July 22 - Hot bus in the city

Good morning !

Sunny skies are expected for the rest of the week. If you’re thinking about getting out for an outdoor swim, Thetis Lake may not be the ideal location right now. There are currently two blue-green algae advisories in place for the park: one for the main beach (announced Sun.) and one for Prior Lake, which has been in place since June.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 22 / 13

Tomorrow: ☀️ 23 / 14

Day after: ☀️ 20 / 13

7-day forecast

NEWS

Broken air conditioner doesn’t mean broken bus, BC Transit says

The union representing city bus drivers is hot under the collar about a new air conditioning policy at BC Transit.

In a nutshell, if a bus’s air conditioning breaks down during peak hours, the bus won’t be replaced.

The union says that means drivers won’t be able to call in for a replacement vehicle if the air goes out during rush hour.

“The Union does not believe ‘Hot Buses’ are consistent with BC Transit’s vision, mission, and objectives, and we are shocked that BC Transit is prioritizing service over safety by implementing their ‘Hot Bus’ policy,” the union said in a release.

It’s not lost on the union who’ll likely take the initial heat should the bus air conditioning not work on a hot day.

“Unifor Local 333-BC asks all passengers to refrain from expressing any frustration towards BC Transit operators, who will be suffering in the same heat,” the union said in a release.

Unifor is encouraging passengers to leave the driver out of it and to pass on concerns and complaints to the transit authority. However, the union said passengers suffering from heat-stress symptoms should notify the driver, who will assist in contacting emergency services.

When asked about its policy, BC Transit said it has to strike a balance between “the onboard experience” and “service reliability,” but that exceptions can be made. 

“Where necessary, a change-off for another bus may be arranged when resources are available to minimize service disruptions,” the transit authority said in an email to Capital Daily.

It said it reminds drivers and staff to rehydrate and recognizes heat-related illnesses are serious.

“The safety of our employees and customers is our top priority, and our warm weather response plan adheres to WorkSafe protocols,” it said. 

On a day that hits 25C, the temperature on a bus without air conditioning can hit 35C, Unifor Local 333-BC president Stephen Bains said in an email to Capital Daily.

“The reality is that we may now face scenarios where passengers will have to board buses where the operator will not be allowed to request a replacement bus.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Closures on Mt. Work trails continue after cougar sightings shut down the trails on July 18. [CRD]

Underwater demolition training: The Royal Canadian Navy will be conducting training in Whirl Bay, near Metchosin, from now until Aug. 18. 8am-4pm.

Blue-green algae blooms in Thetis Lake detected at the main beach. Advisories for the park’s Prior Lake remain in place as well. [CRD]

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

NEWS

Faster MRI technology from Nanaimo rolls out in 2 Victoria hospitals

If you’ve ever had an MRI scan, you’ll know the stress-inducing experience of staying completely still (for as long as 15 minutes to two hours) as the machine bangs and whirs around you. But thanks to new technology—assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) and successfully tested at Nanaimo Regional Hospital since 2022—these scans could take as little as five minutes.

“For some patients, sitting in an enclosed tube for 20 minutes is really difficult, and we need to do a lot of coaching to put them at ease or give them a sedative, and then they can’t drive home,” Trina Gulay, medical imaging manager at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH), said in a release. 

“Now, it’s much easier to coach somebody through a five-minute scan versus 20 minutes, and they may not need a sedative.”

The first pilot project for the new MRI technology in Nanaimo was launched three years ago, using an early version of the AI technology. The following year, another pilot was launched with an updated version. Now, the new MRI technology has been rolled out at multiple Island hospitals, including the Royal Jubilee and Victoria General.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines are one of the most valuable medical tools, offering in-depth images of soft tissue and organs (typically used to monitor or diagnose issues with the brain, heart, abdominal organs, and the musculoskeletal system). They work by using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images. This differs from CT scans, which use X-ray technology to produce images of bones, blood clots, and internal bleeding.

In 2024 alone, 64K MRI scans were conducted on the Island. In Canada, the yearly number exceeds 2M. In a paper released by the NRGH team, the authors noted that increased demand for diagnostic testing—specifically MRI—”has outpaced the provincial capacity” in BC, with long wait lists creating demand for faster scans.

The equipment is not only faster, it allows for more detailed scans, cutting out noise that creates grainy, unclear images. 

The AI-assisted technology doesn’t cut out the need for human oversight—trained professionals are still needed to detect anomalies in images. But the faster process means more patients can be seen over time. 

Gulay and her NRGH colleagues are now working with MRI specialists across Canada, bringing this Island-based research to multiple provinces.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🐙 Baby octopus climbs out of a moonsnail shell near Campbell River. [Facebook photo]

✊🏼 From protest anthems to iconic artifacts, Beyond the Beat explores how music shaped movements—until January 5 at the Royal BC Museum.*

🫐 Salal berry season: The native edible berry is popping up throughout the Island. [Jared Qwustenuxun Williams / Facebook]

🛩️🛩️ Snowbirds perform a non-aerobatic display over the Inner Harbour. [Today at 6pm]

🫂 Receiving a diagnosis of a mental illness is never easy. The Borderline Personality Disorder Society of BC is a nonprofit support group that started off in Victoria, and provides hope, treatment and community for people with BPD. Read the full article here.*

⚾ $12 Tuesdays baseball at RAP: HarbourCats host Dub Sea Fish Sticks. [Tickets]

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🗞️ In Other News

Court-ordered sale process of Bear Mountain underway
The golf and tennis resort community has been under receivership since last September, following a petition from Sanovest Holdings Ltd., which was owed more than $62M. Sanovest and business partner Ecoasis—which controls some land, golf courses, and tennis facilities—were unable to agree on development and marketing plans. Colliers has been hired to take in bids until Nov. 3, and any new restructuring agreement would need court approval in December. The Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa is not part of the bidding process and is unaffected by the procedure. [CHEK]

4 board members resign after province reverses funding decision for Langford’s Charleigh Pollock
Last week, BC restored funding to treat the 10-year-old, who is the only BC resident with incurable Batten disease. Treatments cost close to $1M a year and were cut off in June because the committee that oversees expensive drugs for rare diseases said the girl’s medication was no longer slowing her illness’s progress. There are 50 members on the committee. The government did not reveal the names of the four who quit, nor did it say whether their departures were related to the decision to re-up Charleigh’s prescription. [Times Colonist]

An estimated 100K toured through the Inner Harbour to see classic cars
With hot rods and deuces shipped in from across the continent and as far afield as Austria, Sweden, and New Zealand, the crowds came from nearby and afar to check out the festival of 1,300 collector cars and classic vehicles that takes place in Victoria every three years. The 11th Northwest Deuce Days powered into town under mint weekend weather as car enthusiasts from all over paid homage to the 1932 Ford—AKA the Deuce, with its revolutionary V8 engine—and the bevy of Buicks, Chevys, and Cadillacs. [Victoria News] 

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🗓️ Things to do

🎤 Anise Russow Quartet: The Victoria-born, Toronto-based jazz and soul vocalist will perform at The Mint tonight. 6-9pm. [Info]

🧘 Yoga in the Park: Take part in a free outdoor yoga class at Willows Park tonight. 6-7pm. [Info]

🏳️‍🌈 🍺 Queers and beers: The social evening will be hosted at Herald St. Brewery tonight. 5-7pm. [Info]

😂 Phillips Comedy Night: See some of the most hilarious comedians in the city at The Mint tomorrow. 8-9:30pm. [Info]

💎 Victoria Rock N’ Gem Show: See 400+ tables and numerous vendors offering crystals, gemstones, and fossils from around the world at City Centre Park. Thu.-Sun. 10am-5pm. [Info]

📖 Yes and Yesteryear: An improvised Jane Austen at the Emily Carr House. Fri. & Sat. [Info]

🎉 Make Good Party: A street party that celebrates all things local, with a curated market, food, drinks, and music at Ship Point. Sat. 2-10pm. [Info]

🧢 Little League Classic: All six Little League organizations in the Victoria area will be represented at a preview of the Canadian Little League Championship at RAP. July 29. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday’s headlines: Drowning Prevention Week begins; Weekly news roundup; Tofino hotel prices soar; Mount Tolmie became Mount Smokie. [July 20]

University Heights apartments likely too steep for students, but may create openings elsewhere, say industry experts. [CHEK]

Police oversight agency called in after Saanich police dog injures man. [CTV]

Moss fills with people and art for AGGV’s annual Paint-In. [Times Colonist]

It’s a girl: The youngest member of J-Pod, J63, has been confirmed as female. [Orca Conservancy]

HarbourCats to host next 2 WCL all-star games. [‘Cats]

Living sand dollar: See the tiny feet of a sand dollar in Campbell River. [Video]

Octopus’s garden: A giant Pacific octopus moves along the ocean floor in Nanoose Bay. [Facebook video]

That’s it!

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