Dec 19 - Islanders smoke and drink more than the rest of BC

Good morning !

The beloved Centennial Square Ferris wheel is back tomorrow after nearly eight years without the ride. It’s part of the Lights of Wonder display downtown, creating an even more magical holiday experience.

You can read all about it in our second story, but first we have some concerning news about the Island’s substance use—and how we compare to the rest of BC.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 8 / 7  

Tomorrow: 🌥️ 10 / 8

Saturday: 🌨️ 11 / 7

7-day forecast

NEWS

Alcohol and tobacco consumption is higher on the Island than rest of BC

Island Health is calling for policies that can prevent and reduce harms related to psychoactive substances—particularly alcohol and tobacco, which are consumed more on the Island than in the rest of BC.

A report released earlier this month by Island Health Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Réka Gustafson looks at the Island’s unique relationship with the use of substances and how these are regulated by local and provincial authorities.

Hospital admissions for alcohol are higher on average on the Island than in BC—and significantly higher than in the rest of Canada. The rate of admissions on the Island is 500 per 100K people, almost twice Canada’s rate of 262 per 100K people. These admissions are higher for the North and Central Island than the South Island. 

Island teens, however, are less likely to try alcohol or smoking than they were 30 years ago—45% of youth 12-19 reported ever trying alcohol and 20% reported ever trying tobacco (in 1992, 77% of teens had tried alcohol and 69% had tried tobacco).

Cannabis use has risen provincially since legalization but remains unpopular among Islanders, with 70% of adults reporting they never use it. Young adults, aged 18-29, are more likely to use cannabis though, with only half saying they never use it.

Read more about the report’s findings—and what Gustafson recommends to reduce substance-related health risks—here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Galloping Goose Sooke closure: A fallen tree has blocked access to Charter’s Trestle, a section of the trail in Sooke. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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NEWS

Ferris wheel debuts at Lights of Wonder tomorrow

A popular yuletide amusement ride for Christmas revellers returns tomorrow as part of the Lights of Wonder display at Centennial Square.

The Ferris wheel was last on the grounds back in 2016 but the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) wanted to bring it back.

“We know people have fond memories when the Ferris wheel used to be in Centennial Square,” Jeff Bray, the DVBA executive director, tells Capital Daily.

It’s the first time the DVBA is combining the Ferris wheel with the lights show, which has proven exceptionally popular. Bray said the giant wheel wasn’t already spinning when the Lights of Wonder were turned on on Nov. 30, due to a combination of availability, costs, and timing.

The giant wheel—it’s 51 feet high—which the DVBA rents from BC company Shooting Star Amusements was in use, and while Bray wouldn’t say how much it costs to rent, that price includes the transportation and accommodation of two licensed staff for two weeks.

Bray calls it “happenstance” the ride was available in time for the school Christmas break.

“We know that for families when the kids are out of school and you know evenings are a little freer that it's important to provide the community with no-cost options for family nights out, and the Ferris wheel just makes sense to start when kids are out of school,” Bray said.

There’s no charge to ride the wheel. However, the DVBA encourages donations which will be shared with the BC Children’s Hospital, Victoria Hospitals Foundation, the CNIB Foundation, Women in Need, and Jumpstart.

The Ferris wheel will operate daily from 4pm to 9/10pm weather permitting, except on Christmas Day when it’s lights only, and will run until 20 past midnight on New Year's Eve, before it’s dismantled overnight and packed away New Year’s Day.

There is a minimum three-foot (36-inch) height requirement and anyone up to four feet tall has to be accompanied by a guardian.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Here's how to make a difference in 2025

Do you want to give back to your community more in the new year? Our community needs your help. Here's what you can do:

1) Volunteer: Organizations like Volunteer Victoria and Saanich Volunteer Services Society can help you find the right opportunity. Giving back brings many personal rewards, including the pride and satisfaction of supporting your community, and the opportunity to connect with others.

2) Community Action Funds (CAFs): The Victoria Foundation's CAFs make it easy to give with confidence. Make a gift to one or more of 10 different cause areas, which will then be granted strategically to the community.

3) Become a Gadsden member: The Gadsden Initiative is a collaborative learning experience that gets you out meeting the community! New donors explore ways to give while building a fund at the Foundation.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🤶🏽 A Christmas Carol with Jason Stevens at historic Market Square: It's the last weekend to see this much-loved one-man show. Dec. 21 and 22 at 5 and 7pm.*

🏔️ Misty mountains: The view of the Saanich Inlet from West Saanich Road. [Facebook photo]

🐩 Need a last minute gift idea for the holiday season? Contact Shelly Welch Photography for a gift certificate for the dog parent on your list.*

🌊 Breakwater 30 years ago: Storms raged along Dallas Road just as much in the 1990s. [Facebook photo]

🎻 Celebrate the holiday season with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and music by J.S. Bach in Festive Cantatas: Bach & Zelenka on Dec. 21.*

🐶 “We save lives every day”. Rebound is one of thousands of dogs each year that get taken in by the Victoria Humane Society, a small, non-profit group committed to finding homes for animals in need. Read Rebound’s story here.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Central Saanich officer arrested Tuesday dies by suicide
Matthew Ball, 43, was one of two officers arrested for sexual assault this week after a seven-week investigation by Vancouver PD. Ball was charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of breach of trust and Ryan Johnston, 40, was charged with one count of sexual assault for separate incidents involving the same woman. It was confirmed Ball took his own life after being released from police custody. [CHEK]

BC Ferries submits plans for 5 more vessels
The ferry company has formally submitted its plan to build new vessels to replace four aging ships and add one to the busy Vic-Van route, which will reduce wait times and boost overall capacity by up to 28% for passengers and 19% for vehicles, the company said. BC Ferries intends to build up to seven new diesel-battery hybrid vessels with the potential to be fully electric. Still in the design stage, the ships’ added features include improved accessibility, propulsion systems with reduced underwater radiated noise, and indoor pet lounges. [BC Ferries]

Victoria diner employee with deadline to leave Canada now able to apply for work visa
Alistair McGregor’s constituency office stepped in to help Rajesh Kumar, an assistant manager at Beacon Drive-In whose temporary visa expired, and three others with work visa applications for the diner. Kumar says he submitted paperwork to extend his visa five months ago, but Service Canada backlog caused the visa to expire before it was reviewed. An urgent processing request from his employer was denied last Thursday, but over the weekend he found out his application for extension was approved. [Times Colonist]

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🗓️ Things to do

💻 DJ Qbert Live: DJ Qbert will be showing off his scratching DJ skills at Capital Ballroom tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎤 Together & Bright, a Community Open Mic: Enjoy an uplifting evening celebrating connection and community during the holiday season at The Mint tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎠 Carousel in the Park: Enjoy the carousel, hot drinks from Morningstar Coffee, and holiday carollers at Veterans Memorial Park tomorrow. 1-8pm. 12-7pm. [Info]

🎡 Lights of Wonder ferris wheel: Rides begin at 4pm today as the wheel returns to Centennial Square. Until Dec. 31. 4-10pm. [Info]

🎸 Garret T. Willie: Check out this fun show, with $1 from every ticket donated to Victoria Native Friendship Centre, at Capital Ballroom tomorrow. 8:30pm. [Info]

🧊🪚 Live Ice Carving: See a professional ice carver shape a block of ice into a work of art at Langford Station Arts and Culture District on Sat. 11am-2pm. [Info] 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Dumping fees and fines going up at Hartland Landfill; 2 Central Saanich police officers charged with sexual assault; Langford to buy Westhills Aquatic Centre; And more. [Dec. 18]

Housing advocates at odds with Victoria City Council. [Capital Daily]

Philippine Mars’ engine problems delay water bomber’s final flight to Arizona. [Times Colonist]

Woman praises pair of Victoria unhoused who ‘spent hours’ cleaning graffiti off business sign. [CHEK]

Missing persons located: Man and woman last seen in Sooke on Dec. 10 have been located safe. [Times Colonist]

That’s it!

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