June 16 - The best patios in Greater Victoria

Good morning !

Last week was a busy one, but so is this week. If you got the chance last week to stop and enjoy the Strawberry Moon, send in your photos and we will feature some of them!

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 20 / 11

Tomorrow: ⛅ 18 / 11

Day after: ⛅ 20 / 9

7-day forecast

NEWS

More overdose prevention sites planned for BC hospitals, following months of advocacy by Island doctors

The Health Ministry announced it has “given direction” to the health authorities on the “consultation and approval requirements for creating new overdose prevention services at hospital sites.” A group of doctors who have been advocating for Island Health to open overdose prevention sites in hospitals say they’re cautiously optimistic.

It’s good to see the ministry “basically repeat everything we’ve been saying,” said Dr. Ryan Herriot, a family doctor and addiction medicine specialist in Victoria, and co-founder of Doctors for Safer Drug Policy, an independent group of physicians from across the Island who work with people who use substances.

The ministry said that when a hospital has an overdose prevention site there is a significant drop in overdoses and a decrease in patients and staff exposed to drugs second-hand.

Island hospitals have needed these sites for years: Herriot

Doctors for Safer Drug Policy has been opening unsanctioned overdose prevention sites since November 2024 in Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, and Campbell River to meet this need, he said.

Doctors and volunteers have donated their time and money for this harm reduction service after they saw a “stark” increase in unwitnessed overdoses in and around hospitals, he said. The sites first opened on hospital grounds, but have often been shut or moved by security and police. In Nov., one patient died after using drugs alone in the bathroom after the volunteer site closed for the day.

Island Health work on opening sites had been in limbo

In 2023 the health authority was planning sites in Nanaimo, Victoria, and Campbell River hospitals, but then paused this work in April 2024, according to reporting by Filter magazine. In an email to The Tyee the Health Ministry said this pause was to give the province time to write minimum service standards for overdose prevention sites, which it published as part of Thursday’s update.

These standards are “reasonable,” Herriot said, but argued that most sites already met them and so work didn't need to be delayed.

Read the full Local Journalism Initiative story at Capital Daily.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Mostly sun and cloud this week.

UV Index High (7) today and tomorrow.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

FOOD

10 patios to visit in Greater Victoria this summer

Summer weather is well underway, and all around the region locals are enjoying a bite or a drink outdoors. From beautiful harbour views to garden hideaways, these scenic spots are perfect for sipping, snacking, and soaking up the season. We asked Tasting Victoria and Capital Daily readers what their favourite restaurant patio in town was, and they delivered. Here’s where to find some of the best in the city, including your top three picks and other popular recommendations.

Read the list at Tasting Victoria.

WHAT'S OFFSHORE

HMCS Calgary's birthday party (but not the actual ship) comes to Ogden Point

The locally based warship celebrated 30 years of service yesterday at Ogden Point. There was a military parade at 9am, a free pancake breakfast, music, a BBQ and beer garden, fundraisers, face painting, ship tours, road hockey, and more. There were Calgary city councillors visiting with presents from the namesake city.

But what there wasn't: the actual Calgary vessel, a.k.a Canadian Warship 335, which remained in Esquimalt Harbour as it undergoes work. Instead, HMCS Vancouver (331) stood in for the festivities.

Commanding officer Cdr. Matthew Woodburn explained, per Victoria News, that the ship is likely still 10 months away from beginning its operational readiness program and needs extended maintenance after a major refit and 2.5 years of work. As such, the ship enters her 30s with some R&R.

Also present at Ogden Point yesterday was the cruise ship Quantum of the Seas, pictured below as seen through some Breakwater District flowers:

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🎭 Opera Quest presents JÉHANNE, a visionary bilingual opera by Canadian artists. June 27 at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Get your tickets now!*

🌷Shooting star blooms in Garry oak meadows—and some facts about them. [TJ Watt photos]

🏡 Boost your curb appeal and privacy with expert fence installation from Shield Landscaping. Quality materials, fast service, and free estimates. Email today [email protected].*

⚓ See what's left of Ucluelet's historic 1896 shipwreck after it burned on the beach. [Video]

👨🏽‍🦽‍➡️ Ean Price has been using a power wheelchair and respirator for most of his life, but he hasn’t let that stop him from travelling the world. With a little ingenuity, patience and problem solving, almost any destination is possible. Read the full article here.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Transportation minister pursuing future BC shipbuilding, but says China contract saved $1.2B
Mike Farnworth says that when he learned last month of BC Ferries’ plan to go with a Chinese shipbuilder he flagged concerns about Canada and China's trade conflict. But, he said, building ferries in Europe again would have cost much more. There were no Canadian bidders, though BC's Seaspan said last fall that it can't compete with lower-wage lower-standards countries without a government leg-up. [Vancouver Sun]

Former Victoria MLA candidate becomes new far-right party's chief of staff
Ex-BC-Conservative Tim Thielmann is part of the new OneBC party started last week by MLAs Tara Armstrong and Dallas Brodie. John Rustad expelled Brodie from his caucus in March, saying that “mocking former residential school students [was] beyond the pale." The new splinter party promises private healthcare, massive cuts to personal and corporate taxes, increasing birth rates, reducing immigration, and ending the “reconciliation industry” and “globalist assault.” Fellow ex-BC-Conservative Jordan Kealy was invited to join but has said he doubts the party's MLAs’ re-election chances.

Veterinarian shortage has mid-Islanders driving to Langford
Nanaimo's Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital (CIVEH) and Mahalo Vet Hospital have both cut down hours, and there is no 24-hour vet from the Malahat on up. Mahalo had originally expanded its hours to make up for CIVEH's two-day closure, but couldn't keep up. More CIVEH hours are expected by Aug. [CHEK]

🗓️ Things to do

🎺 The 26th annual Ska & Reggae Festival at Ship Point brings five days of high-energy performances spanning ska, reggae, hip-hop, funk, calypso, global roots, bass music, and more. [This week]

⚾️ HarbourCats welcome Pacific FC for “fan exchange" game this Wed. [Info]

🏡 Ross Bay Villa tours: Visits to the volunteer-run museum in an 1860s-built historic house run Thu.-Sat. [Info]

🍨 Sweet Street: Treats of all kinds star this Sat. at Westshore Town Centre. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday newsletter: Father stories. Weekly top news roundup. Why the Race 2 Alaska isn't here this year. [June 15]

The Saanich Summer of Summer went swimmingly, with a trio of world records. [Video]

Cross-Canada run kicked off yesterday at Clover Point. [SachinMotion]

Saanich home fire being investigated. [CHEK]

River otter shenanigans in Nanaimo [Video at VanIsleWildlife]