Tues. June 20 - 195 Islanders killed by drugs this year

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

The rain finally arrived yesterday and it looks like it’s going to continue today—so much for skipping “Juneuary” this year.

We asked Capital Daily readers how they felt about rain in the summer months and out of of nearly 1,400 votes, 743 of you said that summer rain is soothing and 275 liked the change of pace—so hopefully this weather is a welcome sight. As for the other 377 voters, don’t worry, the sun is expected to shine for the rest of the week.

NEWS

Island Health nears 200 toxic drug deaths in 2023

Greater Victoria lost 10 more people to toxic drugs last month, bringing 2023’s local total to 62 deaths. Island Health recorded 33 deaths in May and 195 in total this year. BC has reached 1,018 deaths in 2023, per BC Coroners Service’s latest report, exceeding BC’s entire death toll for the year 2019 or for any year prior to 2017.

For the third month in a row, Central Vancouver Island had the highest number of deaths within the Island Health Authority

According to the province, toxic drug deaths are now the leading cause of death for British Columbians aged 10-59 and kill more residents in that range than homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural disease combined.

However, BC deaths did decline in May, to 176, marking the first month this year below 190. May had approximately 5.7 daily deaths, down from April’s average of 7.

Fentanyl remains largest risk

In May, 87% of BC drug deaths were linked to fentanyl. According to the most recent report from Substance Drug Testing UVic (SDTU), the average content of fentanyl in Island drugs was 14.8%, up from 11% in April (though SDTU regularly notes that it is often concentration unpredictability that proves deadly). Benzodiazepine detection declined in May, with only 26% of deaths linked compared to 44% in April.

Last week, the province announced universal coverage for opioid agonist treatment, allowing any resident with an active MSP to access the medication for free. The province has continuously pointed out that there is no evidence of a link between prescribed safe supply access and toxic drug deaths.

Capital Bulletin

🌧️ Today's weather: Mainly cloudy with 30% chance of morning showers. High 17C/ low 14C.

🌫️ Air Quality: Low risk today (2/10), possible mild smoke on the Island from the Washington state fire.

🎨 Call to artists: Apply before July 11 to have your work showcased in Commercial Alley.

🚧 Sooke traffic delays at Church and Throup. 9am-2pm, today.

🔥 Cameron Bluffs wildfire downgraded from “Fire of Note” status, staying Under Control at 229 hectares.

NEWS

Residential school memorial pole reaches Inner Harbour to conclude Island tour

The totem pole will arrive today at 10am before departing at 10am tomorrow for its final destination in Vancouver. Created by acclaimed Kwakwuitl carver Stanley Hunt, it represents children who died at residential schools. The pole’s Island tour has gone through Port Hardy, Campbell River, Nanaimo, and Duncan, with ceremonies at each stop.

Hunt began carving the pole after the initial announcement of 215 unmarked graves in Kamloops and used his work to try to process the resulting emotions, working on it through winter days in a cold tent.

“There's no words in any language anywhere in the world,” he said, “that could possibly be put together to make any of that make sense.”

Read more about the design of the pole—which incorporates Raven, Canadian institutions, and the children—in the full story.

NEWS

RBCM CEO resigns after just 16 months on job

The Royal BC Museum announced on Friday the departure of Alicia Dubois, brought in in Feb. 2022 to help RBCM reset after controversies. Dubois is leaving by her own choice and for her own reasons, board chair Leslie Brown told CBC. Brown said Dubois completed her mandate of a BC-wide public engagement tour seeking residents’ input on the museum’s future, and no longer felt she was the right person going forward.

16-month tenure was turbulent
Soon after Dubois arrived, a $800M new museum was announced by then-Premier John Horgan and then called off in response to public backlash (leading to the BC-wide consultations). The museum has also dealt with controversy over the slowness of repatriating First Nations items and the closure of the Old Town exhibit., which will soon reopen again 

When Dubois was announced, her “experience in change management within large, complex organizations, and her intercultural expertise” were praised by the RBCM’s board spokesperson, former Victoria MLA Carole James. Dubois had been a Royal Ontario Museum trustee, the CEO of Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, and held key Indigenous-related roles at CIBC and Scotiabank.

Dubois came in after RBCM scandal & year-long search
Previous RBCM CEO Jack Lohman resigned in Feb. 2021 following the resignations of prominent Indigenous staff members Lucy Bell and Troy Sebastian, who had cited systemic racism and a toxic workplace culture at RBCM. That perception was later supported by an independent investigation. Three other board members left within a month and the province brought in James to right the ship, while chairman Dan Muzyka became acting CEO during the search for a new leader.

That search now begins again. 

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Capital Picks

🔄 Levidrome: When two words spell each other backwards, that’s a Levidrome, coined by the local kid whose dad has campaigned to popularize the term internationally (their story just headlined our Father’s Day roundup).
What Levidrome pair is described by this clue: Tummy pull
Answer on Facebook or Twitter and tag #levidrome and #capitaldaily. Last time: Inked, now! = tats/ stat

🌻 Beyond Van Gogh: The immersive Van Gogh experience opens today at the Starry Night Pavilion at Bayview Place. [Details]

💭 Thinking about therapy? The counsellors at Intertidal Counselling & Wellness know it’s hard to put yourself out there. They want you to know that they’re there when you’re ready.*

👠 Manila Luzon at Wicket Hall: The drag queen is a three-time competitor on RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars (which Victoria’s Jimbo is currently competing in). She’ll perform her show “Gangsta Paradise” with Henrietta Dubet tonight. 7pm. [Tickets]

🎶 The Slieves at Irish Times: Victoria’s Irish traditional band featuring Irish flautist Tasia Mackay, guitarist Jeremy Walsh, and bodhranist Andrew Morris MacKay will perform tonight, 8:30pm.

⚾ Victoria Harbourcats vs. Edmonton Riverhawks: The Harbourcats will play the Edmonton team in a home game tonight, 6:35pm. Tickets are $10 on Tuesdays.

🤝 Now hiring: Veterinary Technician at Sooke Veterinary Hospital.

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In Other News

🏥 New Nanaimo ICU replacing unit once called Canada’s worst
The new $41.6M, 12-bed facility will open on June 28 and replace a 10-bed ICU that a report a decade ago flagged as being in the worst physical condition in the country. [CP] The new unit arrives at a time Island hospitals have been strained.

⛳ Etienne Papineau wins Royal Beach Open 
The Quebecois golfer achieved a five-stroke victory at 18- under 262 at the Uplands Golf Course, winning $36K. Former UVic Vikes golfer Lawren Rowe tied for eleventh at 10-under 270. [Times Colonist]

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In Case You Missed It

🗞️ Monday’s headlines: Sooke OCP returns to council, Victoria man dies in freak fall from bunk while travelling, UVic Twins share prestigious award. [Monday newsletter]

👶 Father’s Day stories: Articles on Island dads headlined Sunday’s newsletter, along with a new interview with one who has written a book on fatherhood and mental health. Plus: Multiple three-wheeled car fires.

🌈 Celebrate Pride with Dustin Miller, a trusted realtor in Greater Victoria for 10 years. Find your dream home with a pro who supports the LGBTQ+ community. Happy Pride!*

🍺 Victoria Breweries win big: Craft breweries across the South Island came out victorious at this year’s Canadian Brewing Awards. [Tasting Victoria]

🚧 Sooke traffic delays at Church and Throup. 9am-2pm today.

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