Oct 11 - BC signs promising health agreement with feds

Good morning !

It looks so simple. The provincial and federal governments agree they’re there to serve us. And they strike up a multi-billion dollar accord in our benefit.

It’s Canada’s health-care system. What could go wrong?

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

BC first to sign health-care deal with federal government

Yesterday, BC became the first province to sign an individual health deal with the federal government, in what could become a model collaboration.

“Total co-operation,” said federal Health Minister Mark Holland. “That’s what it’s going to take to transform our health-care system.”

The bilateral agreement which will net BC $1.2B over three years, is part of the $196-billion health funding proposal the federal government presented to the provinces and territories in February.

Some of that federal funding is to be used to recruit and retain doctors, and in a youth-mental-health component, to increase to 35 from 16, the number of Foundry centres in the province.

BC also has agreed to invest $750M to establish minimum nurse-patient ratios, part of an agreement reached with its nurses in the spring.

Holland said forming a sound and working health-care network “isn’t about intruding on jurisdiction; it's about being partners."

Quebec is the only province that didn’t agree in principle to the pact, citing concerns over the federal government holding all the power.

The Canadian Medical Association applauded the agreement, and on the eve of a two-day health ministers meeting that begins in Charlottetown today, continued its call for Canadians to have fair access to a physician.

The BC government also promised to work with the First Nations Health Authority to improve medical access for the First Nations community.

There was another notable health-care announcement yesterday, one that didn’t attract headlines but undoubtedly will spark debate in some quarters.

Yesterday marked the official start of the province’s Fall COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

“Today, across British Columbia, 30,000 people have made appointments . . . to get their vaccination,” Dix said at a news conference at Vancouver General Hospital to announce the BC-Canada signing.

“We encourage people, when they get invited, to book their appointment and get vaccinated against COVID-19, vaccinated against influenza.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Have your say on Central Saanich’s new parks and trails master plan. The first in a series of pop-up meetings will be held Fri, Oct. 20, at Saanichton Green Park. 11am-12pm.

NEWS

Libraries are hubs of inclusion and learning that need to be funded

October is Canadian Library Month and this year’s theme Libraries for Life not only speaks to the generational impact these municipally funded spaces have but also their institutional proposition of inclusion and learning.

Provincial funding for BC’s 71 public libraries has remained frozen since 2009, leaving municipalities to step up to keep pace with budgetary needs. And it’s not like they have extra money just sitting around.

This year, the Greater Victoria Public Library System (GVPLS) has asked for a system-wide municipal contribution increase of 5.95%.

The GVPLS serves 10 municipalities and 362,553 citizens online and through community outreach initiatives across its 12 branch locations.

Municipal contributions account for $18.5 million of the library’s $22.3 million operating budget (based on the 2023 budget submitted to the municipal finance committee), costs that are absorbed across 10 municipal partners.

Some 2022 BC library stats to jump-start your Wednesday morning. In BC there are:

• 71 public libraries, 245 locations, serving 99% of the population

• 1.9M active library card holders

• 45M yearly visits (in-person, online)

• 33M physical items borrowed

GVPL Board Chair Andrew Appleton says he believes “libraries are places that belong to everyone.”

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🐹 A last look at the critters of Beacon Hill Children’s Farm; the petting zoo is now closed until the spring. [Instagram gallery]

🍎 Who else wants to live longer and healthier? With a team of experts and 45+ evidence-based metrics, Tall Tree’s longevity medicine program helps you fight disease before it starts.*

🛍️ Discover hidden treasures when you pursue Victoria’s vibrant second-hand market. Second-Hand Shop-Around event.

💇🏻 Heartwood & Co. is Victoria’s premiere hair and beauty salon, offering everything from cut and colour, to makeup, facials, lashes, and event looks. Let’s get gorgeous!*

🏢 Historic Bell Block on Oak Bay Ave. for sale. Asking price is $8.25M and it’s going to cost you $66K a year in property taxes alone but it doesn’t have heritage status, so could be developed.

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🗞️ In Other News

Time to roll up your sleeve
BC kicks off its immunization campaign. Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are now available in pharmacies across the province. (CP/Castanet)

VIU expects $20M shortfall, cuts coming
Enrolment hasn’t fully rebounded since the pandemic and fewer students means less money in the budget. VIU, which recently cut its funding to Elder College, plans to reduce both its administrative and academic budgets. [Nanaimo News Now]

Surely you’ll slow down to see it
A new wood carving on the side of Highway 14 west of Sooke has caught some eyes. Carver Ryan Cook is responsible for the woodside art erected near Kirby Creek, on the left side of the highway if you’re headed north. [CHEK]

Vic General to offer on-site midwife service
Under a new program, an in-house midwife will be available throughout the day for emergency assessments, to help in VGH’s prenatal care and to alleviate family physicians’ workload. The program is currently building its team, eventually to offer the service 24/7. [CTV]

More supports needed to battle homelessness: BC government
The Point in Time (PiT) Count taken in March found at least 1,665 individuals were experiencing homelessness in Greater Victoria. BC Housing Minister Ravi Khalon says similar counts across the province indicate more needs to be done, a sentiment expressed last week by Victoria council.

A black bear walks into a Lake Cowichan gas bar . . .
Check out the video of the bear looking for treats, and settling for—you guessed it—gummy bears. [CHEK]

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🗓️ Things to do

📝 The Victoria Festival of Authors runs Oct. 11-15. Thirty-five diverse writers of poetry and prose! Free tickets for virtual and in-person programming. Check out all the events taking place.*

🎸 Dean Brody: The multi-platinum Canadian country artist will perform at the McPherson Playhouse. Tonight at 7:30pm.

 🎤 Open Mic Night: See a range of talents and genres at this open mic at Hermann’s Upstairs. Doors at 6:30pm. Show at 7pm.

🥁 Kelby MacNayr’s Tiny Rhythm Kings: Hear some swinging old-school jazz at Hermann’s. Doors at 5:30pm. Show at 7pm.

🍺 Craft Beer Quiz: Put your knowledge on craft beer to the test at Victoria Event Centre, with prizes available. Starts at 7pm.

🎞️ 13th Latin American and Spanish Film Week + Music Show: Movies, music, and discussion. All this week, at UVic and around town. [Schedule]

🎨 Free art gallery admission on Thursday (5-9pm) at the AGGV.

🎣 Last month for fishing exhibit “Salmon tales: how fishing shaped BC” at the Maritime Museum.

🏡 Victoria Fall Home Show. Pearkes Recreation Centre. Oct. 13 at 1pm – Oct. 15 at 4pm.

🧟 Victoria Official Zombie Walk. Through downtown. Sat. 3pm.

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👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Check out Walter, an Island pumpkin just named BC's heaviest, and local nursing students want paid practicums. [Capital Daily]

Keep ON the grass: A charming lawn sign in Esquimalt wants passersby to enjoy the turf.

Bursts of red from autumn trees in this shot of Oak Bay by Colin Smith.

Close encounter with “big boy” black bear in Fanny Bay caught on camera. [CHEK]

3 golds for UVic at Western Canadian University Rowing Championships over the weekend.

That’s it!

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