March 8 - Deaths soar among Island unhoused population

Good morning !

The rain has returned just in time for the weekend again—but that should come as good news for many of our readers. Two weeks ago, I asked whether people enjoyed rainy weekends and, out of 778 respondents, 553 (71%) said “yes” or “sometimes.”

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 10 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 8 / 5

Monday: 🌧️ 6 / 4 

NEWS

Island sees BC’s largest increase in deaths among unhoused people

The number of people who died while experiencing homelessness in the Island Health region rose sharply in 2023 compared with 2022—to 114 from 74. These 2023 preliminary numbers are the most recent stats available, and were released this week by the BC Coroners Service as it continues to complete death investigations.

The South Island recorded 40 deaths in 2023; while numbers from this region weren’t included in the 2022 report, Victoria recorded 28 deaths. The Central Island lost 55 unhoused people in 2023 and the North Island lost 19.

The Island Health region also had the second-highest rate of death in the province for unhoused people, with Fraser Health topping the list. 

Throughout BC, 458 unhoused people died in 2023. That's 100+ more than in 2022, when 342 people died. This is by far the highest annual number of unhoused deaths recorded in the province. Prior to 2020, the number hadn’t exceeded 200. In 2015, 74 people died in BC, including 15 people on the Island, while experiencing homelessness.

About 46% of these individuals in BC were experiencing “unsheltered” homelessness, meaning they lived in a tent or makeshift outdoor shelter, and 35% were experiencing “sheltered” homelessness, meaning they stayed in an emergency shelter, a halfway house, or were crashing with friends temporarily.

The most common cause of death was accidental unregulated drug toxicity, representing 86% of deaths in 2023, up from 81% the year before.

The highest percentage of deaths (28%) occurred in winter (Dec.-Feb., similar to a trend seen with toxic drug deaths). But spring (Mar.-May) wasn’t far behind at 27%.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Rainfall alert issued by Environment Canada for the East and West Island. [Info]

Daylight Saving Time: Set clocks ahead before bedtime tonight.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Esquimalt council votes not to fund new hires for VicPD

Esquimalt's council has decided not to approve additional funding for new officers and staff requested by the Victoria-Esquimalt Police Board. 

Mayor Barb Desjardins argued that Esquimalt would gain "minimal to no benefit" from the proposed positions, which more clearly focus on Victoria's policing needs. She emphasized that the decision was not about reducing the police budget for Esquimalt, but about maintaining it.

This decision reflects ongoing tensions between Esquimalt and the Victoria Police Department (VicPD). Esquimalt has previously rejected budget increases for new police positions, citing low crime rates and reduced service needs. Data from VicPD's Community Safety Report Card highlights Esquimalt's significantly lower police call volume compared to Victoria's. In 2024, Esquimalt accounted for just 7% of the total VicPD dispatch calls.

The decision could impact the overall funding requested by VicPD for its 2025 budget. The department is seeking a $7M increase, which is says is mainly to address staffing shortages and to maintain current service levels. Esquimalt’s share of the additional funding request would have amounted to $125K out of $925K, with Victoria paying the rest.

Read the full story by Sidney Coles here.

NEWS

UVic reaches national basketball tournament by securing Canada West bronze

The men's basketball team kept its season alive last night, winning its final home game to secure a fourth straight trip to the U SPORTS Final 8. This bronze game was do-or-die, after UVic lost its semifinal to Calgary despite entered the playoffs undefeated and ranked #1 in Canada.

UVic was the three-time defending Canada West champion but lost Canada's best university player, Diego Maffia of Oak Bay, to a season-endung injury in Jan. Through Feb., UVic remained undefeated even without him. But last weekend's loss proved the calibre of competition in Canada West, where 4 of the national top 5 play.

Manitoba, last night's opponent, was ranked #9 in Canada. In the first quarter, the Bison looked capable of seizing the Final 8's final spot. Manitoba was up 19-10. But UVic steadily clawed back over the first half before going up by about 10 points at various points in the second half. The Vikes won 97-85 behind Renoldo Robinson, who has 26 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. [Full game recap]

Maillet named west's top defender 

UVic also got a season-high 17 points in a burst of offence from Canada West's newly named Defensive Player of the Year Sam Maillet. The Dalhousie transfer is the first player to win the top defender award in two conferences.

“We weren't ready to be done yet,” he said after the game, reflecting that “we weren't ourselves last week” against Calgary.

Rookie coach named Coach of the Year

Murphy Burnatowski, 33, tallied the first undefeated regular season for UVic in 40+ years and the first in 50 for a MBB coach in his first season leading a program. The former national team player came, like Maillet, from Dalhousie and took over from UVic's coach of 21 years Craig Beaucamp.

BECOME A MEMBER

Get your Capital Daily Insider membership

Without the support of our Insiders, this newsletter would not be possible. Insider support allows us to get this free newsletter into your inboxes every day, and also gives our team of reporters the time they need to chase the bigger stories that matter in the CRD.

Become and Insider today!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🪸 Colourful creatures: See underwater shots of anemones, sea stars, and nudibranchs living in waters near Sooke and Victoria. [Facebook photos]

🌱 When opportunity appears, be ready! Grow your career through practical programs, expert-led courses and essential skills with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

🦪 Pearls in the Gorge: A family found multiple pearls in the muddy ground of the Gorge Waterway. [Facebook photo]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Thousands of baby salmon released early into Bowker Creek after mass die-off
Just days before all 18K+ of them were ready to be released, about half of the fish in incubation boxes were found dead (silver side up). The cause is still being looked into, but could be related to turbidity. [Black Press]

BC to get $3.7B in big tobacco lawsuit settlement
This portion of the overall $32.5B Canadian settlement could be spread over at least 18 years, with $900K coming in the first year. Attorney General Niki Sharma says that the payout will go toward funding the health system and in particular helping BC residents with smoke-related health issues. [Global / CP]

Canada announces $6.5B aid package for businesses affected by trade war
The Trade Impact Program will have $5B earmarked for the next two years for these businesses, with an additional $1B set aside for the agricultural sector. There will also be $500M available for business loans and a temporarily revised Employment Insurance program to allow businesses to cut hours and still compensate employees for lost wages. [CTV]

🗓️ Things to do

♀️ International Women’s Day: See our full list of IWD events happening today. [Capital Daily]

🎷 Busty and the Bass: Experience the energetic fusion of jazz, funk, and hip-hop with Busty and the Bass, with special guest Zach Zoya adding his unique flair to the performance, at Capital Ballroom tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🏆 A Night at the Oscars: An evening of glitz, glamour, and movie music favourites like The Wizard of Oz and E.T.: The Extraterrestrial to Chinatown and Chariots of Fire at the Royal Theatre. Today 7:30pm, tomorrow 2:30pm. [Info]

🎹 Attila Fias Group featuring Karin Plato: Experience captivating rhythms and jazz improvisation with pianist Attila Fias and vocalist Karin Plato at Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎨 Paint Night at Archer Gallery: Visit the Archer Mural Artist Gallery for a guided and interactive painting experience tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🖌️ Floral Watercolour and Ink Workshop: Join local artist Willow Wing for a premium workshop on floral watercolour and ink techniques at Westshore Town Centre today. 1pm. [Info]

🎶 Music Bingo: Test your music knowledge at Browns Crafthouse in Vic West tonight. 8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Saanich police officer dies on duty; Trump turns tariff faucet off, for now; Bigg’s killer whales heading to harbours to eat. [Mar. 7]

International Women’s Day events today and tomorrow. [Capital Daily]

Needless tariffs got you feeling furious? [Sing along here]

7 new restaurants to try this spring. [Tasting Victoria]

Cycling: The Victoria Segment Challenge. [On until April 27]