Jan 26 - Patient 'dumping' exposes acute health-care conundrum

Good morning !

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend last night’s gala kick-off of Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria, the 20th installment.
Two words: Yum. E.

Do yourself a solid, and take part in this delicious 17-day Dine Around program that begins today and runs through Feb. 11.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 10 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 11 / 9

Sunday: 🌧️ 12 / 10

7-day forecast

NEWS

 Distressed patients being left at bus stops, Royal Jubilee’s neighbours allege

Neighbours of Royal Jubilee told multiple news outlets this week that they’ve seen patients, some of them homeless, left at a nearby bus stop while still unwell or in distress.

One neighbour related similar allegations to Capital Daily in late 2022, saying that he had seen multiple patients dumped at the stop. 

On Thursday, Premier David Eby responded to the allegations and corresponding videos, saying in Vancouver (where there have been similar recent allegations) that these are “deeply disturbing stories.”

Symptoms of system failures

The issues underlying these ‘escorts’ are complex. Not only is Greater Victoria healthcare strained, but other local support systems that would help people before or after they wind up in the hospital are overwhelmed, under-resourced, and often disconnected—not only from each other, but from the daily realities for people on the streets.

For more on how we got here, and on the complicated situations health providers and their patients are being put into, read Sidney Coles’ full story at Capital Daily. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Flood watch issued for entire Island, and parts of BC coast, with rivers expected to rise due to storms this weekend. [More info]

Saanich Park, Recreation, and Community Services survey: Provide input on a new Direction and Action Plan. Until Feb. 5. 

Wildland firefighter recruitment: Hiring opportunities are open for BC Wildfire Service. Until Mar. 31.

Downtown Victoria Livability (anonymous) Survey. [Here]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

The last “Big One” hit the Island 324 years ago today

On this day in 1700, the Island was struck by the “Big One”—the major Pacific tsunami that devastatingly blew through here and is due to come around again one of these days, years, or decades. 

There still are physical signs of the disaster, including the fossilized root structures and a “ghost forest” of dead trees that point to a rush of powerful salt water. 

These signs, though, are subtle enough that Western scientists did not confirm the event until the 1980s. But numerous stories have been passed down by First Nations in the region that describe gigantic waves. 

In Daren Zomerman's feature on the 1700 Big One, we looked at some of those stories and some of the physical traces left by the tsunami that rocked the region 324 years ago.

Read it at Capital Daily.

SPONSORED BY UVIC CONTINUING STUDIES

Plan your 2024 strategic training

“The labour market is changing and the bar for soft skills competency has risen,” says Anna Marie White, an instructor for Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria. 

Over the next decade, employment is expected to grow moderately in British Columbia and will reach 3.1 million by 2033, according to the latest report from the BC Labour Market Outlook.

Even though specialized training is important, competencies such as Essential Soft Skills Training or crisis communication are sought-after skills across many industries.

“There is an overall shift taking place in the workforce towards a greater need for social skills,” describes Anna Marie. “We all know from our personal lives that people skills are imperative to creating trusting, human relationships.”

What's your strategy to upgrade your skills this year? Explore our professional development programs.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍕 Vagabond Pies pizza pop-up will take over Picnic Coffee on select Friday evenings beginning today.

🌲 Set in Victoria, As Above, a new play by Christine Quintana, explores a woman's complicated personal life in rich, unexpected, and life-changing ways. Get your tickets today!*

🦭🐙 Seal and octopus battle off the Island’s coast. [CBC Video]

📙 History of Homalco First Nation as remembered by Elders in a graphic novel. [CHEK]

🍽️ Last chance to nominate your favourite local restaurants in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. Enter your nominations in any of the 18 categories here! Nominations close this weekend.*

🤝🏽 Customer Sales and Service Representative at BC Ferries.

✈️ There's only one way to fly non-stop to Thailand. Escape the cold and get lost in The Land of Smiles.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

UVic’s new Indigenous law building wins design award
The National Centre for Indigenous Laws has won the 2023 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence for its Coast Salish design elements and its embrace of the surrounding forest. The new building aims to create a culturally appropriate space for teaching Indigenous laws. The building will feature an Elders’ room and garden, gathering spaces, and a sky classroom. Its construction is expected to be completed in the fall. [Architectural Rendering]

Broken water main closes Camosun Interurban campus, but not today 
After a pipe burst at the Vancouver Island Tech Park, classes and services were closed yesterday afternoon. There was no damage to the campus but bathrooms and fire safety structures, such as sprinklers, were not functional. The situation has been remedied and the campus will be open today, the college said last night. [CHEK]

$750K contract awarded to renovate Centennial Square
Design firm Dialog will be tasked with reimagining the square by city hall, with plans to implement changes as early as next year. Early proposals included removing the fountain and surrounding structures to create more space for events, but that has not been finalized. The firm is expected to present design concepts this spring. [Times Colonist]

Greater Victoria taxi company: 10% revenue drop after Uber’s arrival
Bluebird Cabs says its profits have dropped compared with the same time last year when Uber wasn’t operating in the area. The BC Taxi Association confirms Uber has impacted ridership for taxi companies, saying the competition is not on “a level playing field.” Uber says wait times have become shorter and service has improved with more drivers available. [Victoria News]

🗓️ Things to do

🎸 Yukon Blonde: The Vancouver-based indie rock band will perform at Capital Ballroom. Today. Doors 8pm. Show 9pm.

🎷 Brent Jarvis Quintet: The jazz group will perform songs from its new album Dragonfly at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm. Show 7pm. 

🗣️ Stephanie Staples: The motivational speaker will share her stories at Mary Winspear Centre. Today. 7:30pm.

🎤 Let's Dance: Pop choir Starlight Pops will sing disco, swing, and mambo dance songs at Dave Dunnet Community Theatre. Today. 7:30pm.

🎥 My Neighbour Totoro at Cinecenta: The classic Hayao Miyazaki animated film will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today 5pm. Tomorrow 3pm & 5pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

470 Islanders died from toxic drugs in 2023: The number of deceased increased by 5% from 2022, previously the record-breaking year. [Capital Daily] 

Slower roads coming to Langford: Council unanimously moved to adopt its new Traffic Calming Policy. [The Westshore] 

Dine Around & Stay in Town kicks off today, featuring set three-course menus at select restaurants across the city. [Tasting Victoria] 

Thursday’s headlines: Man faces 6 charges in stabbing; Motorcyclist killed in collision; Island pics make Canadian Geographic photo contest and more. [Jan. 25] 

Double rainbow arch over Oak Bay Marina.

Oak Bay ‘doll house’ available for relocation: The house costs $125K, the property is up to you to find. [Victoria News]

That’s it!

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