Jan 25 - BC's class-action opioid lawsuit moves forward

Good morning !

Welcome to the weekend! Today, we have stories on council’s decision to vote down changes to Crystal Pool referendum advertising and BC’s now certified class-action suit against opioid manufacturers.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

Victoria council debates whether city's Crystal Pool referendum ads are balanced enough

Two weeks before the scheduled referendum vote, councillors found themselves debating whether the city needed to change its information campaign midstream.

Two councillors argued that some city ads are overly biased in favour of the project—by highlighting benefits such as “more accessible, sustainable, modern, and inclusive”—and don’t adequately present the financial risks and possible future costs to taxpayers. 

Couns. Stephen Hammond and Marg Gardiner put forward a motion to pause and rework various ads, website content, and info sessions to ensure both the “yes” and “no” sides were more clearly represented. The city's communications director made the case, though, that the existing materials already represent the facts council has received on the project, including cost—and said it was simply too late to get new ads up.

Similarly Mayor Marianne Alto and Coun. Matt Dell argued that the $45k get-out-the-vote campaign was already too far in and that concerns should have been brought sooner. Pursuing revisions now would be a large burden on staff and “absolute chaos for the public,” Dell said.

The motion to change ads fell 6-2. But in the process, the debate about the ads became a debate about various councillors' personal efforts in support of the different sides.

For more, read Sidney Coles’ full story here. 

The referendum on Feb. 8 will ask residents whether the city should borrow up to $168.9M to replace Crystal Pool. A second (and non-binding) question, following a “yes” result, asks whether the facility should be built on its current site—the north proposal—or just a few hundred metres next door—the south proposal.

Find out everything you need to know before you vote, here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Current construction and road work in Victoria: See the map here.

Sunshine expected until middle of next week.

Today is Robbie Burns Day. [Why that is.]

Remember to become a Capital Daily Insider member today if you want to receive the full Sunday newsletter tomorrow.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

BC’s class-action opioid lawsuit certified

BC’s Supreme Court certified a class-action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors this week, moving the litigation—which was first filed by the province in 2018 on behalf of all Canadian jurisdictions—forward. 

BC Attorney General Niki Sharma said in a release that the lawsuit aims to recover the costs of treating opioid-related illnesses, alleged to be caused by the pharmaceutical industry’s “deceptive marketing practices to drive sales.”  

Sharma says the lawsuit can now proceed on behalf of all federal, provincial, and territorial governments. She says the decision reaffirms BC’s commitment to “holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis,” which has been a public health emergency since 2016.

The crisis has had a devastating effect on the province, with the Island (and especially the North Island) seeing a higher rate of toxic drug deaths than the average in BC. Since 2016, 15K+ people in BC have died from toxic drugs. One-fifth of those—3K—were on the Island.

A similar lawsuit in the US, aimed at the Sackler family who own Purdue Pharma, the company that manufactures OxyContin—a highly addictive opioid that was misleadingly marketed as low-risk, leading doctors to prescribe it liberally—settled this week. The Sacklers agreed to pay US$7.4B.

SPONSORED BY BELFRY THEATRE

Behind the Moon starts February 4

In a Mughlai restaurant, a late-night visit from a mysterious stranger rattles the cage and shatters the peace. Now Ayub must face reality, the family he’s left behind, and his abandoned dreams.

Behind the Moon is a story of love and loss, freedom and faith, and how we begin a new life.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🧡 Over $681,000 has been granted to local Nations and organizations with Indigenous programs in the capital region. Learn more on how to support local Indigenous communities.*

📺 What is BC?: Jeopardy! question on former MLA.

🎉 Turn your aspirations into achievements! Enhance your skills with Continuing Studies at UVic through flexible micro-certificates for career growth.*

📝 2024 Saanich Resident Pulse Survey closes tomorrow. 

🎵🏒 Calling all musicians: submit an original hockey-themed song for your chance to win $5,000 and perform at Century Celebration Music Night. Deadline: February 28.*

🤝 Now hiring: Finance and Operations Manager at Scale Collaborative.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Swartz Bay ferry terminal building catches fire on Friday afternoon
The Lands End building containing the restaurant and cafe was evacuated and remains closed indefinitely. The fire on its roof was put out, and sailings continued as normal. [Peninsula News Review]

Appeal denied for Oak Bay father convicted of killing daughters on Christmas Day 2017
Andrew Berry's life sentence with no eligibility of parole for 22 years will stand, the court wrote in a Dec. decision released this week. The appeals judge wrote that while the initial sentence is at the high end, it fits the severity of the case. [Oak Bay News]

Tenants want province to buy Gorge apartment ahead of redevelopment 
Two years ago, Victoria council approved plans to replace three 1970-era apartment buildings on Gorge Rd. East with four new residential buildings—replacing 141 homes with 310. Now, tenants are calling on BC to help keep the rentals affordable, with hopes of a co-op model. One tenant, told she must leave by 2027, has struggled to find similar options to her current $1,200-a-month two-bed. The average Victoria two-bedroom rent is close to $2K. [Times Colonist]

59% of BC residents feel financially paralyzed from rising costs: RBC poll
BC was above the Canadian average (55%) there, and similarly had more survey respondents feeling they’ll never get ahead financially (57% vs. 48%). The divide is also generational: 63% of Millennials, 55% of Gen Xers, and 46% of Boomers said they felt financially paralyzed. Victoria had the highest credit card debt in Canada in 2023. [CHEK]

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🗓️ Things to do

🍝 Dine Around and Stay in Town: Enjoy bites from 50 of Victoria’s top restaurants, with three-course menus set at deliciously low prices. Through Feb.9. [Info] 

🚪 New Year’s Open House today (11am-1pm) in City of Langford.

❄️ Frozen in Time: Join your two favourite princesses for an afternoon of storytelling and songs at McPherson Playhouse today. 11am & 2:30pm. [Info]

🏒 WHL: Victoria Royals host Swift Current Broncos at 6pm.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Robbie Burns day concert at Craigdarroch today with Celtics band Cookeilidh.1-2:30pm. [Info] Also: Robbie Burns Dinner at Mary Winspear in Sidney with Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band. 6pm today. [Info]

🎶 Catherine MacLellan: See the Prince Edward Island folk singer-songwriter plays a selection of tunes from her seven albums at Charlie White Theatre today. 7pm. [Info]

🕯️Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele: Hear the singer’s biggest hits, with a classical twist, in this intimate candlelit concert at St. Ann’s Academy tonight. 6:30pm. [Info] 

🎥 2025 International Vegan Film Festival: Experience a powerful lineup of vegan-themed films that inspire compassion, environmental stewardship, and positive change at Vic Theatre today. 1:30pm. [Info]

🍴Vegan Buffet Dinner and Silent Auction: Enjoy a variety of delightful vegan dishes and a silent auction featuring local gift baskets and gift cards at MeeT on Blanshard today. 4pm. [Info]

🎹 Tony DeSare: Rhapsody & Blue Eyes: DeSare will perform the timeless songs of Frank Sinatra and George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue at Royal Theatre. Tonight 7:30pm; tomorrow 2:30pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Protester prepares to be deported; This gym’s name is Adam De Levie; Upgrades at Hartland Landfill. [Jan. 24]

Migratory birds: Brant geese are arriving on the Island, particularly Island View Beach. People and dogs must keep their distance. [CRD]

Victoria approves $100K grant for struggling theatre company. [CHEK]

HarbourCats announce 2nd School Spirit Day.