March 13 - BC is drinking less booze

Good morning !

Today we have news about BC’s drinking habits—while Islanders enjoy an alcoholic beverage more than most, the province as a whole has cut back.

Changes to Canada’s official guidelines on drinking are likely to have had the biggest effect on this trend, according to UVic researchers—read all about it in our first story by Mark Brennae.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 7 / 3

Tomorrow: ☁️ 7 / 5

Day after: 🌧️ 8 / 6

7-day forecast

NEWS

British Columbians drinking less booze: UVic study

British Columbians aren’t partying like it’s 1999 anymore, according to the results of a UVic study on alcohol consumption, which found residents imbibed less in 2023/24—the last fiscal year for which statistics were available—than in any year since the turn of the millennium. 

The per capita sale of booze in BC worked out to about 469 standard drinks per person aged 15+ per year (1.3 drinks per day), according to the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), which said that was a decrease to eight litres of pure alcohol consumed per capita from 8.82 litres.

The 9% drop is the largest single-year decline since the CISUR began tabulating these statistics and is 15% lower than the record highs established in 2020/21 when sales were at 550 standard drinks per capita, or 9.39 litres of pure alcohol per person per year.

“It is astounding to see this huge change from record highs to record lows in just a few short years,” CISUR director Dr. Tim Naimi said in a release.

“It’s been kind of a perfect storm of factors that have led to people buying less alcohol.”

According to the study’s authors, those factors include a population increase, taking into account that statistically, new Canadians drink less than established citizens. It’s also felt that rising prices due to inflation have curbed alcohol sales. 

The drop coincides with a reduction in the volume of alcohol sales across the country, according to Statistics Canada.

Read Mark Brennae’s full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Fraudster calls claiming to be Saanich Police officers.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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

NEWS

Drug poisoning increased in Victoria this week

Island Health has issued drug poisoning advisories for two regions, with Greater Victoria receiving one on Tue., six days after an alert for Port Alberni.

These alerts are issued when an increase in toxic drug deaths occur in the area, signalling that lethal street drugs are for sale. Port Alberni’s drug poisoning alert came two weeks after an alert in February. 

Victoria’s came a day after two unhoused people died—within an hour of one another—on Mon. BC Coroners Service (BCCS) told CBC another man died downtown on Sat. All three deaths are still under investigation. 

Island sees massive increase in unhoused deaths

A recent report from the BCCS found Victoria had the largest increase in deaths among unhoused people in BC, to 114 in 2023 from 74 in 2022. 

In December, Victoria outreach groups claimed 13 unhoused people died in Victoria in a three-week period.

BC had its highest year on record for unhoused deaths, with more than 100+ since 2022. Of these deaths, 86% were related to toxic drugs.

Vancouver Island drug use

Unregulated drug poisoning is the leading cause of death among young adults, aged 19-39, on the Island. The average number of toxic drug deaths on the Island is higher than the BC average. Since 2016, 15K+ people in BC have died from toxic drugs. One-fifth of those—3K—were on the Island.

BC ended the take-home option for its safer supply program in February, with many experts arguing that the disruption to the routines of people using the program could push many to return to street drugs.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Kickstart your philanthropic journey in Victoria

The Gadsden Initiative is designed for emerging donors who want to make our community stronger.

The program is a collaborative learning experience that invites members to join together and help shape a new philanthropy in the capital region. New donors will have opportunities to join exciting events and activities to explore different ways to give — all while building a fund at the Victoria Foundation. The program helps members build relationships with the community and work together to take action on solutions that enrich our region.

The Victoria Foundation accepts new Gadsden Initiative members at any time. Click here to learn more, and to join a vibrant community of over 80 people who are making a lasting difference in our community!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌸 Cherry blossoms and mountain views in Hillside-Quadra. [Facebook photo]

🎶 New music: Victoria artist Tobacco & Rose released a new track, Tara, this week. [Listen here]

🎹 Part concert, part pop-up book, Amanda Sum's quirky New Age Attitudes: Live in Concert opens at the Belfry's SPARK Festival tonight (to Saturday).*

📸 Vintage Van Island: See Cumberland in the early 1900s. [Facebook photo]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria man wins $1M in Keno, largest ever, says BCLC
David Campbell was playing Keno on Feb. 21 and went to bed without checking his numbers. The next morning, he went online to find he had matched all 10 numbers, the odds of which are one in 8.9 million for a $200K prize. Campbell also hit the 5x multiplier, increasing his prize fivefold. His first thought was it was an error, and he needed a new computer. He says he plans to travel, help out friends—and buy that new computer. [CHEK]

Accused dine and dasher arrested 4 times in Victoria 
Often seen in a blue jacket, using crutches, and, most recently, sporting a long-haired wig, the man’s likeness has been plastered all over social media of late as area restaurant workers share information. VicPD confirmed they’ve booked him on four separate occasions dating back to Feb. 12 but have yet to charge him for “fraudulently obtaining food.” Mike Boyle, who owns Swans Pub, said he thinks the man has started to target hotel restaurants and wonders how many times he has to be arrested before he’s charged. Many bills he allegedly didn’t pay were over $100. [Times Colonist]

Police find truck, stolen 26-foot trailer taken from Millstream
Someone used a stolen pickup to pull the large, enclosed trailer from its parked position on Millstream near Larkhall on March 4. Police recovered the trailer four days later in Shawnigan Lake, and three days after that, found the Ford F350 four-door pickup which was believed to have been stolen in Victoria, in Duncan. If you were driving in the area of Millstream on March 4 between 2:45am and 4am and have an in-car video, police ask that you review it in case it contains pertinent evidence. [RCMP]

Enjoying our newsletter? Help us make it even better!

Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region. 

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Dance Victoria presents: Ballet BC

On March 14 and 15, Ballet BC, Canada's leading contemporary dance company, returns to the Royal Theatre with ZENITH, a monumental triple-bill featuring PASSING by choreographer Johan Inger, a new creation by Ballet BC Emily Molnar Emerging Choreographer Award-winner Andrea Peña, and an exciting commission by Fernando Hernando Magadan. Tickets here.

🗓️ Things to do

🎸 The Great Divide: Celebrate the musical legacy of The Band, with a tribute performed by The Great Divide at Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎶 Stephen Fearing and The Sentimentals: See the renowned Canadian songwriter with Danish indie-folk band The Sentimentals at Mary Winspear Centre tonight. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🍫 Exploring the Delightful World of Chocolate: Join Julie's Delights Chocolates for an educational workshop on the history of chocolate, complete with tasty samples, at Westshore Town Centre. 6pm. [Info]

🍷 VINcabulary: Meet Pinot Gris: Explore the diverse expressions of the pinot gris grape, with a guided tasting of six wines from around the world at Vessel Liquor tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🖼️ Paint & Prosecco: Feather Art: Enjoy a glass of bubbles as you learn how to layer and pour paint to create a one-of-a-kind feather design at Westshore Town Centre tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🤘 Jump: America's Van Halen Experience: See the tribute to the classic David Lee Roth era of Van Halen at the McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]​

🌸 Hanami: Blossom Market: Celebrate the return of the cherry blossoms with a vibrant market featuring exquisite artists and food creatives at the Fernwood Community Centre. Sat. 11am-4pm [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Immigration rule changes tough for restaurant workers to chew on; BC Ferries may Elon-gate internet connection; BC boots US booze, welcomes its doctors. [Mar. 12]

Canada to impose 25% tariffs on some US goods starting today. [iPolitics / CP]

A new political party possible for BC. [Castanet / CP]

Electric unicyclist fined $1K after highway crash. [CHEK]

BC Lions-Calgary Stamps Langford pre-season game sells out in 12 minutes.

Bears have begun waking in some areas. See this guide to preventing encounters.

Buy Canadian. Boo American. [Grocery list]

CFB Esquimalt business leaders' meeting. [Today 3:30-5pm]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: