PHS provide housing, meals, and community supports to people in crisis.

Please give today.

🗓️ Things To Do

🎼 Christmas Pops with the VS: Maestro Giuseppe Pietraroia conducts the Victoria Symphony with vocalist Mandy Bryant performing holiday classics and spirited carols on the West Shore. Dogwood Auditorium, Royal Roads University. Today. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎺 Victoria Jazz Jam Session 6: Join the Tom Vickery Trio as the house band while musicians sign up to play along with fellow jazz community members. The Coda, Bar Stage. Today. Doors 6pm, show 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🎄 Daniel Lapp's Home for Christmas: The 22nd annual concert features the BC Fiddle Orchestra, Folkestra!, and Joy of Life Choir. Royal Theatre. Today and tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🍖 Confabulation presents: Feast or Famine: Six storytellers share true stories inspired by the theme "Feast or Famine.” The Coda. Tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

😂 OK, DOPE Student Showcase: Watch beginner and advanced improv students show off their newly acquired comedic skills. The Mint. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🤣 Hecklers Presents: A Fundraiser for JDF Hockey (U11) Featuring Rob Pue: Enjoy stand-up comedy while supporting local youth hockey in this fundraising event at Hecklers. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Victoria man paddles 24 hours for men’s health; CRD looking into UNESCO Biosphere designation for GV; Greenhouse gas emissions are down across the CRD. [Dec. 15]

City looking to catch a WAVE grant for Gorge swimming. [Times Colonist]

Mild, eh?: Island communities, including Victoria, saw record-breaking warm temperatures amid heavy rainfall on Monday. [CHEK]

Have your say: Victoria’s 2026 draft budget: Share your thoughts before Jan. 23. [Details]

Tree work on Galloping Goose in Colwood: Arborists will be working in the section between Island Highway and Sooke Road tomorrow. The trail will be open, but expect delays. [CRD]

That’s it!

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