Dec 21 - BC gets a new LG

Good morning !

While we slept, we got something overnight. No, not gifts under the tree. That’s a few sleeps away.

The winter solstice slipped in at 1:21 this morning, meaning our planet’s poles have reached the maximum distance from the sun. The days don’t get longer from here on in—they’re still 24 hours long—but we get incrementally more daylight as we inch our way to the summer solstice in June.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 10 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 11 / 8

Monday: 🌦️10 / 8

7-day forecast

NEWS

BC has a new lieutenant governor: Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia

King Charles III’s new representative in BC is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, champion for people living with disabilities—and the founder of Canada’s largest independent chain of spas.

Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia founded Absolute Spas and co-founded the Pacific Autism Family Network, which supports neurodivergent people and their families. She has a long list of accomplishments and titles, and yesterday she added BC’s 31st lieutenant governor to it.

“Ms. Lisogar-Cocchia has long been a champion for the people of her community, her province, and our country,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a release announcing the changing of the guard.

Replaces Janet Austin, who served since April 2018

“I am delighted to extend my warmest good wishes to Lieutenant Governor Designate, Wendy Cocchia, whose leadership and record of exemplary community service will continue to strengthen the bonds that unite us,” the outgoing lieutenant governor said in a release.

“The installation date and Her Honour’s final day will be shared in early 2025,” a spokesperson for Government House told Capital Daily.

The lieutenant governor of each Canadian province is appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister, to serve terms of typically 5+ years. With Austin's replacement, PM Justin Trudeau has in recent months cycled out the final four Lt. Gov.s appointed before 2020.

New appointee adds to extensive resume

Lisogar-Cocchia most recently was CEO of the hospitality company Crew Management Ltd., and the Century Plaza Hotel in Vancouver. She was the first female trustee of the Vancouver Police Foundation and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s fifth and youngest female chair. She has served as governor of the Business Council of BC and is a fellow of Royal Roads. She also was a founding director of the provincial tourism board Destination BC.

She is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of BC. She’s received two honorary doctorates and was named one of Canada’s most powerful women as part of the Women’s Executive Network Top 100 Awards in 2014.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Traffic disruptions and CCTV deployment for downtown demonstration. [Today 1-4pm]

Raw oyster alert. Island Health

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

BC Coroners Service is under scrutiny for its handling of Samantha Sims-Somerville’s death

Controversy recently has been rekindled over the handling of drug-related deaths by the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) and its treatment of the 2021 death of 18-year-old Samantha Sims-Somerville in Victoria. 

Initially ruled an accidental overdose, Sims-Somerville’s death was later reclassified as a homicide—but only after her mother, Tracy Sims, uncovered evidence suggesting that her daughter and her daughter’s friend were deliberately poisoned with the date rape drug GHB. 

The young women allegedly were given the drugs by older men they did not know. For Sims-Somerville, that moment proved fatal. While the BC Coroners Service and police initially closed the case, Sims continued to press for further investigation, leading to the reopening of the case in March 2023.

The case has raised concerns about the thoroughness of the BCCS’s investigations into drug-related deaths, with former officials questioning the system's oversight. Tracy Sims has also filed a complaint against the Victoria Police Department officers involved. 

Meanwhile, Victoria police have referred the case to the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, although the unit initially decided it did not meet its threshold for investigation. The case remains a point of scrutiny as the BCCS faces growing calls for better handling of such incidents and more transparency in its processes.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

NEWS

Woman who impersonated a nurse in View Royal to serve 7 years in prison

Brigitte Cleroux, 52, pleaded guilty to multiple charges of assault (via injection without informed consent), fraud, impersonating a nurse, and forgery for cases at BC Women’s Hospital, View Royal Surgical Centre, and a dentist’s office. This sentence adds about four years to time she’s currently serving for similar offences in Ontario. Some time, but not all, will be served concurrently.

Cleroux used the credentials and identity of a real nurse, who has since changed her name after her reputation was tarnished. Cleroux administered medication, such as fentanyl and hydromorphone, that could seriously harm patients if given improperly. Over the course of three weeks at the View Royal private clinic, she treated 56 people including children. 

Cleroux has had similar deceit-related convictions and allegations for decades, including in Alberta, Quebec, and the US.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🌊 Hold onto your cars: Rough seas hit a Washington ferry near the Strait of Juan de Fuca, bringing a surge of water onto the car deck. [Facebook video]

💎 When opportunity appears, be ready! Sharpen your skills through online professional development programs with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

🪱 Big ol’ worm: A one-foot-long pile worm found on a North Saanich beach. [Facebook photo]

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🗞️ In Other News

BC Ferries comes to the rescue again, this time off Salt Spring
After a call from a concerned citizen about a boater being blown out to sea in a rowboat, the coast guard contacted the crew of MV Quinsam a little after 9pm on Thu. The boater had set off flares, BC Ferries said. Crew members brought the boat ashore, helped to drain it, and then brought the rescuee back to their sailboat. On Mon., BC Ferries crew rescued a boater who was clinging to a small, overturned boat near the Tsawwassen terminal. [Times Colonist]

100 Women Who Care Victoria presents $23K in latest donation
Last month, we told you about the philanthropic group that for more than a decade has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars to organizations. The latest beneficiary of their largesse is the Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counselling Centre (GVCCC), which last week received a cheque for $23,100. The GVCCC will attend the group’s next meeting on Feb. 5 to update members on how the funds will be used.

Spirit Bay owes $13M to 90 creditors, receiver says
The development, which built just 50 of a planned 500+ homes, was put into receivership this fall by the BC Supreme Court over its debts. It owes $8.6M to the Beecher Bay (Sc’ianew) First Nation, and $2.4M to Scala Development Consultants Ltd. The nation is a limited partner in Spirit Bay, which sits on its land. [Times Colonist]

🗓️ Things to do

🧊🪚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. Today. 11am-2pm. [Info] 

🎄Festival of Trees: Explore 90+ trees spruced up and on display for the community to vote on and enjoy over the holidays. Bay Centre. Through Jan. 5. During mall hours. [Info]

🎄A Wonderheads Christmas Carol: The Wonderheads perform their signature reimagining of Charles Dickens’ classic. McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 730pm. [Info]

🎠 Carousel in the Park: City of Langford. Lights sparkle as you enjoy the carousel and explore the park. Enjoy hot drinks from Morningstar Coffee’s mobile cart and holiday carolers. Veterans Memorial Park. Today and tomorrow. 12pm-7pm. [Info]

🧑‍🎄 Santa visits The My-Chosen Cafe: Carlos, Tootsie, and Mack have made a special Santa menu and the proceeds will help support their friends at The BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre. Today & tomorrow. 10am-2pm. [Info]

💚🎄The Grinch Meet & Greet: Take your kids to Hillside Shopping Centre to meet the Grinch. Reserve your time slot in person or by phone at Guest Services. Today. 12-415pm. [Info]

🎁 The Abkhazi Garden Festive Market: On again this weekend. Today & tomorrow. 1964 Fairfield. 11am-4pm. [Info]

Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tuesday.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: UVic prof honoured with Order of Canada; VPD union boss criticizes handling of Central Saanich officer’s arrest; Capsized boater rescued by BC Ferries; And more. [Dec. 20]

FortisBC pitches Sooke council on keeping gas in new builds. [Capital Daily]

Potter-thon: See a different Harry Potter film each night at the Roxy Theatre. [Dec. 20-27]

Sunbeam rock: Strange markings on a rock found at a Royston beach. [Facebook photos]

Rainbow clouds: These colourful clouds were spotted above Mt. Tolmie this week. [Facebook photos]

Sailing out of Nanaimo on Hullo? Check Hullo scheduling changes.