Jan 15 - BC ends drug decriminalization

Good morning !

If you have some old mugs lying around that you want to get rid of, consider donating them to The Soup Kitchen, a Victoria non-profit that’s been feeding locals in need for 43 years.

They are known for serving up hot coffee and tea in vintage mugs, but are currently running low. If you can help replenish their collection, find your nearest donation spot here.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 7 minutes

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NEWS

BC pulls the plug on drug decriminalization 

The pilot project, which began three years ago and allowed the legal possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use, will be abandoned at the end of the month.

Yesterday, BC Health Minister Josie Osborne announced the province won’t be asking the federal government to renew its exemption to Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Osborne said the idea was to make it easier for people struggling with addiction to reach out for help without getting into trouble—but it didn’t work. 

“Despite the hard work and good intentions behind the pilot, it has not delivered the results we hoped for,” she said in a release.

Under the exemption, British Columbians 18 and over were allowed to possess up to 2.5 grams of certain illicit substances, including heroin, fentanyl, MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine, without fear of being busted or facing criminal charges.

The goal was to treat addiction as a health issue, as opposed to a criminal one, thus reducing stigmas that often blocked an addicted person from seeking help. 

Critics say the experiment didn’t do enough to prevent overdose deaths, and, at the same time, it heightened public concern.

The BC Coroners Service said last year, on average, five people in this province died each day from drug toxicity. Habitually, the province’s third-most unregulated drug deaths happen here in Greater Victoria—Vancouver and Surrey are usually 1-2—including 104 such deaths through the first 10 months of last year. 

Osborne said her government still considers addiction a health issue, not a justice issue, and it will focus on treatment and care.

“We will continue learning, adapting, and trying new approaches to turn the tide on this crisis and ensure people can get the care they need without fear, stigma, or judgment.”

As to how that affects policing, the RCMP said it will continue to apply “a measured approach to our enforcement efforts, while upholding the safety and security of the communities we live and serve in.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Mushroom recall: Mushmoshi brand Enoki Mushrooms recalled due to Listeria. [CFIA] 

Pistachio recall (again): Various pistachios and pistachio-containing products, due to Salmonella. [CFIA]

Intermittent lane closures on Fort today, between Vancouver and Cook. [City of Vic]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Saanich council expects ‘quite a bit of feedback’ on dog leash plans for Panama Flats

Another heated debate on dogs in Saanich parks could be coming later this month, as Saanich council pushes back a vote on a revised plan for pups in Panama Flats.

During Monday’s meeting, the council voted to establish the Flats as a bird and nature sanctuary, but it’s now looking to revise its Animals Bylaw to prohibit dogs in most of the park, other than some on-leash-only trails. There would also be at least one designated leash-optional enclosure on the north side of the park and possibly another at the south end.

This is a change from the original plan to have an off-leash trail along the Colquitz River.

Councillors say on-leash requirements align better with the bird sanctuary designation and could be a lower-cost solution to protecting sensitive wildlife areas in the Flats. 

Coun. Karen Harper said less enforcement would be needed if the park is designated for on-leash use only, and that it would save the district from paying for fencing along trails, which she says aren’t always effective barriers to curious pets.

“Not to be too cynical, but I think that even with fencing, there’s no way dogs won’t get into the birding area,” Harper said.

Harper said a clear rule for the park will allow people to follow suit—something that Coun. Teale Phelps-Bondaroff said can be tricky when leash rules vary on different trails, such as in PKOLS.

Phelps-Bondaroff said he visited PKOLS over the weekend and noticed people weren’t following the leash requirements in areas where trails transitioned from off-leash to on-leash, saying “the reason was because it was unclear.”

Council voted 8-1 in favour of holding off on its decision to change the leash requirements, with Mayor Dean Murdock the only dissenting voice.

Murdock said the community may not be pleased with the redirection, given the council had relied on previous public feedback when it approved its concept plan for Panama Flats in October.

Murdock said that the calm discussions that took place Monday night were not likely to continue when the topic is discussed on Jan. 26, given the contentiousness of the Animals Bylaw in the community over the years.

“There's probably a number of folks who felt that council had made a decision based on the direction in October about off-leash and on-leash and where dogs are not permitted,” he said.

“So [I] just want to caution that there may be quite a bit of discussion and public feedback yet to come.”

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🥃 20th Victoria Whisky Festival begins today and runs through Sunday at the Hotel Grand Pacific. [Info]

🏆 Victoria named best city for wealth-life balance. 

🦭 Out-of-towners: California sea lions swim past Clover Point. [Facebook photos]

🏅 Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce member of the year is… Tony Joe.

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Caring for people in crisis

Low-barrier supportive housing and sheltering are the most humane and cost-effective response to street homelessness.

PHS Community Services Society operates 290 units of housing with round-the-clock supports, a homeless shelter and a 22-bed recovery program in Victoria. 

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🗞️ In Other News

Greater Victoria School District board switching to ward system
The district will be divided into seven electoral areas, with one trustee elected per area, instead of having all trustees voted on by the district at large. Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal, Songhees Nation, and Esquimalt Nation each will have one trustee appointed, while Victoria and Saanich will get two to represent their larger populations. Esquimalt pushed for the change in 2024 and again when the school board was fired en masse last year. The new system is expected to be in place for the next board election in October. [CHEK]

West Shore RCMP building expansion: Langford approves, View Royal keen, but Colwood hesitates
This is an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contract between the three municipalities, and as owners, all three must approve the proposed $87.5M, five-storey building, which would replace one of two existing edifices the police have outgrown on Atkins in Langford. On Monday night, Langford said yes, and the following night, View Royal staff recommended its council also endorse the project. Colwood, however, is waiting on more information. Mayor Doug Kobayashi said giving approval now would be “irresponsible.” [Black Press]

BC settles prison solitary confinement lawsuit for $60M
The province settled the class-action lawsuit over the use of solitary confinement in BC correctional facilities over a period of 20 years. The claim alleged "systemic mistreatment" of inmates, including torture, when they were placed in solitary confinement. The settlement includes $30M for a "common experience fund" and $25M for a "serious harms fund," which could increase by $5M if there are more than 2,500 eligible claims made for serious harms. Prisons in the suit include Vancouver Island regional correction centres. [CP / CTV]

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🗓️ Things To Do

🎤 Confabulation Presents: Dig In: A night of true stories told on stage without notes, props, or gimmicks at The Coda tonight. Live music 6:30pm, stories 7:30-9:45pm. [Info]

🎵 🪲 The Sutcliffes: The Beatles' Legacy: The energetic stage show that headlined Liverpool's International Beatle Week four times returns to Hermann's tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎶 Thirsty Thursdays: Rhythm Train: Ross Hall and Jack Lavin bring genuine blues, rock, R&B, and more to The Loft Pub tonight. 6-9pm. [Info] 

🕺Belle Spirale Dance Projects: UNIVERSUS: Eight powerful dancers explore themes of resilience, connection, and hope in this double bill of contemporary works at McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

😆 The Crowd Work Show: Nash Park and Alex Forman will take the stage with zero material prepared for a 100% improvised standup comedy show at The Mint tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🚴 Great Ride of Return Victoria: Join this fundraiser for the Gaza Sunbirds, the para-cyclists delivering aid to displaced Gazans. The ride begins at 12:45 at Vic West Community Centre. Sun. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: VicPD brings back street patrol; Rent prices continue to drop in Victoria; Sidney approves emergency warming centre. [Jan. 14]

New acting CEO of Royal BC Museum appointed. [CHEK]

Saanich teen in a medically induced coma after being hit by a car while being chased in Richmond. [CTV]

It was the T-shirt that got her booted from a Conservative town hall, says a Duncan woman. [Times Colonist]

Victoria draft budget: Have your say using the DVBA feedback tool.

AGGV’s Winter Exhibition Celebration starts Friday. 

Mount Washington operations scale back amid warmer temperatures: Alpine and Nordic ticket prices have been reduced to reflect conditions.

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